Pixel 5 under display speaker

[I Can Be Your Hero]

"The dud" comment was in part a nod to the fact I needed to RMA the phone in the first place for an overheating issue that very few others seem to have so far experienced/been able to replicate.

But secondly, I'm confused that anyone could think the under display speaker is anything other than sub-par, based on my experience with a single p5. I'm going to withhold further comment until I hear the replacement phone, but I'm not holding my breath for an audio improvement. If the sound is as poor as the first one then I'll be swapping it for a different model as it isn't fit for purpose.

The below was my first post on the issue, FYI:

Ah ok, I got ya.

My issue with the speaker isn't when watching youtube/music out loud (which I rarely do anyway), it's when I'm on calls. The speaker is so poor, and the volume so low, it's extremely difficult to hear people outside in traffic, to the point I had to tell them I'll call them back and had to hang up so I could go to the office where it's quieter and try the call again then.

IMO that's a huge design blunder by Google.

Add to that, the vibration motor is worse than my previous Pixels, the phone feels shallow/flimsy plastic, takes longer to process images, feels a beat behind my Galaxy S10+ and the Pixel 3XL I had previously. I've experienced bouts of lag, which I don't think I've really experienced before in a Pixel phone.

I think they cut too many corners with the 5. Would like them to go back to making flagships. Sure have a $700 phone option for consumers who want them, but I personally would like an actual high-end offering from Google. Though I know it won't happen as they don't sell well at all.

One small slit on the top would make it perfect.. I'm curious to listen first hand... Gotta hit up my connects...

Yah I don't get why Google didn't just do this. The 4a and 4a 5G have a small speaker grille on the top of the phone, and they seem to have similar sized bezels at the top. Would have been easy for Google to put a grille at the top so sound can escape, rather than try to push out through a solid, sealed glass front. But hey, this is what they decided to do, and phone call sound quality suffers for it.

 

[Mike Dee]

Sold my Pixel 5. Sticking with my 4. I use the speakers a lot. 4 is way better for me. 5 isn't a big upgrade anyway for me.
They should've made a similar design to Samsung's.

Great point....you can hardly see the top speaker port on current Samsungs but it's there.

 

[Dws51]

I am trying both the Pixel 5 and the iPhone 12 Pro. I can honestly tell you I don’t notice a difference on calls, they both sound great. They also sound great to the person I am talking to.

Using them side by side to listen to music on speaker the iPhone clearly is the best, but I rarely use my phone in that manner. I almost always use a Bluetooth device.
It is a non issue with me. If it was not brought up on social media I might not have even thought about it.

On a side note, it is a very difficult choice between phones. I have to say I am most likely going with the Pixel. I am loving the smaller size, yet 6 inch screen, and the unique software that Google offers.

 

[swebb]

So now that many have one in their hands, how is the quality of the top speaker on phone calls? That's my big concern as I recently tested one at BB with a youtube video and the top is definitely inferior to the bottom speaker. Overall, the sound was OK (and not an issue to me as I don't listen to much on phone speakers) as it is probably balanced more through the bottom speaker, but l put my ear on the top speaker and sound was terrible. Very tinny. So I'm concerned and wondering how it sounds on real world phone calls. I'm becoming very spoiled by the quality that I have now volte calls.

Will still probably order on BF and return it if the sound is bad. I believe the Google Store has a one or two week return window. Ordering through there because of the trade-in credit I'll get on my P3XL, and hopefully a good deal like they've done the last couple of years.

 

[Mike Dee]

So now that many have one in their hands, how is the quality of the top speaker on phone calls? That's my big concern as I recently tested one at BB with a youtube video and the top is definitely inferior to the bottom speaker. Overall, the sound was OK (and not an issue to me as I don't listen to much on phone speakers) as it is probably balanced more through the bottom speaker, but l put my ear on the top speaker and sound was terrible. Very tinny. So I'm concerned and wondering how it sounds on real world phone calls. I'm becoming very spoiled by the quality that I have now volte calls.

Will still probably order on BF and return it if the sound is bad. I believe the Google Store has a one or two week return window. Ordering through there because of the trade-in credit I'll get on my P3XL, and hopefully a good deal like they've done the last couple of years.

I truly believe it's going to be an individual choice at this point since we are seeing both satisfied and disatisfied people.

 

[juwster]

I didn’t read any internet randos I did come to the ever reliable androidcentral after I got my
Pixel 5 because my husband and I were having sound issues during calls. I knew this would be the place to find out the problem area. From what I have read the problem is built into the phone and can’t be fixed. For anyone who would like feedback from one users real world experience with the Pixel 5 sound during a phone call this is it summed up shortly.

