Google recently announced a significant milestone for Chrome on Android—the browser has doubled its Speedometer score, showcasing major performance gains over the past two years. Here’s a breakdown of how Google achieved this improvement, making Chrome faster and more efficient for Android users.

What Is Speedometer and Why Does It Matter?

Speedometer is a benchmark tool used to measure how quickly a browser can handle common web tasks, like rendering HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This score reflects real-world performance, helping developers track improvements and identify bottlenecks in browser speed.

Massive Gains in Speed

Since April 2023 (Chrome 112), Google has reported significant boosts in Speedometer 2.1 scores for Android devices. For instance:

• Loading a Google Docs file on the Pixel Tablet is now 50% faster.
• Devices powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform have set new performance records for mobile browsers.

In some cases, Speedometer scores have more than doubled, delivering a smoother and faster browsing experience.

Three Key Areas of Improvement

Google attributes these advancements to optimizations in three core areas: build structure, JavaScript and rendering engines, and hardware collaboration.

1. Optimized Builds for Android Devices

Google introduced a high-performance build of Chrome specifically for premium Android devices, departing from its earlier “one-size-fits-all” approach. Key changes include:

• Focus on ARM64 architecture: Utilizing advanced ARM64 features and 64-bit operations, which are faster than ARM32.
• Prioritizing speed over size: On high-end devices with more storage and RAM, Chrome is now built using speed-optimized compilers (-O2 / -O3) instead of size-focused ones (-Oz).
• Better inlining and profiling: By tweaking compiler settings and using Profile-Guided Optimization (PGO), Chrome processes critical tasks faster.
• Improved code order: Google aligned Chrome’s code layout with the latest ARM64 build to enhance performance further, factoring in Speedometer 3, the latest browser benchmark standard.

2. Enhanced JavaScript and Rendering Engines

The V8 JavaScript engine and Blink rendering engine received several updates to improve performance and energy efficiency:

• Faster HTML parsing: A new fast-path parser speeds up handling of HTML attributes.
• Sparkplug and Maglev compilers: These new compilers improve the way Chrome processes JavaScript by balancing speed and optimization levels, reducing delays.
• Smarter memory management: Garbage collection now happens during idle times or page navigation, minimizing disruptions.
• Incremental improvements: Small but impactful upgrades were made to the parsing, styling, layout, and text rendering processes.

3. Partnering with Android Hardware Makers

Google worked closely with partners like Qualcomm to ensure Chrome makes the best use of device hardware. For example:

• The Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform achieved a 60–80% performance boost in Speedometer 3.0, thanks to optimized thread scheduling and hardware tuning.

What This Means for Users

These advancements mean faster page loads, smoother browsing, and better battery life for Android users. Whether you’re using an entry-level phone or a high-end device, Chrome’s tailored improvements ensure a superior browsing experience.

With these changes, Google demonstrates its commitment to keeping Chrome at the forefront of browser technology, delivering speed and reliability to billions of users worldwide.

Google has introduced a new battery health feature to Pixel phones that limits charging to 80% to help maintain long-term battery performance. This addition follows similar features from other Android manufacturers and Apple.

However, you might notice that your Pixel sometimes charges to 100% even when the 80% limit is set. This isn’t a bug—Google does this for an important reason.

When the Settings Services app (version 1.1.0.697513890) was updated, users discovered a new explanation in the Charging optimization menu. The occasional full charge is done to “recalibrate” the phone’s battery. This recalibration ensures the phone accurately estimates battery life and avoids errors, like shutting down prematurely because of incorrect battery predictions.

This approach isn’t unique to Google. Apple’s iPhones also override charging limits occasionally to keep the battery health data accurate.

The charging limit feature is a welcome addition for Pixel users, as it helps reduce battery wear over time. Hopefully, Google will also consider adding other advanced battery features, like bypass charging, in the future.

This small adjustment reflects how even tech companies balance performance with user convenience for better device longevity.

Google has updated the Pixel Troubleshooting app to introduce a new feature that lets Pixel 6 through Pixel 9 users monitor their phone’s temperature in real-time. This capability offers enhanced insights into how your device is performing and what actions you can take to manage its temperature effectively.

How to Check Device Temperature

You can access this new feature through the following steps:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to Battery > Battery diagnostics (scroll to the bottom).
3. Look for the “Phone is very warm” section.

Previously, this section simply indicated that “All settings are optimized.” Now, it provides a live temperature readout, which is updated in real time.

Temperature Indicators and Messages

The device temperature is classified into four distinct categories, represented by color-coded labels:

• Cold
• Normal
• Warm
• Elevated

Each category comes with tailored messages to help users understand the phone’s status and take necessary actions:

• Cold:
  “Your phone’s estimated temperature is lower than normal. It may shut down suddenly.”
• Normal:
  “This estimated temperature is typical with normal phone use.”
• Warm:
  “Your phone is slightly warm, but this is normal during use. To prevent further temperature increases, screen brightness and network speeds may be reduced.”
  For devices charging:
  “Charging is paused, and screen brightness and network speeds may be reduced.”
• Elevated:
  “Your phone’s estimated temperature is higher than normal. Your phone will try to cool down by temporarily limiting performance and pausing certain features.”

Tips for Managing Device Temperature

Google offers several tips to help you maintain your device’s temperature:

1. Provide airflow: Ensure your phone has proper ventilation.
2. Use proper cases: Stick to cases designed specifically for your Pixel device.
3. Close power-intensive apps: Shut down apps like games or video streaming to allow the phone to cool down.
4. Keep it protected in cold environments: Use an insulated case or keep it in an inner pocket close to your body.
5. Let it rest before heavy tasks: Before gaming or video calls, let the phone stabilize to prevent damage.

These suggestions aim to optimize your phone’s performance and extend its longevity.

Technical Insights

Google notes that the temperature reading is an estimate derived from multiple internal sensors. The information can also be accessed by searching “Device temperature” directly in the Settings app.

Availability

This feature is available with version 1.0.693922709 of the Pixel Troubleshooting app. It works on the Pixel 6, 7, 8, and 9 series running Android 15 (November release or later). However, it is not yet supported on the Pixel Tablet.

The update is gradually rolling out via the Google Play Store. If it’s not available on your device yet, you can check the app listing directly to see if you can manually update.

Why It Matters

Real-time temperature monitoring enhances the user experience by offering greater control and transparency over device performance. As smartphones handle more demanding tasks, such tools are essential for maintaining reliability and preventing hardware issues.

The Pixel’s temperature-checking capability is another example of how Google is leveraging software updates to improve user experience on its devices.

Source – 9To5