If you’ve been watching your Pixel’s battery percentage drop faster than usual this month, you’re not alone. Google is quietly pushing out a second December 2025 update specifically designed to tackle the battery drain and touch response issues that popped up after the Android 16 QPR2 release earlier this month. It’s a small patch, around 25MB, but it packs a meaningful fix for what had become a frustrating daily experience for many Pixel owners.
The Quick Fix Details
This follow up patch is currently rolling out to Verizon models of the Pixel 8, 9, and 10 series, with build number BP4A.251205.006.E1 according to carrier documentation. What’s interesting here is the update isn’t yet available on Google’s factory or OTA image pages, which suggests it might remain limited to certain carriers or regions for now. Some users won’t see it immediately under System update, but if you’re on Verizon with a recent Pixel, keep checking.
The need for this quick fix highlights something we’ve seen before in the Pixel software update cycle. New features sometimes introduce unexpected bugs, and Google’s response time here is actually pretty impressive. Just days after the initial Android 16 QPR2 rollout, they’re already addressing the high impact issues that slipped through.
Battery Drain Gets Addressed
Many Pixel owners, especially those with the Pixel 10 series, reported faster than normal battery drain after installing the early December Android 16 QPR2 build. You know the feeling your phone feels warm in your pocket, the percentage seems to tick down during basic tasks, and suddenly you’re reaching for the charger by mid afternoon.
Verizon’s changelog confirms this new patch explicitly targets “faster than expected battery drain.” For affected users, this should mean screen on time returns closer to pre update levels. Think about your typical day maybe you start at 7 AM with 100%, and by 5 PM you’re usually around 40 50%. After the bug, that same usage pattern might have left you at 20% or lower. This fix aims to restore that balance.
Touch Response Returns to Normal
Perhaps more frustrating than battery issues were the intermittent touch failures on some Pixel 10 devices. Imagine tapping to send a message and nothing happens. Or swiping through photos only to have the screen ignore your gesture. It’s the kind of bug that makes a premium phone feel broken.
The new build addresses “touch unresponsiveness” and “intermittent touch failures observed specifically on Pixel 10,” according to carrier documentation. This fix arrives shortly after Google promised to address years of Pixel pocket dialing issues, showing the company’s increased focus on touch related problems. After installation, scrolling, typing, and gestures should feel more consistent and reliable.
This rapid response follows similar patterns we’ve seen in other Pixel software updates where Google has been increasingly aggressive about correcting post update bugs. The patch lands just days after coverage praising Android 16 QPR2 for finally unlocking Pixel 10 performance, highlighting how new Pixel flagships often need multiple updates before feeling fully polished.
Additional Fixes and What It Means
Carrier documentation also mentions a fix for issues accessing locally cached or offline content that appeared for some users who jumped straight from Android 14 to Android 16. Outside of Verizon’s notes, there’s no official expanded changelog yet, so minor stability tweaks could be riding along with the same build.
From a consumer perspective, this update represents something important about the modern smartphone experience. We’re not just buying hardware anymore we’re investing in a software ecosystem that needs ongoing maintenance. The fact that Google can identify, develop, and deploy a fix this quickly is actually a positive sign for Pixel owners concerned about long term support.
For users wondering about that long term commitment, Google continues to offer extended update commitments for Pixel devices. This quick turnaround on bug fixes suggests they’re taking that responsibility seriously. It’s one thing to promise updates, but another to actually respond quickly when issues arise.
The timing of this fix is particularly interesting when you consider the broader context of Pixel software development. Google has been pushing hard on AI features and advanced functionality, but sometimes those ambitious additions come with stability trade offs. This rapid response shows they’re listening to user feedback and prioritizing core functionality.
The Bigger Picture
What does this mean for your daily Pixel experience? If you’ve been affected by these bugs, this update should bring noticeable improvements. Your phone should last through the day more reliably, and every tap and swipe should register as intended. Those are basic expectations for any smartphone, let alone a premium device like the Pixel 10.
For those not yet seeing the update, patience is key. These staged rollouts help Google catch any new issues before widespread deployment. The 25MB size suggests it’s a targeted fix rather than a major overhaul, which means installation should be quick once it arrives.
This unusually quick follow up reflects how aggressively Google is now correcting post update bugs. It’s a reminder that software is never truly finished, especially with complex devices like modern smartphones. The best companies aren’t those that never make mistakes, but those that fix them quickly when they do.
For Pixel owners, this should be reassuring. Your device is getting attention, and issues that affect daily usability are being addressed with urgency. That’s what separates good software support from great software support, and it’s why many users stick with the Pixel ecosystem despite occasional growing pains.
