The Dilemma - Exchange or not exchange?

[idiotekniques]

Phone has the blue shift, which is kind of ok because in almost 2 weeks of using the phone I don't think I've noticed it once in real world usage. But just knowing it's there is bugging me. Then I have the audio static during video recordings - which is almost impossible to hear at 3/4 volume or lower but easily noticeable at full volume playback. And the thing is I rarely record videos. Rarely. But it's a defect so it gnaws at me. Just like the blue shift.

Other than that the phone runs amazingly smooth and battery life is great.

The other issue is I bought it from Best Buy, the 128gb model, so the odds of me exchanging it and getting a recently manufactured Pixel 2 XL are very rare. If I ordered direct from Google I might have a better shot at that.

So exchange or don't exchange?

 

[PowrDroid]

Phone has the blue shift, which is kind of ok because in almost 2 weeks of using the phone I don't think I've noticed it once in real world usage. But just knowing it's there is bugging me. Then I have the audio static during video recordings - which is almost impossible to hear at 3/4 volume or lower but easily noticeable at full volume playback. And the thing is I rarely record videos. Rarely. But it's a defect so it gnaws at me. Just like the blue shift.

Other than that the phone runs amazingly smooth and battery life is great.

The other issue is I bought it from Best Buy, the 128gb model, so the odds of me exchanging it and getting a recently manufactured Pixel 2 XL are very rare. If I ordered direct from Google I might have a better shot at that.

So exchange or don't exchange?

Exchange it. You say it is defective and it gnaws at you. Exchange.

 

[sulla1965]

Phone has the blue shift, which is kind of ok because in almost 2 weeks of using the phone I don't think I've noticed it once in real world usage. But just knowing it's there is bugging me. Then I have the audio static during video recordings - which is almost impossible to hear at 3/4 volume or lower but easily noticeable at full volume playback. And the thing is I rarely record videos. Rarely. But it's a defect so it gnaws at me. Just like the blue shift.

Other than that the phone runs amazingly smooth and battery life is great.

The other issue is I bought it from Best Buy, the 128gb model, so the odds of me exchanging it and getting a recently manufactured Pixel 2 XL are very rare. If I ordered direct from Google I might have a better shot at that.

So exchange or don't exchange?

My recently bought panda 2 xl also has the same issues. So I think it might be a bigger issue. I suggest others record in a quiet room and see if they hear a noticeable static in the background.

 

[anon(5630457)]

It was supposed to have been fixed in 8.1.

 

[sulla1965]

It was supposed to have been fixed in 8.1.

I believe it was for some other sound issue. The issue we're talking about is when you record in a quiet room. There's a loud hissing in the background. Don't notice it when someone is talking or lots of sound. But if everything then goes quiet. The hissing is clearly heard.

 

[Mike Dee]

Phone has the blue shift, which is kind of ok because in almost 2 weeks of using the phone I don't think I've noticed it once in real world usage. But just knowing it's there is bugging me. Then I have the audio static during video recordings - which is almost impossible to hear at 3/4 volume or lower but easily noticeable at full volume playback. And the thing is I rarely record videos. Rarely. But it's a defect so it gnaws at me. Just like the blue shift.

Other than that the phone runs amazingly smooth and battery life is great.

The other issue is I bought it from Best Buy, the 128gb model, so the odds of me exchanging it and getting a recently manufactured Pixel 2 XL are very rare. If I ordered direct from Google I might have a better shot at that.

So exchange or don't exchange?

I thought best buy had a good exchange policy.

 

[Mike Dee]

I believe it was for some other sound issue. The issue we're talking about is when you record in a quiet room. There's a loud hissing in the background. Don't notice it when someone is talking or lots of sound. But if everything then goes quiet. The hissing is clearly heard.

I only hear it if it's past 3/4 volume. I'm not suggesting that it's acceptable but if I'm recording silence I can't think of a situation that I will here because I can turn the volume down. I'm sure they will fix it at some update.

 

[sulla1965]

I only hear it if it's past 3/4 volume. I'm not suggesting that it's acceptable but if I'm recording silence I can't think of a situation that I will here because I can turn the volume down. I'm sure they will fix it at some update.

I'm not so sure though about a fix. The nexus 6 had a issue with a jumpy auto focus. It was constantly refocusing. Made videos almost unwatchable. Many complained but it was never addressed by google.

 

[ImTurningViolet]

I would exchange it. I dropped my first pixel 2 and got a replacement with a bad vibrate motor. The replacement they sent me (my third pixel 2) had a slightly worse camera than the previous two. It wasn't a bad camera, but it wasn't amazing like my first two. It made me feel like I was crazy. Sent that one back. The fourth phone is the best one and the camera is outstanding.
Exchange it!

 

[djepperson1]

I thought best buy had a good exchange policy.

They do unless it's a carrier phone like any third party or carrier store it's very strict 14 day policy on phones.

 

[bsannes]

If what bugs you stops you from enjoying the phone then I would exchange, now I have heard they wont do anything about the blue shift but they should about the buzzing.

I got my phone from Verizon that was perfect then about a month or so in I had nav bar burn in. Contacted google they handled the replacement for me. Sent my phone out Saturday had a new one in my hands by Tuesday, I was really impressed.

