At the start of 2025, Google rolled out Android 13 for the Pixel 4a—and what should have been a routine update quickly turned into a disaster. Instead of improving performance, the update crippled the phone’s battery life and charging speeds, forcing Google to offer free battery replacements for affected devices.
What Happened?
Some Pixel 4a users received emails from Google, warning them that the update would reduce available battery capacity and impact charging performance.
“For some devices (‘Impacted Devices’), the software update reduces available battery capacity and impacts charging performance.”
– Google Support, January 6, 2025
The issue did not affect all Pixel 4a units, nor did it impact the Pixel 4a 5G. However, for those affected, the results were severe—the maximum charge voltage was reduced from 4.45V to 3.95V, effectively cutting usable battery capacity by 44%. Users also reported slower charging speeds, with the maximum charging current cut in half.
The update even disabled several key features:
- No more estimated charging time in settings
- Adaptive Charging removed
- Battery percentage display missing or inaccurate
For users who relied on the Pixel 4a as a daily driver, this felt like forced obsolescence.
The Backlash
Unsurprisingly, frustration exploded. The Pixel 4a subreddit was flooded with complaints, and angry discussions took over Reddit, Twitter (X), and Google support forums. Many users felt misled, arguing that a software update should enhance performance, not cripple it.
Some even discussed legal action against Google, drawing comparisons to past battery-related controversies (cough Apple). Others simply vowed to abandon Google phones altogether.
“A free battery replacement isn’t enough. Google should at least offer a major discount on the Pixel 8a to those affected.”
Critics argue that Google could have handled this better by notifying users before the update, instead of after the damage was done. Many believe the real solution would have been a software fix, rather than forcing users to go through the hassle of battery replacements.
Users Look for Workarounds
With Google’s fix limited to free battery swaps, some Pixel 4a owners are taking matters into their own hands.
A Reddit user, Snoo_17708, claims that installing Android 14 via PixelBuilds (an open-source custom ROM project) completely solved the battery drain issue.
“No more battery drain! Feels just like stock ROM before the disastrous update.”
While some users are eager to try custom ROMs, others are hesitant due to concerns about banking app compatibility, software stability, or the risk of bricking their phone. Many simply don’t have the tools or trust local repair shops to replace the battery themselves.
For now, affected users are left with limited options:
- Get a free battery replacement from Google
- Try a custom ROM (if they’re comfortable with it)
- Live with degraded battery life (and maybe carry a power bank)
- Upgrade to a newer phone—possibly from another brand
Google’s handling of this has left many users bitter, with some saying they’ll never trust Pixel updates again. A major discount on the Pixel 8a could have softened the blow, but Google hasn’t made any such offer.
The real lesson here? Tech companies need to communicate better when updates come with trade-offs. A heads-up before the Android 13 update would have saved users frustration—and Google, a serious PR nightmare.