Google Pixel
| Basic Information | |
|---|---|
| Release Year | 2013 |
| Product Type | Smartphone |
| In Production | Yes |
| Official Website | pixel.google.com |
Google Pixel is a consumer electronic device that Google develops and equips with specialized versions of Android or ChromeOS.
Consumer impact summary[edit | edit source]
A battery-limiting update was pushed automatically without user consent, and users cannot opt-out through normal means. Google removed access to previous firmware versions, effectively limiting users' ability to restore their devices to full functionality.
To receive compensation for the issue, users have to share sensitive personal information, including social security numbers and bank details, with Payoneer, a third-party payment processor. This forces users to choose between their privacy and receiving compensation for their degraded device.
The compensation options favor users choosing to remain within the Google ecosystem ($100 store credit for new Pixel phones, or $50 through Payoneer with fees and privacy concerns). [1][2][3][4]
Google's support team claimed that certain repairs were unsuccessful because they were performed outside of authorized service centers. [5]
Incidents[edit | edit source]
This is a list of all consumer protection incidents related to this product line. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the Google Pixel category.
Incidents affecting all of the company's products can be found in the company article: Google
Products[edit | edit source]
This is a list of the products with articles on this wiki.
- Pixel 4a (2020-08-03): An update was pushed, without users' consent, to limit the device's battery capacity and charging speed in an attempt to "improve the stability of their battery's performance".
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861 Mirror, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250107002112/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861 Other mirror via archive.ph https://archive.ph/zoooR
- ↑ https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/15642495 (unavailable after January 6, 2026) https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/7/24338566/google-pixel-4a-battery-stability-replacement-reduced-capacity
- ↑ https://payoneer.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43738/~/annual-account-fee
- ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i1e4ds/i_have_replaced_battery_in_a_local_shop_not/
- ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i19hxf/replaced_the_battery_but_still_the_warning/ https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i1e4ds/i_have_replaced_battery_in_a_local_shop_not/