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Update: Pixel 2 XL touch sensitivity issues are fixed with second Android 8.1 preview
July 04, 2025
Update (12/4/17):The touch sensitivity problems that have plagued the sides ofPixel 2 XLare history. The fix comes with the second Android 8.1 developer preview thathit devices last week. In some informal testing on my Pixel 2 XL, it seems to be registering touches perfectly after upgrading.
The update also brings a number of other changes. Users onRedditare reporting thataudio qualitywhile recording video has been fixed, andusing Google Assistant with a Bluetooth headsetworks once again. Google has also changed which microphone records the Pixel 2 XL uses to record audio. It previously used the microphone on the bottom of the phone, but now has been changed to the microphone on the top edge of the phone.
Unfortunately, one of the biggest issues with the Pixel 2 XL remains. The “black crush” (or black smear) still shows up and gets worse as you lower the brightness. Black crush is the term users have been using when darker colors in pictures and video show up as blacks or darker than they should be. Hopefully Google can get this figured out soon because customers are getting rather agitated by the issue.
Original article (11/13/17):GoogleannouncedthePixel 2 and Pixel 2 XLback on October 4. The phonesstarted shipping shortlyafter and everything has gone downhill from there. The issues with the Pixel 2 XL’s display have been numerous and well documented. From ablue shift to burn in, washed out colors, and more- there are plenty of reasons to worry about the display on the Pixel 2 XL. Now, there’s one more, but it may just be temporary.
Users on the Pixel User Community have posted about a new issue to be aware of. It seems that right now, Pixel 2 XL phones are having issues recognizing touches on the sides of the display. One user posted a video (which you’re able to see below) that shows just how bad the problem can be. Even though the phone is having issues picking up touches, swipes are picking up just fine.
The Pixel 2 XL, by all accounts, isa pretty great phone. It’s a shame that display issues keep popping up because there’s little doubt that some potential buyers have shied away from the device because of them. Luckily, this issue seems relatively minor in the grand scheme of things and will (probably) be taken care of pretty quickly. We’ll keep our ear to the ground about a fix and bring you the news when it starts to roll out.
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