Following the issues concerning Bluetooth and LTE connectivity, the Google Pixel series is now facing yet another major microphone failure. Many of the Pixel, Pixel XL users have registered complaints regarding no audio output on the Google Support Forum.
Ranging from reports of complete failure of one or more of the microphones causing a total audio input block to minor audio issues have flooded the support forum with hundreds of threads. However, the microphones seem to be working fine with the camera app while recording videos. This development was first reported by Android Police.
The problem is known to the tech titan and it has confirmed that the microphone problem is a hardware issue which can’t be rectified through software upgradations. The company blames one of the three microphones – the phone audio input and the ambient mics for these concerns. However, it may have been occurred due to a hairline crack in the solder of the microphone component.
The growing complaints were addressed by Google employee Brian Rakowski, who further noted,
We have been taking additional steps to reinforce the connection at time of manufacture on phones built since January. Phones manufactured in the last month should not have this problem.
For phones manufactured before then, the incidence of the problem is <<1 percent. I know this thread makes it seem much more prevalent, but there is a selection bias at work here.
The latter suggested a warranty replacement would be the most suitable option to resolve the matter. Users can get their Pixel devices replaced from third party retailers or Google partnered reps for a faster action. If a user faces difficulty replacing the phone via their authorised retailers, the smartphone can also be replaced by Google. However, it may take a couple of weeks to process your request considering the verification and shipping procedures.
The problem is detected in not more than 1% phones out in the market and the reasons defined by Rakowski explains the overall cause quite well. Since all Pixel phones are well-covered warranty as of now, it should not be an issue for users to get it replaced as quickly as possible. However, there is no confirmation that the replaced phone will not surface a similar or simply a new problem.
