It's been a few hours since the Android 17 Beta 3 update dropped and Pixel fans have been finding new and hidden features left and right. From the all new Expanded Dark Mode to App Bubbles, the latest Android update has a lot to offer. Now, a new feature has been spotted and it could finally bring faster charging speeds to Pixels.
Google Testing Priority Charging for Pixels
The good folks over at Android Authority were able to spot a new battery-focused feature buried deep inside the Android 17 Beta 3 source code. Dubbed Priority Charging, this yet-to-go-live tool will essentially prioritise fast charging while taking care of overall battery health.
As per the code string, Priority Charging is designed to help Pixel users top-up their phones quickly when there is a time crunch or battery levels are dangerously low. When activated, it will immediately pause background activity like app updates and allocate resources which will then deliver faster charging speeds.
It will not affect incoming calls, texts and other essential functions of the smartphone. The feature is designed to blend seamlessly and is not an aggressive limiter like Power Saving Mode. Moreover, the report states that Priority Charging is recommended for chargers rated to deliver 30W or more power.
Another interesting observation is that Priority Charging manages phone temperature actively. This means that as soon as the feature kicks in, it will not allow Pixel phones to get excessively warm or hot. It is expected to increase the battery longevity by managing battery health optimally.
So, it looks like Google is finally paying attention to charging speeds. While this is far from a hardware-level implementation, it will be interesting to see how good software optimisation can benefit charging speeds in Pixels. As for when it is coming, there is no clear indication of that. However, it is important to note that Priority Charging will be treated as a temporary/emergency solution rather than an out-of-the-box feature.
