Google’s Pixel 9 series, while a powerhouse of technology, has not been without its share of hiccups. One of the issues reported has been the occasional screen stuttering or lag when scrolling through some apps and menus.
Yes, the sleek design and polished UI look great, but when it comes to basic tasks like scrolling through apps like Reddit and Google Messages or even some web pages, things aren’t as smooth as they should be. But long-term Pixel users will know that the stuttering issue has been a persistent thorn in the side for years, and now, with the Pixel 9 or even the high-end Pixel 9 Pro XL in hand, some are feeling déjà vu.
But there’s a silver lining, and it’s called Android 15.
Reports have started popping up from some of those brave enough to dive into the Android 15 beta, and they’re noticing a significant reduction in the dreaded scroll lag. This is in line with the much-anticipated fixes coming with Android 15. Sure, the smooth sailing isn’t perfect yet, but for several users, the stuttering issues seem to be fading. This development should spark a bit of hope for Pixel 9 series users who have been frustrated with jittery scrolling since launch.
It’s been an interesting journey for these Pixel owners. Some experienced horrible frame drops right out of the box, while others noticed the scrolling lag after a few days of use. Apps like Reddit, TikTok, Instagram and X seem to be the worst offenders, although this isn’t new for some of these apps.
For a few lucky users who installed Android 15 Beta, things started to get better. Lag? Reduced. Janky scrolling? Less frequent. Some even claim their Pixel 9 phones finally feel like the premium devices they should be. This is fueling a surge of optimism that once Android 15 officially rolls out, the scrolling stutter issue could be fixed for good.
Of course, it’s not all sunshine yet. As noted, scrolling stutters aren’t new on Pixel devices, so a one-off fix isn’t likely on the cards. Instead, users can expect gradual improvements. While there’s no 100% guarantee that the upcoming Android 15 stable release will fully eliminate all scrolling lag, the signs are encouraging. For many, this update can’t come soon enough, and Pixel 9 users are holding out hope that it will finally deliver the smooth experience they’ve been waiting for.
Until then, some users are tinkering with workarounds — like booting their Pixel 9s into safe mode, turning off adaptive touch or tweaking animation settings in Developer Mode — to get some relief. But the real hope lies in Android 15. Let’s cross our fingers that Google will roll out the update soon and hopefully make Pixel 9 scrolling stutters a thing of the past.