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Every year, smartphone companies race to deliver new smartphones with cutting-edge technology. In this race, we have also seen many failures. In this document, we will discuss the iconic failure of one such flagship model, the Google Pixel 2 XL, where the failures were due to not properly testing the device.
A Look Back
The year was 2017. Google had already released its first Pixel phone, which was a huge success. So, they returned with new flagship models, Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. These phones promised to be the pinnacle of the Android experience, with top-of-the-line hardware, sleek design, and all the latest software features straight from Google without bloatware. Finally, in October 2017, Google released these two flagship models, expecting they would cross the bar set by their predecessors.
The Pixel 2 XL: A Promising Start
The Pixel 2 XL was manufactured by LG with very impressive specifications. It featured a 6-inch P-OLED display with a resolution of 1440 x 2880 pixels resolution, a Snapdragon 835 processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 12.2 MP rear camera with advanced computational photography capabilities. Reviewers praised the phone’s powerful camera, which, at the time, was considered one of the best in the smartphone market. The specifications mentioned were superior to any other device that has been released to date in the market. Early reviews were overwhelmingly positive, creating a picture of a phone that could compete with the best flagships from Samsung and Apple.
Google Pixel 2 XL Phone Disaster
But this didn’t last long. Shortly after its release, the Pixel 2 XL began to face a series of issues that tarnished its reputation. Let us review them one by one.
1. Screen Problems: A Major Setback
One of the most significant issues with the Pixel 2 XL was related to its display called “Displaygate”. Users complained of screen burn-in, a phenomenon where faint afterimages of previously displayed content are permanently etched onto the screen. This was particularly noticeable with static elements like navigation bars and keyboards. Also many users had the issue of blue tint, screen burn-in, and poor color reproduction. The blue tint was particularly noticeable when viewing the screen at an angle.
The display issue was because of the P-OLED technology used by LG. This new technology was not properly tested before release. The display tint issue was caused because calibration was not proper. Also, the burn-in problem was not caught because of no proper stress testing under various conditions.
The initial response from Google was to mitigate these issues by providing software updates. However, the hardware issues could not be fixed by software updates.
2. Audio Problems: Cracking and Distortion
The next issue was with the audio. Users reported a faint clicking sound and distortions during phone calls. The issue also exists while using phone speakers. Because of the audio issue, the users were not able to enjoy the media or make a basic phone call without interruptions.
The root cause of the audio issue is both hardware and software. Reports suggested that the noise was caused by electromagnetic interference within the device, and many people pointed to software bugs in the audio processing algorithms.
All these issues highlighted the gap in Google’s testing processes, where the basic issues were not identified and fixed before the release. Read: How to do audio testing using testRigor?
3. Software Glitches and Performance Issues
The Pixel 2 XL also suffered from various software glitches and performance issues. Users experienced random reboots, unresponsive touchscreens, and problems with Bluetooth connectivity. Many of these software issues were fixed by rolling out software issues, but all these issues frustrated the users as it was branded as a premium product with a pure Android experience.
4. Customer Response and Brand Impact
All these issues led to overall dissatisfaction among Pixel 2 XL users. Most of the online forums and review sites were filled with topics related to these issues and user frustrations. Reviewers who had initially praised the phone during the release cycle had to put an update for the review, focussing on the issues that users were facing. All these made a huge hit on the device’s reputation as well as Google’s brand image. Users who invested a premium price for this premium device felt betrayed because of all these issues. Even these issues put the trust in Google’s testing at risk.
Even though Google tried to address the issue by providing software updates and rectifying a few issues, the damage was already done.
Analyzing the Testing Failures
Many factors contributed to the Pixel 2 XL’s testing failure. One reason was Google’s aggressive push to meet tight launch deadlines. Google planned to boost sales during the holiday season sales rush, so it might have rushed the testing process, overlooking critical quality control checks. The use of P-OLED technology and insufficient real-world testing scenarios caused problems that could have been identified and mitigated earlier in the development process.
Secondly, the audio problems occurred due to a lack of electromagnetic interference testing and thorough validation of audio components. This type of testing ensures that all hardware components function correctly together and do not interfere with each other, which was missing in the case of the Pixel 2 XL.
Thirdly, the software glitches and performance issues pointed to inadequate software testing and quality assurance processes. While the phones might have passed internal quality control measures, extensive real-world use cases, which could have identified the display and sound problems, might have been neglected. Google’s dependence on post-launch updates to fix significant bugs indicated that the initial testing phases were either too short or not exhaustive enough to catch these problems.
Lessons Learned and Steps Forward
The Pixel 2 XL’s failure gives a crucial case study of the importance of thorough testing in product development, especially for high-stakes consumer electronics. Several lessons can be drawn from this experience:
- Rigorous Hardware Testing: New technologies and components must undergo extensive testing under various conditions to ensure reliability and performance. This includes stress testing, real-world usage scenarios, and long-term durability assessments.
- Comprehensive Software Quality Assurance: Software must be rigorously tested for bugs, performance issues, and compatibility with hardware. This includes automated testing and extensive beta testing with real users to identify and resolve issues before the product reaches the market. Read: Test Automation Playbook.
Companies should use new intelligent test automation tools like testRigor, which can support almost all types of testing powered by Artificial Intelligence. You can read this blog to understand why testRigor is preferred over other test automation tools available in the market by the companies.
Read more about the powerful features of testRigor.
- Holistic System Testing: The interaction between hardware and software components must be thoroughly tested to identify potential interference and compatibility issues. This involves integrated testing environments that mimic real-world usage.
- Effective Customer Feedback Channels: Post-launch, companies should establish robust mechanisms for collecting and addressing customer feedback. Rapid response to issues and transparent communication can help mitigate damage to the brand and improve future products.
- Learning from Failures: Companies must be willing to learn from their mistakes and take corrective actions. This involves not only fixing the immediate problems but also improving internal processes to prevent similar issues in future product releases.
Beyond Google: A Cautionary Tale for the Industry
The Pixel 2 XL’s story isn’t just about Google; it’s a warning for the whole smartphone industry. The constant push for new features and slimmer designs can sometimes hurt user experience. The Pixel 2 XL’s problems show the importance of balancing new technology with practical usability. Manufacturers need to focus on thorough testing to make sure their phones can handle everyday use.
Incorporating advanced testing tools like testRigor, which automates end-to-end testing and mimics real user behavior, could have identified many of these problems before launch. By leveraging such tools, companies can enhance their testing processes, ensuring higher quality and reliability in future products. This approach not only prevents costly failures but also reinforces consumer confidence in the brand.
