Google’s Pixel phones are some of the best Android phones you can get your hands on, but hardware reliability is becoming a recurring concern. The latest issue surrounds the the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, with users reporting battery swelling problems similar to that of the Pixel 7a.
As spotted by Piunikaweb, multiple people have reported the problems on Google’s support forums, with expanded batteries pushing the screen away from the frame and forcing handsets to shut down.
It’s a worrying development, especially given how positive the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro reviews were at launch. Both phones were seen as affordable but powerful Android flagships, but Google’s reputation of swelling batteries might start to damage its reputation – especially if some start to catch fire.
It doesn’t help that so far Google’s support response has been inconsistent. Some users say they were offered free battery replacements or even refurbished devices if repairs weren’t successful. Others report struggling to get a resolution from Google at all.
Given the company rolled out the free battery replacement scheme for Pixel 7a devices earlier this year, this is pretty poor. Google hasn’t yet officially commented on the reports, but we’ll update this story if we hear more.
If you’re affected, make sure to reach out to Google and follow the official guidance.
Opinion
Pixel handsets are still fantastic Android devices, but recurring reports of battery swelling cast a shadow over their long-term reliability. Google needs to get on top of the problem before it becomes a much bigger issue for both itself and their users.
