Google pixel 3a xl replacement

[Ciaran Inglis]

So the other day my pixel 3a (xl) had this weird line across the screen when I pressed the power button but it only showed up when the phone was powered completely off,

I reached out to Google to see what could be done and they said they would give me a replacement,

I later found out that all replacement phones where refurbished (wasn't too happy about that) and I asked the person that was dealing with the case if the phone was a refurb or a brand new one and she told me that it was a refurb BUT they put the phones through comprehensive testing and made sure they work as brand new devices meaning that I was basically getting a new phone that had no problems and looked like a brand new out of the box device,

After she told me that I was quite pleased but still confused as I had heard a lot of negatives about Google's refurb devices, some people had said that they were good and had no issues and others said that they were quite bad and had to get a few replacements. I'm still unsure whether to get a replacement or just ignore the problem but I was wondering if anyone had any refurbs that were really good and had no issues and what the cosmetic quality of a refurb is like so my paranoia can be put to rest and I can get my problem solved

 

[hallux]

2 points

I later found out that all replacement phones where refurbished (wasn't too happy about that)

If you think you're going to get a brand new device as a warranty replacement from a tech company you're sadly mistaken. After 30 days or so, your only replacement devices are going to be refurbished.

Secondly - I had to have my Pixel 2 XL replaced last year. I was sent a refurbished device (didn't even think about that being the case vs. a new device), it's been good for the last 6 months.

 

[Ciaran Inglis]

I honestly didn't think about getting a refurbished device
What was the quality of your 2 xl when you got your refurb? Was there any scratches or damage at all?

 

[B. Diddy]

My experience with refurbished devices (either as a replacement from the manufacturer or bought through a deal site like Woot) has been quite good. Refurbished doesn't equal poor quality.

 

[Ciaran Inglis]

My experience with refurbished devices (either as a replacement from the manufacturer or bought through a deal site like Woot) has been quite good. Refurbished doesn't equal poor quality.

That sounds alright have you had a replacement from Google?

 

[Ciaran Inglis]

2 points


If you think you're going to get a brand new device as a warranty replacement from a tech company you're sadly mistaken. After 30 days or so, your only replacement devices are going to be refurbished.

Secondly - I had to have my Pixel 2 XL replaced last year. I was sent a refurbished device (didn't even think about that being the case vs. a new device), it's been good for the last 6 months.

What was the cosmetic quality of your 2 xl when you got your refurb?

 

[hallux]

It looked like a new device, I have no complaints.

 

[B. Diddy]

That sounds alright have you had a replacement from Google?

Back when I had a Nexus 6P, I did get a replacement after my first one froze on the boot screen. I'm not sure if the replacement was brand new or refurb, but chances are it was a refurb. Worked fine, but I promptly cracked the corner of the screen. I kept it for a while, then requested another replacement through Nexus Protect, and they ended up replacing it with a Pixel XL (again, not sure if it was a refurb or not).

 

[Ciaran Inglis]

Back when I had a Nexus 6P, I did get a replacement after my first one froze on the boot screen. I'm not sure if the replacement was brand new or refurb, but chances are it was a refurb. Worked fine, but I promptly cracked the corner of the screen. I kept it for a while, then requested another replacement through Nexus Protect, and they ended up replacing it with a Pixel XL (again, not sure if it was a refurb or not).

Do you know if refurbs get new batteries put in them?

 

[B. Diddy]

I doubt it. But my guess is that in the refurbishment testing, they do some basic battery testing to make sure it doesn't drop quickly with normal use.

 

[Ciaran Inglis]

I doubt it. But my guess is that in the refurbishment testing, they do some basic battery testing to make sure it doesn't drop quickly with normal use.

That's fair, I'm quite careful with my battery and how I use my phone but I'm away to pack it in a box and bubble wrap the hell out of it. Do I need to put a lithium battery warning label on the side of the box?

 

[B. Diddy]

Yes, I believe so. In the instructions they sent you, they probably included an attachment with a lithium battery warning you can put on the box.

 

[Ciaran Inglis]

Yes, I believe so. In the instructions they sent you, they probably included an attachment with a lithium battery warning you can put on the box.

I only have a prepaid shipping label and a packaging slip, no lithium battery warning label

 

[B. Diddy]

See if you can contact Pixel support and ask them about the shipping label. Here's a really convoluted algorithm from UPS: https://www.ups.com/assets/resources/media/en_US/pack_ship_batteries.pdf

 

[frankf10]

how is this 3a phone? Curious about the 4a but wondering how durable it would be vs the pixel 5 or even the oneplus 8 which looks like a great phone.

 

[Ciaran Inglis]

how is this 3a phone? Curious about the 4a but wondering how durable it would be vs the pixel 5 or even the oneplus 8 which looks like a great phone.

I mean it's pretty good well I think so anyway it gets the job done and with a couple extra features, I got my replacement and it literally only took 3 days for the whole process it was great and the replacement is basically brand new