Google launches a battery alternative program for swollen Pixel 7a handsets

Google is providing free repairs and (in some international locations) funds to treatment Pixel 7a battery points. 9to5Google spotted a Google help page detailing an prolonged restore program in 40 international locations. In case your Pixel 7a is visibly swelling or its battery drains sooner than typical, you could get a battery alternative on the home.

The corporate says it is “decided that sure Pixel 7a telephones might expertise surprising battery swelling.” Telltale indicators embrace the telephone showing thicker than typical, a bulging again cowl, seen gaps or openings alongside its edges or faster-than-expected battery drain.

Google confronted complaints on social media concerning the Pixel 7a problem earlier than taking motion. For instance, in December, u/Eszence08 posted within the Pixel subreddit that, after failing to get assist from Google help concerning the battery swelling problem, they solely bought an answer from the corporate after posting about it on Reddit. Their conclusion: “Make a publish; Google is extra useful on Reddit than their chat help.”

Even when your gadget reveals a number of signs, it nonetheless must cross a test earlier than transferring ahead. You can begin by visiting Google’s eligibility page, which can stroll you thru the steps to find out eligibility in your particular gadget. After that, a repairperson will examine it earlier than continuing.

That final step is critical as a result of unrelated damages, together with liquid injury, publicity to sharp objects or extreme drive, will void the restore. (Most of these precautions sound like “we have to ensure you did not pry your telephone open to get a free battery.”) As well as, out-of-warranty injury like show or cowl glass cracks will incur a restore price, for which Google will present an estimate earlier than beginning.

After we get to the country-by-country breakdown, issues get extra sophisticated. You’ve gotten two choices within the US and India: Mail your gadget to Google or take it to a certified walk-in restore middle. In-person repairs are additionally accessible in Canada, the UK, Germany, Japan and Singapore. (These international locations do not supply mail-in fixes.)

This system additionally extends to those that purchased their gadget in Australia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Switzerland and EEA international locations. In case your nation is not listed, you get nothing.

Nonetheless, for international locations with out a mail-in choice (all however the US and India), Google gives alternate “appeasement choices,” i.e., payouts or retailer credit score. In case your Pixel 7a is out of guarantee, you’ll be able to declare $200 transformed to your native foreign money or $300 (additionally transformed regionally) in a Google low cost code towards buying one other Pixel telephone on the Google Retailer. If it is nonetheless underneath guarantee, you may get a more healthy $456 fee transformed to your native foreign money.

When you suppose your Pixel 7a is eligible, you’ll be able to head to Google’s support page to get began.

This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cellular/smartphones/google-launches-a-battery-replacement-program-for-swollen-pixel-7a-handsets-162204629.html?src=rss

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