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Sounds like the same farce as with the forced Pixel 4a update. Not sure if they learned anything from that, other than to ignore the issues and move ahead anyway.

I recently just got my RMA fulfilled for a Pixel 5 that developed a spicy pillow after 5 years, but I've already sworn off Pixel devices from here on out after this and a total lemon of a Pixel 6 I had bought my wife for her birthday.

In general, the whole planned obsolescence business model of smart phones has really soured my opinions of this technology that is now central to our lives.

The dodgy hardware doesn't reflect well on the Google/Pixel brand, that's for sure.

That said, I'm fairly happy with this because my 6a just sits around as an Android test device. Probably only has tens of battery cycles on it and might not ever reach the 400 cycle count where they've deemed this upcoming software nerf needs to kick in. So a free $100 and still keeping the phone is fine by me.

https://i.imgur.com/4wpSMAW.png

The shoddy QC in Pixel devices is bad enough I only recommend Sammy flagships to my Android friends. Doesn't feel like a great choice either with all the adware tbh.

Official post: https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/16340779 (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44447276)

Oh goodie. My 6a has had terrible battery life (and actually overheated about a month and a half ago while charging) yet my phone doesn't qualify for the replacement for whatever reason.

This is my 3rd google phone in a row with issues:

Nexus 6p - Had to have the battery replaced and then inexplicitly died, dead to the world Pixel 4a - Similar battery issues + a screen that physically fell out of the phone Pixel 6a - Battery woes BEFORE this update in the near future

Did as advised, went to to support page, pasted the IMEI. Result? My Pixel 6a is apparently not a Pixel 6a for Google...

planned obsolecence.

Took 5 minutes and they've confirmed they're going to deposit $100 into my bank account within 24 hours.

The 4a debacle was enough motivation to make me change teams and buy an iPhone earlier in the year, I opted for the $50 no questions asked cash from Google.

The only real thing I’m missing on the iPhone is Firefox/ublock origin combo.