More problems: Pixel 2 XL owners report terribly tinny, distorted audio recording in videos

by Corey Gaskin / Oct 30, 2017, 3:52 PM

More problems: Pixel 2 XL owners report terribly tinny, distorted audio recording in videos

The Pixel 2 XL has been off to quite a bumpy start. From clicking sounds to faulty displays, the hits appear to keep on coming. Fortunately, the latest reported issue -- distorted audio quality in video recording -- should be easily fixed with a software update.

First reported among owners on Google's Pixel Community website, the audio quality in video recordings is described as "tinny", "overly compressed", and "unusable" among many other descriptors from a growing number of users. Some describe it as a sometimes intermittent issue, leading many hopeful that a software fix will remedy this. We can now count Google among the hopeful as they've told CNET that a fix will be "rolled out in the next few weeks."

During our testing, we had no issues with audio quality on our unit.

The smaller, HTC-made Pixel 2 has appeared to remain problem-free, though, eluding many of the mounting issues which plague the LG-made Pixel 2 XL. It seems Pixel 2 users gained more than just bezels when they made their choice this October.

source: Pixel Community via CNET

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30 Comments

1. gamehead unregistered

No HDR screen, no wireless charging, no headphone jack. The S8/G6 with Oreo are cheaper and have those...

posted on Oct 30, 2017, 4:02 PM 6

24. sgodsell

Posts: 7368; Member since: Mar 16, 2013

The original Pixels have HDR support for YouTube and Netflix. Remember the Pixels have OLED displays with high contrast displays, which is needed for HDR. For instance Netflix will definitely add HDR support for the Pixel 2. As a matter of fact both the original Pixel and Pixel 2 have the same Samsung panels, so why wouldn't the Pixel 2 have HDR support as well? As far as wireless charging is concerned. Unbox Therapy has a video on how to install a wireless charging tag on the original Pixel. You just have to use a case with the charging tag. Amazon sells a $15 wireless charging sticker with usb-c. Easy peasy. As far as the headphone jack, well that is a problem if you have no Bluetooth headset or earbuds.

posted on Oct 30, 2017, 7:59 PM 0

2. Finalflash

Posts: 4063; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

Translation: iPhone 8 isn't selling well guys, stop buying the pixels already.

posted on Oct 30, 2017, 4:03 PM 3

4. trojan_horse

Posts: 5868; Member since: May 06, 2016

TBH, I don't recall the Pixel 2 and 2 XL selling any better than the iPhone 8... And with issues that incessantly pop up almost on a daily basis, the Pixel 2 and 2 XL sales would only get worse.

posted on Oct 30, 2017, 4:10 PM 8

8. Awalker

Posts: 1977; Member since: Aug 15, 2013

Well, I have a Pixel 2 XL and I'm not experiencing any of these problems. For those who happen to have problems Google will fix what they can through updates. If they can't fix it you have the option to return the phone.

posted on Oct 30, 2017, 4:26 PM 1

17. piyath

Posts: 2445; Member since: Mar 23, 2012

Nobody was talking about you dummy... Look at this guy trying to apologize for Google...LMAO

posted on Oct 30, 2017, 5:50 PM 0

18. Awalker

Posts: 1977; Member since: Aug 15, 2013

I didn't claim anyone was talking about me assshole.

posted on Oct 30, 2017, 5:53 PM 4

25. darkkjedii

Posts: 31045; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

Well said.

posted on Oct 30, 2017, 8:15 PM 0

28. Nathan_ingx

Posts: 4769; Member since: Mar 07, 2012

Piyath, you're becoming a pain in the a$$ whom no one wants... You and the likes make Apple fans look pathetic.

posted on Oct 31, 2017, 3:21 AM 1

9. Nopers unregistered

It’s selling about the same as the 6S and 6S plus but gained a lot of market share in China. What’re you on about?

posted on Oct 30, 2017, 4:26 PM 1

20. Finalflash

Posts: 4063; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

No.... No it hasn't. https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/10/30/16570416/china-iphone-8-sales-discount-release iPA is the only one that reported gear sales in China. More reputable sites did otherwise.

posted on Oct 30, 2017, 6:34 PM 0

29. Wiencon

Posts: 2278; Member since: Aug 06, 2014

You people are amazing. There is not a word about Apple in this article and you still managed to turn it into conversation about iPhones. Your insecurity is really something

posted on Oct 31, 2017, 3:28 AM 0

3. trojan_horse

Posts: 5868; Member since: May 06, 2016

Couldn't have imagined Google, of all OEMs, make a buggy mess of a handset... What's going on?

