[Jeremiah Bonds]

Just saw this story pop up on my Google Now screen, was wondering if any of you have this issue?

Google's Pixel phones might have a serious audio problem

[DJM626]

My speaker just started popping the past several days. Usually happens when watching a video and it seemed like it was intermittent. However all of my phone calls the past few days the callers are unable to hear my and keep repeating "Hello" as the speaker seems to be cutting out. Went to Verizon yesterday to see what they can do about it as this will be my 3rd replacement since Nov 1st. In addition to the new speaker or mic issues the update several weeks ago did nothing for my connectivity issues.

Verizon told me they will keep replacing it until I get one that does not have any issues. It kinda sucks, I know, but at least I am getting a new phone out of the deal. From what I was told yesterday and you can take this for what it may or may not be worth but they said these are hardware issues and hardware failures and no software updates will completely resolve things. At least this is my case. Thanks for sharing!

[Almeuit]

Nothing so far with mine. I use it mainly for speakerphone calls versus media. Media is rare but does happen.

[Clocks]

I use the speakerphone daily, as well as listening to YouTube videos, haven't heard any issues

/Edit

OK I just read if you install "perfect piano" from the app store, and run your fingers over the keys with volume at maximum, you'll hear the popping. I did hear it then. Did some experimenting and it only happens at the highest volume, not one click lower. People are also reporting it happens when headphones are plugged in, indicating it is a software issue.

I've never encountered the problem in real world use (music, podcasts, speakerphone, headphones) but apparently there is an issue that google can probably fix with an OTA.

[Wildo6882]

Mine had the issue in that YouTube video (I think it was the "Mummy Returns" trailer. It only happened at the highest volume. There wasn't even a hint of it at lower volume. That seems like software, not hardware, to me. I wish I never saw that thread, as I wouldn't have ever noticed that. But I don't think it's a deal breaker or anything.

[I800C0LLECT]

Sounds like the speaker is getting overdriven. The easiest fix, if your Google, is to raise the high pass filter. The fix for owners is to recognize it and turn the speaker back down one notch.

Not a big deal if you ask me

[Amele]

I haven't heard any issues through headphones. And yeah, just at highest volume without headphones. Wouldn't have noticed it since I never play anything that loud on the phone if I hadn't read it. But it is there at high volume.

[Billy Bob Jimmy Joe]

I haven't heard any issues through headphones. And yeah, just at highest volume without headphones. Wouldn't have noticed it since I never play anything that loud on the phone if I hadn't read it. But it is there at high volume.

I don't understand how anyone can listen to music that loud. Half way turned up is already so loud for me.

[Blumini06]

I don't have any issue with mine.

[flybub]

Mine had the issue in that YouTube video (I think it was the "Mummy Returns" trailer. It only happened at the highest volume. There wasn't even a hint of it at lower volume. That seems like software, not hardware, to me. I wish I never saw that thread, as I wouldn't have ever noticed that. But I don't think it's a deal breaker or anything.

Did you make your way back to android or are you hanging on to your iPhone still?

[Wildo6882]

Did you make your way back to android or are you hanging on to your iPhone still?

I'm debating right now. I have a Pixel XL, an iPhone 7 Plus, and am Honor 8 on the way. I don't know which one I really want to use.

[miyanc]

I have not heard any issues. although only one speaker, i am actually impressed with the speaker. lets be real, if i needed my phone to be a good listening experience, i would have gotten a different phone. could it sound better, i am sure. stereo would be nice too, but for what i use it for ( audiobooks, youtube or internet videos).

any speaker or stereo should not be pushed to the limit. or at least preform optimally. that's why no stereo in the world has a number 11... that would be to loud.

[Richard Servello]

Nope

[anon(470989)]

The only time I hear popping is when I play Final Fantasy Brave Exvius. I figured it was the game's fault since I don't hear it anywhere else.

[Jerry Hildenbrand]

It's a race condition in Android N. It was always there, but the last Daydream update made it worse on the Pixel. The temp "fix" varies. For the Pixel, you bump the volume down one notch or lower gain settings if the app you're using has a mixer. For the 6P, toggle airplane mode. For the N9, just reboot.

7.1.1 also causes bluetooth issues with more vehicles than 7.1 did.

The two are probably related, and both because of the new bluetooth stack. Good news is the audio issue is probably a fix that can be made in the kernel or sound properties. The bad news is that they'll probably never be able to fix car BT issues because car makers are always 3 to 4 versions behind with Bluetooth, and going backwards introduces security issues. Google isn't ever going to do it.

[Aquila]

Mr Russell had some details too: Audio distortion on the Google Pixel: What you need to know | Android Central

[ainfinity]

Yes...there seems to be problem with the phones audio system be it a software or a hardware issue...coming from an Iphone there is a huge difference in overall volume and clarity between the two. I tend to use the audio out for listening to high end music which ok through the headphones, but port it out to the speaker and line out it crackles and pops and is not so good, pretty disappointed at this point.

[loraque]

This story does not accurately describe the issue. I do have this problem, and have submitted to Google bug reports on request, etc.

