Google recently released the latest November update for the Pixel 2 XL which brings a new ‘Saturated mode’ to the device. The new colour mode allows users to set warmer colours on the phone and was released as a result of many users complaining of the washed out and undersaturated colours of the display. Now, a new screen flashing issue is being reported by some Pixel 2 XL users.
The issue was posted by a user on Google’s Product Forums along with a video which highlights the aforementioned issue. When the Pixel 2 XL is being unlocked, its screen flashes briefly before waking up to show notifications and the home screen. According to the user, the issue was first noticed just a couple of hours after the smartphone was purchased.
Soon after the problem was posted, many other Pixel 2 XL users started reporting of the same issue with their units. They said that the smartphone’s screen sometimes flashes while unlocking the device or when the screen wakes up due to notifications. Some users said that the screen flashes just before the phone is manually locked. According to the original poster, restarting and booting into safe mode or even performing a factory reset on the Pixel 2 XL doesn’t solve the problem.
Another major issue reported with the Pixel 2 XL's display is the screen burn-in and appearance of a blue tint when the display is viewed from an angle. The burn-in issue was reported within two weeks of the distribution of review units and the observed blue tint, due to which users see the colour shift from slight angles, is said to be a hardware issue.
The November update for the smartphone works around the burn-in issue by hiding the on screen navigation bar after a brief period of inactivity and by reducing the maximum screen brightness. Google Pixel 2 owners have also reported of a 'clicking’ sound on some of the device.