Google Nerfs Second Pixel Phone Battery This Year (arstechnica.com) 29
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: For the second time in a year, Google has announced that it will render some of its past phones almost unusable with a software update, and users don't have any choice in the matter. After nerfing the Pixel 4a's battery capacity earlier this year, Google has now confirmed a similar update is rolling out to the Pixel 6a. The new July Android update adds "battery management features" that will make the phone unusable. Given the risks involved, Google had no choice but to act, but it could choose to take better care of its customers and use better components in the first place. Unfortunately, a lot more phones are about to end up in the trash. [...]
Pixel 4a units contained one of two different batteries, and only the one manufactured by a company called Lishen was downgraded. For the Pixel 6a, Google has decreed that the battery limits will be imposed when the cells hit 400 charge cycles. Beyond that, the risk of fire becomes too great -- there have been reports of Pixel 6a phones bursting into flames. Clearly, Google had to do something, but the remedies it settled on feel unnecessarily hostile to customers. It had a chance to do better the second time, but the solution for the Pixel 6a is more of the same. [...]
When Google killed the Pixel 4a's battery life, it offered a few options. You could have the battery replaced for free, get $50 cash, or accept a $100 credit in the Google Store. However, claiming the money or free battery was a frustrating experience that was rife with fees and caveats. The store credit is also only good on phones and can't be used with other promotions or discounts. And the battery swap? You'd better hope there's nothing else wrong with the device. If it has any damage, like cracked glass, it may not qualify for a free battery replacement.
Now we have the Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program with all the same problems. Pixel 6a owners can get $100 in cash or $150 in store credit. Alternatively, Google offers a free battery replacement with the same limits on phone condition. This is all particularly galling because the Pixel 6a is still an officially supported phone, with its final guaranteed update coming in 2027. Google also pulled previous software packages for this phone to prevent rollbacks. [...] If you have a Pixel 6a, the battery-killing update is rolling out now. You'll have no choice but to install it if you want to remain on the official software. Google has a support site where you can try to get a free battery swap or some cash.
Pixel 4a units contained one of two different batteries, and only the one manufactured by a company called Lishen was downgraded. For the Pixel 6a, Google has decreed that the battery limits will be imposed when the cells hit 400 charge cycles. Beyond that, the risk of fire becomes too great -- there have been reports of Pixel 6a phones bursting into flames. Clearly, Google had to do something, but the remedies it settled on feel unnecessarily hostile to customers. It had a chance to do better the second time, but the solution for the Pixel 6a is more of the same. [...]
When Google killed the Pixel 4a's battery life, it offered a few options. You could have the battery replaced for free, get $50 cash, or accept a $100 credit in the Google Store. However, claiming the money or free battery was a frustrating experience that was rife with fees and caveats. The store credit is also only good on phones and can't be used with other promotions or discounts. And the battery swap? You'd better hope there's nothing else wrong with the device. If it has any damage, like cracked glass, it may not qualify for a free battery replacement.
Now we have the Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program with all the same problems. Pixel 6a owners can get $100 in cash or $150 in store credit. Alternatively, Google offers a free battery replacement with the same limits on phone condition. This is all particularly galling because the Pixel 6a is still an officially supported phone, with its final guaranteed update coming in 2027. Google also pulled previous software packages for this phone to prevent rollbacks. [...] If you have a Pixel 6a, the battery-killing update is rolling out now. You'll have no choice but to install it if you want to remain on the official software. Google has a support site where you can try to get a free battery swap or some cash.
not just batteries (Score:2)
Pixel quality is really bad, not just the battery. When they work they are great but then they break. Will never buy another Pixel.
Re: not just batteries (Score:2)
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My 6a is still going strong after 3 years.
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It's interesting how much more highly we weight negative experiences than positive ones. I also had bad experiences with Google and LG phones, and I never intend to buy any device from either of those companies again, and I will happily share these stories with anybody that will listen. This behavior seems irrational on a personal level, but I think it's adaptive for society. There is nothing to incentivize Google and LG from bad corporate behavior except reputation and class action lawsuits, and I think we
You know what else they could do? (Score:5, Insightful)
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for once i can't disagree.
the Samsung Galaxy S5 circa 2014 had some f'in gaskets and still achieved IP67 protection... AND wireless charging.
