The Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 6 series of devices seem to be running into battery and overheating issues for some after installing the May 2023 security patch, according to a report from 9to5Google on Monday.
The issue, which has been noted by Pixel users on Google’s support page and Reddit, has some people seeing their battery life cut in half and their phone feeling hot to the touch. People began reporting the issue to Google on May 6.
On Reddit, user nocapsallspaces went to great lengths to find out what the potential cause was. Upon talking with support and doing some internal troubleshooting, they said the culprit might be the Google app. Other users have pointed to the “Android System Intelligence” for draining battery.
Google didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. If you recently bought the new Google Pixel 7A, it might be a good idea for you to hold off on updating to the latest May security update until more information comes to light, though.
The Google Pixel series of devices are well reviewed, and offer the definitive Android experience for many fans. Unfortunately, these types of software issues have popped up with Pixel devices over the years, however, harming its overall reputation. This includes burn-in with the Pixel 2 XL, microphone and call quality issues with the Pixel 3, power problems with the Pixel 4 XL and overheating issues with the Pixel 5A.
That’s not to say that iPhones haven’t had problems either, but given the perception consumers have of Android in comparison to Apple, it wouldn’t hurt for Google to jump on software issues quickly and with transparency. Lack of quick fixes could be why the iPhone has overtaken Android phones in US market share for the first time in over a decade.
Read more: Google Pixel 7A vs. Pixel 7 vs. Pixel 6A: See How They Compare
