If you have a Google Pixel 6a, you've probably stopped sleeping with the device on your bed. The lower-cost smartphone from 2022 has been going through a notable wave of bad press due to batteries swelling years after purchase. In a few cases, the batteries have exploded, and the Note 7 has taught us how serious that can be.
To remedy the situation, through software, Google is planning to limit the maximum battery capacity of Pixel 6a models across the globe. Needless to say, that's not something that consumers who paid full price will be happy with. The company will be offering compensation, and now, we know the exact details on that.
Google Will Offer You a Free Battery Replacement for the Google Pixel 6a
The Google Pixel 6a was the first “a”-series smartphone from the tech giant following its major redesign of the Pixel smartphones. That core language of that redesign still shows through a few facelifts, even today. Unfortunately, that phone won't have a nice place in Google's smartphone history, as defective batteries have stained its legacy.
To prevent you (and itself) from the risk of the defective batteries exploding (as they have in a few cases), Google will be pushing out a software update next week to artificially limit the battery and charging of the Pixel 6a. That's a major punishment for consumers with the device, so unsurprisingly, Google has to find a means to compensate them. The same issue happened with the Pixel 7a, and there were three routes to remedy things:
- Free battery replacement
- Cash payment in your local currency
- Google Store discount code for your next Pixel smartphone
Google has confirmed that these same options will be available in this case. Needless to say, for people who had no intentions to replace their Pixel 6a before all of this started, the battery replacement is the best option. It'll essentially refresh your device and will give it enough of a boost to run for the next two years, at the very least. However, just as with the Pixel 7a, it will likely only be available in countries with walk-in repair, which are:
- United States (mail-in repair available)
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- India (mail-in repair available)
- Japan
- Germany
- Singapore
If You Don't Want a Battery Replacement, You Can Get Up to $150 of Value as Compensation
If you don't live in a country where you can get a battery replacement or you simply don't want to hold onto your Pixel 6a after this entire mess, you can choose to be compensated in cash instead.
| Compensation Amount | |
| Cash | $100 |
| Google Store Credit | $150 |
First off, the Google Store Credit will be limited to another Pixel smartphone purchase, so if you don't plan to stick with Google after this farce, then it's not the choice for you (despite the higher value). Also, the USD amount will be converted to its equivalent value in your local currency in both cases.
To select between any of these options, you'll simply need to use your Pixel 6a's IMEI to check your eligibility, and once you've been determined to qualify, Google will give you the next instructions for the claim.
