Have you ever ever observed how your telephone simply… doesn’t final prefer it used to? Someday, it’s going robust, and the subsequent, it’s dying earlier than dinner—with out warning, with out rationalization. For those who’ve ever felt that frustration, you’re not alone. And till now, Android hasn’t given customers a dependable approach to test what’s happening below the hood.

Google is quietly rolling out a brand new Battery Well being part within the newest Android 16 betas, lastly giving some Pixel customers a local approach to see how a lot life their battery has left. And whereas it’s restricted to only a few units for now, it alerts a significant shift in how Google is approaching long-term telephone possession.

So what precisely does it do? Who has entry? And why does one thing so easy matter this a lot? Let’s break it down.

Tips on how to Verify Your Pixel’s Battery Well being

For those who’re working Android 16 Beta 3 and also you’ve obtained the appropriate Pixel system (we’ll discuss that in a second), you possibly can test your battery well being by doing the next:

Open the Settings app in your Pixel system and scroll all the way down to faucet on Battery. Then, faucet on “Battery Well being” to view your battery’s present capability and optimization choices (by way of Android Authority).

Right here’s what you’ll discover in that part:

• Your battery’s state of well being as a share (i.e., how a lot of its unique capability it nonetheless holds in comparison with a brand new battery).
• Tips about methods to lengthen your battery’s lifespan primarily based in your utilization.
• Fast settings to allow Adaptive Charging or restrict charging to 80%.

That is the sort of perception iPhone customers have had for years. Since iOS 11.3 again in 2018, Apple has provided a built-in Battery Well being tracker with a transparent capability share and repair suggestions. Android customers, then again, have principally needed to depend on third-party apps like AccuBattery—which might solely estimate put on and aren’t all the time correct.

So sure, it’s a small change. However for Android, it’s an overdue and really welcome one.

However There’s a Catch

Now, right here’s the place issues get slightly annoying—and complicated.

The brand new Battery Well being characteristic isn’t available throughout all Pixel units. As of Android 16 Beta 3, it’s solely totally purposeful on the Pixel 9 sequence and—considerably surprisingly—the Pixel 8a.

For those who’re utilizing a Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Professional, Pixel 7, or something older, you would possibly nonetheless see the Battery Well being menu in your settings—however tapping it simply exhibits some battery care suggestions. No numbers. No share.

And that raises a couple of questions. Why would Google give a finances system just like the Pixel 8a entry to this characteristic whereas leaving the dearer Pixel 8 and eight Professional out?

There’s no official rationalization, however the most definitely reply is that that is short-term. The Pixel 8 and eight Professional could also be utilizing totally different battery controllers or firmware that Google continues to be working to assist. Android betas are all about testing and gradual rollouts, and it wouldn’t be the primary time a characteristic landed on one system earlier than increasing to others.

So, whereas it’s positively irritating proper now, there’s a great likelihood we’ll see broader assist as soon as Android 16 goes secure.

Why Battery Well being Monitoring Really Issues

Let’s say your telephone got here with a 5,000 mAh battery. That quantity seems to be nice on the spec sheet—however after two or three years, in case your battery well being drops to 80%, you’re actually working with about 4,000 mAh. That might clarify why your telephone dies sooner, heats up extra usually, or simply doesn’t really feel as dependable because it used to.

With this new Battery Well being tracker, you’re now not guessing. You’ll see the numbers and may make extra knowledgeable choices, whether or not meaning changing the battery, adjusting the way you cost, or just being conscious that efficiency dips aren’t simply in your head.

That features habits like:

• Turning on the 80% cost restrict in Settings (which helps cut back put on over time).
• Utilizing Adaptive Charging to slowly prime off your battery in a single day.
• Avoiding quick charging once you don’t want it, particularly if the telephone is sizzling.

Just a little visibility goes a great distance—particularly in case you’re planning to carry onto your telephone for a number of years.

This Isn’t Only a Function—It’s a Sign

The addition of a built-in Battery Well being display screen, even when it’s restricted to some units proper now, says one thing greater about Google’s course: they know persons are holding their telephones longer.

Pixel 8 and 9 units are promised seven years of Android updates. However long-term assist solely works in case your {hardware} can sustain—and that begins along with your battery. Giving customers a clear approach to monitor put on and tear is a brilliant, user-first transfer.

It additionally aligns with the rising dialog round repairability and sustainability. If we’re going to make telephones last more and reduce waste, we’d like higher instruments to handle growing older elements. And this characteristic? It’s a step in the appropriate course.