The devices we rely on every single day—often without a second thought—tend to be the ones that surprise us the most when something goes wrong or feels off.

What was once a phone praised for its sleek design, practical features, and overall dependability is now quietly stirring up concern that goes well beyond the usual complaints about sluggish performance or a battery that just doesn’t last.

When what’s supposed to be a routine fix or improvement ends up introducing a new kind of risk, it raises unsettling questions about safety, privacy, and who ultimately bears responsibility.

And if you happen to be using a Pixel 6a, this might be one of those moments where taking a closer look could be more important than you realize.



In early July, Google pushed a Pixel update aimed at limiting battery fires—but it’s not going as planned.

Pixel 6a users with over 400 charge cycles were supposed to see reduced battery capacity and slower charging to avoid overheating risks.

A troubling new report on Reddit details what happened to one user's Pixel 6a after installing the update. The phone exploded overnight, the user wrote, attaching photos of a melted and charred device.

The account, /u/footymanageraddict, described waking up to find what was left of their phone in a pile of plastic and ash. According to them, the phone had the latest battery patch installed before the incident.


The 6a has seen similar battery fire reports before, which is what prompted Google’s action in the first place.

With more than 400 charge cycles, lithium-ion batteries become more vulnerable to thermal breakdown.

Google attempted to address this by reducing the phone’s power throughput after a certain threshold.

But this latest report raises a serious question: if even patched devices are still catching fire, is the fix actually working?



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Battery degradation is nothing new—but explosive failure should not be the cost of aging hardware. The Pixel 6a uses lithium-ion batteries like most modern smartphones, and while efficient, they’re notoriously sensitive to heat and repeated charging.

Problems can compound with time, especially in warm environments or with damaged charging accessories. Aged batteries that are pushed beyond safe thermal limits may fail catastrophically.

The real concern isn’t just about one bad unit—it’s that Google's software fix might not be reliably preventing the failures it's designed to stop.

Earlier this year, similar throttling updates for the Pixel 4a drew backlash after dramatically reducing performance.



In both cases, affected users were offered limited Google Store credit or a free battery replacement. But many reported that the options were hard to access, with long support queues and sparse availability.

According to Google's announcement, the July patch was intended to maintain performance while reducing overheating risks for devices with aging batteries.

But the incident reported by /u/footymanageraddict appears to contradict that promise directly. The phone had already received the update—and yet, it still failed in the most dangerous way possible.

Given the phone is now two years old, many units are approaching or surpassing the 400-charge-cycle threshold.



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That raises alarms not just for those who’ve already updated, but for every Pixel 6a owner still using the original battery.

If your device starts overheating or swelling, experts recommend shutting it down immediately and seeking a replacement.

So far, Google has not issued a public statement addressing this latest fire report. As of now, the company is still offering battery swaps—but users say appointments are scarce and instructions are confusing.

Until a more reliable fix is issued or further details emerge, users may need to rely on personal safety measures to mitigate the risk. That includes not charging overnight, avoiding extreme temperatures, and watching closely for signs of battery distress.

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Are you currently using a Pixel 6a? Have you experienced overheating, slow charging, or other strange battery behavior since the July update? We want to hear your story—especially if you’ve had trouble accessing Google’s battery replacement program. Drop a comment below and let us know your thoughts, concerns, and advice for fellow users.