Google Pixel 2 November Security Update Resolves OLED, Noise Issues

Ever since Google Pixel 2 series was launched last month it has been plagued by a host of issues ranging from Android not booting on Pixel XL handsets to the display becoming dull to a clicking noise being heard while tapping on the touchscreen of the device.

In a community post on Oct. 27, Google had assured users that it would sort out these issues in a future software update.

Now the company has finally issued that update. The November security update for the Pixel 2 series handsets is now available, and it fixes many of the issues plaguing the handsets.

OLED display issue

One of the most enticing features of the Pixel 2 is its OLED display. The display, expected to perform better than traditional displays due to its vibrancy, also has its own issues. In the Pixel 2, the issue was that the OLED showed muted colors. The color balance of the display was off and caused the display to be under saturated. The update resolves this issue by adding a new saturated color mode, so that users can determine how vibrant they want the display to be.

Another pertinent issue was that of the display burn-in. OLED displays degenerate over time, and pixel by pixel they die out. However, this was happening much faster on the Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL.

Google had denied that this issue occurred due to an oversight in quality control. Instead, the company has issued a software update for what seems to be a hardware issue.

“This update also brings planned UI changes which extend the life of the OLED display, including a fade out of the navigation buttons at the bottom of the screen and an update to maximum brightness. These features have been carefully designed so as not to detract from the user experience. Since all OLED displays experience some degree of decay over time, we’ll continue to make enhancements which maximize the life of your Pixel screen,” the company stated in its community post Monday.

The company claims that its software update will eliminate the fade in on the display.

Clicking noises on the display

The update also resolves the issue of clicking noises on the display. The issue was expected to have emerged due to issues with the device’s Near Fields Communication radio. The faint clicking noise is expected to not occur anymore when you tap the display.

The company has promised a December software update and monthly updates thereafter. The company needs to push out updates faster since it is facing competition from the likes of Samsung Galaxy S8, Note 8, Apple iPhone X and LG V30.

Along with the update, Pixel 2 devices will also receive the November security update, which includes a patch for the KRACK vulnerability.