Does Android 12 Improve Battery Life? Don’t Be Silly!


Android 12 Beta 2Pin

Android 12 is now rolling out to smartphones all over the world. But does Android 12 improve battery life or are you better sticking with Android 11?


The inside joke that Android is now just a fat, bloated mess isn’t a new one. People have been saying that since around 2012. I remember as MWC 2012, I sat down with some guys from Mozilla to talk about their then-new operating system – Boot 2 Gecko – and their chief critique of Android was that it was too big, too messy.

Fast forward almost 10 years and not much has changed. Android, as an ecosystem is still desperately fragmented, and most Android phones do not run on the latest build of the software – or even the second latest. Google now has Android Go, a lightweight version of its main OS, but problems still abound for Android, even with The Big G’s latest build, Android 12.

I tested a bunch of beta builds of Android 12 and noticed pretty quickly that Android 12 was eating through my battery life like nobody’s business. This was a beta build, though, so I figured Google would have it all fixed up nice and proper for when the rollout of Android 12 began. Turns out I was wrong.

Does Android 12 Improve Battery Life?

Depending on the phone you use, results may vary. In my experience, running Android 12 on a Pixel 5, the battery life took a massive nosedive once Android 12 was installed. And this cannot be down to “old” hardware; the Pixel 5 is only 12 months old. Similarly, the battery life on my RealMe GT dipped slightly. Not by as much, but it was noticeable.

The further muddy the issue, some people are reporting battery life improvements on older Pixel phones like the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4a. Make of that what you will. At this point, it is very unclear what’s causing battery issues inside Android 12 (on newer models like the Pixel 6).

Does Android 12 Improve Battery Life? Don’t Be Silly!Pin
Android 12’s Divisive New Design Language. Not Everyone’s Cup of Tea, Apparently…

Up to Android 12, Google was so confident in the battery life of its Pixel phones that it usually used much smaller batteries than you’d find on competing devices from Samsung and Xiaomi. This approach worked too. All of Google’s Pixel phones, up to the Pixel 6, had immense battery performance, some of the best on the market.

With the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, this just isn’t the case. As noted by Tom’s Guide, both the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro performed poorly in its battery tests, scoring way below what you’d normally expect from a Pixel phone. The report concluded that Android 12 is likely what’s at fault. That, or a dodgy/cheaper 5G modem. Either way, there’s a trend starting here – and it all seems to point to Android 12.

Google Looking Into Android 12 “Battery Performance Issues

As with most things new, things can and do go wrong. After a slew of reports of Android 12 nobbling battery life on otherwise solidly performing phones, Google is now apparently taking a look at potential solutions for future updates to Android 12.

This is good news. If there is something wrong inside Android 12 that is causing battery drain, Google will find it and – most likely – patch it. An update will then be sent out and, all being well, your battery issues should disappear like a fart in the wind.

The only concern I have here relates to the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. If the battery drain on these phones is caused by the modem – either in part with Android 12, or solely on its own – then this is a pretty big problem for Google and anyone that is using and plans on getting the Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro.

And check out 3 Ways To See Your iPhone Battery Percentage %!

Latest Smartphone Releases


  • Xiaomi 15S Pro

    The Xiaomi 15S Pro didn’t come with a flashy launch, but it brings some seriously heavy hardware to the table. A custom 10-core chip, Leica-engineered cameras, and one of the brightest displays on the market

  • Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

    At just 5.8mm thick, it’s one of the thinnest Android phones ever made—but don’t let the slim profile fool you. This phone is all flagship under the hood.

  • Nothing Phone (3a) Pro

    It’s got the same slick design and OLED display, but adds a periscope zoom camera and a 50MP front-facing shooter.

  • Nothing Phone (3a)

    The Nothing Phone (3a) nails the formula: give people what they actually want, keep the price low, and make it look cooler than anything else in its class.

  • Motorola EDGE 60 Pro

    With a bold design, flagship-like display, and surprisingly refined camera system, it’s one of the most interesting mid-range phones of 2025.

