A list of Google Pixel 9 series issues reported so far

It’s been a month since Google announced the Pixel 9 series, and these shiny new devices are now already in the hands of thousands of buyers around the world. While most new Pixel 9 owners are likely enjoying the honeymoon phase with their new phones, not everyone is sharing the excitement. Some unfortunate users are beginning to notice one or more issues on these devices. We’re seeing reports about random bugs popping up every few days. In this article, I’ve rounded up all the major (and some minor) issues Pixel 9 users have been facing.

Bluetooth connectivity issues

A common problem seems to be related to Bluetooth connectivity. Users are experiencing a range of issues, from unexpectedly short range to frequent disconnections. Many report that their Bluetooth connections drop when they move just a short distance from their phone, sometimes as little as 15 feet. This is particularly problematic for those using wireless earbuds or connecting to car audio systems.

Users also complain about stuttering audio when using Bluetooth headphones or speakers. The problems extend to Android Auto as well, with many experiencing unstable connections while driving. What’s particularly frustrating for long-time Pixel users is that many report their older Pixel models had significantly better Bluetooth range and stability. While some speculate that a recent software update might be to blame, Google has not yet officially addressed the problem.

Inconsistent wireless charging

Wireless charging is another area where Pixel 9 users are encountering difficulties. Many report that their phones show charging indicators but stop charging after just a few seconds. When wireless charging does work, it’s often much slower than expected, with some users reporting charging times of up to six hours for a full battery. Such slow speeds would be fine if one’s charging their phone overnight, but it’s unacceptable nonetheless.

Adding to the frustration, many users find that wireless chargers that worked perfectly fine with their older Pixel models are not functioning with the Pixel 9 series. Even more concerning, some users are experiencing issues with the official Google Pixel Stand. Interestingly, most affected users report that charging via USB-C works normally, suggesting this might be a software issue rather than a hardware defect.

Issues with touch recognition

Some Pixel 9 Pro XL users are reporting problems with their touchscreens. Several early adopters have found that certain areas of their screens, particularly the corners, are not registering touch inputs correctly. This problem seems to be inconsistent, affecting some apps but not others.

What’s particularly concerning is that these issues seem to persist even after standard troubleshooting steps like rebooting the device or performing a factory reset. While it’s not clear how widespread this problem is, it’s certainly causing significant frustration for those affected.

5G connectivity problems on AT&T

Pixel 9 Pro Fold users on AT&T are reportedly facing issues with 5G connectivity. Despite the device supporting AT&T’s 5G bands, many users report being limited to LTE or 5Ge (AT&T’s term for its fastest LTE bands). This issue seems to primarily affect those who bought unlocked devices to use with their AT&T SIM cards.

AT&T customer service and store representatives have been unable to provide a fix. Some users have found temporary relief by inserting their AT&T SIM into another phone before reinserting it into the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, but this solution appears to be short-lived for many.

The problem isn’t limited to the Fold model, with some users reporting similar issues with the base Pixel 9 as well. As of now, there’s no official resolution from either Google or AT&T.

Auto-brightness doesn’t function properly

Pixel 9 users have been reporting erratic behavior with their device’s auto-brightness feature, particularly those who have upgraded from previous Pixel models. The screen often sets itself dimmer than needed, causing frustration and requiring frequent manual adjustments. This issue likely stems from the migration of the adaptive brightness model from older Pixel phones to the new Pixel 9 series, which have different displays with varying brightness levels and curves. Fortunately, there’s a solution, albeit a bit hidden. Android Authority has a detailed article that you can check out for the steps to resolve the problem.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold inner screen cracking

Some early adopters of the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold are reporting a concerning issue: cracks developing in the inner screen of their devices. Users have noticed micro-cracks appearing under the display, often visible only under direct sunlight. What’s particularly alarming is that these cracks are occurring without any apparent mishandling or drops, suggesting a potential manufacturing defect. You can check out all the details in our article.

White line on screen

This doesn’t appear to be a widespread problem by any means, but it’s a concerning problem nonetheless. A writer from a popular tech blog, Phandroid, noticed a strange white line appear on their Pixel 9 Pro XL each time they turned off the screen with the power button. The issue persisted even after basic troubleshooting like restarting the phone.

After some hunting, they noticed similar reports from a few other Pixel 9 Pro XL users who took to Reddit to voice their concerns. In fact, they even noticed the same issue on a replacement Pixel 9 Pro XL unit. Google is yet to offer up any explanation for this bizarre issue where a white line(s) appear on the screen.

Wi-Fi connectivity issues

Some Pixel 9 owners report that they’re experiencing a frustrating problem with the Wi-Fi on their devices. Users claim that the Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting or, in some cases, even shuts off and doesn’t turn on again. Normal troubleshooting steps do not seem to fix the problem. Google is yet to acknowledge the problem.

Rattling noise when shaking the phone

Many Google Pixel 9 Pro, Pro XL, and even Pro Fold users have taken to Reddit and the Google support forums to seeking an explanation for why they hear a rattling noise from the camera section of their phones. For the uninitiated, a random sound from the phone might make it seem like something’s broken inside, but you don’t really need to worry. The sound coming from the camera section is most likely due to the OIS (optical image stabilizer) module in the camera. 9to5Google has a great article explaining why this happens.

Camera tilt with 5x lens

Some Pixel 9 Pro XL users noticed a weird issue when switching to the 5x zoom lens on their devices. This doesn’t seem to be a widespread problem, but a handful of users claim that there’s a slight title to the camera when they switch to the 5x zoom lens.

Issues claiming free Gemini Advanced offer

Some users who purchased the Pixel 9 Pro, Pro XL, or the Pro Fold are facing issues activating Gemini Advanced as part of Google’s 1-year free AI Premium deal. We’ve listed out all the potential troubleshooting steps that you can try out to get your free AI Premium plan working.

Slippery official cases

This problem isn’t really an issue with the Google Pixel 9 series itself, however, those who purchased the official silicone cases for the Pixel 9 series are surprised by how slippery the cases are. Many buyers claim that the cases are far more slippery than previous official cases. So if you’re on the verge of buying a case for your new Pixel 9, you might want to consider other options.

Conclusion

While these might seem like a whole lot of problems, I’d like to point out the fact that there are plenty of Pixel 9 owners out there who likely haven’t faced any such issues with their phones. Remember, most users only come out to voice their concerns with a device. It’s not often you see people taking to social media to point out the good stuff. So in case you saw all these problems and were rethinking your decision to buy a Pixel 9 series device, we’d say not to think much about it and go ahead. If you want something more to consider, you can check out some limitations you should know about with the Pixel 9 devices.