Google Pixel 3 (XL) bricking out of nothing

Phones are stuck in EDL mode with no way to recover, due to Google not releasing the signed firehorse files.

https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/192008282

https://www.google.de/search?q=pixel+3+brick&tbm=nws

I am not affected (yet). If anyone from Germany is interested in figuring out what the issue is and can risk losing their data, feel free to ping me on libera IRC. I have the ability to desolder and dump the UFS memory to start some investigation.

I recently has a pixel 2 die on me in a similar sounding way. Was working perfectly fine and then suddenly it won't turn on and won't take a charge. Tested with one of those usb tester things and it shows 0amp being drawn.

Huh my Pixel 3 XL also just died in a very similar way the battery was starting to lose charge faster than expected and a few nights ago it died again and then wouldn't power on. It was taking charge, I plugged it into a powerbank with a wattage meter, and it was pulling just 5W over USBC. (The powerbank supports full PD) It's probably the wrong spot to report this sadly so it's probably been muted it seems like a hardware issue not an issue with Android itself.

Especially with the Pixel lineup, there is a historical quality control issue with Google's phones that I'm worried hasn't been solved yet. I owned:

- Pixel 3: Past few months, volume buttons and power buttons gradually stopped working. USB port works for charging, but when connected to a computer, port connects and disconnects in an infinite loop. Bluetooth connection with car always skips/stutters during Maps usage even though iPhones and other Android devices work fine.

- Pixel: Camera stopped working

- Nexus 5X: Infinite boot loop issue, contacted Google and replaced it using warranty

- Nexus 4: No hardware issues

- Nexus One: No hardware issues

The Nexus phones were less problematic. I suspect it's because they were co-designed/manufactured by LG.

As time goes on, I use my phone less, not more, and I haven't dropped Pixel phones, unlike the Nexus ones.

I'm wary of purchasing the Pixel 3a, 4, or 5 since I don't want to be burned a 3rd time by specifically Google-designed phones. I think it would be best to avoid Android OS updates as much as possible as well.

I'm looking for the next smartphone to be modular. Heavily considering a Linux phone easier to DIY repair.

Here's a mirror https://archive.is/wmfel