On Wednesday, Google began rolling out a noteworthy update for Pixel phones. This second December 2025 update is aimed at fixing some pressing issues. Factory and OTA images are now available for manual installation.
This extra update was first highlighted by Verizon, which noted three main fixes for the Pixel 8-10 series:
- Battery Drain: Users have reported their devices losing battery power faster than usual.
- Touch Unresponsive: Some Pixel 10 users are experiencing occasional touch failures.
- Cached Content Access: After upgrading directly from Android 14 or earlier to Android 16, users find they can’t access some locally stored content, like offline media and maps.
While Verizon shared this changelog on Wednesday, Google didn’t release further details until Friday. However, they did upload factory and OTA images for users interested in sideloading. Each regional and carrier variant has a new build, which indicates that this update is meant for all users.
- Global: BP4A.251205.006.E1
- Japan: BP4A.251205.006.C2
- EMEA: BP4A.251205.006.A4
For those who haven’t seen the on-device OTA yet, this manual update is around 25 MB.
As of Friday afternoon, the update hadn’t fully rolled out. More users have received it over the past two days, including those with unlocked devices. However, some Google Fi and T-Mobile users are still waiting.
Interestingly, according to a recent survey by Statista, about 70% of smartphone users prioritize battery life when choosing a device. This emphasizes how crucial the recent battery fix is for Pixel users. In a world where we rely heavily on our phones, every percentage of battery left counts. It’s clear that Google is listening to user feedback and working diligently to enhance the Pixel experience.
In contrast, back in 2015, a similar update was rolled out for the Nexus devices, addressing battery life issues and performance glitches. It’s fascinating to see how smartphone tech has evolved, but the need for regular software updates remains just as important today.
Stay tuned as more updates are expected in the coming weeks, ensuring a smoother experience for all Pixel users.
