If you have a Pixel smartphone in your pocket, Google could owe you up to $456 (roughly £337) in compensation. Yes, really.
The windfall is linked to the ongoing battery issues with these popular Android handsets. Google recently initiated a mandatory software update to its Pixel 6a lineup on July 8 designed to protect the battery from swelling and overheating. To do this, the Android update deliberately cuts your battery life.
While owning a smartphone that needs to be recharged multiple times to get you through the day isn't ideal, the alternative is much, much worse. The unwanted Android update followed multiple reports from Pixel 6a owners about their handsets catching fire.
- Check if your Pixel 6a is eligible for the Battery Performance Program
- Check if your Pixel 7a is eligible for the Battery Performance Program
Multiple Pixel 6a owners have written about their harrowing experiences on the social news website, Reddit.
"My Pixel 6a just caught fire in the middle of the night. It was charging on my nightstand. Thankfully, I'm a pretty light sleeper and woke up when I heard the battery begin to shoot out hot gas. About 2 seconds later, there was a fireball on my nightstand," one Reddit user shared in a forum dedicated to the much-loved Google Pixel brand.
Google's new software update reduces the overall battery capacity once the device has reached 400 charging cycles.
|There were enough of these reports that Google decided to take action.
To safeguard against this overheating problem, Google's new software update reduces the overall battery capacity once the device has reached 400 charging cycles.
"Until your battery reaches this point, you will not experience the battery-related changes, and the new features will remain inactive, even though the update is installed," Google explains in an online support document about the issue.
If you've been impacted by this battery swelling issue, Google is offering three options:
- A free replacement battery for your existing Pixel 6a
- Compensation of $100 (roughly £75) in cash to spend on a new phone
- Compensation of $150 (roughly £110) to spend in the Google Store
Pixel 6a isn't the only smartphone designed and built by the team inside Google that's affected by a battery issue. If you own a Pixel 7a, you could be owed compensation too.
Google has warned that some devices could experience "visible swelling of the device”, “phone cover bulging or separating from the device”, or the battery “draining significantly faster than usual”. If your device is impacted by any of these problems, there are multiple options avaolable to you.
If your Pixel 7a is out-of-warranty, Google will offer either:
- Compensation of $200 (roughly £147) in cash to spend on a new phone
- Compensation of $300 (roughly £222) to spend in the Google Store
But if you've only recently bought a Google Pixel 7a and your handset is still under warranty, that compensation skyrockets to a much more generous $456 (roughly £337) to spend anywhere.
"Only some Pixel 7a devices are impacted by unexpected battery swelling and eligible for repair or other options - you can check your eligibility through our Contact Us form," Google clarifies.
It's all part of the ongoing Battery Performance Program launched by Google. This is a program that offers either a free battery repair, cash payments, or a Google Store hardware discount credit.
However, to claim any of these options, you'll need to navigate to Google's support page and fill out a form to see if your phone qualifies. You'll need to have your IMEI number handy, which helps Google identify your device.
To find this on your phone, you can take these steps:
- Open the Pixel's settings app
- Tap on "About Phone"
- Scroll down, and the IMEI will appear
Once submitted, Google will determine if your phone qualifies and the type of compensation and/or repairs you'll receive. It should be noted that if your Pixel 6a, Pixel 7a, or other Google handset displays other forms of damage, such as liquid damage or hints of excessive force, then it may not qualify for a free battery replacement.
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Lithium-ion batteries are the most common power source for smartphones because they’re lightweight, rechargeable, and have a high energy density, meaning they can store a lot of power in a small size.
Over time, their capacity gradually decreases due to chemical ageing and repeated charge cycles, which is why older phones may not hold a charge as well. They charge quickly, support many recharge cycles, and are generally safe, though excessive heat or damage, like what's been reported with the Pixel 6a, can cause issues.
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