Google attempts to fix Pixel 2 XL screen issues with dimming software update

Google is currently fighting multiple fires with the Pixel 2 range, and but they are likely hoping to extinguish at least one of them with their November software update for the Pixel 2 XL.

The handset is accused of featuring an LG screen with muddy colours and grainy textures reminiscent of dust under the screen, and also rapid screen burn-in in devices days or weeks old.

Google then claimed “we put all of our products through extensive quality testing before launch and in the manufacturing of every unit”, but has now released a software update seemingly aimed at correcting at least some of the issues.

The update brings 3 changes designed to improve the screen.

The first is the option to choose more saturated colours in settings.

The second is the use of much more muted colours for the taskbar, the main culprit for the burn in issue, as it is always on.

The last is reducing the screen brightness by 50 nits which Google’s VP of engineering, Seang Chau claims is “virtually imperceptible,” and that it’ll “significantly reduc[e] load on the screen with an almost undetectable change in the observed brightness.”

This does amount to a reduction of around 10% however from the previously measured maximum brightness of around 500 nits and places it very far behind the 1,200 nits of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8. A bright screen is particularly important to enable daylight usage, something which will likely not be important in the Northern hemisphere winter but will become a bigger issue next year.

So while Google is living up to its promise of rapid software updates, like in many other cases buyers are still not getting the handset they have been expecting.

Source: Androidpolice.com