Pixel 4a: a “disastrous” update that looks like planned obsolescence

Is Google flirting with planned obsolescence? To hear many Internet users, the answer would be “oui” unequivocally. Since January 8, many Pixel 4a owners have received an update supposedly “improve battery stability“For many, this has unfortunately resulted in little autonomy.

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If Google detailed at length what this new “Pixel 4a battery performance program” — making it clear that, in certain cases “the battery life between two recharges could therefore be reduced” — the precise reasons behind the deployment of this update remain unclear.

A complete loss of autonomy

Unsurprisingly, Google’s lack of communication on this point has annoyed many Internet users. On Reddit, threads detailing the catastrophic impact this update had on their phones are flourishing in numbers.

Some 4a owners deplore that their mobile only lasts “a few hours“, while others claim that their battery only recharges to a third of its capacity. One testimonial even explains that, following the installation of the update, its battery percentages are no longer reliable everything.disastrous update” is used here and there.

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Well aware of the effect that the update can have on its phones Google has made available a program of “compensation” for the owners affected by the problem. But there too, it’s blocking.

No solutions in France

To make up for it, Google is offering a $50 payment to those affected, $100 off the purchase of a new Pixel or a free battery change. Small problem: the battery change is only accessible “while stocks last” and only in Germany, Canada, the United States, India, the United Kingdom and Singapore. No salvation for French consumers therefore.

A situation which quite annoys the Halte à l’Obsolescence Planmée (HOP) association, which explains having received numerous testimonials from customers complaining about autonomy.reduced to around 2 hours and difficulty charging the phone“. HOP regrets that the options are put in place.”prove to be unsatisfactory in view of the damage caused to consumers and the environment, for this model placed on the market since mid-2020“

Compensation “unsatisfactory in view of the damage caused to consumers and the environment”

Remember that replacing a smartphone that has become inoperable has a significant cost for the environment, since more than 75% of the carbon footprint of the device is generated at the time of its manufacture.

A free repair… which can be expensive

And even for the lucky ones outside France, the procedure is not without pain. Google’s policy is to repair ALL problems with a phone arriving in after-sales service, if a Pixel 4 received by Google has defects other than the battery (broken screen or other) the company will invoice these repairs before returning the phone . A free repair… which can cost a lot in total.

Finally, to make matters worse, the company also deleted all system images from versions preceding this update. Even a determined Internet user cannot therefore go back and install a previous version of the system. The only way out for many is therefore to opt for alternative operating systems, less capricious on the battery.