My tenure here at PhoneArena began back in the spring of 2021 — around the same time that Google began its own journey to reinvent its flagship Pixel. The Pixel 6 series was released in the fall of 2021 when I pre-ordered the $900 Pixel 6 Pro, and the rest is history… a history of errors for ten straight months. Fast forward two years later, who would have thought that Penny W Google, the person who is still settling into their new role will be… Google. Needless to say, unfortunately, I had to part with my own Pixel 6 Pro. It has turned into a file iPhone 13 (mini) about a year ago, which while a bit less attractive and boring, gave me the reliability I look for when I simply need to get things done. Only the one who is finished or close to trying the Google Buggy Pixel. This was pointed out by a couple of recent news stories about Google Pixel devices – I guess the headlines speak for themselves…
Can Google get it right?
Google’s anti-log continues. Several bugs render the Pixel 7 Pro essentially unusable (now fixed); Green screen issues persist for some users
Pixel users may start switching to iPhone or Galaxy very soon. All five of them!
“I haven’t touched my phone in the last hour. It just got attached to a standard wireless charger… Still very hotAnd if I don’t downgrade to a different version, I won’t have a net increase in my phone’s battery.
Pixel 7 Pro user
You may have heard about the battery drain error, which has taken over social media. Apparently, the reason behind the unusual battery drain issue was Google’s proprietary Google app, which comes pre-installed on Pixel phones. Two things stand out about how Google handled the situation:
- The error was addressed pretty much immediately after it was discovered and reported by several Pixel users
- Google issues a short statement saying: “A recent change to the Google app backend inadvertently resulted in a subset of Android devices experiencing rapid battery drain. We rolled out a fix shortly after becoming aware of the issue…”
Of course, while bugs seem to bother Pixel phones a lot, they’re something no phone is immune to, so Google’s timely response was remarkable. However, saying that “a subset of Android devices” was experiencing a battery drain issue, when we haven’t necessarily seen reports of other Android phones with the same bug, seems a little strange.
But hey… I might be thinking about it too much. Perhaps Google wanted to take things further, and make sure that all Android users who may have encountered the battery drain error in this message are addressed — you know, in case they are affected by the same issues. Who do you know…
An unacceptable home button bug made using the Pixel 7 Pro nearly impossible; Google took some time to fix the problem (attached video)
But there’s another issue (as opposed to the battery drain issue) that’s been affecting my Pixel 7 Pro unit for what felt like two months. Note that the error seems to have gone away after I installed the May update. Regardless, I think it’s the right time to share my bad experience.
As you can see in the video I attached, for no apparent reason, my Pixel 7 Pro’s virtual home button would become completely unresponsive, leaving me with no way to “go home”. The only option to “get around it” would be to use the back button instead, which would completely kill the app you were using, or put the phone to sleep and wake it up. This might be the most annoying bug you’ve encountered on your Pixel since the Pixel 6 Pro days.
I should note that the Pixel 7 Pro isn’t my primary phone, which means I didn’t have to put up with the bugs, but this particular problem persisted for what seemed like two months, almost every time I tried using the phone. But what if the Pixel 7 Pro is my only phone?
Anyway… I can only assume that what I call the “Home button freeze” bug was ignored by Google as this is no longer the default system navigation method on Pixel/Android. However, this is no excuse. The fact that I prefer using the Pixel 7 Pro with onscreen navigation buttons rather than swipe gestures shouldn’t make my experience using the phone (significantly) worse or nearly impossible.
Some Pixel 7 Pro units continue to experience display issues eight months after the original launch, and affected Pixel users are complaining online; Is it a software or hardware problem?
Google is under pressure. As it should be.
While I haven’t had this issue on my Pixel 7 Pro (again, I don’t use the phone as my primary device), several users have taken to it on Reddit to complain about a persistent display issue where the Pixel 7 Pro screens will start flickering in different colors of the rainbow (green mostly).
