Many users have reported problems with their Pixel devices following the March and April 2026 updates, and I’ve also been dealing with noticeably higher battery drain on my Google Pixel 10 Pro since installing the latest build.
Naturally, my fear of an update breaking something has become bigger than usual.
Still, avoiding updates altogether isn’t really a solution. I still use my Pixel 10 Pro as my daily driver and continue updating it regularly.
But between the occasional update-related issues and the fact that Pixels generally don’t match the battery life of some competing Android flagships, I’ve developed three simple habits that have significantly reduced my battery anxiety.
This phone is the only one I’d trust to last beyond 2030
Settle for the right phone, not the most expensive one
5G isn’t always worth the battery trade-off for me
Switching to LTE helps my Pixel last significantly longer
Like almost every modern smartphone, Pixel devices support 5G out of the box. But having 5G internet also means your phone’s modem is constantly working harder in the background, which can noticeably impact battery life.
Pixel phones aren’t exactly known for having the most efficient modems, and when you combine that with the extra battery drain that comes with 5G, the impact is pretty noticeable.
Whether you’re streaming music during a commute or downloading a game while traveling, keeping 5G enabled all day can drain more battery than most people realize.
That’s why one of the first things I do whenever I know I’m going to be out for a long day is switch my Pixel from 5G to LTE.
Sure, I lose some peak download speeds, but LTE is still more than fast enough for most of what I do, and the battery savings are noticeable by the end of the day.
Another thing I do whenever I’m away from home is connect to Wi-Fi if it’s available. Whether I’m working from a café or visiting a friend’s house, I’ll switch from cellular data to Wi-Fi if possible.
Wi-Fi generally uses less power than constantly relying on cellular networks, which helps stretch battery life even further.
Weak cellular coverage quietly destroys battery life
Airplane mode is my secret weapon in dead zones
Another thing many people don’t realize is just how much battery a poor cellular reception can drain.
When your phone is stuck in an area with a weak signal, it’s constantly searching for a stronger connection and switching between available towers.
That means the modem is working much harder in the background and using far more battery than it normally would.
So when I know I’m going to be somewhere with little to no signal, I usually enable Airplane mode. I usually follow this when I’m underground on the subway, in areas with spotty coverage, or especially when I’m on a flight.
Not only does this prevent unnecessary battery drain, it also means my Pixel isn’t constantly hunting for a nonexistent signal.
And when I eventually turn Airplane mode back off, the phone usually reconnects much more cleanly to the strongest available network.
I only use Always-on Display when I truly need it
Convenience is great, but battery life matters more outdoors
Another simple but surprisingly effective habit I’ve picked up is disabling the Always-on Display whenever I’m heading out for the day.
I find the Always-on Display on Pixel phones pretty useful. Not only does it show the time and notifications, but I also use it quite a bit for things like checking what’s currently playing through the Now Playing feature when I’m sitting in a café or working somewhere.
That said, the Always-on Display does have a battery cost. It may not be massive on its own, but when you’re already trying to stretch your battery throughout a long day, every little bit helps.
That’s why one of the first things I do before leaving home is to turn it off completely.
Sure, you lose some convenience, but you can still tap the screen or lift the phone to check the time and notifications whenever you need to.
Saving your Pixel’s battery isn’t as difficult as it seems
At the end of the day, improving battery life on a Google Pixel phone isn’t nearly as complicated as it sounds.
These three habits have made a noticeable difference for me, especially on days when I’m away from a charger for long periods.
Plus, these aren’t the only tweaks you can make. There are plenty of other settings buried inside Pixel phones that can help improve battery life even further.
But if you’re looking for a few simple changes that don’t really impact how you use your phone, these are the ones that have worked best for me.
- SoC
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Google Tensor G5
- RAM
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16GB
- Storage
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128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB with Zoned UFS / 1 TB with Zoned UFS
- Battery
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4870mAh
- Operating System
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Android 16
- Front camera
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42 MP Dual PD selfie camera
Google’s latest Pro Pixel packs a faster yet efficient Tensor G5 chip, an upgraded ISP, and a brighter display. Plus, an array of new AI features that make it one of the best Android phones to launch in 2025.
