I’m Pixelated

My Google Pixel 4a is four years old. Software support ran out something like 18 months ago, but that wasn’t enough to motivate me to get a new phone. Today, this message came in from Google.

Hi Douglas

We wanted to let you know about an upcoming software update for your Pixel 4a that will affect the overall performance and stability of its battery. Pixel phones, like other smartphones, use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that, over time, may experience performance, capacity, or runtime degradation.

In the coming days, your Pixel 4a will receive an automatic software update to Android 13 that introduces new battery management features to improve the stability of the battery. This update will reduce your battery’s runtime and charging performance.

To address this, we’re providing some options to consider. Please take a look and choose which one works best for you.

More details related to this change are available here. Eligibility criteria and other terms will apply.

Thank you,
Pixel team

Argh. I’ll take the update manually when it becomes available in a couple of days. There’s no point in putting it off. Once I see the effects of the change I can decide what to do. Maybe it just limits charging to 80%. That’s becoming a thing now.

Update: I called up some special 15-digit number from my phone and submitted it to see if I’m eligible for a $100 discount on a new phone from the Google store. If so, I’ll order a Pixel 8a.