Google has posted on its forums that it’s noticed that some Pixel 7a phones have subpar batteries that might swell over time, and it will fix them for free.
On that same support page, there is a button you can press that will take you to a page where you can fill in your personal information and your phone’s IMEI number to see if you qualify for the fix. The page says some users might apply for “another form of appeasement option from Google,” however, that’s limited by country and warranty status.
Some users on RedFlagDeals have reported that when they’ve loaded their phones through the website they’re offered a free battery replacement or $277. Another user claims they were offered a payment of $632. After accepting that offer they needed to wait up to three weeks to speak to an agent so it’s unclear if they got the money or needed to return the phone.
You can check your phone for visible signs of swelling, or if the battery cover is separating from the device to know if you’re affected. Some users might be experiencing really bad battery drain and that is also a symptom of these batteries.
Google also notes that phones that look damaged beyond the swelling might not get a replacement. If there is damage to the screen, there may be a fee to fix the screen before the battery is replaced for free. This is because the technicians can’t reinstall a broken screen.
Notably, this isn’t the first Pixel battery issue we’ve seen. Earlier this year, Google pushed a surprise update to the Pixel 4a over battery issues. At the time, the company also offered free battery replacements or other appeasement options to impacted customers. A couple months later, Australia issued a recall for the Pixel 4a over fire risk from the battery issue.
Meanwhile, Google’s recently launched Pixel 9a sports a much larger battery than past phones. Additionally, Google started rolling out a ‘Battery health assistance’ feature to phones starting with the Pixel 9a. All of this suggests Google is taking a more proactive approach to battery issues and battery health, which is a good sign as the company extends software support for its devices.
Source: Google Support
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