Google might have finally found a way to tackle a major pain point for Pixel users: battery life. I've always been a fan of the Pixel line, and I've upgraded every year since the Pixel 4 XL. What I've noticed is, after about nine months, the battery life takes a nosedive.

It's a gradual thing, but it becomes obvious when I'm traveling and relying on my phone all day. What used to last until bedtime now dies by mid-afternoon.

My Pixel 9 Pro XL, for example, is already showing diminished capacity after just a year. And while Google promises seven years of software updates, a battery that can't keep up makes those updates less appealing.

The good news? Google has patented a new battery design that could make battery replacements much easier. Instead of relying on glue, which makes it tough for anyone but a pro to swap out a battery, this new design uses a rigid metal chassis.

This should allow us regular folks to remove and replace the battery without any special tools or the risk of damaging it.

Now, patents don't always turn into real products. However, this one has a good chance of becoming a reality because of new regulations in the European Union. The EU is requiring that products with portable batteries, like our phones, have batteries that can be easily removed and replaced by the user.

These regulations are set to begin in February 2027, requiring that batteries in devices be replaceable by the average person using commonly available tools. Adhesives that need heat or solvents are being banned.

I think this new battery design is a smart way for Google to meet these regulations without sacrificing things like waterproofing or wireless charging. The metal chassis would protect the battery and allow it to be easily snapped in and out.

If Google uses this design in a future Pixel, perhaps the Pixel 12, it would be a big step toward making our phones last longer. Imagine being able to keep your Pixel running smoothly for seven years, just by swapping in a new battery every couple of years.

I'd still love to see Google improve the initial battery life of its phones, but easy replacements are even more important. They extend the life of the phone, make it easier to repair and reuse, and increase its resale value.