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

Google is providing free repairs and (in some nations) funds to treatment Pixel 7a battery points. 9to5Google spotted a Google help page detailing an prolonged restore program in 40 nations. In case your Pixel 7a is visibly swelling or its battery drains sooner than normal, it’s possible you’ll get a battery substitute 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 normal, 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 subject 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 subject, they solely obtained an answer from the corporate after posting about it on Reddit. Their conclusion: “Make a put up; Google is extra useful on Reddit than their chat help.”

Even when your machine displays a number of signs, it nonetheless must go a test earlier than shifting ahead. You can begin by visiting Google’s eligibility page, which can 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 important as a result of unrelated damages, together with liquid harm, 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 telephone open to get a free battery.”) As well as, out-of-warranty harm 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 have got two choices within the US and India: Mail your machine to Google or take it to a licensed walk-in restore heart. In-person repairs are additionally out there in Canada, the UK, Germany, Japan and Singapore. (These nations do not supply mail-in fixes.)

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

Nevertheless, for nations with out a mail-in choice (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 may declare $200 transformed to your native forex or $300 (additionally transformed domestically) in a Google low cost code towards buying one other Pixel telephone on the Google Retailer. If it is nonetheless beneath guarantee, you will get a more healthy $456 fee transformed to your native forex.

Should you suppose your Pixel 7a is eligible, you may 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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