Battery failures return to haunt Google’s Pixel A lineup — now the Pixel 6a is catching fire

You should stick to reputed chargers and cables, preferably from Google themselves.

May 16, 2025 - 17:12

Battery failures return to haunt Google’s Pixel A lineup — now the Pixel 6a is catching fire

Multiple reports reveal instances of the Google Pixel 6a catching fire, often while charging overnight with off-brand chargers.
Battery-related incidents have plagued various A-series models, including battery swelling in the Pixel 7a and overheating risks in the Pixel 4a.
The Pixel 9a’s release was delayed due to an unspecified “component quality issue.” Afterward, Google released the phone with a mandatory battery health update that will reduce battery capacity and charging speed over time to maintain long-term battery health.
Pixel 9a teardowns have also revealed excessive adhesive used in securing the battery, making it difficult to remove without damage.

Pixel A-series users can’t seem to catch a break with battery issues these days. After the Pixel 4a’s infamous “battery update of death,” Google also recently started offering free battery replacements for Pixel 7a users with a swollen battery. Now, a few reports have emerged of battery explosions for the Pixel 6a.

Reddit user zaliver shared that their Pixel 6a “spontaneously combusted” in the middle of the night. The phone was charging overnight using an off-brand charger, though the user claims that they had been using the charger for over a year with the phone with no issues. The Pixel 6a was in a case at the time.