Google Pixel 4a recalled in Australia after disastrous update

In 2020, virtually 5 years in the past, Google launched the Pixel 4a. However regardless of being such an previous machine, the cellphone has been making headlines for the previous few months, and never for good causes. Over in Australia, a Pixel 4a recall course of is now in effect.

The Pixel 4a recall

The Australian Competitors & Client Fee (ACCC) has announced a recall of the Google Pixel 4a as a consequence of potential battery overheating points. This recall impacts models offered between the first of August 2020 and the thirtieth of September 2022. It additionally covers models offered by main retailers like JB Hello-Fi, Harvey Norman, and Officeworks.

The ACCC’s recall discover warns that the overheating poses a possible security threat, which is why affected models are being pulled from the market. If you happen to bought a Pixel 4a in Australia in the course of the affected interval, contact your retailer to examine in case your unit is eligible for return. The ACCC’s web site additionally affords a hyperlink to Google’s website, the place customers could also be eligible for a refund.

The replace snafu

Google triggered the issue by rolling out a software program replace earlier this yr. The replace got here as a shock for the reason that Pixel 4a was now not coated beneath Google’s replace coverage. However what appeared like a welcome shock shortly become a catastrophe. Google supposed to enhance battery stability with the replace, however it did the other for a lot of. Nonetheless, Google additionally warned that it might shorten battery life as a possible facet impact. Customers shortly realized the issue was worse than anticipated—battery life dropped considerably, and a few gadgets started overheating.

Google prevented users from rolling back to an earlier model of the software program, making it worse. This left Pixel 4a homeowners with a cellphone that drained energy too shortly, overheated, and, in some instances, turned unusable. Some customers even referred to as for a lawsuit. They argued that Google had primarily sabotaged their gadgets with an irreversible replace.

Google has already stopped offering main software program updates for the Pixel 4a. Now, this battery situation has led to a recall, so it could be time to contemplate upgrading to a more moderen machine. The Pixel 9 is the most recent Pixel from Google, however in case you don’t thoughts ready a bit, the Pixel 9a might be a less expensive various.