Note the battery replacement procedure: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/S... [ifixit.com]
This was peak slab phone form factor IMO.
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That's why I bought the Xcover 7 last year. Robust and easy replaceable battery. A must because I plan to use the phone until it falls apart.
It replaced a Galaxy 4 which was on its third battery after 10+ years when it finally cracked after an unfortunate drop on the street.
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I haven't experienced any trouble so far, but I also use my phone as a phone and only occasionally look up something on the internet or play a movie with VLC from my local sever.
I really like the standard option to limit battery charge to 80% for which I used a 3rd party app on the Galaxy 4.
It also functions as my internet connection at home via one of my servers.
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Allowing user replaceable batteries typically means they cannot easily offer a IP67 water resistance rating. Similar to the reason so many phones lost the external headphone jack.
Most people want their phones to be able to survive a quick immersion in water.
Drop your phone in the sink or toilet? IP65 means it should survive.
Drop your phone in a pool or shallow riverbank? IP67 usually means survivability in one meter for 30 minutes.
Water rating explained [garmin.com]
Most people paying $1000+ for an electronic device v
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So what...there are quite a few people out there that could care less if a phone is water tight. I don't take my phone to the beach/pool/bath. I've owned a cell phone for nearly 30 years and have yet to drop one into water. I miss the days where you could have an extra battery charged and swap out a flat one in 5-10 secs while the flat one recharged in the cradle.
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Bullshit. Galaxy s5 had a replaceable battery and headphone jack and was IP67 rated.
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Allowing user replaceable batteries typically means they cannot easily offer a IP67 water resistance rating.
You are correct. The specs for the Galaxy S5 do show an IP67 rating with the replaceable battery and the 3.5mm phono jack. I didn't know of any phones that offered a replaceable battery that had achieved the IP67 rating. Good to know.
(BTW, the "Bullshit" comment was unnecessary. I've been wrong before and guarantee I will be again. If I'm not 100% sure of a fact, I'll try to phrase my comment as 'typically, generally, common practice, etc.' I prefer someone correct my bad assumptions if they have bett
Thanks to the EU (Score:2, Interesting)
Hopefully we get our user replaceable batteries back.
Fuck Google, Fuck Apple, Fuck Samsung.
I got 100$ for this (Score:3)
Yes they said they would nerf my Pixel 6a battery. Didn't really notice the difference tbh.
But also, they refunded me with 100$ cash, or a 150$ voucher for their store. I chose the cash.
100$ back on a 400$ phone I bought in 2022, not bad.
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I had considered something similar too, but where I live the 9a is not discounted, so not worth it.
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I got a better deal. The Pixel 9a which normally sells for $499 is on sale right now for $249. With the $150 store credit and a trade-in of $80 on my Pixel 6a, I was able to upgrade to a new 9a for only $20. Now hopefully the 9a won't have battery issues.
I can't find this discount anywhere. Maybe it is over already.
Unsurprising (Score:2)
Re:Unsurprising (Score:4, Interesting)
Phone upgrades are hell (Score:2)
I had a 4a, had them swap the battery. I had no hassles with the battery swap. Then, just a few months later, the new battery was just as bad as the old one. So I replaced the phone. I know that switching to another manufacturer is pointless, but there was no way I was going to replace the Pixel with another Pixel. Fuck those people.
I have little doubt that I'll be complaining about the Samsung before too long and I'll switch again.
Expected life on one of these things is somehow exactly the same as the cont
Re: Phone upgrades are hell (Score:2)
I kinda hate all the Samsung account nagging on their phones.
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I switched from a 3a (which i broke the screen of. 1st time ever!) to 4a (which i lost. also 1st time ever) to another 4a which died mysteriously) to a used-but-like-new 5 , which i still use.
One thing i like is that upgrading from one to another has been pretty smooth. And i find vanilla-ish Android preferable to Samsung...
(with one convoluted except that i won't get into. and the maddening fact that Google will delete backups of a phone after 90 days of that phone's being inactive.
Re: Phone upgrades are hell (Score:2)
Last 2 times the phone just asked if I want to transfer from old phone, and then told me which app to install on old phone, and then everything just carried over..
So dumb. (Score:2)
Thanks Google.
Is there a way to hack this? Set it to 100 charge cycles or something?
Another reason I won't buy a Pixel !!! (Score:2)