A Reddit user has reported a serious incident involving a Pixel 6a smartphone that caught fire while charging on a bedside table. The user said the phone was resting less than 40 centimeters from his head when it suddenly exploded with a loud noise and released a strong burning smell. The fire spread quickly and ignited the nearby bedsheet. The user inhaled smoke in the closed room, which caused throat discomfort and lingering symptoms throughout the day.
The incident took place on July 26, according to the user’s post. He managed to pull the phone by its charging cable and throw it onto a tiled floor to prevent the fire from spreading further. He also shared images of the burned phone and surrounding damage, including visible heat marks on a nearby air conditioner. The user described the experience as “terrible” and said he was unsure how to contact Google support by email.
Google previously rolled out a mandatory software update for the Pixel 6a that aimed to limit battery performance on units that had crossed 400 charging cycles. The company warned that affected devices could overheat or pose fire hazards if the update was not installed. This update went live on July 8 and applied to Pixel 6a phones that had surpassed 375 cycles, at which point users were expected to receive a warning and become eligible for a free battery replacement.
Some users have raised concerns that the update may be making things worse. One user on social media said his phone never had heating issues before the update, but began running extremely hot afterward. He replaced the battery, which he said resolved the issue.
The latest fire report is the third such case posted online in recent months. In May, another Pixel 6a reportedly exploded due to a swollen battery. Some affected users claim they did not receive any advance warning or were not in regions supported by Google’s walk-in repair centers.
Google has not yet issued a statement in response to the new report. The incident raises fresh questions about the safety of aging Pixel 6a units and the effectiveness of the software update intended to mitigate fire risks.
Meanwhile, Pixel 6a owners still holding on to their devices, the advice is simple: if you’re seeing abnormal heat, swelling, or battery drain, don’t wait. Seek a replacement or stop using the device.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories! 
(Source)
The post Pixel 6a catches fire, ignites bedsheet, sparks safety concerns over battery update appeared first on Gizmochina.