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 assist page detailing an prolonged restore program in 40 international locations. In case your Pixel 7a is visibly swelling or its battery drains sooner than ordinary, it’s possible you’ll get a battery alternative on the home.

The corporate says it is “decided that sure Pixel 7a telephones might expertise sudden battery swelling.” Telltale indicators embrace the cellphone showing thicker than ordinary, 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 challenge earlier than taking motion. For instance, in December, u/Eszence08 posted within the Pixel subreddit that, after failing to get assist from Google assist concerning the battery swelling challenge, they solely acquired 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 assist.”

Even when your machine reveals a number of signs, it nonetheless must move a verify earlier than transferring ahead. You can begin by visiting Google’s eligibility page, which is able to stroll you thru the steps to find out eligibility to your particular machine. 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 power, will void the restore. (Most of these precautions sound like “we have to be sure to did not pry your cellphone 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 difficult. You’ve got two choices within the US and India: Mail your machine to Google or take it to a licensed walk-in restore middle. In-person repairs are additionally obtainable 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 machine in Australia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Switzerland and EEA international locations. In case your nation is not listed, you get nothing.

Nevertheless, for international locations with no mail-in possibility (all however the US and India), Google affords 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 cellphone on the Google Retailer. If it is nonetheless underneath guarantee, you will get a more healthy $456 fee transformed to your native foreign money.

When you assume 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/cell/smartphones/google-launches-a-battery-replacement-program-for-swollen-pixel-7a-handsets-162204629.html?src=rss

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