Google Pixel and Pixel XL units have been plagued by the audio distortion issue since last year. Although Google acknowledged that it was a software issue, they haven't really released an update to fix it, not yet at least. It seems the tech giant quietly fixed this issue in their February security patch.
Google is rolling out the February security patch and it carries with it the fix to the annoying audio distortion problem, as reported by a number of Reddit users. The users noted that they are no longer encountering the problem after installing the OTA patch and that the audio clearly plays. One catch, however, is that the Google Pixel and Pixel XL devices might not play as loudly as they did prior to the update.
Google's February Security patch is live — here's what you need to know! https://t.co/jnh9nYSRDL #Android Central - Android Forums, News, …
— BB-3BE4 (@BB3BE4) February 1, 2016
9To5Google reported that according to Verizon, the February security patch update increases the "reliability of sending and receiving calls with the Honda Bluetooth Carkit." Thus, if you are experiencing this issue, then perhaps it might be a good idea to dive in and install the update.
On the other hand, a few users have reported that despite installing the update for their Google Pixel and Pixel XL, the hissing and popping from the audio is still there. Also, those who are running the 7.1.2 beta are still encountering the issue.
How the problem was audio distortion problem was solved is yet unclear. There are speculations that it has something to do with the EQ processing wherein it tones down specific band, preventing the speakers from overloading, while others believe that it was certainly a software issue. By installing custom ROM, the issue was fixed before, reports PhoneArena.
Perhaps, Google's next update will bring in the big guns and finally demolish this persisting problem for good as it has certainly affected their flagship device and its users. Do you have a Google Pixel or Pixel XL? How is your audio after the February security patch update?
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