That's nothing more than gimping the devices. Didn't Apple get in trouble for doing something similar? If there is an issue with the battery, than they have to issue a recall and give people new batteries.
Ah yes, the good old "after reports" tactics. If we spread reports that the Pixel 9/9P/9a are actual tactical nukes is Google going to immediately brick them? Rhetorical question as the answer is clear, but I wouldn't be so sure if that was the case in exactly three years.
Google is finding "creative" ways to force people to buy new 🐶💩 Pixel phones, this is the third time that they've been doing exactly that, somehow always with slightly older models. Next year it's time to repeat the same with the 7/7a. And people are still defending that, somehow...
Following reports of batteries overheating and catching fire, Google has confirmed it will issue a software update for the Pixel 6a. The "mandatory update" aims to limit the risk by intentionally reducing the battery's capacity and charging speed once it reaches 400 charge cycles.