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Google Pixel 3 & Pixel 3 XL Issue List: Know before you buy
We’ve been singing praises of the
Google Pixel 3 and its larger sibling, the Google
Pixel 3 XL, since they
were announced. In my
initial review of the Pixel 3 XL, I explained how the latest Google Pixel device embodies the 3 principles that make Google’s
Chrome OS so beloved: Speed, Simplicity, and Security. But even devices as polished as the Google Pixel are bound to have some issues after reaching the hands of consumers, and this year’s Pixel 3 is no different.
I generally take a conservative approach to covering news about a problem with a new device because it’s difficult to tell when a user report is really indicative of a larger issue with the device. In the case of the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, however, the Pixel user community on our forums and on Reddit have raised a stink about various issues that have made their way to other blogs. So, before you shell out hundreds of dollars for a new Pixel after seeing the incredible
Night Sight camera samples that we posted, we think you should be aware of some of the issues that early adopters have faced.
Some of these issues may be deal breakers, while others may seem like nitpicking to you. We’ll note which issues can likely be resolved via a software update and whether Google has already offered a statement on the matter. Lastly, since I only have the Pixel 3 XL with me, I can only offer my opinion on issues that only affect the 3 XL.
Update 1: Added Google’s responses to the scratch, random notch, and Netflix HDR sections.
Update 2: Added a section on “Buzzing/Distorted Speakers at Low Volumes” and “Pink tinting” per multiple user reports.
Update 3: Added details to the “Apps being closed in the background” section.
Update 4: Google has commented on the memory management issue.
Update 5: Google has commented on the speaker distortion issue.
Update 6: Both the memory management issue and the speaker buzzing issue have been mostly resolved.
Memory Management
Issue #1 – Apps being closed in the background
It feels strange for me to say this considering my very first article on XDA was an argument in defense of the Nexus 5X having only 2GB RAM, but the Pixel 3 might not have enough RAM. With higher quality apps and games releasing each month, it’s become clear that Android devices simply need more memory these days. The Google Pixel, Google Pixel 2, and Google Pixel 3 all have 4GB RAM, while the OnePlus 6, Razer Phone 2, Xiaomi POCO F1, and more offer up to 8GB RAM options. 4GB RAM should be enough for most users of the Pixel 3, but there have been many user reports of the device often closing recently used apps in the background.
This isn’t an isolated issue, either. An Android Centraleditor, an editor from The Verge, the founder of Android Police, Marques Brownlee, and countless others on Reddit have issues with memory management. (All links via Android Police.) My own Pixel 3 XL is far worse at keeping apps in memory than my OnePlus 6, though of course, I attribute that to my OnePlus 6 having 8GB RAM. While few users will have the same experience as Artem Russakovski (shown below), I bet most users will experience the Pixel 3’s memory management issue at least a few times a day. I’ve recently started advocating for Google to offer a minimum of 6GB RAM on their devices after seeing how games like Fortnite Mobile perform on the Pixel 2 XL, and I think videos like the one below show how even the basic user experience can be affected by not having enough RAM.
