Another Pixel 6a Just Exploded — Guess That $5 Charger Wasn’t a Great Deal After All

The post Another Pixel 6a Just Exploded — Guess That $5 Charger Wasn’t a Great Deal After All appeared first on Android Headlines.

May 16, 2025 - 17:22

Here’s another reminder why you shouldn’t use just any USB-C cable and wall charger for your phone. But instead, use a reputable company’s charger, or the one that comes with your phone (if yours still comes with one).

A Reddit user posted on the site that their Pixel 6a “spontaneously combusted” in the middle of the night. The user claims that the phone was charging overnight using an off-brand charger, which the user says they were using for over a year with the Pixel 6a and no issues. The Pixel 6a was also in a case at the time.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard of a Pixel 6a catching on fire, there were a few of them back in December 2024. And one thing that we’re seeing these fires have in common is, using an off-brand charger. While those off-brand chargers might look great because they are cheap, they do not have the same protections as the more expensive chargers. Which can lead to things like this happening.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time this has happened to Google. It seems to be an issue with the Pixel a-series specifically. With many people having issues with the Pixel 4a, especially after the infamous battery update.

Don’t buy “cheap” chargers

This should be a lesson to everyone, not to buy a cheap charger just because its $5 on Amazon. Make sure to buy from a reputable company. Like Anker, UGREEN, Baseus, Belkin, and the phone makers like Google, Samsung, and Apple. Now, yes, they do charge more for their own chargers, but this is because they have added protections inside so that your phone doesn’t overheat and end up exploding.

Keep in mind that batteries can explode at a moment’s notice. There’s a reason why you aren’t allowed to check anything that has a battery in your checked luggage when flying. That’s because if it explodes, the plane is going down, as no one is under the plane to deal with it.

The post Another Pixel 6a Just Exploded — Guess That $5 Charger Wasn’t a Great Deal After All appeared first on Android Headlines.