Oops Google Did It Again With Another Overheating Smartphone

This morning I should be putting the final touches on my Pixel 9a review, before the embargo lifts. But thanks to Google’s delay, no one has a review unit just yet. And now we’re starting to learn a bit more about this delay, it sounds like it could be due to the phone overheating.

According to a leaker on X, using the handle @techauntyji, Google has had to delay the Pixel 9a overheating problems. The leaker says “especially around the camera. Should be back in action in April after an update to fix bugs.”

Google said that this issue was affecting “a small number of units” but when Google decided to delay review units going out to reviewers, that sounds like it is definitely an overheating problem. And that’s something they didn’t want to be mentioned in reviews. Especially if they are able to fix it with an update.

Keep in mind that this is coming from a rather unknown leaker, but this does make sense. As you might expect, Google will never say what the actual issue is.

Overheating is not a surprise, given what we know about Pixel 9a

The Pixel 9a is using the newer Tensor G4, but not the newer modem. In fact, it’s using the modem from the Tensor G3, which was notoriously bad. And it’s likely what caused the Pixel 8 series to get pretty hot all the time. And now that appears to be happening to the Pixel 9a. The decision to go with this older modem is quite puzzling to say the least. Since the processor is an entire unit, this means that Google has to source different Tensor G4 units with this older modem, specifically for the Pixel 9a. Which should drive up the price.

Though, interestingly, the Pixel 9a is already on sale (and was before the announcement) in a few regions like Dubai. So there are a few people with the phone already. Though, from those that have the phone, I have not heard of any overheating just yet. So it’s possible that this does affect a small number of people.