The upcoming Google Pixel launch may also introduce an iOS-style battery health indicator to Android phones, with potential improvements expover time, the media has reported. Unlike iPhone users who can easily check battery health from the Settings app, Android users typically rely on third-party apps or specific commands to assess their battery health. According to a report by Android Authority, Google added a “Battery Information” page to Settings in the December 2023 Pixel Feature Drop. Despite this addition, the page currently displays the battery’s manufacturing date and cycle count, but doesn’t provide information about the battery health.
The recent Pixel Feature Drop introduced battery details, displaying the manufacturing date and cycle count. However, in the Android 14 QPR2 Beta 2, a concealed “battery health” page has been discovered by Mishaal Rahman for the The Verge. Although lacking a visible battery health metre, the code hints at potential features like revealing the “estimated percentage of charge the battery can currently hold compared to when it was new”.
New icons have been discovered that appear to signify reduced battery capacity or the absence of battery detection. Additionally, the Settings app will provide “tips” in case of updates on battery health, such as instances where the phone cannot detect the battery or when the battery health is degraded, the report noted.
While iPhone users have long enjoyed access to battery health information, having a battery health indicator directly accessible in the standard Settings app is a much-needed development for Android smartphone users. This becomes especially valuable with the increasing availability of genuine repair parts, including batteries, and the growing popularity of self-repair guides.
Meanwhile, in a bid to enhance online safety for Android users and combat cyber threats, Google is developing an anti-phishing feature, which has been also been spotted within the Android 14 QPR2 Beta 2 release. The security enhancement aims to automatically identify suspicious apps, providing added protection against phishing attacks, which can deceive even the most tech-savvy users. Phishing attacks have the capability to deceive even the most technologically adept users into disclosing sensitive information.
Discovered recently by Android Police in the QPR2 Beta 1 release, the feature, labeled “scanning for deceptive apps,” can be found in Settings > Security & privacy > More security & privacy. Upon activation, it scans app activity for indications of phishing or deceptive behaviour. Google guarantees users that the scanning occurs privately on the device, with app information sent to Google Play Protect for confirmation and user warnings only if suspicious behaviour is detected.