 

[sixty_four]

Phone has the blue shift, which is kind of ok because in almost 2 weeks of using the phone I don't think I've noticed it once in real world usage. But just knowing it's there is bugging me. Then I have the audio static during video recordings - which is almost impossible to hear at 3/4 volume or lower but easily noticeable at full volume playback. And the thing is I rarely record videos. Rarely. But it's a defect so it gnaws at me. Just like the blue shift.

Other than that the phone runs amazingly smooth and battery life is great.

The other issue is I bought it from Best Buy, the 128gb model, so the odds of me exchanging it and getting a recently manufactured Pixel 2 XL are very rare. If I ordered direct from Google I might have a better shot at that.

So exchange or don't exchange?

It's a tough call since I understand how easy it is to overthink and be picky about a passion.

Here's my random thoughts:

blue shift - you don't notice it while using the device as intended
audio static/hiss - impossible to notice under reasonable conditions, rarely used by you

I'd keep the device if you're happy with everything else about it. With all the problems being reported, you may end up with a unit that has issues that you will notice during your daily routine.

The first Pixel 2 I bought had power/volume buttons nearly flush with the side and were very difficult to use. My replacement has great buttons. My girlfriend's first Pixel crashed everytime she turned on the front camera. Her replacement functions perfectly. In these 2 cases, it was worth the trade. In your case, maybe not so much. The grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence.

Enjoy your device, don't overthink things and don't go out of your way trying to find "problems" with it.

 

[idiotekniques]

It's a tough call since I understand how easy it is to overthink and be picky about a passion.

Here's my random thoughts:

blue shift - you don't notice it while using the device as intended
audio static/hiss - impossible to notice under reasonable conditions, rarely used by you

I'd keep the device if you're happy with everything else about it. With all the problems being reported, you may end up with a unit that has issues that you will notice during your daily routine.

The first Pixel 2 I bought had power/volume buttons nearly flush with the side and were very difficult to use. My replacement has great buttons. My girlfriend's first Pixel crashed everytime she turned on the front camera. Her replacement functions perfectly. In these 2 cases, it was worth the trade. In your case, maybe not so much. The grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence.

Enjoy your device, don't overthink things and don't go out of your way trying to find "problems" with it.

Thanks man. I was leaning towards your line of thinking. There are quite a few different issues with this phone, of which most I would notice in day to day usage so I don't want to risk getting one of those. It sucks that Google put us in this predicament. But I don't have any problems waking up the phone, no issue with the front firing speakers, no battery issues, no camera issues, no power or volume button issues, no black crush or graininess, no phone call black screen issues, etc....

I can count on one hand the amount of videos I've taken over the last 2-3 years. I like the AR camera videos and those don't have any static so I'm good there. The blue shift is not noticeable in daily usage.

So why switch and jump out of the pretty cool frying pan into the fire?

 

[idiotekniques]

Definitely keeping this phone!

I think the audio static issue can be software updated. Looking forward to the January update. I hope it does some good!

 

[sumner929]

I have the P2 non XL. Bought from Verizon. My camera is defective. In low light, there is crazy noise and weird purplish cloud in all photos. Google said to call Verizon to replace since I bought through them, but am worried I'll get a refurb possibly plagued with problems. The only issue with my phone is the low light performance of the camera. I don't want A. a refurb and B. another phone that has a ton of issues. What's the likelihood of getting a refurb vs. a new device this late from Verizon?

 

[Mike Dee]

I have the P2 non XL. Bought from Verizon. My camera is defective. In low light, there is crazy noise and weird purplish cloud in all photos. Google said to call Verizon to replace since I bought through them, but am worried I'll get a refurb possibly plagued with problems. The only issue with my phone is the low light performance of the camera. I don't want A. a refurb and B. another phone that has a ton of issues. What's the likelihood of getting a refurb vs. a new device this late from Verizon?

That's hard to say but if you call them they will tell you what you are getting. I'm not sure what option you really have. Also Refurbs are sometimes phones that were returned just because someone changed their mind or thought they had a problem. If you do get a bad you keep swapping till you get a good one. I know that sounds like a royal pain but it's better than living with the problem.

Im assuming your past the return period....How long have you had it?

The odds are slim that's it's a third party app causing you grief but have you tried it in safe mode to rule that?

Also, you could try a factory reset after backing everything up. Small chance of that working but it fixed an audio problem I had on a different phone.

 

[Joseph Guy1]

I don't understand how people would still use that phone I got it when it first came out did an exchange still had issues got rid of it, I know that there issues after issues but some people just won't give it up, Call me crazy but I pay that much for an phone I won't settle for issues like that

 

[ImTurningViolet]

^^^ exactly. I want the perfect phone that was advertised. The one I paid for.

 

[Morty2264]

If it bothers you, I recommend exchanging it. You need to enjoy the phone and even if you really enjoy it, I'm sure these things will scrape away at your enjoyment of it.

 

[idiotekniques]

When I called Google directly o set up an RMA straight from google due to a black line that appeared on my display yesterday (and somehow all but disappeared today) I asked about getting a new phone since mine was just over 2 weeks old. She said oh, they never send out refurbs, just new units. FYI.