What are your current gripes with the Pixel / XL?

[Almeuit]

The screenshot function sucks. Press and hold power then press the volume lower button and release at the same time? Haven't gotten it to work once. Just messes up my volume or tries to power off.

Just hit both at the same time -- not release. I have had it work 100% so far but I am used to that combo.

 

[adebo]

Not an owner, but have been considering one. Reading up on everything and finding a lot of consensus on the single speaker really lacking in the quality dept. For those that don't care and say they just use headphones then stop reading and move along as this is concerning the poor quality of the sound output of the speaker. It's terrible and it's the one thing that keeping me from putting my money up. A lot of people consider this a great feature like the 6P, MXPE,HTC10 and others. A real premium phone has good sound and dual speakers helps give it that. Some single speaker phones sound ok, the Pixel does not. I think Google dropped the ball on this. Even ringtones sound tinny. In any case after reading of the disappointment experienced by those who have it and care about the sound quality I spent some time with an XL and agree it sounds like crap and cheap. I hope they change it in the next version(pixel2). Even the HTC 10 which has great quality thru the headphones, maybe the best in fact to date, has good dual speakers. Was hoping that with HTC as manufacturer it would have a similar setup as the HTC10. The speed is great and most everything else, but when you buy one you get the whole package and you don't want something that annoys you every time you get a call or text tone.

I would have to disagree, the quality of the sound is great. It is clear, no distortion and does not try to force to be louder than it can handle. However because of that, it is not the loudest phone on its own. I have both an HTC 10 and Pixel XL and the Pixel blows the 10 out of the water. I even brought a coworker into my office to listen without looking (same youtube video - same service at max volume). I played the 10 first for about 30 seconds and swapped to the Pixel, took him about 3 seconds to say the Pixel was much better. The sound is clearer and louder on the Pixel, now to go grab a S7!

 

[I800C0LLECT]

The HTC 10 has one speaker for full range and the other ported for bass... Obviously not deep bass but what most people prefer tends to be punchy and related to 60hz through 200hz anyways.

It's not stereo though. I've heard it and it's a neat approach but preference doesn't denote quality.

 

[Bearcats98]

I would have to disagree, the quality of the sound is great. It is clear, no distortion and does not try to force to be louder than it can handle. However because of that, it is not the loudest phone on its own. I have both an HTC 10 and Pixel XL and the Pixel blows the 10 out of the water. I even brought a coworker into my office to listen without looking (same youtube video - same service at max volume). I played the 10 first for about 30 seconds and swapped to the Pixel, took him about 3 seconds to say the Pixel was much better. The sound is clearer and louder on the Pixel, now to go grab a S7!

I tested my 10 against a Pixel (unleaded) and I disagree with it being way better than the 10. Neither were worthy of a sound experience worth bragging about (both sounded like phones with speaker projecting sound). The 10 was louder and more clear; but that doesn't mean sound reproduction was correct on either (I would never be able tell honestly).

Again, in my opinion, neither were worth buying due to the "awesome" "unbelievable" sound quality but I would easily rate the 10 above the Pixel for sound. However, again, I would not cast the Pixel away over that. Its a phone...with a speaker. It will always sound that way.

 

[Jeremy8000]

Yeah as I mentioned in the post I spent some time with an XL. In store but still side by side with my HTC 10 it is not very good. To put up that amount of cash I need to be 100% wowed. So I will most likely take a pass. It's an awesome device in every other regard. Not knocking it. I have other phones with single speakers that sound much better. Maybe 99% of people just use headphones, I don't. I'm happy to see Google put out such a sweet device and it will surely be refined as newer iterations are released.

It all comes down to what each of us as an individual wants most. Hopefully (and most likely) the next iteration will step up the built-in audio game a bit. And whether people use headphones or not, there is definitely something to be said for built-in speakers at times, such as when you're wanting to play that funny video you shot or from youtube, etc, for anyone else.

It was a manageable step back in that regard for me from the Nexus 6, but, while I actually use the built-in speaker a good deal, for me the other benefits basically dwarfed that deficit.

 

[I800C0LLECT]

Not an owner, but have been considering one. Reading up on everything and finding a lot of consensus on the single speaker really lacking in the quality dept. For those that don't care and say they just use headphones then stop reading and move along as this is concerning the poor quality of the sound output of the speaker. It's terrible and it's the one thing that keeping me from putting my money up. A lot of people consider this a great feature like the 6P, MXPE,HTC10 and others. A real premium phone has good sound and dual speakers helps give it that. Some single speaker phones sound ok, the Pixel does not. I think Google dropped the ball on this. Even ringtones sound tinny. In any case after reading of the disappointment experienced by those who have it and care about the sound quality I spent some time with an XL and agree it sounds like crap and cheap. I hope they change it in the next version(pixel2). Even the HTC 10 which has great quality thru the headphones, maybe the best in fact to date, has good dual speakers. Was hoping that with HTC as manufacturer it would have a similar setup as the HTC10. The speed is great and most everything else, but when you buy one you get the whole package and you don't want something that annoys you every time you get a call or text tone.

Sounds much better than my droid turbo. I do believe the HTC 10 in store appeared to have more volume but I didn't really care for it more or less.

