AllYouCanTech

Pixel 10 users have faced significant challenges over the last few months, but Google is releasing updates to provide assistance.

What you need to be aware of

– The January update from Google is now available, featuring GPU corrections for issues that Pixel 10 users have encountered.
– The announcement indicates that “general performance” enhancements for the GPU are included, along with fixes for touchscreen sensitivity, battery drain, and additional improvements.
– Owners of the Pixel 10 reported lag and freezing issues during gaming in October, prompting the company to pledge ongoing GPU updates.

Google is commencing the week on a positive note, as its monthly security update is being distributed to Pixel devices with a substantial fix that has been highly anticipated.

Earlier this morning, Google shared the changelog for its January 2026 security update within its Pixel community. The patch is being rolled out to devices from the Pixel 7a up to the Pixel 10 series. All models are set to receive the update labeled as vBP4A.260105.004.E1. The primary feature of this update is that Google is finally addressing a number of GPU-related concerns that have affected various Pixel phones.

The announcement specifies, “General enhancements for GPU performance in specific scenarios” are being introduced today (Jan 12).

Naturally, these concerns mainly affect the Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, and the 10 Pro Fold. Additional fixes this month also include another AOD (always-on display) correction for “flickering under certain conditions.” This was an issue that the Pixel 10 series had often encountered in December, following the last update. Moreover, editing images in Adobe Lightroom on the Pixel 10 would occasionally generate “noisy line flashes.” This issue has now been resolved.

Interestingly, Google mentions that it is addressing an issue with the Pixel 10 series’ touchscreen, as some users reported it would intermittently stop functioning. This should no longer be a problem following this update, but as always, exercise caution.

The remainder of the January 2026 update includes:

– Correction for noisy ringback tones during Webex calls in certain situations
– Resolution for battery draining issues in specific circumstances
– Fix for a problem where deleting a Live Universe wallpaper could sometimes cause the Wallpaper and style app to become unresponsive until the device is rebooted

Addressing the issues

The Pixel 10 has been wrestling with GPU performance since its release, as Google has been implementing minor updates since September and October. It’s not surprising that the series features the Tensor G5 chip, yet Google’s proprietary chip still lags in performance, often disappointing users of high-end games. In October, users were experiencing lag and freezes during gaming, which resulted in dissatisfaction.

Google has reportedly committed to ongoing improvements and updates for the GPU in the Pixel 10 series, which are now being observed in January.

It’s also worth noting that several fixes included in January’s patch were referenced in December, such as touch problems and battery drain. Display responsiveness and problematic touchscreen issues were reported by Pixel 10 users, which led to a crucial mid-December update. However, it appears that users are still facing some residual issues. January’s update will gradually roll out, and hopefully, this will mark the resolution of these concerns.

We are eager to receive your feedback!

Recent leaks have significantly altered projections concerning the release date of Google’s upcoming mid-range smartphone, the Pixel 10a. Initially, it was thought that the device could launch in March 2026. However, fresh details indicate a much sooner release, with the specific launch date now rumored to be February 17, 2026.

The Pixel 10a is expected to come in four color variants: Obsidian, Fog, Lavender, and Berry. Regarding specifications, the device is likely to closely mirror its predecessor, the Pixel 9a, boasting a ~6.3-inch display, a 5,100mAh battery, and an 8GB RAM coupled with a 128GB storage option. Moreover, there are suggestions of a 48MP primary camera and the potential inclusion of a Tensor G4 chip, though these specifics remain unverified.

The change in the speculated launch date was emphasized by tech leaker Roland Quandt, who shared information on BlueSky, further corroborated by retail listings found by DroidLife. These updates have ignited interest and anticipation among tech aficionados, eager to see how the Pixel 10a will stack up against earlier models and its rivals in the mid-range smartphone segment.

**A Comprehensive Overview of Every Place You Used Your Card**

In the advancing landscape of digital transactions, efficiently overseeing your payments across various devices is becoming ever more crucial. Google Wallet for Android is reportedly preparing for an update that promises users an extensive overview of their digital card transactions. This expected feature aims to replicate the functionalities currently provided on the web, giving a unified perspective of transactions conducted with digital cards across all devices.

**What You Should Be Aware Of**

A recent upgrade to Google Play Services has suggested this upcoming improvement for Google Wallet on Android. The enhancement is anticipated to enable users to view transactions from multiple devices and online purchases utilizing virtual card numbers. This means that users could soon experience an overarching view of their digital card payments directly from their mobile handsets, without the need to use a web browser or access their bank account.

