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Update: Pixel 2 XL touch sensitivity issues are fixed with second Android 8.1 preview

Google rolled out a fix for the touch sensitivity issues on the Pixel 2 XL. Previously, the edge of the display was having trouble registering taps.

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Published onDecember 4, 2017

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Update (12/4/17): The touch sensitivity problems that have plagued the sides of Pixel 2 XL are history. The fix comes with the second Android 8.1 developer preview that hit 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 on Reddit are reporting that audio quality while recording video has been fixed, and using Google Assistant with a Bluetooth headset works 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.

If you’d like to install the Android 8.1 developer preview 2, you can head over to Google’s preview site and sign up for the beta program. You should receive an over the air update soon after. Currently, the only devices that can participate in the beta program are the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Pixel C, Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, and Pixel 2 XL.

Original article (11/13/17): Google announced the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL back on October 4. The phones started shipping shortly after and everything has gone downhill from there. The issues with the Pixel 2 XL’s display have been numerous and well documented. From a blue 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 can 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.

All of the Pixel 2 XL issues we've heard about so far (Updated)

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So, what’s causing the issue? It seems that the Pixel 2 XL’s accidental touch rejection software is working overtime. It’s dismissing legitimate touches on the side of the phone as accidental touches. A Google Community Manager says the team has already started investigating the issue and the fix should come in the form of an over-the-air (OTA) update. It remains to be seen whether it’ll be a standalone update or if it will come bundled with a monthly security patch.

The Pixel 2 XL, by all accounts, is a 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.