Is Google Pushing Users to Upgrade by Limiting Battery Performance on Pixel 4 A?
Instead of being a battery safety fix, the latest Google software update for Pixel 4a users has made many users dislike. Nonetheless, with reports of faster battery drain, the constant frequent errors, and the limited performance, Google users are questioning whether these “updates” are necessary adjustments or tactics for pushing them towards buying the upcoming Pixel models.
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The Controversial Pixel 4a Battery Update
Although it was a great offer with affordable prices, clean Android, and the camera of decent quality, the 2020 Pixel 4a model has been criticized for the major issue of battery life. Aiming at “optimizing battery performance and ensuring long-term safety” Google has launched an update recently.
However, several users are reporting the update made their phones almost unusable. Complains on the forums like Reddit and the Google Support page told that the battery consumption has also become severe, and the users even experienced phones shut down unexpectedly even at 20-30% battery.
This has led to speculation: Did Google really implement this update to protect users, or was it designed to make the Pixel 4a feel outdated?.
A Pattern of Planned Obsolescence?
Under the mask of this optimizing the device and ensuring battery safety, the truth is tech companies have a history of intentionally slowing down older devices. Apple once faced this problem in 2017. It turned out, the iOS updates depressed the performance of the old phones to ensure the phones would not get old batteries shut down. This came after Apple was sued for a $500 million settlement because they had been limiting the performance of the phones instead of providing battery replacements.
Google might be receiving similar feedback now. The company could be covertly tempting its Pixel 4a users in the direction of buying new models like Pixel 8a or Pixel 9 series by disqualifying the battery efficiency.
What Are Users Saying?
The Pixel 4a community has become very vocal about this issue recently, and most of them have used their social media platforms and Google’s forum to express their outrage:
- “I can hardly go through half a day now with the new update. Earlier, I used to get a full day’s charge on a single charge.”
- “This update has made my Pixel 4a slow and outdated. Are they trying to make us upgrade?”
- “Battery optimization? It is more of a battery destruction thing. My phone is shutting down at 25%.”
Some users who have spoken to the Google Support team say they were advised to factory reset their phones or buy a new device—a move that confirms the fear of planned obsolescence.
Google’s Response – A Necessary Safety Fix?
The internet is rife with the rumors that Google wants its past products to be irrelevant by this act of planned obsolescence but according to the company, it is the other way around. It mentions that the update was issued to “enhance long-term battery stability” and to avoid the situation wherein the device gets heated up a lot.
Google claims that based on the updates, the battery will be recharged in a way that no damage will occur while implying that at the same time the phone will be able to run for more time. Also, the update will reduce the power peaks to prevent sudden shutdowns. Although these reasons might make sense from the technical point of view, users are of the opinion that they should have a chance to change the battery than having to end up with a worse performance.What Can Pixel 4a Users Do?
If you are a Pixel 4a user who has become a victim of the problem after the upgrade, you still don’t have to worry. You can still take the following actions:
In case the update somehow spoiled your phone, you could want to go for a more powerful model—but this whole issue with Google’s approach might put off some potential customers to Pixel products.
Check if You’re Eligible for a Free Battery Replacement Google representatives won’t give you a direct answer, most likely. The phone company can’t know for sure because they are reportedly internally testing swappable battery devices. It is better you call Google Support to find out if your phone is part of the program free of charge.
Google representatives won’t give you a direct answer, most likely. The phone company can’t know for sure because they are reportedly internally testing swappable battery devices. It is better to call Google account support for a result.
Rollback to an Older Software Version Some users who are good at technology were able to manually revert to an old version of Android to support their battery power, but this action is illegal and it can cause problems with the phones.
Some users who are good at technology were able to manually revert to an old version of Android to support their battery power, but this action is illegal and it can cause problems with the phones.
Replace the Battery Independently The mentioned third party repair shop are able to replace your Pixel 4a’s battery, but they cannot do this without the official permission from the company, and it may also terminate your remaining warranty.
The mentioned third parties can replace your Pixel 4a’s battery, Google does not allow them to do so and also they could get you in some trouble with the warranty.
Consider an Upgrade – But Not Necessarily to a Pixel In case the update somehow spoiled your phone, you could want to go for a more powerful model—but this entire problem with Google’s approach might turn off some potential customers to Pixel products.
Was This Intentional?
It is true that the Google’s official explanation is reasonable, but the users of this update still have some true worries. The company would get no points even for its intention if it could not even allow users to decide whether or not it is necessary to crank up performance at the cost of battery life.
Given the fit of the previous past scandals, one who would tend to question comes off as not only excused but also very competent. Google would decidedly prove any suspicions wrong, if they would offer to store genuine free battery replacements or, as an alternative, they would revert back to the previous best version, rather than enforcing an unplanned rout.
As of the moment, Pixel 4a users can face a difficult decision to either stick with the update or go for a newer more trustworthy because of this update situation.