The update is rumored to encompass transactions conducted using Wear OS devices, further unifying the ecosystem of Google’s digital payment options. Moreover, a search feature for transactions is expected, allowing users to sort through their transaction history by amount, merchant, or date, akin to the web version of Google Wallet.

**Simplifying Digital Payments**

Though the deployment of this capability has yet to be officially announced, Google Wallet has already rolled out several updates to enrich the user experience. Recent enhancements have included context-aware functions that display digital passes on your lock screen as you near relevant venues, such as airports or retail stores. This feature removes the necessity for users to manually look for their passes, streamlining access to digital tickets and passes.

Additionally, Google Wallet has incorporated Android 16’s Live Updates to furnish real-time data on transport schedules directly on users’ lock and home screens. This function, initially designed for ride-sharing and food deliveries, now applies to more essential areas like airline and train timetables.

In summary, the expected update to Google Wallet on Android represents a move towards a more cohesive and user-friendly digital payment experience. By providing a comprehensive overview of transactions across devices, Google strives to ease the management of digital payments, allowing users to monitor their spending behaviors and financial activities with greater ease.

OnePlus Watch 2 and 2R users in India received the update late last year and quickly noticed their signature 3-day battery life was insufficient.

What you should know:
– OnePlus deployed Wear OS 5 to Watch 2 and 2R devices in the final week of December 2025, albeit only in certain regions like India.
– Users who got the update have reported significant battery depletion, reducing the 3-day forecast to 1–2 days.
– OnePlus initially promised the update in Q3 2025 but later adjusted its timeline to Q4 2025.
– OnePlus’s version of Wear OS 5 mainly features standard updates, including enhancements to Google apps and changes in animations.

Similar to a college student submitting their assignment to the professor at 11:59 p.m., OnePlus released its Wear OS 5 update to select OnePlus Watch 2 and 2R users on December 29, just making it under their self-imposed end-of-year deadline. As anticipated, this last-minute release has been creating issues ever since.

The OnePlus Watch 2 and Watch 2R, both launched in 2024 with Wear OS 4, were originally expected to get Wear OS 5 between July and September 2025; it wasn’t until Android Authority inquired about the delay in October that the company indicated the update would be available “in the near future.”

Now, some OnePlus Watch owners have received the update, but not all; for instance, my U.S.-based OnePlus Watch 2R still displays Wear OS 4 and the May 2025 security update. However, this might turn out to be a hidden advantage, considering the update’s consequences.

This Reddit discussion and numerous OnePlus forum threads have noted that the update is leading to severe battery drain. The Watch 2 and 2R could typically last around three days in smart mode before the update; currently, some users report it won’t even last a full day, despite attempting factory resets and other remedies.

“I’m completely disheartened and irritated by the significant battery drain issue affecting my OnePlus Watch 2 after the Wear OS 5 update,” laments one user. “My OnePlus Watch 2 drops from a full charge at 1:00 PM to a critical 10% by 11:00 PM with light usage.”

“Previously, I easily got 2.5 days with most settings on (at least 2 days)… Now I’m barely getting 1 day,” adds another user. A response indicated that his battery drain wasn’t as severe, but he had gone from 3–4 days down to “a strict 2 days” now.

Several users highlight specific applications responsible for the drain, such as the Weather app, Play Store, or “Wear OS” itself, yet the diversity implies this is a systemic issue rather than being tied to a single app.

What adds to users’ frustration is that stock Wear OS 5 is (A) a subtle update with minimal notable changes and (B) intended to enhance the efficiency of Wear OS, as observed on Pixel and Galaxy Watches. The OnePlus Watch 3 has been running this version since April without issues, making this unoptimized update on previous models disappointing.

Any brand can release a problematic update, but two weeks later, I expected OnePlus to either revert it or provide a timeline for fixes. Instead, OnePlus hasn’t made any official statement, based on what we’ve observed. My colleague contacted OnePlus regarding the update a few days ago, but we’ve yet to receive a response.

Having recommended the OnePlus Watch 2R as my top budget Android smartwatch choice, primarily due to its battery life, this update raises significant concerns for me. OnePlus must demonstrate that its commitment to two Wear OS updates and three years of security updates isn’t merely hollow promises, and that it will adequately support these devices.

As it stands, it’s noteworthy that the recent OnePlus Watch Lite completely bypassed Wear OS, utilizing a proprietary RTOS like the original OnePlus Watch.