Google Pixel 6a Catches Fire Due to Battery Issue

Google’s ongoing battery issues with its smartphones seem to be persisting, with reports surfacing of a Google Pixel 6a handset catching fire. The incident was reported by a Reddit user named Footymanageraddict, who woke up to a “horrible smell and a loud noise” caused by their plugged-in Pixel 6a catching fire.

The fire started just 40cm away from the user’s head and spread to their bedsheets, damaging their freestanding air conditioning unit. The user also suffered throat complaints from inhaling the fumes. Photographic evidence of the damaged Pixel 6a showed that the phone was in a case at the time of the incident.

This is not an isolated case, as it marks the third reported incident of a Pixel 6a catching fire this month. These reports come on the heels of Google taking action on the phone due to battery issues. In early July, Google released a firmware update that reduced the battery capacity of certain Pixel 6a handsets to prevent overheating.

Google has offered repair, credit, and refund options for affected Pixel 6a owners. However, if handsets are catching fire despite these measures, it could indicate a larger problem. The user in this latest incident claimed that their Pixel 6a was running on the latest version of Android 16.

This is not the first time Google has faced battery issues with its Pixel smartphones. The Google Pixel 4a had similar problems with batteries supplied by vendor Lishen, leading to a firmware downgrade to prevent overheating. This resulted in a significant drop in battery capacity and prompted a recall by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission.

It is clear that Google’s legacy smartphone battery issues continue to plague its devices, and the recent incident with the Pixel 6a highlights the importance of addressing these issues promptly to ensure user safety.