Google Pixel 4a Battery Capacity Halved to Prevent Fires

Key Takeaways

1. Google reduced the Pixel 4a’s battery voltage, cutting its capacity from 3,080 mAh to 1,539 mAh, resulting in a 50% decrease in battery life.
2. The update only affected Pixel 4a units with Lishen batteries; those with Amperex (ATL) batteries were not impacted.
3. The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) revealed the update was part of a product recall due to overheating risks with the Lishen batteries.
4. The firmware update aims to reduce battery efficiency to lower the risk of overheating and potential fire hazards.
5. Affected Pixel 4a owners are advised to install the update, and Google is offering compensation options, including a free battery replacement or $50 payment.

Back in January, Google rolled out an “update from hell” for the Pixel 4a, which lowered the battery voltage from 4.44 V to 3.95 V. This change slashed the device’s capacity from 3,080 mAh to 1,539 mAh. Consequently, the battery life for this mid-range phone from 2020 decreased by a shocking 50%. It’s worth mentioning that this update was only applied to Pixel 4a units with a Lishen battery, leaving those with batteries made by Amperex (ATL) unaffected.

Issue with the Batteries

This move implied that Google had identified a problem with those particular batteries. The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has now disclosed information about the update, which Google had to provide as part of a product recall. The data indicates that the Pixel 4a’s battery has a tendency to overheat, potentially creating a fire hazard. The firmware update aims to greatly diminish the battery’s efficiency and the chances of a battery fire occurring.

Recommendations for Users

In response, the Australian consumer protection agency is urging all Pixel 4a owners to install the update. Google is providing various compensation options for affected users, including a free battery replacement or a cash payment of $50. To find out if your Pixel 4a is impacted and eligible for compensation, you can visit Google’s website for more details.

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