First, the problem is independent of the speaker used- it happens with the built-in speaker, BT speakers, or wired in headsets. It does NOT only happen with max, or close to it volume- it just happens more with higher volumes. The problem disappears if you turn on airplane mode; this to me has always indicated it is a resource issue.

This is a serious issue- Imagine you are doing navigation for example, and get "Please turn CLICK on Larpenteur Ave". Was that right or left? Pull out your phone while driving pretty much sucks, so yes, it is an issue.

[ElronTheElder]

My goodness, this rather stinks.

Some paid north of $1K for a beta device.
Not a great start for Google in the high end hardware line.
"Hearing" BT might not be fixed is hardly encouraging.

[Almeuit]

My goodness, this rather stinks.

Some paid north of $1K for a beta device.
Not a great start for Google in the high end hardware line.
"Hearing" BT might not be fixed is hardly encouraging.

It definitely does suck. If the audio can be fixed that would be good... BT isn't really a fix since as Jerry said if they used older technology in specific vehicles that is less secure that isn't really Google's fault.

At least it is better than my last high end phone that could possible burn / explode on me .

[Gdwheel]

It definitely does suck. If the audio can be fixed that would be good... BT isn't really a fix since as Jerry said if they used older technology in specific vehicles that is less secure that isn't really Google's fault.

At least it is better than my last high end phone that could possible burn / explode on me .

Jerry knows a lot more than I do about what goes into the programming behind the software versions, but I will say that the bluetooth issues are not present with iPhone and Samsung phones used in the same vehicles. Some companies are further behind in security and updates, but those two are generally pretty up-to-date. I am hopeful that Google can and will fix the bluetooth issues or I will be selling my Pixel XL.

[ElronTheElder]

Project Fi owners have no recourse.
Our selection of phones are updated fast, which is good.
The update, however, breaks things.
Not good, not good at all.

EDIT:

.....BT isn't really a fix since as Jerry said if they used older technology in specific vehicles that is less secure that isn't really Google's fault....

Thing is, backwards compatibility is a mandated feature. I mean one can't buy a car for every new phone. Well at least I won't.

[Go0gle]

No issues here, and if you have to install a specific app and do other very specific things to produce an issue, it's generally not much of an issue. My volume is maxed out (both speaker and headphone) often and I have never experienced this. For a single speaker it's actually very good compared to other phones I've heard including the iPhone 7 and GS7.

"Beta Device" lol. Literally every phone ever made has issues (and usually far more serious than this one) if you go looking for them. Look at Apple right now, dealing with battery recalls, serious screen issues, home buttons giving people 3rd degree burns, and Chinese authorities regarding exploding/fire causing batteries - silly beta testers

[Jerry Hildenbrand]

Jerry knows a lot more than I do about what goes into the programming behind the software versions, but I will say that the bluetooth issues are not present with iPhone and Samsung phones used in the same vehicles. Some companies are further behind in security and updates, but those two are generally pretty up-to-date. I am hopeful that Google can and will fix the bluetooth issues or I will be selling my Pixel XL.

Samsung and Apple aren't using the same Bluetooth version. They also may be using third-party codecs (think add-ons) that car stereo makers also use.

Bluetooth, well, it sucks. It's an open implementation that plenty of talented people and companies support and when everything is right and the same it works great for data transfer at relatively low speed with little impact on battery. That's what it was designed to do.

The problem is that no matter how hard the maintainers try to make updates backwards compatible, they never are fully 100% compatible with things running older versions. Most of the time this isn't too big of a deal, but sometimes it means two things just don't work well together.

People making phones and computers and tablets can be slow to update to newer versions sometimes (and we yell and complain because of it) but other things that use Bluetooth — expensive headphones, cars, high-end motorcycle helmets, etc. hardly ever update. That's why a 5 year old phone works when paired to a 5 year old car's audio system, but a brand new phone might not. The divide between Apple and Android also doesn't help, because when cars *do* get updated, it's usually to provide better support for the iPhone or iPod.

I dunno how you fix it. A car stereo usually isn't filled with important user data or susceptible to being hacked by a man in the middle setup at Starbucks. It really doesn't need updated past the version that makes everything work the best it can. But phones are different and we want them to stay secure.

[ElronTheElder]

No issues here, and if you have to install a specific app and do other very specific things to produce an issue, it's generally not much of an issue. My volume is maxed out (both speaker and headphone) often and I have never experienced this. For a single speaker it's actually very good compared to other phones I've heard including the iPhone 7 and GS7.

"Beta Device" lol. Literally every phone ever made has issues (and usually far more serious than this one) if you go looking for them. Look at Apple right now, dealing with battery recalls, serious screen issues, home buttons giving people 3rd degree burns, and Chinese authorities regarding exploding/fire causing batteries - silly beta testers

Did you read Jerry's post?
agreed, most phones have issues. However:
To me turn by turn navigation is not just some random app.
When needed it's critical.
regarding volume...I don't have the best hearing to begin with so have volume maxed out ALL.THE.TIME.
was wondering why my BT connection in the car was funky, thought i set it up wrong.....