Pixel 4a users are furious following the surprise update

The Google Pixel 4a is a fantastic device for those who want the most optimized Android experience but in a more manageable body. Many users have been happy with their devices, but those feelings have changed. A number of Pixel 4a owners are now furious following the recent surprise update.

What should have been a good thing

Google released the Pixel 4a in 2020. This means it isn’t covered by Google’s newer update policy that promises seven years of OS and security updates. This is why many were pleasantly surprised when Google pushed out a surprise update for the device.

Google called this the “Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program”, which the company claims will improve the stability of the phone’s battery. However, Google also warned that the update could cause shorter battery life between charges. We imagine that some users probably thought it wouldn’t be a big deal, but this thread on Reddit suggests that the update essentially killed the Pixel 4a.

According to the OP, “Before the update came, I praised google for caring about people still using this phone.. I WAS SO DAMN WRONG. This is borderline SCAM that made my beloved phone unusable. Until now I wanted to upgrade from 4a to upcoming 9a. Not happening after this. I hope they get sued for this.”

Hoping for a lawsuit

Several Pixel 4a users in the Reddit thread are furious and calling for a lawsuit. One user claimed, “The wording was SO MISLEADING yes!! Literally didn’t think it would be an issue because they wrapped the update in such “positive” terms, turns out improving your battery performance means making it last for only 1 hour at a time.”

Another post claims, “I feel your pain along with many others – my update dropped on Saturday , 5 hours from full->2% with some very light use, screen not on for more than 20 mins. Awesome!”

Many people are upset because Google hasn’t clearly explained what problem the update was meant to solve. For instance, if there was some critical hardware issue that the update is addressing, Google should have communicated it more clearly. The lack of transparency also means that rolling back to the previous update isn’t a good idea.

There is some good news. Google mentions that those affected by the issue are eligible for a free battery replacement program. Those who wish to skip the battery replacement can get a $50 payment or $100 credit to purchase another Pixel device from the Google Store.