Pixel 4a_ Battery debacle

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Noig

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#318870 28-Feb-2025 07:21

Hi All,

I had to flash another OS to the 4a to overcome the very fast draining battery. It works well though an old battery can't be rejuvenated, unfortunately. 😟

Now I'm thinking of getting the battery replaced over the next few months. Does anyone know where I could get that done?

TIA

timmmay

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#3348592 28-Feb-2025 07:37

The Pixel 4a was a great phone for its time. The fingerprint reader was great, almost instant, much better than newer phones. I just got NZ$88 ish from Google because they reduced the phone battery capacity, though I haven't turned it on for a few months.

Maybe it's time for an upgrade? New phones are quite a lot faster. But if it's working and you're patient it's probably still a solid choice.

Noig

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#3348597 28-Feb-2025 07:57

timmmay:

The Pixel 4a was a great phone for its time. The fingerprint reader was great, almost instant, much better than newer phones. I just got NZ$88 ish from Google because they reduced the phone battery capacity, though I haven't turned it on for a few months.

Maybe it's time for an upgrade? New phones are quite a lot faster. But if it's working and you're patient it's probably still a solid choice.

We got the 48 Euro(bought from Oz), still my wife is keen to keep it going and does not mind the speed.

mudguard

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#3348598 28-Feb-2025 08:00

timmmay:

The Pixel 4a was a great phone for its time. The fingerprint reader was great, almost instant, much better than newer phones. I just got NZ$88 ish from Google because they reduced the phone battery capacity, though I haven't turned it on for a few months.

Maybe it's time for an upgrade? New phones are quite a lot faster. But if it's working and you're patient it's probably still a solid choice.

Ah how did you get the credit? This effectively bricked my partner's phone, which had been running well, we bought her an A55 about three days after the Pixel 'update'.

Noig

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#3348604 28-Feb-2025 08:18

mudguard:

timmmay:

The Pixel 4a was a great phone for its time. The fingerprint reader was great, almost instant, much better than newer phones. I just got NZ$88 ish from Google because they reduced the phone battery capacity, though I haven't turned it on for a few months.

Maybe it's time for an upgrade? New phones are quite a lot faster. But if it's working and you're patient it's probably still a solid choice.

Ah how did you get the credit? This effectively bricked my partner's phone, which had been running well, we bought her an A55 about three days after the Pixel 'update'.

We got the notification from Google. We then took the money instead.

timmmay

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#3348621 28-Feb-2025 08:30

I've just turned off Pixel 4a automatic updates in developer settings. I'm not sure it's a good idea to disable an update that limits charging because of a battery fault though.

mudguard:

Ah how did you get the credit? This effectively bricked my partner's phone, which had been running well, we bought her an A55 about three days after the Pixel 'update'.

Google emailed me on my gmail address. You can try this link, not sure if it will work or not but it's worth a try.

Noig

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#3348623 28-Feb-2025 08:40

timmmay:

I've just turned off Pixel 4a automatic updates in developer settings. I'm not sure it's a good idea to disable an update that limits charging because of a battery fault though.

mudguard:

Ah how did you get the credit? This effectively bricked my partner's phone, which had been running well, we bought her an A55 about three days after the Pixel 'update'.

Google emailed me on my gmail address. You can try this link, not sure if it will work or not but it's worth a try.

You missed that I stated above that we got paid out.😊

Anyone with an idea about a repair-shop which could do this for us?

HP

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tieke

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#3348744 28-Feb-2025 16:10

Pretty sure that the 4a won't have voice connectivity once they turn off 3g in April, so may not be worth spending too much on it if you use it to make voice calls.

Noig

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#3348745 28-Feb-2025 16:23

tieke:

Pretty sure that the 4a won't have voice connectivity once they turn off 3g in April, so may not be worth spending too much on it if you use it to make voice calls.

It has 4g, that should suffice?

Asteros

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#3348788 28-Feb-2025 21:12

tieke:

Pretty sure that the 4a won't have voice connectivity once they turn off 3g in April, so may not be worth spending too much on it if you use it to make voice calls.

I think you're correct.

So for the OP, when they turn off 3G, your Pixel 4a needs to use VOLTE (voice over 4g), which is an extension to the 4g data network, to make voice calls. Unfortunately NZ telcos don't support VOLTE for this model.

https://one.nz/our-networks/volte/#voltecapable

https://www.spark.co.nz/help/mobile/device-help/device_compatibility_list/

https://www.2degrees.nz/help/mobile-help/calling-features/phones-compatible-with-volte-and-wifi-calling

Asteros

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#3348789 28-Feb-2025 21:15

Or to be more correct, the manufacturer has not updated the phone software to work with VoLTE for NZ networks.

Noig

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#3348881 1-Mar-2025 07:11

Asteros:

Or to be more correct, the manufacturer has not updated the phone software to work with VoLTE for NZ networks.

Thank you@Asteros, especially for the extra effort to include the links.

That's a bummer. As I have a P6 I thought it would work. So, no go for the P4a 😒

Edit: Does that also apply if the P4a has now a Lineage OS?

Thanks!

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Noig

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#3348893 1-Mar-2025 08:39

Could it work with the Volte patch? Has anyone tried that?

Noig

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#3350581 5-Mar-2025 22:55

I have found a solution here on GZ:

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=39&topicid=277111&page_no=1#2687964

Not sure yet if I will pursue this.😳

Noig

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#3350798 6-Mar-2025 20:48

An additional check shows LTE

Bazil

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#3366958 24-Apr-2025 05:34

Just want to add a wee cautionary tale to this thread. Point is when Google says there is an issue it pays to pay attention and not dismiss like I did.

Owned a Pixel 4a for a long time, great phone. Moved on due due to upgrading, however gave phone to my son to use.

When the update came out the battery life of course died rendering the phone near useless so took the money (took nearly a month but hey $88 NZD), then decided to swap Lineage OS on to the phone. Battery life was great everything needed worked.

However a couple of days ago while on holiday in Taiwan I noticed on my sons phone the screen had popped off the body of the phone on one side. Took the phone out of it's case and observed a substantial bulge on the underside of the body of the phone - clear battery swelling. Shut down the phone immediately and took into the Taiwanese battery recycling scheme at the local 7 Eleven. They pay you $12 TWD to take your old phone off your hands!

On the plus side, gave my son my old phone and purchased myself a new Pixel 9a, very happy with!