Google Pixel
| Basic Information | |
|---|---|
| Release Year | 2013 |
| Product Type | Smartphone |
| In Production | Yes |
| Official Website | pixel.google.com |
Google Pixel is a consumer electronic device that Google develops and equips with specialized versions of Android or ChromeOS.
Consumer impact summary[edit | edit source]
The Google Pixel line of smartphones have been plagued by a series of battery related issues ranging from worse battery performance to chances of fire.[1][2][3] This has lead to some consumers being doubtful towards the brand and whether they will spend money with them again.[3]
A battery-limiting update was pushed automatically without user consent, and users cannot opt-out through normal means. Google removed access to previous firmware versions, effectively limiting users' ability to restore their devices to full functionality.
To receive compensation for the issue, users have to share sensitive personal information, including social security numbers and bank details, with Payoneer, a third-party payment processor. This forces users to choose between their privacy and receiving compensation for their degraded device.
The compensation options favor users choosing to remain within the Google ecosystem ($100 store credit for new Pixel phones, or $50 through Payoneer with fees and privacy concerns).[4][5][6][7][8]
Google's support team at times have claimed that certain repairs were unsuccessful because they were performed outside of authorized service centers.[9][10]
Incidents[edit | edit source]
This is a list of all consumer protection incidents related to this product line. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the Google Pixel category.
Incidents affecting all of the company's products can be found in the company article: Google
Products[edit | edit source]
This is a list of the products with articles on this wiki.
- Pixel 4a (2020-08-03): An update was pushed, without users' consent, to limit the device's battery capacity and charging speed in an attempt to "improve the stability of their battery's performance".
- Pixel 6a (2022-07-21): As some models were lighting on fire, Google responded by releasing a software update that hampers battery capacity and charging speed once the battery hits 400 charge cycles.
- Pixel 9a (2025-04-10): Google announced its Battery Health Assistance, to limit the device's battery voltage and "manage long term health and performance of the battery"
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "I change my battery a month BEFORE the upgrade, but after, I got the ! mark ... any tips ?". Reddit. Retrieved 25 Mar 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Understand your Pixel battery". Google. 1 Apr 2025. Archived from the original on 4 Apr 2025. Retrieved 4 Apr 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 erinelise28 (2025-04-22). "Pixel 6a Caught on Fire, not sure I want another Pixel". Google Pixel Community. Archived from the original on 2025-05-16. Retrieved 2025-05-16.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ↑ https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861 Mirror, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250107002112/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861 Other mirror via archive.ph https://archive.ph/zoooR
- ↑ "Request a repair, payment, or future discount code". Google. Archived from the original on 7 Jan 2025. Retrieved 25 Mar 2025.
- ↑ Davis, Wes (8 Jan 2025). "Google's new Pixel 4A update is going to lower battery life for some owners". The Verge. Retrieved 25 Mar 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Annual account fee". Payoneer. Retrieved 25 Mar 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "I have replaced battery in a local shop not supported by Google". Reddit. Retrieved 25 Mar 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Replaced the battery, but still the warning". Reddit. Retrieved 25 Mar 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "I have replaced battery in a local shop not supported by Google". Reddit. Retrieved 25 Mar 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)