Android is reportedly working on a new feature that will show users the health status of their phone’s battery for the first time. Code uncovered in the latest Android beta release points to an upcoming Battery Health page in Settings.
This feature promises to excite Android users as it would provide key metrics on a battery’s longevity and charging capacity as it naturally degrades over time – similar to the battery health view iPhone users have long enjoyed.
Discovered by experts examining the Android 14 beta, the pending addition suggests Google wants to provide clearer insights on battery performance. Manufacturers currently bury this data in diagnostics menus not easily accessible.
The Battery Health section may display estimated battery capacity compared to when new. Icons hint at notifications for reduced capacity or inability to detect a battery. It could also offer usage tips to prolong battery lifespans.
Recent Android builds added complementary tools like showing battery manufacturing date and charging cycles. But a dedicated health gauge fills a major gap in providing transparent battery stats.
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Industry watchers welcome this overdue transparency for informing repair or replacement decisions as batteries inevitably weaken. Wear now shortens smartphone lifespans.
Android alone powers over 80% of smartphones globally. Empowering users with battery health data represents a significant move by Google.
It is unclear when Battery Health will become mainstream on Android. The findings come via an experimental Settings app update that must still integrate with Android itself. But placing a battery spotlight directly in Android Settings makes the feature easily discoverable once live.
For Android loyalists, the option to monitor battery performance could soon match conveniences that iOS has long enjoyed. The boost in user awareness and device longevity may prove well worth the wait.