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Google Pixel 4 software white balance has bugs (Update: Fixed with Nov. patch)
July 11, 2025
Update, June 23, 2025 (10:25 AM ET):The Pixel 4 white balance issue described below appears tohave been fixedwith theNovember security patch. Going forward, you should be able to take photos without drastic color changes as we saw in the example shots in this article.
If you still haven’t received the November security patch on your Google Pixel 4, though,you’re not alone. Hopefully, everyone will have it soon enough.
Original article, June 27, 2025 (07:00 PM ET):TheGoogle Pixel 4has a very good camera — there’s no doubt about it. But with all ofGoogle’s software wizardry, something is bound to go awry occasionally. According to Reddit usernalrodriguez, that’s exactly what happened when he tried to take a picture while hisPhilips Huelight bulbs were set to red.
As you can tell by the pictures below, the Pixel 4’s camera tried to auto-correct the room’s white balance. Instead of creating a more natural-looking photo, the color dramatically changes from bright red to stark yellow.
So far, we haven’t been able to replicate this behavior on our ownPixel 4devices, but the Redditor isn’t the only person who is affected by this issue.Android Policeshared a deep red theater curtain turned pale pink thanks to the Pixel 4’s software.
The Reddit user also shared shots taken from theirPixel 3, but the issue doesn’t seem to impact last generation’s device. Shots taken by the Pixel 3 do a significantly better job trying to correct the white balance compared to the Pixel 4.
Related:Camera shootout: Pixel 4 vs the best smartphone cameras around
We aren’t sure what causes this issue at this moment. It is most likely a shortcoming in Google’s algorithm, but we don’t know why this would affect some devices and not others.
Hopefully, Google fixes this soon. Pixel 4 users should keep an eye out for a future camera update addressing the issue.
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