Users of both the Google Pixel 3a and XL versions are reporting issues with their smartphones. The complaining users’ Pixel 3a phones turn themselves off at random times.
One user describes on Reddit that a reboot is required if he connects his phone to Wi-Fi and does not use it for about ten minutes. The device turns itself off and restarts the phone only by pressing and holding the standby button for 30 seconds. It says the problem does not occur if it does not connect to wifi. Several other users report experiencing the same issues with both the regular 3a and 3a XL. The problem also occurs in Safe Mode for some users.
As far as we know, Google has not yet responded to the reports and partly because of this it is still unclear how widespread the problem is. It is not the first time that Pixel phones have come to the market with problems. For example, in November 2017, Google acknowledged that there were issues with the Pixel 2 XL’s touchscreen, and the first-generation Pixel phones had microphone issues.
The Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL were announced two weeks ago and will cost 399 and 479 euros in Germany respectively. Both versions run on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 670-soc from Qualcomm, have the same camera as the more expensive Pixel 3 and have a 3.5mm headphone jack. The latter was missing from the Pixel 2 and 3 phones.