Home
News
You are here

Pixel 4 users suffer from flickering screens after latest Android 11 beta update

2comments

By Alan Friedman

Updated: Jul 09, 2020, 3:08 PM

Pixel 4 users suffer from flickering screens after latest Android 11 beta update

Earlier this week Google dropped Android 11 beta 2. Even though this is part of the Android public beta program, we warn you all the time not to install beta software on your daily driver because of the potential for bugs. It's one thing to install an spare Pixel 2 and newer collecting dust in a drawer, it's quite another to have a Pixel 2 or newer that you rely on to stay in touch with your family, your boss or clients.

Here's a great example of what could happen. Several Pixel 4 owners complained on Reddit about a bug that causes the screen on their phone to flicker. First, we need to point out that the update removed a feature that allowed Pixel 4 users to force the 90Hz refresh rate to stay enabled even on apps where the rate would normally drop back to 60Hz automatically. And it is the changing of the refresh rate that users are blaming for the flickering of the screen. One user said, "In WhatsApp it just goes bonkers and switches between 60Hz and 90Hz all the time, resulting in pretty bad flickering. One Redditor with the handle of TinyBirdperson wrote, "Yea, they seem to put the screen to 60hz if it does not change for a few frames, and every time it changes it goes up to 90hz. While I am typing this, the screen flickers every time the cursor appears or disappears. Hopefully, they'll add an option to disable this asap."

Some Pixel 4 users who installed the latest Android 11 beta are suffering from a flickering screen related to the 90Hz Smooth display feature

There is a common sense workaround, but Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL users are not going to be happy with it. By turning off the "Smooth display" option, the flicker should disappear from the screen. But that means eliminating the 90Hz refresh rate and returning to the old school 60Hz rate at all times. At the former rate, screens refresh 90 times each second while at the latter speed, they update 60 times each second. Faster refresh rates deliver buttery smooth scrolling and enhanced mobile game animation.

The Pixel 4 series features the "Smooth display" feature that allows the faster refresh rate to be enabled except when a high refresh rate is not critical to the user experience. This is done to save battery life which, as many Pixel 4 users know, is at a premium. Perhaps Google will resolve this issue soon with an upcoming software update.

$349

$799

$450 off (56%)

Mint Mobile now sells the Google Pixel 10 with a massive $450 discount. The promo is available on select color variants with 128GB of storage. You also get a 12-month unlimited data plan for $180 instead of $360.

Buy at Mint Mobile

$524

$999

$475 off (48%)

Grab the pro-grade, compact Pixel 10 Pro at Mint Mobile with a 12-month unlimited plan, and you can save a huge $475. The data plan comes with a discount, too: 50% off, to be exact.

Buy at Mint Mobile

$499

$1199

$700 off (58%)

The high-end Gemini AI-enhanced Pixel 10 Pro XL is now available with a mind-blowing discount. You can now save $700 on the phone, plus 50% off unlimited 12-month plans.

Buy at Mint Mobile

$1399

$1799

$400 off (22%)

The foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold is another standout holiday offer. Right now, you can get the device for $400 off at Mint Mobile. On top of that, you save $180 on 12-month unlimited data plans.

Buy at Mint Mobile

View Full Bio

Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.

Read the latest from Alan Friedman