On January 8, Google deployed an exceptional (and automatic) update for its Pixel 4a. These smartphones, released in 2020, suffered from a stability problem concerning battery performance "on certain devices," according to Google.
Two weeks after the deployment of this corrective patch, Pixel 4a users are starting to get angry. And rightly so. Since installing this update, many have been unable to use their smartphone without keeping a wall charger handy.
A consequence directly linked to this update that Google explained on its support pages and for which financial compensation was offered.
Google is changing the battery of the affected devices for free, but not in France
Google's main mistake here is to have imposed the installation of this update on users' devices, without first giving them the choice. The firm had warned: "For some devices (the "Affected Devices"), the software update will reduce the available battery capacity and affect charging performance.".
For these devices, the Mountain View firm indicated that it could "offer compensation to users of these affected devices" while adding that "The reduction in battery capacity and charging performance does not affect all Pixel 4a devices."
However, it seems that Google has underestimated the impact of this update on users' devices. In response to our article that we published on January 7, many readers have come to complain about the negative effects that this update has had on their smartphone. All are unanimous: since installing this update, the battery life of their device has plummeted. The battery of their Pixel 4a no longer holds a charge while this was not the case when applying the update.
On its support page, Google explains that "If your Pixel 4a is an Affected Device, you may be eligible for a free battery replacement." The only problem is that only affected Pixel 4a owners residing in Germany, Canada, the United States, India, the United Kingdom and Singapore are, a priori, eligible for a free battery replacement of their device.
Google hastened the death of the Pixel 4a
The question now remains as to the legitimacy of this update, supposed to "improve the stability of battery performance". Because while in some countries users can have their smartphone battery replaced free of charge, in France, Pixel 4a owners are offered simple financial compensation. It represents the equivalent, in euros, of a payment of 50 dollars, or a discount of the equivalent in euros of 100 dollars for the purchase of a new Pixel on the Google Store. Users who wish to obtain it will have one year, until January 6, 2025, to request it.
A compensation that is struggling to convince Pixel 4a owners, particularly in France. Many have the impression that Google deliberately hastened the death of their smartphone to push them to buy another one.
So much so that some indicate that they have already contacted consumer associations as well as the general management of the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) to report the problem. A petition has even been posted online asking Google to reverse the fatal update for the Pixel 4a.
0 Comments