Google Pixel 2 XL fingerprint scanner slower following Android 8.1 update

We have been tracking all the Google Pixel 2 XL issues since launch. This handset has thus far been the more problematic of Google’s most recent flagship pair (the other device being the regular Google Pixel 2), and we’ve now got another issue for the list. Unlike some of the previous troubles, however — which were fixed by the Android 8.1 Oreo update — this appears to have occurred as a result of the update.

As noted in the Google Product Forums (via Android Central), some users are reporting that their Pixel 2 XL fingerprint scanner became less responsive after installing Android 8.1 Oreo.

Rather than the nippy fingerprint unlock experienced before, it’s said that the Pixel XL 2 can now take a second or more to unlock. Apparently, using the Always On display can resolve the issue, but it’s not a feature everybody wishes to make use of. Google employees have since responded to the thread and are now reaching out to individuals for bug reports and more information, so a fix may not be far off.

While a second-long delay might not sound like a big deal, to a person unlocking their phone dozens of times per day, and having previously experienced almost instantaneous unlocking, I can understand the frustration. Let us know if you’ve experienced this in the comments.