Picture this: you installed Android 16 QPR2 on your Pixel 10, excited for the new features, only to watch your battery percentage drop faster than usual. Your morning scroll through social media feels off too, with occasional taps refusing to register. Sound familiar? You’re not alone.
Google’s moving quickly to fix these post-update gremlins. The company is quietly rolling out a second December 2025 patch specifically targeting the battery drain and touch response issues that slipped through with Android 16 QPR2 earlier this month.
This Pixel December update is surprisingly lean at around 25MB, and it’s currently hitting Verizon models of the Pixel 8, 9, and 10 series first. The build number BP4A.251205.006.E1 might not mean much to most users, but for those tracking these things, it’s the ticket back to normal battery life.
Verizon’s changelog doesn’t mince words. It explicitly calls out ‘faster-than-expected battery drain’ as the primary target for these battery drain issues. If your Pixel 10’s screen-on time took a nosedive after the early December update, this patch should bring it back closer to what you experienced before.
The touch problems were particularly frustrating for Pixel 10 owners. That intermittent unresponsiveness where swipes or taps would occasionally ghost? Gone. Google’s documentation mentions addressing ‘touch unresponsiveness’ and ‘intermittent touch failures observed specifically on Pixel 10.’ After installation, scrolling through your feed, typing messages, and using gestures should feel consistently smooth again.
Why This Fix Matters for Your Daily Use
Let’s be real. Battery anxiety ruins the smartphone experience. When you’re constantly checking your percentage instead of actually using your phone, something’s wrong. This fix isn’t just about numbers on a spec sheet. It’s about getting through your day without hunting for a charger by lunchtime.
The touch response problems were equally disruptive. Imagine trying to quickly reply to a message and having to tap multiple times. Or worse, accidental pocket dials because the screen registered phantom touches. Google’s been working on touch-related issues for years, and this quick follow-up shows they’re taking it seriously.
What Google’s Rapid Response Tells Us
This unusually fast second December patch reveals something important about Google’s current approach to Pixel software. They’re not waiting for the next monthly update to fix high-impact bugs. The patch lands just days after some coverage praised Android 16 QPR2 for finally unlocking Pixel 10 performance, highlighting how new Pixel flagships often need multiple updates before feeling fully polished.
From an industry perspective, this aggressive bug-squashing is what separates good software support from great software support. While some manufacturers might let Android 16 QPR2 issues linger until the next scheduled update, Google’s pushing out targeted fixes. It’s a commitment to user experience that Pixel owners should appreciate.
What Pixel Owners Should Do Now
If you’re on Verizon with a Pixel 8, 9, or 10 series device, check Settings > System > System update. The 25MB patch should appear if it hasn’t already. For those on other carriers or regions, don’t panic if you don’t see it immediately. Google typically staggers these rollouts, and it might take a few days to reach everyone.
The takeaway here is encouraging for Pixel owners. Google’s paying attention, and they’re moving quickly when issues affect daily usability. While no software is perfect out of the gate, this kind of responsive software support makes the Pixel ecosystem stronger. Your phone should feel like your phone again soon, with battery life and touch response restored to their proper states.