1) Can not hear the other person on a call at a normal speaking voice - voice must be raised. Yesterday during an important call with a time restraint I had to actually yell to be heard.

2) Various times it sounds like one or the other is in a cave, well, or canyon (all places I would rather be right now, traveling!)

Side note to the phone call issues is that the ring tone sounds are the lowest sounding even when set at the highest volume level of any phone I have owned.

This is my first Pixel. I always wanted one but did not get one because of the low ram. When the 5 was announced I was so excited because the specs seemed adequate for my usage. Now I have to send it back. Unfortunately our phones are a daily part of our lives and I don’t want aggravation for the next couple of years.

I read quite a few reviews on this phone and nobody really complained about the top speaker for calls, just said it was tinny for music and video, which I could care less about. I just need it to be good with calls and that's fine, so this is concerning but considering so many reviewers from all the publications really never pointed the speaker out as an issue during calls, not sure what to think. All it takes is a couple comments from some internet randos and people run with the gossip

 

[juwster]

I have the same issue with calls. It’s so disappointing.

 

[cbreze]

Being it’s a problem for some and not others makes me think not everyone perceives the issue in the same way. If I perceived it as a problem it would certainly drive me nuts. Since I haven’t tested it personally I can only go by others experiences.
As new model pixels come out every year I expect them to be better than the previous one, otherwise why upgrade. To me speaker sound quality is a big deal but an even bigger deal is call quality and the ability to have a good quality call every time including being able to hear the caller. It is looking like google dropped the ball on this one. Those that use Bluetooth devices for calls might be fine. I know people who go around with the BT device permanently stuck in their ear, I’m not one of those but I do handle a fair amount of calls in a day that I better be able to adequately hear. I wouldn’t blame anyone for returning this pixel. I’m disappointed because I was considering it but not any longer.

 

[gebco]

Although it goes against my practice of using phones that don't get security updates, I may keep my 2XL until next fall to see what the next batch of Pixels looks like. That being said, my wife's phone has to be replaced soon as it is failing. She has hearing loss and will need good speakers. We're leaning toward the 4a 5G or the S20 for her.

 

[swebb]

Anyone that returned one because of the speaker; did Google charge a restocking fee? The speaker quality looks to be a personal choice, so it's hard for me to decide without having one in hand.

 

[mustang7757]

Anyone that returned one because of the speaker; did Google charge a restocking fee? The speaker quality looks to be a personal choice, so it's hard for me to decide without having one in hand.

I believe they charged a restocking fee, the speaker is good not to exchange it.

 

[swebb]

I believe they charged a restocking fee, the speaker is good not to exchange it.

Mustang I'm not completely understanding your reply. You saying the speaker is good so I'll not be returning it, the speaker is the same on all the phones so don't bother exchanging it, or that Google won't accept this as a valid reason to return it without charging restocking?

 

[mustang7757]

Mustang I'm not completely understanding your reply. You saying the speaker is good so I'll not be returning it, the speaker is the same on all the phones so don't bother exchanging it, or that Google won't accept this as a valid reason to return it without charging restocking?

Hi, I'm saying speaker is good, and not a reason to return it , if you do decide for whatever reason within the 14 days ,there is a restocking fee .

 

[swebb]

Thanks. So many wildly different opinions about it makes me wonder what it will be like when I get out in hand. I'm not looking for perfection, just don't want it to be bad.

 

[mustang7757]

Thanks. So many wildly different opinions about it makes me wonder what it will be like when I get out in hand. I'm not looking for perfection, just don't want it to be bad.

It's not bad at all , trust me I would mention it

 

[bkdodger2]

It's not bad at all , trust me I would mention it

Have you tested in noisy environment on a call? No Bluetooth...

 

[mustang7757]

Have you tested in noisy environment on a call? No Bluetooth...

My shop compressor lol
None of my phones are good in that situation

 

[bkdodger2]

My shop compressor lol
None of my phones are good in that situation

Lol that’s extreme there lol

 

[juwster]

Hi, I'm saying speaker is good, and not a reason to return it , if you do decide for whatever reason within the 14 days ,there is a restocking fee .

At this point I will gladly pay the restocking fee. That's how bad I consider it to be.
Now my issue is I am having a hard time porting my numbers back from Google Fi. It literally will not work.

 

[mustang7757]

At this point I will gladly pay the restocking fee. That's how bad I consider it to be.
Now my issue is I am having a hard time porting my numbers back from Google Fi. It literally will not work.

Sorry you find it bad, for porting back to FI , have you asked their customer service?