Google’s Android 17 and Pixel problems grow: A Practical Look
Another troubling Android 17 update horror story has emerged as Google’s support service comes under fire.
It’s fair to say that Google is off to a rocky start with its Android 17 update, with numerous reports of troublesome bugs blighting 5G and Wi-Fi connectivity, not to mention touchscreen operation.
Now, a fresh Reddit report from a Google Pixel 8 user claims that the Android 17 update has totally bricked their phone. It’s a good job Amazon Prime Day is taking some of the focus this week.
Within an hour of the update, user EducationOk8345 claims that their handset became unresponsive, with only a black screen showing.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
None of the usual reset procedures seem to have worked, with nary a peep of sound, colour or vibration emanating from the stricken phone, even when hooked up to a charger.
A third-party diagnosis allegedly diagnosed a dead motherboard, which wouldn’t be financially viable to replace.
Taken in isolation, such a story could be dismissed as a one-off or even unlikely. But as the latest in a growing list of reported Android 17 update fails, it’s worth noting.
Google Pixel support woes
If the aforementioned user is hoping to get some kind of resolution from Google on the matter, they might be fresh out of luck.
Android Authority has collected a series of horror stories concerning Google’s less-than-satisfactory customer service when dealing with Pixel issues.
The most recent of these concerns a Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold user, who about a month ago discovered a blob on the main screen. Google’s Pixel support team initially assured the customer that a free repair would be instigated as there was no sign of damage.
Luke Baker
After sending the device in for inspection, however, the repair bill rose from nothing to $660. When the payment of said fee was refused, the handset was returned to the customer.
Escalating the issue to more senior Google staff doesn’t seem to have achieved anything in the ensuing fortnight, despite assurances that it would be resolved in just 48 hours.
Replies on the thread indicate that this isn’t an isolated incident, with numerous corroborating reports of Google’s lack of an effective and reliable support process, even on devices like the Google Pixel 10 Pro that are still under warranty.
We often view Google’s Pixel range as offering the closest thing to an ‘iPhone for Android’ that there is, but the company is seemingly failing to match Apple’s famous customer support prowess right now.
