Google Pixel 4a users are up in arms as a recent software update has reportedly left their devices struggling to keep up with daily demands. Many owners have noticed a drastic reduction in battery life, a snail-paced charging process, and a bafflingly inaccurate battery percentage display. The update, which Google began rolling out in January, has sparked widespread frustration among users who find their once-reliable smartphones now virtually unusable.
Tech developer Hector Martin has delved into this issue, scrutinizing every line of the new update’s code to uncover what exactly has changed in Google’s software. His findings indicate two major modifications that have thrown a wrench into the Pixel 4a’s battery functionality. First, the update reduced the battery voltage from 4.44 volts to 3.95 volts, a significant alteration that’s bound to influence performance. More concerning, however, is the update’s impact on the Pixel 4a’s battery capacity. It effectively dashes capacity from 3,080 mAh down to a mere 1,539 mAh, a cut that only targets devices with a Lishen battery. Pixel 4a models equipped with Amperex (ATL) batteries remain untouched by this sweeping change.
With this information in hand, Martin advises users contemplating a battery replacement to ensure they install an ATL battery, which can be easily identified by its specific part number (8230015901) found next to the QR code.
The selective battery capacity adjustment hints that Google has pinpointed potential flaws within the Lishen batteries. Yet, it seems the tech giant hasn’t provided an extensive fix. Intriguingly, Martin discovered that the update was developed on a personal computer belonging to a Google employee, and it skipped the usual Link Time Optimization (LTO), a deviation from the norm that might degrade device performance.
For Pixel 4a owners affected by this battery conundrum, Google is extending three official routes to address the issue. Replacing the battery could prove a viable solution, and tools like iFixit estimate it takes around two hours to carry out this task. However, the update’s ripple effect has cast a shadow over Google’s approach, leaving tech enthusiasts and Pixel devotees eager for a more comprehensive resolution.
In a world where a smartphone is a lifeline, this update has stirred the pot, urging a swift response to restore the Pixel 4a’s good standing. As the tech community eagerly awaits further updates, Pixel 4a users are left weighing their options to reclaim their device’s full functionality.
