You expect an ordinary software update and bam, suddenly your battery seems to have reached retirement age. Pixel 4a users complained en masse about a battery draining faster after a regular software update. On Reddit it erupted with complaints, and eventually even Google couldn’t pretend nothing was wrong. But what exactly is wrong? What solutions does Google have in store? Don’t worry, we explain it all in great detail in this blog.

• Common consequences of the update
• This is what Google is doing to fix the blunder
• How big is the impact of this blunder by Google?
• We offer you the solution!

Is your Google Pixel 4a battery running super fast?

How can you be sure your device is affected by Google’s mistake? One of the first signs is a significantly shorter battery life. Where your Pixel used to easily last a day, you may now have to look for a charger several times during the day. In addition, users report that their battery percentage drops unnaturally fast, sometimes even by 10% jumps in a few minutes. Other users besides the short battery life also complain about the percentage indicator for your battery, for example, it can fluctuate from 90% to 1% to 56% for no reason. So for the late-ordering Uber after a night out, that’s a bit of a stretch. In addition, it may occur that the charging time of your Pixel has also shot up out of proportion, some users talking about tripling it.

Finally, there are cases where the Pixel 4a suddenly cuts out even when the battery is not yet at 0%. If you recognize one or more of these symptoms, it’s time to take action. Fortunately, Google has a few solutions in store!

This is what Google is doing to fix the blunder

Well, this is obviously a big blunder for Google. Not only does it damage the reputation of the Pixel 4a, but it also casts a shadow over the entire Pixel line. So the big question is: How will Google make up for this? Will they throw in a magic update, or will users just have to learn to live with a battery that drains faster than their motivation on Monday morning? Fortunately, Google is doing something to ease the pain.

Users with an affected device get three options, but in the Netherlands it works differently. The Pixel 4a was never officially released here, so a free battery replacement is not an option. Also, the $50 compensation and $100 Google store credit are only available to U.S. customers. Dutch users must find their own solution, whether that’s a repair or simply accept that their charger will be a regular travel companion from now on.

To check your eligibility, you can enter your serial number on Google’s support page. Will these goodies be enough to restore confidence in Google Pixels? That remains to be seen…

How big is the impact of this blunder for Google?

Will these make amends be enough to restore confidence in Google Pixels? That remains to be seen… This blunder has embarrassed Google quite a bit. That’s not surprising of course, confidence in not only the Pixel 4a but the entire Pixel line has been damaged. As a starting point, the blunder is not only a dysfunctional phone but also decline in loyalty and customer trust. Besides frustrating current users, this blunder also scares away potential/new customers. Google has worked hard in recent years to make the Pixel compete with the iPhone & Samsung samsung models. Missteps like this could well undo the effort Google has put into this over the past few years.

All in all, this is an expensive slip by Google, literally and figuratively. Not only do they have to look deep in the wallet to accommodate affected users, but their reputation has taken a big hit. And let’s face it: if you’re a tech giant trying to compete against Apple and Samsung, you don’t want to be known as the brand that lets batteries evaporate after an update.

We offer the solution to your Google Pixel 4a battery problems!

Fortunately, there is a solution for Dutch Pixel 4a users. At ThePhoneLab, we understand the problem and offer a unique solution as an independent Pixel repair specialist. Normally a new battery costs €60, but that comes with the risk of breaking the screen (€199) while opening the phone. This is because of the construction method Google chose. This scares off many people. That is why we now offer a complete solution: a new battery and at no extra cost replacement of the screen (if needed) for only €129. So you can be sure that your device will work optimally again, without unexpected costs.

Apply for repair now and get your Pixel 4a professionally repaired. Don’t wait too long because supplies are limited and go incredibly fast.