Google began rolling out two features for Pixel smartphones Monday that represent the company's latest effort to differentiate its devices in an increasingly competitive Android market. The Battery Health Assistant and Pixel VIPs widget are launching as part of the tech giant's June feature drop, addressing concerns about device longevity and contact prioritization.
The moves come as Google's Pixel division posted 26% year-over-year growth in the second quarter of 2024, reaching 2.3 million units shipped. The features signal Google's push to match capabilities long available on competing platforms while leveraging its software expertise.
The Battery Health Assistant, first announced for the mid-range Pixel 9a in March, will now extend to older Pixel models12. The feature automatically adjusts a battery's maximum voltage starting at 200 charge cycles and continuing to 1,000 cycles to help stabilize performance as batteries age13.
"Battery health assistance is a software feature that will roll out to a selection of Pixel devices starting later this year, designed to extend their usability," Google told 9to5Google in March2.
APK teardown specialist AssembleDebug managed to activate the feature early on a Pixel 9, revealing settings that allow users to toggle the assistance on or off34. The feature will remain mandatory on the Pixel 9a but optional on other models12.
Users may notice slightly reduced battery runtime and longer charging times as the system manages voltage levels13. The approach mirrors similar battery management systems implemented by Apple on iPhones in recent years2.
Pixel VIPs allows users to designate up to eight contacts for priority treatment, placing them at the top of the Favorites list with special badges12. The widget displays recent calls and messages, real-time location sharing, weather information, and time zones for designated contacts12.
Perhaps most notably, VIP contacts can bypass Do Not Disturb mode, ensuring important calls and messages always reach users123. The feature also suggests activities based on shared preferences and allows users to maintain notes about each contact12.
The widget began appearing unexpectedly for some Pixel users over the weekend, running Android 15 with May 2025 security patches14. Originally developed under the codename "besties," the feature integrates directly into the Google Contacts app rather than operating as a standalone application43.
The features arrive as Google prepares for rumored early launch of the Pixel 10 series, potentially as soon as late June1. With the Pixel 9 series expanding to 32 markets compared to 22 for its predecessor, Google appears focused on scaling its smartphone business ahead of anticipated iPhone competition2.
"POCO is not just meeting expectations — we're setting new standards for smart, sustainable battery innovation," said Himanshu Tandon, Country Head at POCO, reflecting broader industry focus on battery longevity3.
