Google’s Android Battery Health Indicator: Only Available for Pixel 8A and Newer Devices
Wondering if your Pixel phone will get Google's new Android battery health indicator? The short answer is: only if you own a Pixel 8A, Pixel 9, or a newer model. Google's Android 16 update brings an exciting new battery health tool aimed at helping users understand why their phone’s battery life is fading—but older Pixel devices like the Pixel 6 and Pixel 8 Pro won't be supported. Despite growing demand, Google has officially confirmed that it’s "infeasible" to roll out the feature to previous-generation models, leaving many loyal users disappointed.
Google's Battery Health Feature Explained
Similar to Apple’s Battery Health feature introduced in 2018, Google's new tool provides Android users with detailed insights into their device's battery condition. Launched through the Android 16 Beta program, this feature allows users to check battery capacity, performance, and overall longevity. These metrics can help diagnose rapid battery drain issues, prompting better decisions about repairs or replacements.
However, only owners of the Pixel 8A, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold will benefit from this helpful utility. High-demand devices, like the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series, unfortunately won't receive this functionality—even though aging batteries on these models arguably need it most.
Why Older Pixel Phones Won't Get Battery Health Tools
According to Google's developers on the public Android Issue Tracker, supporting older Pixel models is deemed "infeasible" due to "product limitations." In short, technical hurdles prevent Google from backporting this feature to devices like the Pixel 6 and Pixel 8 Pro. Some speculate that hardware differences, such as battery management chips or firmware incompatibility, are the main obstacles.
This decision was highlighted after testers on Reddit and Android Authority noticed the feature missing on older devices. Google's official stance, posted publicly, reads:
Status: Won’t Fix (Infeasible)
"The Battery Health Indicator feature is currently supported in Beta 3 on Pixel 8A and Pixel 9 products, including 9 Pro Fold. Due to product limitations, this feature will not be available on older in-market Pixel devices."
The Future of Battery Health Monitoring on Android
Google’s choice to restrict this Android 16 feature to only the latest Pixels underscores a broader trend: newer hardware increasingly gets priority for advanced features. While it’s frustrating for those still using relatively recent Pixels, it also highlights how critical staying updated is if you want the latest battery management innovations, device diagnostics, and performance optimization tools.
If you're considering upgrading your smartphone primarily for better battery insights, models like the Pixel 8A or Pixel 9 Pro offer not only the new battery health feature but also improved battery life, more efficient power management, and extended device longevity—features that matter more than ever for users wanting the best Android experience.
