Google Releases Crucial Battery Update for Pixel 4A Amid Overheating Concerns
Google has recently rolled out a significant battery performance update for its Pixel 4A smartphone, addressing potential overheating issues. The update, initially shrouded in mystery, was released in January to mitigate the risk of overheating, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
On March 7th, a recall notice was issued, shedding light on the potential risks of fire and burns associated with overheating batteries in certain Pixel 4A devices. The mandatory Android 13 update, which Google had not initially elaborated on, was described as necessary to improve battery stability for affected devices.
The update’s impact on affected Pixel 4A smartphones is significant. Users may experience shorter battery life and reduced charging performance. Technically, the update reduced the maximum voltage of Pixel 4A batteries from 4.45 volts to 3.95 volts, effectively cutting charging capacity by over 50%.
It’s important to note that not all Pixel 4A devices are affected by these overheating issues. The update should not impact battery management in unaffected models. The affected phones were sold between August 2020 and September 2022 in Australia. Users can verify if their device is affected through Google’s official website.
In response to this issue, Google is offering compensation and remedies to affected users. Owners of impacted Pixel 4A devices can opt for a free battery replacement. Alternatively, they can choose to receive $50 compensation or a $100 credit for the official Google Store.
This incident draws parallels with similar overheating issues experienced by Google’s Fitbit Versa 3 and Sense smartwatches. These devices, also launched in 2020, received a comparable battery update in January. However, Google was notably more transparent about the issues with these smartwatch models compared to the Pixel 4A situation.
As this story develops, affected Pixel 4A users are encouraged to check their device status and explore the compensation options provided by Google.
