Pixel 7a battery swelled up, Google has refused support
About 6 weeks ago my Pixel 7a battery started suddenly swelling up and the back case (where the camera is) started peeling off. It is just over 2 years since I got it, right after the warranty expired. It has been a nightmare getting any support from Google since then.
I checked the IMEI and it is eligible for the extended repair program. I took it to a ubreakifix, and they were unable to do anything with it despite keeping it for a month. Finally they said the phone was damaged by the battery swelling and I would have to send it back to Google.
I ordered the return packaging, sent the phone to Google, and they now want to charge me $330 to replace it. They never acknowledged the battery problem. I asked for an appeasement and they claimed I had already chosen to repair it, so I couldn't do that. I told them to keep the phone, as it's useless to me and dangerous, but they insisted on sending it back to me today. Their support was really bad--like talking to a brick wall. This was my third Pixel, but I bought a Samsung as a replacement and I will never buy another Google phone because of this issue.
Has anyone else had a problem with Google trying to delay or dodge covering 7as or other models that have the battery swelling problem? Any success in getting them to actually respond?