In an emailed statement, Moriconi said, "A subset of Pixel 6A phones will require a mandatory software update to reduce the risk of potential battery overheating." He went on to explain that the update will reduce the device's battery capacity and charging performance after 400 charge cycles.

Typically, when a smartphone maker announces a software upgrade, you expect improvements. But a new update to Google's Pixel 6a devices will actually reduce the phone's battery capacity. The kicker: The software update will be mandatory, meaning some Pixel 6a owners will have to install it.

Following in the footsteps of the Pixel 4a, Google is preparing an update for some Pixel 6a units that will reduce their charging performance and battery capacity. The move comes on the heels of reports of Pixel 6a units catching fire while charging.