One of the moreprevalent issues affecting the Google Pixel and Pixel XL is audio distortion at higher volumes . After some back and forth on whether this was a hardware or software defect, yesterday’sFebruary security patch includes a fix forthe issue. Meanwhile, last week’s 7.1.2 Developer Preview is still affected.
Asencounteredby severalusers back in December, playing audio at high volumes through either the speaker or headphones would produce an audio distortion. This static andpopping noises wereaudible regardless of the app or media playing. For others, it only revealed itself atsome frequencies.
Fortunately, fixes included in the February security patch addressthe issue. Several users report no longer encountering the bug.One video showsaPixel on the January patch exhibiting the issue, only to have it disappear after applying the latest OTA.
The patchis rolling out now . According to Verizon, the update also increases the “reliability of sending and receiving calls with the Honda Bluetooth Carkit.” If you’ve been particularly affected by the issue, you might want to consider downloading and installing the update immediately withour guide.
Users on the Pixel Product Forums note that this audio issue still persists after the 7.1.2 Developer Preview released last week. It’s likely that the next preview will include this fix, as well as the February security patch.