How big a deal is speaker issue?

[diver110]

The contract on my Samsung 5 is about to expire, and I was thinking about switching to a Pixel. I am worried about what I hear about the weak speaker, though. I often listen to audio on my Samsung without headphones....

 

[Rocky5000100]

In my opinion, the speak has much better sound quality than my Note 4. More bass and range. However, it doesn't seem to get as loud. Though, the Note 4 would get distorted at the highest sound, so I never turned it up all the way anyways.

 

[Andrew Martonik]

Not sure there's some sort of well-known speaker "issue" to speak of. The Pixel has a pretty solid speaker on it, though it isn't quite as loud as something like the Galaxy S7 or of course the HTC 10. I still find it more than adequate for listening to podcasts as I move around the house, or while sitting on the counter while I shower in the morning — if that's a good indication for you.

 

[diver110]

Not sure there's some sort of well-known speaker "issue" to speak of. The Pixel has a pretty solid speaker on it, though it isn't quite as loud as something like the Galaxy S7 or of course the HTC 10. I still find it more than adequate for listening to podcasts as I move around the house, or while sitting on the counter while I shower in the morning — if that's a good indication for you.

Thanks. Do you know if the S7 and the S5 are equally loud? I have the S5, so that would give me a reference point.

 

[Andrew Martonik]

Thanks. Do you know if the S7 and the S5 are equally loud? I have the S5, so that would give me a reference point.

I would definitely classify the Galaxy S7's speaker as nicer and louder than the GS5's.

 

[dmxjago]

The contract on my Samsung 5 is about to expire, and I was thinking about switching to a Pixel. I am worried about what I hear about the weak speaker, though. I often listen to audio on my Samsung without headphones....

Don't the speaker is super loud! I came from a Nexus 6p with dual stereo speakers and I was worried about the sound as well, I have not been disappointed. Sure the nexus 6p had better sound, but this has the best sound for a bottom speaker on any phone I have ever owned especially when compared to the Galaxy S6 which was the last bottom speaker phone I owned.

 

[thunderup]

I'm coming from the Note 7 and the MXPE before that. Two opposite ends of the spectrum as far as speakers go. The Moto was excellent, the Note was poor, and I'd call this one a little better than average. It's good enough. Not at the Moto level of dual front-firing speakers, but much, much better than the Note 7. Don't know if that helps you any or not, but I can live with this speaker.

 

[maclancer]

If speakers in a smartphone is your main point, check it out the Axon 7. Dual Dolby surround sound speakers.

 

[bjrogerson]

The only issue I've had is sometimes the way I hold it I've found myself accidentally covering it up with a finger and wondering why there was no sound! Quality and volume wise it's definitely adequate though. I put my playlist on while I'm moving about the house getting ready and im satisfied and im quite an audiophile

 

[Andrew Martonik]

The only issue I've had is sometimes the way I hold it I've found myself accidentally covering it up with a finger and wondering why there was no sound! Quality and volume wise it's definitely adequate though. I put my playlist on while I'm moving about the house getting ready and im satisfied and im quite an audiophile

Yup. Always an issue with downward-firing speakers. Get covered up by your finger or palm when holding.

 

[maclancer]

Did u checked the Axon 7? It have the best dual front speakers Dolby Atmos surround sound system.

 

[I Can Be Your Hero]

Yeah don't know how if there's an 'issue'.

It's a solid speaker, loud and pretty clear. Not as nice as the HTC 10 but it is what it is.

 

[Markxmlx]

That's one thing I wish the Pixel would've taken from the 6P.

 

[shaunps33]

Andrew, I have my S7 Edge right here next to my Pixel. No pun intended, but the Pixel speaker is clearly louder.

 

[whtchdr]

The Pixel XL is very loud in my opinion, and this chart helps validate that.

 

[hpilot]

"That's one thing I wish the Pixel would've taken from the 6P."

I agree. If they had put two large speakers in front along with the HTC DAC and Amp, it would be a killer phone.

 

[shaunps33]

One more thing. The S7 edge seems louder to me during a regular phone call compared to the Pixel when both are at maximum volume levels. Unscientific research that it is.

 

[shaunps33]

So true. Even if they kept it mono and just spun the speaker that's there 90° in our direction and gave us a matching speaker grill on the much maligned bottom bezel.


The pad under my fingers blocks sound when I hold the phone in landscape. My wife loves this! It's honestly my only design gripe. I'm not a big gamer except for my addiction to WGT Golf (by the way, weren't you supposed to be able to play this game via Chromecast like two years ago?)

I have a feeling the next one will be waterproof and incorporate a more judicious use of front panel space. It will have to if it hopes to compete with whatever Apple has up their sleeves.

 

[zipro]

The speaker sounds so good that I had to hold my ear towards the top part of the phone to convince myself it really only has one speaker

 

[diver110]

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The Pixel XL is very loud in my opinion, and this chart helps validate that.

Great info! Thanks.