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The Google Pixel 5a Has a Serious Overheating Problem

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The dual cameras of the Google Pixel 5aI don’t often write about problems with individual Android devices. After all, there are so many of them and every single one has a unique set of problems. I’ve yet to find a “perfect” Android device. However, recently, I tried. I thought the Google Pixel 5a would be a perfect device for Android development. Simple, updates for years, and inexpensive, at least for a quality Android phone. Sure, it lacks wireless charging, which is seriously questionable in 2021, but it’s a small issue, especially since I plan to use this device solely for work and Android development.

I bought a Pixel 5a and got it on release day, yesterday.

I’m already considering returning it.

Multiple users, myself included, have noticed an overheating problem with the camera. While shooting video, the device will stop recording within 5-10 minutes, even from a cold start. In my testing, it usually stops recording around a minute and a half.

If that’s enough to cause these devices to overheat, I can’t imagine it would last long enough to get those 3 years of software updates.

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It’s been a good week for news about hot videos. OnlyFans has decided not to destroy their business, and a brand new device from Google gets too hot to record video in just a few minutes!

Okay, no, it’s not funny. I mean, I actually spent money on this thing! That’s true of most of my reviews, I buy what I review. I bought this for Android development. That’s how I make enough money to run this blog. I was actually really looking forward to this, my first Pixel device. I was looking forward to testing the camera and comparing it to the iPhone 12 mini, even using the Moment lenses to compare how well they work with the Pixel 5a. Unfortunately, Moment isn’t making a case for the Pixel 5a, and, frankly, I’m not sure the camera would even survive in the heat of NYC’s extra long summers. It overheats in my cool apartment in just a few minutes.

Consistent Failure

Error message: "Recording has stopped. Close Camera uintil device cools off."

I started testing this the night I got the Pixel 5a and found I could consistently get the device to shut off video recording capabilities. It even disables the flash. I shut down the Pixel 5a overnight and tried it first thing in the morning. It failed in about 3 minutes and 30 seconds. I waited a bit to let it cool down and the Pixel shut video recording off in 56 seconds this time (recording above). It seems that, even in my air conditioned apartment, it can’t record more than three and a half minutes.

I’m not alone. This isn’t just an issue with my Pixel 5a, but potentially with all Pixel 5a devices. It’s not just for 4k 60fps video either, Others found that it could overheat and stop working at the lowest HD setting, 1080p and 30fps. Some other devices have the same problem, but don’t stop recording so quickly. The Pixel 5, for example, gets very hot while recording, but can complete longer videos before locking up.

Google doesn’t have a fix for this yet and hasn’t confirmed whether or not there will be a hotfix (literally) for the issue in the coming weeks. If Pixel 5a owners are unsure, they have just two weeks to decide to return their phones. After that, they have to just hope that Google fixes the problem or is willing to replace the affected devices.

As for me? Well, I normally try to spend a month with a device before reviewing, but in the case of the Google Pixel 5a, it may just be under 2 weeks.

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