what you need to know
- Google casually confirmed the existence of the Pixel 8a, hinting that the previously removed battery statistics feature was back.
- According to Google software engineers, this feature will be exclusive to Pixel 8a and its successors.
- The battery statistics feature was introduced in the QPR1 update of Android 14 and then disappeared in the March 2024 Pixel update.
- It turns out that Google removed the feature on purpose, with software engineers saying it wouldn’t work on existing devices.
Google accidentally confirmed the existence of the Pixel 8a and hinted that a recently removed feature will make a comeback with the Pixel 8a.
The confirmation comes after Google software engineers responded to user bug reports. In a post about the battery stats, a software engineer revealed that the feature is returning on the Pixel 8a, suggesting a successor to the Google Pixel 7a is in the works (via 9to5Google ).
The software engineer also mentioned that the feature is only available on Pixel 8a and later models.
QPR1 update for Android 14 via Google (at About mobile phones inner part set up menu. It allows the user to check the charge cycle count as well as how long the battery was manufactured.
Fast forward to the March 2024 update for Pixel phones, and the feature has disappeared without a trace. People are naturally curious about why it disappeared. The bigger question is why Google launches a feature and then remains silent when it suddenly disappears. Google avoided explaining this.
On the bug tracker page, software engineers said the disappearance was intentional as the page should never have popped up on current devices in the first place.
According to the post, the feature will return on Pixel 8a. Perhaps, when Android 15 is released later this year, these battery stats may become available for all Android phones.
Regardless, this marks the first time Google has publicly confirmed the existence of an upcoming mid-range model. Still, it’s not a huge surprise considering the company’s recent launch pattern for its Pixel A-series phones.
Rumors suggest the Pixel 8a could debut in the coming months, possibly around the Google I/O conference in May.
Speaking of price tags, previous rumors suggested the phone might see another small jump in cost (just like the Pixel 7a cost more than the Pixel 6a).