Google announced the Pixel 4a in 2020, and the software ended with the Android 13 update. Google has now confirmed that it will release an update for Pixel 4a units this week. The software update will improve the battery performance and stability of the older Pixel smartphone. In some Pixel 4a phones, the software update will reduce available battery capacity and charging speed. Google is also offering compensation to affected users.

According to Google’s support page for the Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program, the smartphone manufacturer will begin rolling out an automatic software update for Android 13 to all Pixel 4a devices on January 8 in order to improve battery stability. According to Google, the software update for certain models reduces available battery capacity and has an impact on charging performance.

Google Provide Appeasement Options for Affected Pixel 4a Owners

After downloading the software update, your device will automatically restart to apply it. According to Google, the update for some devices (Impacted Devices) includes new battery management features to improve the stability of your battery’s performance, allowing the battery to last for shorter periods of time between charges. Users of impacted devices may notice additional changes, such as reduced charging performance or changes to the battery-level indicator.

All Pixel 4a units will receive the update, but only a few may see a drop in battery performance. Given the reduced battery capacity, Google says affected Pixel 4a users can get a free battery replacement. If you do not want a free battery swap, you can pay a one-time $50 (approximately Rs. 4,000) fee or a $100 (approximately Rs. 8,000) credit toward a new Pixel phone through Google’s online store.

Affected Pixel 4a owners have until January 8 to apply for one of the available appeasement options. Battery replacement is available at walk-in repair centers in India, the United States, Canada, the United