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A number of Google Pixel fashions have suffered vital battery points over the previous eight months. This has manifested in Pixel-A sequence, with telephones catching hearth or affected by swollen batteries. However I can forgive you should you didn’t find out about it.

Google has tried extraordinarily exhausting to brush this problem underneath the rug, preferring that it didn’t exist and pretending it’s not a giant deal. Nevertheless, I can’t overstate sufficient why you actually shouldn’t let the corporate off the hook.

The difficulty formally began with the Pixel 4a in January 2025, when Google issued a compulsory replace to some fashions out of nowhere. The corporate claimed this replace was a part of the curiously named “Battery Efficiency Program.” This was fascinating timing, because the telephone hadn’t been supported since 2023. Customers additionally shortly discovered that this replace dramatically decreased battery life and charging velocity.

Google’s preliminary assertion solely stated that this replace would “enhance the soundness” of battery efficiency. At no level within the announcement submit did it disclose that this replace was truly launched to scale back the chance of batteries overheating. It was Australia’s shopper watchdog that first revealed the battery overheating threat in March 2025 — virtually three months later. That is one thing you’d actually wish to know should you had a Pixel 4a. To Google’s credit score, it provided a free however elective battery alternative. The corporate additionally provided $50 money or $100 in retailer credit score as an alternative choice to the battery swap-out.

It turned out that the Pixel 4a wasn’t alone, because the Pixel 6a additionally had battery points. No less than 5 Pixel 6a homeowners reported that their telephones caught hearth, with the earliest criticism relationship again to at the very least December 2024. Google launched a compulsory “Battery Efficiency Program” replace to affected fashions final month, which unsurprisingly decreased charging velocity and battery capability. The corporate truly acknowledged the “threat of potential battery overheating” in its submit saying the replace. It probably had no selection however to verify the problem in mild of the consumer complaints. Google as soon as once more provided free battery replacements, money, or retailer credit score. However once more, the battery alternative is elective, and it didn’t provoke a recall.

Sadly, there’s an opportunity the battery-nerfing replace won’t assist in some conditions. One Pixel 6a proprietor reported a fireplace after putting in the replace. If confirmed, this may show that Google isn’t doing practically sufficient and completely wants a compulsory battery alternative program or recall.

The newest web page within the Pixel 6a saga is that Google has reportedly pulled refurbished telephones from sale on its web site. It’s solely potential this transfer is unrelated to the battery problem (e.g., inventory). But when Google’s determination is certainly resulting from battery issues, what does that say in regards to the firm’s method? At finest, the corporate doesn’t wish to promote extra doubtlessly faulty Pixel 6a items to shoppers, however gained’t truly provoke a recall. At worst, Google thinks the Pixel 6a is protected sufficient to maintain in your pocket however not protected sufficient to sit down in a warehouse.

Imagine it or not, however the Pixel 7a suffers from points too, as some customers reported swollen batteries. Fortunately, Google did a stable job of saying the problem. It confirmed “sudden battery swelling” and initiated a battery alternative program. Clearly, this isn’t a difficulty that may be addressed with a “Battery Efficiency Program” replace. However this flip of occasions appears to be the exception, somewhat than the rule.

What precisely is the problem, although? The corporate expanded on this in an emailed response to our questions earlier this yr:

A passive part in Pixel 9a didn’t meet our rigorous high quality requirements for machine longevity and somewhat than ship it, we made the troublesome determination to delay the on-shelf (sic) and take corrective motion on the small variety of affected items.

In different phrases, Google didn’t actually determine the particular half in query. The corporate then compounded points by saying that its battery well being help characteristic could be necessary on the Pixel 9a, however elective on beforehand launched units. Battery well being help successfully builds on the inspiration of earlier “Battery Efficiency Program” updates by progressively decreasing a telephone’s battery capability and charging velocity within the title of long-term sturdiness. It’s not exhausting to place two and two collectively right here within the absence of a correct rationalization.

This lack of transparency is deeply troubling. It will be a significant breach of shopper belief if the corporate knowingly launched a telephone with a faulty battery or battery-related half and tried to brush it underneath the rug.

It’s clear that Google hasn’t adequately managed its Pixel battery points properly and is hoping you’ll overlook about it. This lack of transparency is unhealthy PR, for one. Ignoring a difficulty or failing to adequately talk the issue doesn’t instill confidence in an organization’s merchandise. Extra importantly, this might result in extra units catching hearth. However hey, at the very least you will get $100 retailer credit score (or $50 money) to make up in your burns.

Google’s general dealing with of those points additionally makes me assume twice about shopping for or recommending a Pixel telephone, and I’m not the one one. Colleague Rob Triggs beforehand opined that he might not advocate Pixel telephones resulting from these points. Positive, this problem hasn’t affected Google’s flagship units. However the best way it dealt with these points on its mid-range telephones doesn’t encourage confidence that issues will likely be higher on its high-end units.

In any occasion, it’s time for Google to step up and be way more clear and proactive about its Pixel battery issues. Say what you’ll about Samsung, however the firm did a significantly better job of addressing the Galaxy Notice 7 saga.