Google says Pixel 5 screen gap is "normal part of the design"

[Shawn Knight]

Editor's take: A Google "community specialist" has chimed in on Pixel 5 screen gap issues being reported by some early adopters. Apparently, there's noting to worry about, but if it were my money, you'd have a hard time convincing me that a gap between the screen and the frame is a normal part of the design when other users have zero gaps.

Google’s Pixel 5 smartphone launched in the US and Canada on October 29, 2020. The handset, a true successor to the Pixel 4 that arrived a year earlier, got a two-week head start in several other major markets and almost immediately, owners started noticing some issues with the phone’s build quality.

Specifically, users and early reviewers shared images highlighting a noticeable gap between the phone’s screen and its chassis. Understandably, folks were especially concerned about how this might impact the handset’s IP68 rating against dust and liquid.

Google has since chimed in on the matter.

David Pop, a “community specialist” with the Pixel phone help community, said in response to a question about the matter that after investigating units from customers and based on quality control data from the factory, they “can confirm that the variation in clearance between the body and the display is a normal part of the design of your Pixel 5.”

Pop added that there is no effect on the water and dust resistance or functionality of the phone. “We will work with customers on an individual basis to address any concerns they may have,” Pop said.

According to Android Police, the issue has shown up on both colorways (black and green) and is evident from the start on impacted devices.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/87464-google-pixel-5-screen-gap-normal-part-design.html

 

[zamroni111]

Google: you see it wrong

 

[Godel]

I totally meant to do that!

 

[QuantumPhysics]

When you try to be Apple but you just don't roll that hard.

 

[0dium]

Why is it even a problem? I don't mind any notches and gaps in my screen.

 

[Uncle Al]

Hmmmm ..... it may not be a problem but the fact that it could catch on materials like shirt pockets is bothersome ..... personally I think it could have been engineered better with very little effort ....

 

[Mr Majestyk]

Let's repeat, Google's QC is non-existent, they make substandard hardware and always have. It was forgivable when Nexus phone were only $300, now they want flagship money and they are still making second rate crap.

 

[Hexic]

Now, I do understand the potential issue of catching on materials with the screen being popped out like that, but outside of this issue…

Have there been any reported legitimate quality problems as a result of this? Water, dust, any solid issues in/behind the screen as a result of this design (flaw, IMO... come on Google)?

 

[Hexic]

When you try to be Apple but you just don't roll that hard.

Hardware, I would fully agree that Google STILL has to catch up. But admittedly, their software blows the crap out of anything Apple or anyone else has to offer. Those who will make this trade-off won’t be particularly lacking anything in the ultimate scheme of product delivered.

 

[scavengerspc]

Hmmmm ..... it may not be a problem but the fact that it could catch on materials like shirt pockets is bothersome ..... personally I think it could have been engineered better with very little effort ....

Not to mention being a dirt\dust hiding place.

 

[Nobina]

I mean if Google says it's normal then it's normal.

 

[LuckyMenace]

Hardware, I would fully agree that Google STILL has to catch up. But admittedly, their software blows the crap out of anything Apple or anyone else has to offer. Those who will make this trade-off won’t be particularly lacking anything in the ultimate scheme of product delivered.

The only thing Android is better than iOS at is collecting and selling your data.

 

[Hexic]

The only thing Android is better than iOS at is collecting and selling your data.

Yikes, keep drinking that kool-aid.

 

[LuckyMenace]

Yikes, keep drinking that kool-aid.

Put a processor in a phone that is slower than a 2017 iPhone X and charge “Flagship” prices. Yeah... your Kool-aid is better than mine

 

[Hexic]

Put a processor in a phone that is slower than a 2017 iPhone X and charge “Flagship” prices. Yeah... your Kool-aid is better than mine

You seem to have missed the part where I was referring to the software being superior, that’s okay though, just make sure to read the entire comment next time.

The iPhone could have a custom, blazing-fast 32 core processor in it, and it would do the exact same thing an iPhoneX does. Hardware is irrelevant after you surpass a certain benchmark.

..which is where the software makes all the difference. Once more.

 

[LuckyMenace]

You seem to have missed the part where I was referring to the software being superior, that’s okay though, just make sure to read the entire comment next time.

The iPhone could have a custom, blazing-fast 32 core processor in it, and it would do the exact same thing an iPhoneX does. Hardware is irrelevant after you surpass a certain benchmark.

..which is where the software makes all the difference. Once more.

Nice try, but there is nothing Android can do that is worth having over iOS. Good job deflecting the fact that Google has inferior hardware and software and still call it a “flagship”. Don’t try to convince me; just look at the sales numbers. People don’t want it.

 

[Hexic]

Nice try, but there is nothing Android can do that is worth having over iOS. Good job deflecting the fact that Google has inferior hardware and software and still call it a “flagship”. Don’t try to convince me; just look at the sales numbers. People don’t want it.

There’s no helping your objectivity, it doesn’t exist. You still aren’t reading my comment above, as I did mention the inferior hardware, but somehow it’s still a lost cause. No misdirection at all, you just have to start paying attention.

If you refuse to acknowledge any positives of the Android environment, then you actually don’t know the Android environment in the slightest. Each OS has it’s positives and negatives.

Once more, enjoy that kool-aid and have a nice night. I will continue to enjoy browsing this forum... from my iPhone.

 

[someOtherGuy]

Yikes, keep drinking that kool-aid.

It's really hard to know for sure what are they doing with our data but there's something that we do know:
- Google's business model is: here's some free stuff, use it, and I'll get all that data and I'll make money somehow.
- Apple's business model is based on "private devices" and that's why even when an iPhone might be inferior to a Samsung device, it still has "an edge". That was Apple a while ago, then came iCloud, and all the iConnected stuff, and analytics, so, it's really hard to know how much of this is still true.