Google limits Android's Battery Health feature to Pixel 8a and newer devices

Android 16 is bringing a battery health indicator feature that will allow users to check their device's battery health. Available in beta, Google has now confirmed that the feature will only reach select Pixel phones, specifically the Pixel 8a and Pixel 9 series.

The Android Battery Health menu is available in Android 16 Beta 3, and it allows users to know how far their battery has degraded. A similar feature has been available on iPhones for years now including models such as the iPhone 6. Now, Android Authority has reported that the feature will only be available on newer Pixel phones.

The Battery Health menu can be viewed under Battery in the Settings app, and from the screenshots provided, it is described as an estimated percentage of charge the battery can currently hold in comparison to a new standard battery.

The screenshots are reported to have surfaced from users of the Pixel 8a and Pixel 9 (curr. available on Amazon for $599). However, no one with an older model including the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro shared a screenshot, prompting an inquiry. A response in the Google Issue Tracker spotted by Redditor azmeen0, has confirmed that it is intentional as the Battery Health feature will not be available on older Pixel smartphone 'due to product limitations'.

This is devastating news for owners of older Pixels who will benefit more from the feature since their batteries would have degraded over time and knowing how far gone it is will be helpful. It also puts into question the promised seven years of updates if a last generation device misses out on important features such as this one.