14 DAY TRIAL // Google settled a class-action lawsuit regarding the first generation of Google Pixel launched back in 2016, some of which had problems with the microphone.
Google Pixel was coming hot on the heels of Google Nexus, and as the first phone in a new generation, it had a lot of expectations riding on it. It was a good phone, for the most part, but Google rushed it a little bit, and some of the devices had minor problems.
One of the issues was a defective microphone, and no one would have commented had Google replaced the phones or made repairs. Most likely, that would have meant that Google recognized the fact that it rushed the production, so they chose to ignore the problem.
Up to $500 in damages
Following a class-action lawsuit regarding the microphone, Google chose to settle the case $7.25 million. This doesn’t mean that Google acknowledges the problems, just that the matter is now considered closed.
In cases like these, not only the people that were part of the lawsuit are entitled to receive damages, but all users that can prove were affected by the problem.
“First, money will be set aside to pay up to $20 to each person who did not experience the alleged audio defect or who cannot provide any documentation to show that they experienced it. Second, people who paid an insurance deductible to receive a replacement Pixel will be refunded the amount of the deductible.“
“Third, people who experienced the alleged audio defect on more than one Pixel will be paid $500 each. Fourth, people who experienced the alleged audio defect on one Pixel will be paid $350 each, unless there is not enough money left to make those payments, in which case the rest of the fund will be distributed to them on a pro rata basis.”
Proving that you bought the phone and that you could not get a replacement is the only way to get the full sum, but it turns out that pretty much anyone who got a Pixel is eligible for at least a $20 payment.
It’s important to keep in mind that you need to be a US citizen and to have bought the phone before January 4, 2017. Also, if your original phone was actually replaced by Google, you no longer qualify.