Google’s Pixel lineup is under the spotlight once again as new reports of battery problems filter through, rekindling concerns around reliability and long-term ownership. From bulging cells that push screens out of their frames to sudden drains even after routine updates, the trend has crossed several generations. It’s no longer a question whether the problem exists — it’s how quickly and definitively Google will respond, and whether trust can be restored.
Not isolated incidents, but a recurring problem
Multiple owner accounts on the Google Support Community and Reddit detail Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro units experiencing swollen batteries that can push the display away from the chassis. Older devices have been similarly complained about too, such as the Pixel 4 XL, which was put on an official repair program for battery and power issues through authorized service channels. Pixel 5 and the A-series have undergone waves of swelling and drain complaints over time, too.
To be sure, lithium-ion batteries age and can fail in any phone. But the sheer number of posts across models — as well as confirmation from independent repair shops who tell me they’re seeing more Pixel swelling and adhesive failures than prior years — indicates there’s something going on beyond simple bad luck or user error.
What’s likely going wrong with Pixel batteries
Swelling usually results from the formation of gas within the pouch cell as electrolytes decompose — a process that can be hastened by heat, deep discharge or repeated fast charging. You can do better, Google. (Read iFixit on how modern “glass sandwich” designs make it hard to dissipate heat and do safe battery swaps, and Pixel phones are no different.) When one of these cells expands inside a tightly sealed frame, the weakest part, typically the display adhesive, will separate because there is nowhere else for the pressure to go.
Power draw is another factor. Reviews and lab testing by publications including DXOMARK have continually ranked several Pixel models as simply fair in endurance — despite generous capacities (some 4,300 mAh on the regular flagships; around 5,000 mAh on the larger Pro versions). Independent charging tests also reveal real-world peaks in the low-20-watt range despite 30W branding — which equates to more time on the charger, and therefore cumulatively more heat while receiving top-ups, both of which stress cells over time.
Software drains add to the mounting hardware strain
Pixel owners have been through a few of these software-related freakouts around battery, spanning renegade processes with the Google app to connectivity bugs resulting in radios hunting for signal. Google tends to patch these up quickly, but prolonged background activity is enough to cook a phone in your pocket and whip through a charge cycle in just hours, accelerating degradation. The company’s widely admired Adaptive Battery and power management smarts are generally well-meaning, but if bugs slip through the cracks (which they do), all the promise in the world gets undermined.
Modem efficiency also matters. Critics have noted on previous Pixels that the radio power draw is high for a weak network connection and, on low signal in bad-signal areas around the world, battery life is still not great. That’s not exclusive to Google, but combined with tight thermal envelopes, it increases risk over time.
Safety risks, repair costs and long-term goodwill loss
Swollen batteries are more than just an annoyance. A pop-up screen is bad for water resistance, promotes debris gathering and may result in catastrophic failure upon puncture. Even if a device does survive, the costs rack up — battery replacements out of warranty, time wasted and the common discomfort of carrying an inflating phone. Consumer advocates and sites that follow repair trends note that problems with batteries are a primary driver of smartphone service, meaning a brand curveball like this is liable to do some reputational damage.
Google has proved that it can act fast — the Pixel 4 XL repair program, speedy fixes following battery-drain updates and plans to work with authorized repair providers all add up. What the case-by-case approach has managed is for too many device owners to wonder whether they’ll be saved or left to pay.
What Google should do now to restore user trust
- First, acknowledge the pattern with an honest bulletin listing affected models and symptoms (screen lift, excessive heat, severe standby drain).
- Second, offer no-cost battery replacements for eligible devices well beyond the one-year manufacturer’s warranty, with the path to these replacement batteries clear and easy to find via the Google Store or through its authorized service providers.
- Third, ship a visible battery health dashboard — not a hidden service menu readout — that displays cycle counts, capacity estimates and proactive notices when swelling risk is elevated.
On the engineering side, it needs to loosen its grip on cell supplier QA, tighten up adhesive specs, and improve thermal management around the modem and charging circuitry. An upcoming transition to more easily replaceable batteries, required by European regulation, is an opportunity not just to follow but to lead: make devices serviceable without sacrificing water resistance and publish repair guides with parts pricing that feels reasonable.
What to do if you’re already a Pixel owner
If your device’s screen is expanding, the frame has a gap or other damage, or the back is springy to the touch when pressed at its center after being used normally in normal conditions, power it down and stop using it; arrange for authorized service immediately. When it comes to day-to-day care, refrain from charging in overheated cars, heavy gaming while plugged in and letting 100% nightly trickle become a habit. Adaptive Charging, a feature that can help you make the most out of moderate-wattage chargers, and steps to disable 5G in low coverage and trim back background-hungry apps (which could lead to less heat) are two things that might also slow aging. Take photos and screenshots of your symptoms, battery stats and more before you reach out to support — it helps the cause.
Clever software and delightfully simple camera magic have always been at the core of the Pixel story. But no shine of AI can disguise a battery that swells and dies on its own terms. For the faithful users who have stuck around for multiple generations, the question remains: When will enough be enough? The response now comes down to how quickly and thoroughly Google is able to turn a long-standing pain point into a solved issue.