Google Stock Plummets 4.60% Amid Tech Market Turmoil and Android Update Woes

On March 10, shares of Google A (GOOGL) saw a significant decline, dropping 4.60% and hitting the lowest intraday price since October 2024. This downturn was part of a broader trend in the U.S. tech market, with major indices such as the Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500 experiencing considerable setbacks. The decline underscored broader concerns amidst tech giants facing significant market fluctuations. The Nasdaq Composite Index's loss expanded to 3%, while the S&P 500 fell roughly 1.8%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by 370 points, approximately 0.9%.

Adding to the challenges for Google was the launch of their Android 16 Beta 2.1 version on February 27. This update was intended to address previous bugs, yet some users reported exacerbated battery life issues. Feedback from Reddit users highlighted substantial battery drainage post-update on Pixel devices, with reports of needing to charge twice daily. A particularly affected user noted that 37% of the battery was depleted after just 1 hour and 32 minutes of screen time, which significantly impacted daily usage.

This battery issue traces back to the earlier Beta 2.0 version and persists despite efforts in version 2.1 to resolve it. Interestingly, while some users experienced worsened conditions, others reported improvements, claiming a long-lasting battery performance. Google has not yet issued an official response to these mixed results.