Android 15 QPR1 brings ‘bypass charging’ to Pixel phones

Android 15 QPR1 beta update has arrived for Pixel devices with some amazing features including “bypass charging”. This capability ensures better health of your phone’s battery. It automatically stops charging the device as it reaches a limit.

Pixel phones already support the “limit to 80%” charging. It pauses the device charging at 80% and prevents it from the risk of overheating or overcharging issues.

Now Google has introduced a new capability called “bypass charging” with the Android 15 QPR1 update. The feature not only limits the smartphone charging to 80% but also uses the power from the power socket instead of the battery.

Simply put, the feature will keep your device at 80% battery until you remove it from the socket. Android Authority tested this feature via a power monitor.

Android 15 QPR1 brings ‘bypass charging’ to Pixel phones (Image Credits: AndroidAuthority)

As per the monitoring, the device consumed a lower rate of power in bypass charging, compared to the normal usage. For instance, it used 0.1W in an idle situation. Meanwhile, the power jumped to 0.74W when the screen turned on. It further reached 7.6W while using the benchmarking apps on the device.

Bypass Charging will protect the device from overcharging, especially when it is plugged into the socket. It reduces the voltage stress that can lead to battery degradation.

Users can continue to use the device while keeping it on the charging. It is a perfect feature for gamers who play for long hours on their devices. This new capability will likely be available to all those Pixel handsets running on the Android 15 QPR1.

(source)