This is borderline SCAM that made my beloved phone unusable. Until now I wanted to upgrade from 4a to upcoming 9a. Not happening after this. I hope they get sued for this.
Recent-Somewhere-360, Reddit user, January 2025
I hope it’s a huge lawsuit. Planned and forced obsolescence is absolutely evil.
I hate that the wording was like “this will help the longevity of your battery”, oh, so now I can only use my phone for extremely brief periods and pray to God I didn’t forget a phone charger wherever I’m going?
This baby used to last me all day and then some, up until the update.
awwwww_hereitgoes, Reddit user, January 2025
i just came from the pixel reddit to this one so I can complain. I am DEVASTATED about this I literally BRAGGED about how well the pixel held up and how it could withstand all this wear and tear. I WAS RECOMMENDING IT TO PEOPLE WHO WERE LOOKING FOR A PHONE. I am soo upset and I know this a money-grabbing scam because EVERYONE who is getting it fixed is saying whether it didn’t work or it fucked up their screen. I just don’t understand why they wouldn’t warn us about the update before just initiating it. Can we sue them or get compensation? Please let me know.
oh_iforgot, Reddit user, January 2025
For starters, if you go to get your battery replaced and Google discovers your phone needs other repairs as well, you will be required to get everything fixed. And since Google has only promised a free battery, you will have to pay for everything else.
I sent mine in for this. They wouldn’t give me the free battery without charging me $90 to replace the screen.
All_Work_All_Play, Reddit user, January 2025
Regarding the recent update that completely ruined the Pixel 4a battery. All of the Google official phone fixing stores near me do not even have the needed battery in stock for replacement program, and it may take weeks to get a battery and appointment.
User 4159128751644868979, January 2025
And while the $100 credit might sound generous, the offer doesn’t seem so tempting when you consider the fact that you’ll still have to pony up at least $399 to upgrade to a new Google phone.