posted on Oct 30, 2017, 4:03 PM 4

5. jellmoo

Posts: 2588; Member since: Oct 31, 2011

Is it Google or LG though? The smaller Pixel seems to be faring much better.

posted on Oct 30, 2017, 4:16 PM 4

10. Awalker

Posts: 1977; Member since: Aug 15, 2013

Who knows what it is but the problems are not universal and it makes it harder for Google and LG to pick them up.

posted on Oct 30, 2017, 4:27 PM 0

12. Subie

Posts: 2364; Member since: Aug 01, 2015

Isn't it Google who designs their own phones now? It's not like the old Nexus program...

posted on Oct 30, 2017, 4:35 PM 1

14. Cat97

Posts: 1892; Member since: Mar 02, 2017

You don't hear these things about the LG V30, so yes, it is Google.

posted on Oct 30, 2017, 5:13 PM 0

16. Awalker

Posts: 1977; Member since: Aug 15, 2013

The reason why we're not hearing anything about the V30 is that no one is focused on it. Tech websites seem to revolve around Samsung, Apple and Google. Most of the Android sites I go to the editors are either using a Samsung device or Google device.

posted on Oct 30, 2017, 5:28 PM 1

6. Whitedot

Posts: 811; Member since: Sep 26, 2017

My guess once they have manufacturing arm of they own it will be a lot easier to calibrate hardware and soft to play in harmony. They still rely on the mercy of LG and HTC. Since the acquisition HTC Pixel's this should be a lot smoother for the next iteration of Pixel phones in my opinion.

posted on Oct 30, 2017, 4:16 PM 4

15. L0n3n1nja

Posts: 1557; Member since: Jul 12, 2016

Google messed up Android in the past, Lollipop had that nasty memory bug and ate battery life like no tomorrow. They are bound to have a hardware issue eventually as well. Even Apple and Samsung have had issues.

posted on Oct 30, 2017, 5:22 PM 0

7. jove39

Posts: 2146; Member since: Oct 18, 2011

Pixel 2 XL is revealing issues day by day.

posted on Oct 30, 2017, 4:23 PM 0

11. ryanusc75

Posts: 22; Member since: Jun 09, 2017

Speaking from my own experience, I went into a Verizon Store yesterday to try the Pixel 2 XL, and after taking several random, amateur comparison shots between that and my HTC U11, I thought the U11 took far clearer and brighter pictures. And the camera is supposed to be the Pixel 2 XL's knock-out feature! Definitely not for me.

posted on Oct 30, 2017, 4:33 PM 1

13. bur60

Posts: 981; Member since: Jul 07, 2014

A fix is already on its way! You are late PA. Google already adressed this issue.

posted on Oct 30, 2017, 5:11 PM 1

21. ameran

Posts: 344; Member since: Dec 04, 2013

I have been using my Pixel 2 XL since two weeks. All I can say is, the best phone I have ever owen. Of course some hardware won't function as they supposed to, but this doesn't mean all Pixel phones are bad.

posted on Oct 30, 2017, 6:35 PM 1

23. baldilocks

Posts: 1505; Member since: Dec 14, 2008

Exactly. No way I'd trade Android for a notch and locked down software.

posted on Oct 30, 2017, 7:55 PM 0

22. baldilocks

Posts: 1505; Member since: Dec 14, 2008

iPhone Arena is at it again.

posted on Oct 30, 2017, 7:54 PM 0

26. Iyus76

Posts: 20; Member since: Feb 12, 2016

Now i know why google buying HTC pixel team.

posted on Oct 30, 2017, 8:32 PM 1

27. NarutoKage14

Posts: 1324; Member since: Aug 31, 2016

I've been enjoying my XL 2 for 4 days and I've experienced zero issues.

posted on Oct 30, 2017, 9:40 PM 0

30. shoman94

Posts: 25; Member since: Oct 16, 2015

The clicking sound was on the Pixel2 not the XL.

posted on Oct 31, 2017, 5:36 AM 0

31. tokuzumi

Posts: 1900; Member since: Aug 27, 2009

Google needs to stop selling the 2 XL, and start addressing the issues with this phone. Some things seem nit-picky (although for a phone pushing $1000, some of this is justified), but with the poor quality screen, audio issues, this is a device that cannot be recommended under any circumstances. There are plenty of other phones that have really good cameras which cost less.

posted on Nov 01, 2017, 9:34 AM 0

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