Google’s Pixel 9 Pro XL faces early troubles: design and performance issues highlight need for improvement
Top 3 Key Points:
- Wireless Charging Problems: Inconsistent wireless charging, even with Google’s Pixel Stand.
- Camera and Build Quality Issues: Problems with the telephoto lens and build inconsistencies, such as gaps in the camera bar.
- Difficult Disassembly: The new design makes the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s battery hard to remove, complicating repairs.
Google’s latest smartphones, the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL, have been released with features that sound straight out of a tech fantasy. These devices promise to make everyday tasks easier, from organizing your photos and screenshots to transcribing phone calls. They even offer emergency services access when you lose signal.
However, the excitement is quickly turning into frustration for many users. Early adopters have reported several issues, including inconsistent wireless charging, camera problems, and questionable build quality.
Inconsistent Wireless Charging and Camera Issues
Many Pixel 9 Pro XL users have complained that wireless charging is unreliable, even when using Google’s Pixel Stand. Additionally, the camera, particularly when using the telephoto lens, has been reported to struggle with maintaining level shots during video recording. Some users have also noticed a small gap in the camera bar and condensation under the lens, which raises concerns about the overall build quality.
A Growing List of Problems
These issues are alarming, especially since the phones were only released on August 22. While some bugs are to be expected with any new device, the frequency and severity of these problems suggest that Google might need to rethink its approach. Google has been in the smartphone market for nearly a decade, so these issues shouldn’t be so common at this stage in their development process.
Tough Love Needed for Google’s Flagship
Google has been making its smartphone chips for four years now and should be focusing on perfecting the core user experience rather than just introducing new features. The Pixel 9 Pro XL’s wireless charging issues and camera problems are particularly concerning. These are essential features that users expect to work flawlessly.
While software updates might fix some of these problems, it raises the question of whether Google’s quality assurance team is doing enough before these devices hit the market. With only two models released so far, it’s worrisome to think about the potential issues that could arise with the upcoming Pixel 9 Pro Fold, a foldable phone with even more complexity.
Design Challenges Highlighted in Teardown
Recent teardowns of the Pixel 9 Pro XL reveal that the battery is particularly difficult to remove due to strong adhesive, which wasn’t the case in previous models. The teardown also showed that Google has switched to a new design language, using less common screws and hidden components that make the device harder to repair.
These design changes, while potentially beneficial for some aspects of the phone, highlight the need for further optimization. The complexity of the internal design makes repairs challenging, even for experienced technicians.
A new update to Google Calendar is here, aiming to make handling your appointments more engaging. Now, users have the option to add emojis to their events to spice up their text and express themselves visually.
While creating an event, Google Calendar offers to add an emoji that fits the title you have entered. A coffee cup emoji may appear next to the title if you type “coffee with Sarah.” You can pick a different emoji if you prefer. If you want to make the title shorter, you can delete it.
This feature functions on both personal and work accounts automatically. It aims to make your appointments more visible by using fun emojis.
Google described the update as an effort to make digital helpers more conversational. Although it’s a simple addition, it can be very useful and enjoyable for some people.
Right now, the update is being launched for both Android and iOS users, so please try again if it is not available to you yet. There is no need for anything special; simply use your app as you normally would, and the changes will be noticeable when you add or update an event.
Google is rolling out a major new update to its Search app on both Android and iOS. The updates improve the app’s appearance and include useful new AI-powered features. Users will now see a new smart bar at the top of the Search app in the AI Overview mode.
AI automatically suggests helpful information and allows you to get answers right within the Search app. On Android, you’ll now see a bar placed below the search box that lists your most recent questions as well. The layout adopts Google’s Material You style, and the active AI status is indicated by a curvy green silhouette.
A revamped prompt bar on the bottom of the screen now displays common questions, such as “What’s the best way to plant tomatoes?” The new design makes it more convenient to access with an expanded size and clearer images. The purpose is to make it simpler for users to begin talking with Gemini, Google’s advanced AI.
You’ll also notice an updated loading animation when waiting for results. Coming soon: You’ll see Google displaying a lively, Material 3-inspired animation for loading instead of a spinning circle. These three dots make the animations more up-to-date and approachable. The new features will be released slowly and could eventually show up across Google’s other mobile apps.
These changes make searching on Google easier, quicker, and more helpful, whether you want answers to simple questions or you want to use Google’s AI to learn more.
A bug is causing major problems for users of Google Maps right now. The app no longer displays backup ways to go while driving directions are in progress. If you’re driving, Google Maps usually shows you a couple of alternatives for reaching your destination. That useful function has stopped working for plenty of users in the latest version.
Many users are now being shown only one route when driving, leaving them potentially stuck in traffic. Many Android and iPhone users have run into the problem, and it crops up when using Maps for Navigation in versions 11.127.0101 and newer. Until now, Google hasn’t said anything about resolving the issue, but we can expect them to work on it shortly.
At the same time, YouTube TV is introducing an improvement for fans of live sports. YouTube TV users are getting a major update to their multiview feature this week. People can now design their own multiview layouts, rather than having a limited selection from the app. It’s being tested with a small group of users and should soon be available to everyone. This new feature is available on smart TVs, as well as streaming devices such as Chromecast and Apple TV.
As Google Maps troubleshoots a technical issue, YouTube TV is empowering users with new levels of customization, particularly useful as everyone keeps track of multiple live games during a sporty period. You could see that Google Maps and YouTube TV perform differently this week.
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