Summarizing the Incident
- Recent report of a Pixel 6a catching fire
- Incident occurred while the phone was plugged in
- Follows previous battery issues confirmed by Google
Google’s ongoing battery problems continue as a Pixel 6a device is reported to have caught fire. Reddit user Footymanageraddict shared their experience of waking up to a burning smell and noise caused by their Pixel 6a catching fire while plugged in.
The fire started near the user’s head and spread to their bedsheets, damaging other items in the room and causing respiratory issues from the fumes. The user also provided images showing the damage to the Pixel 6a, which was in a case at the time.
Google’s Response
While individual reports of phone malfunctions are not usually highlighted, the Pixel 6a has had multiple incidents of catching fire. These incidents come after Google took significant measures regarding the phone’s battery issues.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Earlier in July, Google released a firmware update to reduce the risk of battery overheating in certain Pixel 6a models. The company also offered repair, credit, and refund options for affected devices. However, if devices are still catching fire, Google may face a more significant issue.
The user involved in the recent incident claimed their Pixel 6a was running the latest Android 16 version, raising concerns about the safety of Google’s devices.
Past Battery Problems
Google has faced battery issues with previous Pixel models, including the Pixel 4a. Some Pixel 4a units with batteries from a specific vendor experienced overheating, leading to a firmware downgrade to prevent potential hazards.
This downgrade resulted in a significant reduction in battery capacity and led to a recall by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission for the affected devices.
