Google Pixel 4a gets an unexpected update: Lower battery life

The Pixel 4a, a well-regarded release in Google’s line of budget-minded phones with nice cameras and decent stock software, was not supposed to get any more updates. This week, it will receive a rather uncommon one—one that intends to lower its reported battery life.

The Pixel 4a, released in the summer of 2020, was discontinued at the end of 2022. It received its last official software update in the summer of 2023, followed by a surprise security update in November 2023. Throughout 2024, there were no updates. This week, owners of the 4a (and likely many former owners) are getting a new update, along with an email titled “Changes coming to your Pixel 4a.”

The email addresses “an upcoming software update for your Pixel 4a that will affect the overall performance and stability of its battery.” The automatic software update to Android 13 “introduces new battery management features to improve the stability of your device,” which will “reduce your battery’s runtime and charging performance.”

Google goes into more detail on a support page about the “Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program,” noting that only some “Impacted Devices” will see the reduced capacity and charging performance. Those with such devices (determined by a survey) have three options beyond just taking the hit: sending their phone in for a free battery replacement, receiving $50 (or the non-US equivalent) payment, or getting $100 toward a new Pixel phone from the Google Store. Those with impacted phones have one year from the scheduled software update on January 8, 2025, to choose an “appeasement option.”