My wife won't put up with my audio habits in the house so I moved into car audio. When I'm listening to and from work I couldn't imagine trying to enjoy alternative setups like the built-in speaker of my phone. Knowing what's required for decent quality I don't put that onus on smartphone manufacturers.

One of my car audio goals was to minimize hardware footprint. You can achieve quite a bit in limited space but a phone isn't going to break the laws of physics. I just don't expect much

 

[jeep_man]

My only gripe is how low the volume is during phone calls. Unless I am in a really quiet room I am having problems hearing people on the other end of the line. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to improve this? App? Software tweak?

 

[ZeroMGA]

Just hit both at the same time -- not release. I have had it work 100% so far but I am used to that combo.

Thanks, I tried that as well, it doesn't seem to work for me. I am definitely hitting the volume down button and power button, but even simultaneously I get no result.

 

[rebretz000]

My gripes are the signal strength on AT&T is subpar. My Nexus 5X gets way better signal than the Pixel phones. I had two Pixel XL and tried 3 SIM cards. The signal strength was -115 dBm where as my Nexus 5X is -95 dBm. The horrible signal strength caused battery drain.
The speakers were also underpowered.
The Pixel version of Ambient Display was lackluster. I could have dealt with the Ambient Display but the signal issues were a deal breaker. I returned mine and got a Nexus 6P.

 

[Jeremy8000]

Thanks, I tried that as well, it doesn't seem to work for me. I am definitely hitting the volume down button and power button, but even simultaneously I get no result.

Are you using the phone in a case? If so, just to see, try it out of the case. If the case overlays the buttons (like most cases) rather than leaving the actual buttons directly exposed, that could easily cause the problem. I had one case that when I pressed the power button and volume down, the insert would also press the volume up, voiding the necessary combination to trigger the screenshot.

 

[T48]

Thanks, I tried that as well, it doesn't seem to work for me. I am definitely hitting the volume down button and power button, but even simultaneously I get no result.

Am sure you know what you are doing, but just in case you are missing a small step or for anyone else that has questions about the same...
How to take a screenshot on the Google Pixel | Android Central

I do have a question for Pixel/XL owners. How is the display out in daylight/bright sun?

 

[fwellers]

I just want to say that this thread is death to me. I don't want to and won't be participating in it.
Why ? Because I already bought my Pixel XL. Now I am no longer interested in looking for things, or hearing about things that don't work.
Unless I have a specific problem to query, or to share on a pertinent thread ( not this general complaint thread ), I can't take the negativity,

 

[ZeroMGA]

Appreciate the help fellas, sadly it's not working. I have quintuple checked to ensure I am not hitting the wrong buttons, and I do not have it in its case. The buttons depress but nothing happens. If I get it wrong the volume or power is actuated, but if I get it "right" nothing appears to happen.

Edit: *Facepalm* Turns out if I hold both buttons down for 3-4 seconds it then takes the screenshot. I've been pressing and releasing after pressing both keys. I did not realize it took that long, I'd press both down and release, reading back that makes more sense on Almeuit's response to press both and not release. Welp, I hit my dumb actions quota hit for the day, thanks!

 

[Hemdroids]

No water resistance and no wireless charging. Though the wireless charging may just be because my last phone had it, and I already have the chargers for it.

 

[Momof9Blessings]

oh my - knowing where to start.... this is SO different - I am LOVING it.... I have used OK Google, but not a lot....

I did find that saying Ok google will turn on the phone LOL

 

[Ptaswath]

Phone is awesome! But i dont have it! Lol

 

[mwboost]

Anyone else have volume trouble in YouTube vids? The volume hardly changes unless you turn it all the way up or down and then go to the volume you want......?
Seems to be only YouTube.

 

[anon(9227267)]

My biggest issue is the lack of some type of "hand wave" deal to unlock/awake lock screen and lock screen notifications. I miss the Z Force's abilities in this area.

 

[ZeroMGA]

Anyone else have volume trouble in YouTube vids? The volume hardly changes unless you turn it all the way up or down and then go to the volume you want......?
Seems to be only YouTube.

I had this issue until I realized what was happening: For some reason on mine it was adjusting the ringer volume, not the application volume. I had to make sure I was actually in the video playing and I had to wait a few seconds after having flipped to it from another app, then the volume would adjust.

Maybe it's not the exact same issue for yours, since you said it changes if you go all the way up, but this is what my issue was.

 

[ihbsbA]

If it doesn't connect to my car, that will be a deal breaker for me. I have a Nexus 6 tablet, which I really like, although not as much as my Samsung phones (especially the Note 7), so I have to admit that I'm a little concerned about whether I should have just stuck with Samsung and gotten the S7Edge, which I had for a loaner. Maybe I just shouldn't be reading this thread, lol, but it sounds like the Bluetooth issue w/ regards to connecting to a car, is cropping up quite a bit. I'm also hoping it will connect to my Gear S2 watch, which in addition to Samsung, is supposed to connect with other Android phones (I think).

I feel the same way.... Wondering if I just should "stick with what you know"... And Wondering if I should be reading any of this! Lol