Xorte logo

News Markets Groups

USA | Europe | Asia | World| Stocks | Commodities



Add a new RSS channel

 
 


Keywords

2025-01-08 17:45:32| Engadget

Googles Pixel 4a has long been considered a great smartphone for those on a budget, but it just received a software update that calls that into question. The update lowers the reported battery life. This isnt a side-effect of some new software. This is the actual intent of the refresh. Wait, what? Google says the automatic software update to Android 13 will reduce your battery's runtime and charging performance but that its necessary to improve the stability of each device. Thats the only explanation the company offered. We reached out to Google to ask for a specific reason as to why this was necessary. Any other Google Pixel 4a users get an email about a battery update with Android 13 that may affect your phone's battery? I'm reading this and like...what Alexis Collins (@Lexiscee) January 7, 2025 Theres a silver lining here for current Pixel 4a owners. While every Pixel 4a will receive the automatic update, only certain devices will see a reduction in battery life and charging performance. Theres no information as to what designates which handsets will suffer as a result of the update, but owners of so-called impacted devices will have a few appeasement options to choose from. Folks can send the phone in for a free battery replacement, but that will require the owner to go without a handset while Google performs the replacement. If thats not viable, the company will send impacted owners $50 or give them a $100 credit toward a new Pixel phone from the Google Store. Pixel 4a owners have one year to choose one of these options. Its likely theres nothing nefarious going on and that Pixel 4a batteries are simply getting old, being as how the phone was released in 2020. This means they may not provide all of the power demanded by the current OS. The software update could be intended to prevent unexpected behavior or shutdowns and the reduction in battery life is an unfortunate side effect. This whole thing sounds suspiciously similar to when Apple started slowing down older iPhones in 2017. However, Apple wasnt forthright with consumers during that whole fiasco, leading to court cases and the like. At least Google seems to be getting ahead of things here, even if it could stand to be a bit more transparent.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-pixel-4as-update-kills-its-battery-life-on-purpose-164532917.html?src=rss


Category: Marketing and Advertising

 

Latest from this category

02.04National Security Council adds Gmail to its list of bad decisions
01.04Arkansas social media age verification law blocked by federal Judge
01.04Lazarus review: Wildly stylish, but its no Cowboy Bebop
01.04TikTok's ban deadline is coming. What happens next?
01.04IKEA offers free retail space to Valencia businesses hit by devastating floods
01.04Apple's Find My has finally launched in South Korea
01.04Amazons new cinema plan is perfect for the 80s
01.04Pick up the Beats Pill speaker while it's on sale for a record-low price
Marketing and Advertising »

All news

02.04Trump is pressing the nuclear option on tariffs
02.04City puts hundreds of vacant lots up for sale, part of several initiatives to kickstart development
02.04National Security Council adds Gmail to its list of bad decisions
02.04Trump to hold a meeting on possible investors to buy TikTok with possible ban at stake
02.04Restaurant chain Hooters goes bust and files for bankruptcy protection
01.04Illinois homeowners insurance premiums up 50% over three years, according to new report
01.04Stocks Slightly Lower into Final Hour on Global Growth Worries, US Economic Data, Trade War Uncertainty, Airline/Pharma Sector Weakness
01.04How the athlete mindset can make you a better entrepreneur
More »
Privacy policy . Copyright . Contact form .