According to forum posts and comments, the Pixel 7 Pro screen issues date back to late 2022. In other words, it looks like Google hasn’t been able to fix the Pixel 7 display issues for more than six months now. Users say the company is helpful in terms of arranging replacements, which has fixed the display issue. However, on several occasions, replacement phones will continue to experience similar display issues.
Pixel 7 Pro display issues are expected to be an isolated case, affecting a few users. People were hoping that a software update would be able to address the display issues, but that is no longer likely, as the problem could be related to the Pixel 7 Pro hardware. Some have found that disabling Always On Display helps. Another speculation is that the Tensor G2 chip inside the phone is overheating which is causing the screen to start flickering.
Pixel 7 Pro users seem ready to switch to iPhone/Galaxy
I had the same thing (plus The phone screen will freeze And it should restart) on a brand new Pixel 7 Pro that I bought at Easter. I tried everything I could find online and with support, Ended up exchanging it for a brand new one and haven’t had a problem since. The new phone is very smooth and it was a great experience.
Reddit user
I’m on my fourth Pixel 7 Pro. Every time I get exactly the problems described above. I’ve owned a Nexus or Pixel phone since I gave up the Palm Pre, however This may finally get me to use the iPhone. I am so disappointed with everything. I travel for work so not having a working phone is a big deal. Almost 2 weeks ago I missed my flight because I couldn’t get the screen to work, I could pull out my boarding pass and the line at the customer service desk was too long to print. Absolutely Google needs to do something for affected users other than send them refurbished devices.
PhoneArena User
I have a brand new Pixel 7 Pro and have noticed this going on and off for the past couple of days. Sometimes, it had a rhythm of its own and blinked every 15 to 30 seconds. At first I thought it was software so I made sure it was fully updated. continues. Then he went with the latest beta version. pause for a while. Then I noticed it again every day after work. Screen flashes. and then I also saw yellow lines flashing across the screen. I have now found this being posted and am starting to think I should look at another phone. You left your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 for this? I am waiting for the trade in box to arrive but might as well return the phone and take a look at new Motorola phones. I’m very worried because there doesn’t seem to be a solution, but it’s more like your lucky draw or not.
PhoneArena User
Pixel 8 and Android 14: How many tries does Google need to get it right before Pixel users switch to iPhone or Galaxy?
I sold my Pixel 6 Pro due to errors.
Google Pixel phones in 2023 show us that Google has changed in many different ways…
But Google phones have changed in another way, too. Instead of the mediocre performance of the “flagship” eg Pixel 5, the main problem with Pixel phones today is the reliability of their software. This is ironic, given that Google makes Android, which all other Android phone makers use. If you forget the processors and camera sensors, why is a Samsung phone more reliable than a Google phone?
Also, I’ll never get tired of asking… why do Google’s Pixel phones have shorter software support (three years of major software updates) than competing Android phones, whether they’re made by Samsung or OnePlus? Google makes Android. Imagine if Apple provided expanded software support for Beats headphones and earphones and left out the AirPods. Does not make sense.
Facts are facts. Pixels are now known as buggy, unreliable Android phones, which also cost less money. But this begs the question… What is a good value phone? A good set of specs for the money you pay, or a reliable phone? The new Pixel 7a, Pixel 7, and Pixel 7 Pro might be the best Android phones on the market, but is that only on paper now?
In other words, are Pixel phones any good until you start using them and discover how unreliable they are? Again, this isn’t everyone’s experience, but I’d say that as someone who’s used the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, and Pixel 7 Pro for extended periods of time.
- How many tries does Google need to get it right before Pixel users switch to an iPhone or Galaxy?
- Given the issues with past and current Google phones, how does Google expect people to pay $1,800 for the Pixel Fold, which might turn out to be buggy as well?
Lots of food for thought here. One thing is for sure, I will definitely never pre-order a Google phone again, let alone one that costs $1,800. Can Google get it right and when? Will it be too late?
“Writer. Friendly troublemaker. Lifelong food junkie. Professional beer evangelist.”