The new Google Pixel 4 has experienced a series of problems since they went on sale last October. Some users have reported problems with performance or with the battery, but now a problem that affects the screen, specifically the oleophobic screen coating of the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4XL panel, begins to be seen.
As reported by the colleagues at Android Central, this protector is beginning to deteriorate in some Pixel 4 devices, including the unit they have in their possession. The problem has begun to appear within a few weeks and after moderate use. It could be isolated problems, but remember that the Pixel 2 was famous in its day for presenting a very similar deterioration, which was replicated in some Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL devices.
Pixel 4: Terrible oleophobic screen coating
The oleophobic coating is a layer that manufacturers add to most touchscreen devices that helps it repel oils. Technically the coating is usually lipophobic and hydrophobic. It’s the property that helps you use your phone all day. Touching it with your naturally oily fingers. Without the screen looking and feeling like you’ve been resting a piece of pizza on it. It’s standard practice to not put this sort of coating on the glass back of phones to help you get some grip on the pane, but just about every phone nowadays as a coating on the screen.
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As you see in the photo above, the Pixel 4 has begun to lose this protection. Which apparently does not have sufficient quality, as was the case with previous models. According to the source, after five weeks of use, this problem has appeared.
There’s a solution?
The solution can be to place a screen protector, either high quality tempered glass or a cheaper plastic. In both cases, they usually include oleophobic treatment to prevent the screen from constantly looking dirty. Now, we will see if this Pixel 4 problem is spreading in a massive way. Or if it is a problem-focused on some specific units.
Maybe I should just go Android One instead of Pixel when I move on from my Pixel 2.
Don’t believe the hype man… The Pixel 4 Xl is hands down the best way to experience Android
Coming from a Pixel 2XL, it ticks all the boxes for me. Performance (in terms of responsiveness rather than sustained benchmarks) is great, 90Hz display is a nice step up, the return of charging means battery life is a nonissue for me (Put it down on the desk, and oh, it’s charged when go to pick it up again), and Soli has thus far been generally useful in a subtle way (activation on reach, and quieting alarms and rings before contact, rather than hand-waving demos). Camera is again amazingly good. miss the fingerprint reader for the notification swipe gesture, but it also means I can unlock and authenticate payments (pattern/code unlock is no good here) quickly without taking my gloves off – or even taking the phone out of the mount – to pay for
Doesn’t the screen constantly switch to a lower refresh rate to preserve the battery tho? I mean anything under a 3,000 mamp battery with a 90hz refresh rate is going to kill the battery. Even Oneplus with a 4,000+battery struggles when 90hz is enabled all the time. I can’t think of any other flagship phone with a battery starting in the 2,000s
I wonder what causes this? I’ve had had each Pixel model so far and have never had this issue despite heavily using it for games like pubg and COD etc. Until now never knew this was an issue. My BF also has had Pixel devices and never had this issue. What you doing to the phone, cleaning it with acid? Is this possibly fake news? 🤣
Amazing,
I’ve owned the Pixel XL, Pixel XL2, and now a XL 4, let me see, I’ve never had any screen coating come off any of them, the batteries on all three were/are reasonable, the cameras are great, the software is amazing, the timely updates make up for the small issues most of which are fixed via updates, did I mention timely. Being a former Samsung fan timely updates are maybe in 6 months maybe, oh yeah my Note 7 fiasco, sorry guys you are HUGE whiners!!!!
If you don’t like it return it, save your whining for something that actually is a major concern, otherwise put a screen protector on and a case, if not your not only a whiner but kind if stupid to!!!
100% agree with every single word!! Lol but if your going to call someone stupid you probably don’t want improper Grammer/spelling following the word stupid…”but kind if stupid to” should be stated….. but kind of stupid too.
Thanks Justin,
Ur right, but using my Pixel XL4 😁 makes my after bad Grammer worse, I’ll try and proof better lolol.
See what I mean!!!!
Sorry Justin, but your grammar must be perfect b4 u criticise the other commentators lol. It’s “if you’re going to call someone stupid”…. Not “if your going to call someone stupid” lol… “You’re” as in a person, “your” as in a possession… Maybe it was a typo I’m sure you’ll tell me 🤣😜
So, you’re an idiot, that’s essentially what you’re saying. Why would you own both a Pixel XL and Pixel 2 XL?
These phones get 3 years of updates. Only a fool wastes money on a product that was serviceable for another couple years. You really are in no place to talk.
I started with the pixel XL, then weeks before the release of the pixel 4, Verizon offered me the pixel 2 for $100. I jumped on it. Thus then I went from the pixel 1 to the 2…
Bull. I can clearly see from the picture that the device has been dropped or damaged. Just look at the screen, it’s actually dented in, almost like a hammer came down on it. If you treat your device like crap, well, that’s what you’re going to get.
I own 3 Pixel devices. Not a single one has had problems. Not only that, but I’ve never heard of this issue, EVER. There’s something not right about this reporting.
Look in the picture by his thumb. The screen has been damaged already. That is what causing the problem, not some coating. Nobody has ever complained of this before, unless they’re trying to score a new phone because of their own carelessness. This must be fake news.
WTF haha this is BS I had the Pixel 2 XL and now upgraded to the Pixel 4 XL and I have never had this issue. Have you stopped and wonder that maybe you should wash your hands once in a while or maybe stop eating Cheetos while playing with your phone. Look at this dude’s fingers they look pretty grease af … Just saying.
I’m the owner of Pixel 2 and never ever had any problems with screen coating . In fact I do believe that Pixel phones are amazing and I’m looking forward to how they develop in future.
Never had this issue or heard of it even on my pixel 2xl and my 4xl is the best phone I’ve ever owned. How much is Huawei/ZTE paying you to put this out? ALSO I can log into my Gmail from gizChina but Google is not even in China! Hmmm coincidence I think not.
Does Google have to be in China to be able to sign in to Google in China then lol?
I’ve only had this problem with ANY phone (for that matter) due to moisturizers in the cold months. After the oils run into my skin, I don’t have the problem. Maybe the author is just too greasy?
100% BS – zero credibility. I know of no one who has seen this issue. Fake news indeed.
Stop cleaning your phones with alcohol based cleaners?
I had that issue with my first Pixel 2 XL after a week of moderate use, Google replaced it no issues. Now after 2 years I’m having it wear thin again. But after 2 years I expect it. Battery is still fine.
This article is so badly written. If you’re a journalist please don’t use fragments in your writing, learn how to construct a whole sentence 🙄
I’m calling BS on this, notice the top of the phone isn’t shown in that picture. Also, that phone is very wide.
I’m on my second Pixel and never seen this problem.
Fake news haha Actually, worse, lazy journalism without fact checking. See something gaining clocks, re-post for views. You should be shamed!
Pixel 2Xl and now Pixel 4XL, never experienced this “problem”.
Another article bashing the best phone on the market simply for the views.
Another misinformation article from China. Anything coming from China and Russia is fake news meant to spread across the world like wildfire. Never trust these countries, and never let them build your 5G network. They are spying on us, and handing all our info to their communist leaders. Don’t believe fake news. We know the truth!