Pixel 4a_ Battery debacle

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Noig

446 posts

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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.

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Noig

446 posts

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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

2060 posts

Uber Geek

#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

446 posts

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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

446 posts

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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?

tieke

673 posts

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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

158 posts

Master Geek

#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