The Google Pixel 9 series launched earlier this month, with a new name being added to the mix: the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. In spirit, it is basically the direct successor to the Google Pixel 8 Pro, but the nomenclature is completely new (Google has had XL or Pro models, but never both in the same generation).
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL will stand out to most power users considering it is the most capable device in the lineup (yes, more so than the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold). Unfortunately, as we have gotten used to with Google Pixel launches, complaints of bugs have started rolling in already.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Is Dealing With A Tilted Telephoto Viewfinder
The Google Pixel 9 series just turned two weeks old yesterday and there’s already a major bug discovered with at least one of the devices. This isn’t particularly surprising, unfortunately, as Pixel launches have usually been followed up by early users complaining of one bug or another. Considering the launch event focused on software more than hardware, we’d have hoped the software would have been polished to a shine.
This time around, the focus is on the telephoto camera of the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, one of the perks that it gets over the vanilla Pixel 9. A Reddit user reported that when they switch from 2x zoom to 5x zoom in the camera app, there’s a very noticeable amount of tilt seen in the 5x viewfinder. The user screen recorded this, and it’s extremely noticeable.
In the Reddit post where the complaint was mentioned, many other users with the Pixel 9 Pro XL also seem to corroborate this complaint, though not all of them. This brings up the question of whether it is a software issue or it is related to the physical telephoto camera hardware being mounted at a slight angle. The latter would certainly be a big headache to remedy and might require Google to take a better look at its quality control.
Some users state that they notice the tilt after switching to the 5x zoom mode, but that after a second or two, it autocorrects itself. That would suggest it is a software issue that only some users seem to be experiencing (or that other users aren’t even noticing).
Some Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Users Are Also Contending With Wireless Charging Headaches
That’s hardly where things end in terms of Pixel problems though. The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL also seems to be contending with a wireless charging issue. It simply isn’t working as consistently as it is meant to, even with Google’s own Pixel Stand.
The reports, seen on both Google forums and Reddit, state that the phone starts charging for a few seconds before suddenly cutting off. The problem seems to be affecting the Pixel 9 Pro XL the most (though I saw at least one Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 user complaining of similar) and it also doesn’t seem to care what kind of wireless charger or wall adapter you’re using.
This might be related to the placement of the wireless charging coil inside the phone and presents more of a reason why Google should have embraced the magic of Qi2. However, hopefully, it is a software thing and it’ll be fixed very soon.