  • Google Pixel 9

    I’ve been using the Pixel 9 for a few weeks now, and honestly? It nails all the basics—and a bit more. Killer stuff all round!

  • Google Pixel 9 Pro

    I’ve used the Pixel 9 Pro as my daily device, and it’s hands-down the best balance of power, practicality, and photography you’ll find on Android right now.

  • OnePlus 13

    I’ve been using the OnePlus 13 as my daily driver for a few months now—and I’ve got to say, it’s easily one of the best Android phones I’ve tested this year.

  • Xiaomi 15 Ultra

    After using the Xiaomi 15 Ultra for over a week, I can confidently say: this phone is an absolute beast. It’s made for camera nerds, power users, and creators.

  • iPhone 16 Pro Max

    If you’ve been holding out for a truly complete iPhone, the 16 Pro Max delivers—hard. After using it daily, I won't be going back…

  • Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

    Big screen, big battery, and even bigger brains—this is the Pixel to get if you want Google’s best hardware and longest support.

  • Google Pixel 9a

    The Pixel 9a brings Google’s flagship-level smarts to a budget-friendly package, and it’s easily one of the best-value Android phones of 2025.

Best SIM-Only Plans & Deals


  • Boost Mobile Unlimited Premium Plan

    Boost’s top-tier option brings the heat: 50GB of premium data, hotspot, North America roaming, global talk & text, and $430 off select devices. All-in at $60/month with no contract.

    +

    Data: Unlimited (50GB premium speed)

  • Boost Mobile Unlimited+ Plan

    Level up with 40GB of premium data, hotspot access, global calling, and up to $300 in device savings. All for just $50/month. No contracts and flexible phone options included.

    +

    Data: Unlimited; Speed Caps After 40GB

  • Boost Mobile Unlimited Plan

    Start strong with 30GB of premium data, unlimited everything, and a killer intro offer: just $15/month for the first 3 months, then $25/month forever. No contracts. No fluff. Big value.

    +

    Data: Unlimited (Speed Caps Over 30GB)

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 108GB

    Another high-data, low-cost option with no contract. 108GB for just £9, full 5G access, and the same goodies you get with 12-month deals.

    +

    Data: 108GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 20GB

    The lowest price option. 20GB for £6 with all the same perks as pricier plans. Great if you don’t use much data and want to save every penny.

    +

    Data: 20GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 110GB

    This plan gives you big data and zero commitment. 110GB for just £10 with all perks intact. If you need more data but want the freedom to cancel, this is the one.

    +

    Data: 110GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 60GB

    More data, same price. For just £8/month, you get 60GB on a no-strings 1-month rolling plan. Ideal for users who stream often but don’t want long commitments.

    +

    Data: 60GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 40GB

    Perfect if you want full flexibility. You get 40GB and all of iD Mobile's perks with no lock-in, annual increases, or setup fees. Great for short-term users.

    +

    Data: 40GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: 60GB

    One of the best pound-per-GB plans around. You get 60GB for £8 with £25 cashback, which means you’re effectively paying closer to £6/month. Includes roaming and data rollover.

    +

    Data: 60GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: 108GB

    This deal gets you a healthy 108GB of 5G data for less than a tenner, with no upfront costs and £24 cashback. All the perks are included too: data rollover, roaming, and loyalty rewards.

    +

    Data: 108GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: Unlimited Data

    This iD Mobile plan doesn’t just compete on price, it’s up there with the best of them. Unlimited everything, a year-long lock-in with no price rises, and £42 cashback straight to your pocket. It’s like getting nearly 3 months free.

    +

    Data: Unlimited, No Speed Caps

  • Mint Mobile 20GB Plan

    If you're looking to save some cash on your bills, this plan is an awesome option. You'll get 20GB of data per month and 20GB hotspot data allowance. For moderate to heavy users, that should be more than enough. I seldom use more than 10GB of data a month, and I'm always using my phone

    +

    Data: 20GB