Google Pixel 2: Users complain of even more faults

Problems deepen for Google's ultra-expensive smartphone

Users are complaining of even more faults with Google's new flagship Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL smartphones.

Reports have emerged from users of black smears ruining the screen and a mixture of high-pitched noises and clicks. This comes in addition to claims of 'screen burn', images being burnt on the screen in a way reminiscent of old CRT monitors.

The Pixel and Pixel 2 XL, which cost £629/£799 (64GB storage) or £729/£899 (128GB storage) has already been criticised for its screen, which has variously suffered from a blue hue, lack of definition at angles, as well as screen-burn.

This has led to speculation that Google has skimped on OLED panels for its ultra-expensive flagship amid complaints from users, particularly over at Reddit, which is compiling an Encylopixelia Googlecrapia.

The clicks and whistles seem to be more related to the Pixel 2, as opposed its big brother which is coping the majority of the flack and can be helped, though not cured, by turning off NFC, one of those features that really ought to be on all the time.

The Pixel 2 XL meanwhile has issues with its speakers. As found by 9 to 5 Google, the top and bottom speakers don't carry the same audio output - there's about 10db difference. Apparently, this was deliberate as the engineers struggled to control vibrations caused by the top speaker and would appear to have shonked out a solution

The impression left is of two tarnished, unfinished devices with, nevertheless, eye-wateringly high price tags attached.

More complaints are surfacing about the screen. The problem of 'black smearing' is not unusual to OLED screens.

It basically means that when transitioning from black to colour, there's ghosting of the black image because the screen isn't refreshing fast enough. On the Pixel 2 XL it appears to be particularly bad.