Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Google Ordered ₹1.1 Lakh Over Faulty Foldable Phone
A man in Kerala bought a foldable phone for ₹88,331.
Seven months later, a black line appeared along the fold in the inside screen.
He also saw a battery symbol that he believed pointed to a motherboard problem.
Google first reportedly said the phone could be replaced for free.
Later, after inspecting the phone, the company rejected the warranty claim because of small scratches.
It then estimated repairs would cost ₹1,31,899.
The man took the dispute to a consumer commission after the phone eventually stopped working.
The commission said the scratches did not explain the internal problem and ordered Google to pay him more than ₹1.1 lakh.
Google reportedly did not appear in the case, which was decided against it without its participation.
A Kerala consumer commission ordered Google to pay more than ₹1.1 lakh over a faulty foldable phone.
The customer reported a black line along the inner-screen crease seven months after purchase.
Google allegedly denied warranty coverage because of minor scratches and estimated repairs at ₹1,31,899.
The commission found the scratches unrelated to the reported internal defect and called the conduct deficient service.
Google was ordered to refund ₹88,331 with 9% annual interest, plus ₹20,000 compensation and ₹3,000 legal costs.
- Who
- A consumer in Kasaragod, Kerala, and Google.
- What
- A district consumer commission ordered Google to refund the phone’s price and pay compensation and litigation costs over a disputed warranty claim.
- When
- The fault was first reported on December 27, 2025; the articles do not specify the order date.
- Where
- Kasaragod, Kerala, India.
- Why
- The commission found that minor external scratches were unrelated to the reported screen and motherboard defects and that Google had inadequately handled the warranty claim.
Consumer’s account
Google’s reported position
Cause of the defect
Consumer’s account
The consumer said minor scratches from regular use were unrelated to the screen and motherboard problems.
Google’s reported position
Google reportedly rejected the warranty claim, citing the scratches on the phone’s outer body.
Warranty handling
Consumer’s account
The consumer said Google’s support team initially approved a free replacement before reversing that decision after inspection.
Google’s reported position
Google did not reportedly appear before the commission to present its position in the case.
Repair cost
Consumer’s account
The consumer declined to pay the ₹1,31,899 repair estimate and sought a refund or replacement.
Google’s reported position
The company reportedly issued the ₹1,31,899 estimate after refusing warranty coverage.
- Refund ordered
- ₹88,331
- Compensation
- ₹20,000
- Litigation costs
- ₹3,000
- Interest
- 9% annually from December 27, 2025, until payment
- Repair estimate
- ₹1,31,899
- Reported defect
- A black line along the inner-screen crease and a battery symbol suggesting a motherboard issue
- Case status
- The commission reportedly decided the case ex parte after Google did not appear