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Google's May update could be causing battery life issues in Pixel phones — here's what we know
Google's May update could be causing battery life issues in Pixel phones — here's what we know

Tom's Guide

time21-05-2025

  • Tom's Guide

Google's May update could be causing battery life issues in Pixel phones — here's what we know

Since Google's May security update went live you may have noticed that your Pixel phone hasn't been able to hold a charge as well. You aren't alone in that. As spotted by 9to5Google, Pixel owners have flooded the Google support forums and the Google Pixel subreddit with complaints that the battery life is draining far too fast. There are also complaints of overheating. Often, when these kinds of reports come in it can be isolated, but the sheer number of reports coming in hint at a larger issue. On the Google forums the topic is listed as a a trending issue. The Google forum has had moderators recommend you submit a Feedback report via the phone. This can be done by going to Settings - About phone - Send feedback. Allegedly, Google employees don't read the forums but do see the feedback reports. The mega thread on Reddit has some tips like turning off Bluetooth and GPS or looking at the Apps consuming battery tool. As a last resort, a factory reset is suggested to help clear things up. From what we can tell, the problem is affecting all Pixels that are capable of getting the update from Pixel 6 devices up to the current Pixel 9 series. There was one claim that Instagram is causing the problem but it's not a common complaint about the the social app. Software updates are intended to bring new features and can also come with several fixes, but there situations when unintentional issues like this can arise. Google has not posted an official response to these reports from what we've seen. Tom's Guide as reached out to Google for comment and will update if the company responds. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.

Android 16 Beta 4 is ready for your Pixel
Android 16 Beta 4 is ready for your Pixel

Yahoo

time09-05-2025

  • Yahoo

Android 16 Beta 4 is ready for your Pixel

When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Android 16 Beta 4 is here for all supported Pixels, packed with fixes and tweaks. Beta 4 brings the April 2025 security patch, squashing bugs and critical CVEs. Key fixes include battery drain, wonky haptics, and radar issues in Pixel Weather. Factory images are available for manual installs, and OTA updates are rolling out (BP22.250325.007). Google has rolled out Android 16 Beta 4 to all supported Pixels, and it's the last beta before the big launch next month, loaded with fixes, polish, and broader device support. The latest update drop didn't really spill much about what's new under the hood. And since we're this close to the stable release—likely lining up with Google I/O in May—it's safe to say we're not expecting any big surprises. This build is probably just about tightening screws, squashing bugs, and making sure everything runs smooth for launch day. Beta 4 packs the April 2025 security patch, locking down two stealthy bugs and a bunch of other critical CVEs. Google has also dropped the factory images for those who like the manual route, and the OTA rollout is already underway (look for build BP22.250325.007). Android 16 Beta 4's official notes reveal fixes for some pretty key bugs, such as weird battery drain, glitchy haptics, and radar not working in the Pixel Weather app. It also squashes system stability issues and random launcher crashes some folks were dealing with. Additionally, a few Pixel users have taken to Reddit to report that the "Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock" option has gone missing after installing the latest Android 16 beta (via Android Police). If you've got a Pixel, from the 6 series all the way up to the new 9 lineup (including Fold, Tablet, and A models), you're good to go with the Android 16 Beta 4 update. A big highlight in this release is the first-ever beta build for the freshly launched Pixel 9a, which is now part of the Android Beta Program's device lineup. Google is sticking to its Q2 2025 launch plan and letting beta testers know they'll get automatic OTA update notifications once it's ready to roll. Following in the footsteps of OnePlus and Xiaomi, Google is opening up the Android 16 beta to even more brands. Now, iQoo, Lenovo, Oppo, Realme, Sharp, Vivo, and Honor devices are also getting in on the pre-release action. To check if Android 16 Beta 4 is ready for your Pixel, head to Settings > System > Software updates, then tap "System update." From there, hit "Check for updates" to see if it's available.

Pixel users say Google's image processing is ruining shots. Are you affected?
Pixel users say Google's image processing is ruining shots. Are you affected?

Android Authority

time08-05-2025

  • Android Authority

Pixel users say Google's image processing is ruining shots. Are you affected?

Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR Several Pixel users are reporting discrepancies between their camera viewfinder previews and the final processed photos. Most of the complaints focus on over-processed images with inaccurate color balance. The issue could be Google's HDR processing, which unfortunately cannot be turned off. Pixels have long been known for being some of the most consistent and safest options for a great camera Android phone. While there are Android flagships from Chinese brands that arguably take better photos and videos these days, recent Pixels like the Pixel 9 series stay right up there towards the top. However, not all users seem happy with Pixel's image processing, and we're seeing frequent complaints about over-processed photos. A Reddit user recently went on a rant about their Pixel 9 Pro's photo processing, complaining that the photo they click often turns out quite different from what they see in their viewfinder. The viewfinder image shows the correct colors, but the processed photo after clicking ends up messing with the color balance to a great degree. The Redditor attached this composite image of their orange Shelby for reference, with the processed image on the left, and the viewfinder image on the right: Reddit user abcde__edcba Final image output (left) vs viewfinder preview screenshot (right) Several others in the Reddit thread agree. Yea, it looks good when you snap the picture, you go to the gallery, see the good pic for a split second and then it gets the crazy over processing applied. As a photographer it hurts to see. The Reddit post mentions that Ultra HDR is turned off on their phone, and changing the image's resolution between 12MP and 50MP has no effect. Further, even the 'Rich color in photos' setting (which uses the Display P3 color format instead of sRGB) is said to have no effect, though the user acknowledges this could be a bug. The Reddit post mentions that users can sidestep the over-processed images by turning on Top Shot, choosing a different picture, and saving it as a copy. If you don't turn on Top Shot, there is no way for the user to turn off the HDR processing, and you'd be left with photos with incorrect colors. Another Reddit user went on a similar rant last month, and there's even a video this time around to show the difference in the preview vs the final image output: There are a few things potentially wrong here. The primary culprit could be overzealous HDR processing, which is applied to the top shot image, while the others are left with SDR processing when saved as a copy. There's no way to turn off HDR on the Google Camera app, which makes the user feel stuck, compounding the issue. There's also a mismatch between what you see in the viewfinder and the final output, so Google could 'fix' the situation by presenting a better preview, giving users a more 'realistic' output. We'll be testing the issue more thoroughly to determine what has changed with Pixel's camera processing, if any. Meanwhile, we're interested in hearing your experiences with your Pixel phone. Are you also facing color balance issues with your Pixel? Are you experiencing aggressive HDR in your images, and what are your opinions on it? Which device and which platform update? Let us know in the comments below! Are you happy with your Pixel's camera processing? 0 votes Yes, I am happy with the camera processing on my Pixel. NaN % No, I am not happy with my Pixel's camera processing. NaN % I do not own a Pixel. NaN % Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.

Samsung Galaxy Deadline—You Have 3 Weeks To Update Your Phone
Samsung Galaxy Deadline—You Have 3 Weeks To Update Your Phone

Forbes

time07-05-2025

  • Forbes

Samsung Galaxy Deadline—You Have 3 Weeks To Update Your Phone

Samsung's new update deadline confirmed. AFP via Getty Images Android is under attack — again. Google confirmed as much this week, before issuing an immediate update for its Pixel phones. Now Samsung has done the same, releasing details of its May security update with the fix included. There's a nasty twist with this one, though, with Samsung's phones particularly vulnerable to the attack. Meta was first to disclose CVE-2025-27363, detailing an arbitrary code execution vulnerability in FreeType font rendering software that 'may have been exploited in the wild.' Now Google says Android phones have been attacked. Forbes Samsung's Android Mistake—Do Not Leave Your Galaxy At Risk By Zak Doffman The twist is that Android's security bulletin says the fix only applies to Android 13 and 14, suggesting Android 15 has already been addressed. That means Samsungs are vulnerable where Pixels are not, given that the Galaxy-maker was late to the party with One UI 7's Android 15 rollout, and millions of phones have not yet been upgraded. Now America's cyber defense agency has issued an update warning for all affected devices, with a May 27 deadline to either update or stop using phones. The formal mandate applies just to U.S. federal employees, but CISA's remit is 'to help every organization better manage vulnerabilities and keep pace with threat activity.' The good news with this vulnerability and fix is that Samsung has been almost as fast as Google in confirming the fix. That's not always the case. We have seen multiple occasions where Samsungs have run a month behind Pixels with these updates, even with a CIAS mandate in place which Samsung devices have missed. Clearly, this only applies to those Galaxy phones yet to upgrade to Android 15, and that upgrade satisfies the update mandate per Android's security bulletin. If you're sticking with Android 14 for now — by choice or otherwise, then ensure you apply the update as soon as it's made available for your model, region and carrier. You should be able to meet the deadline, given it's late in the month. Forbes Google Starts Scanning All Your Emails After Gmail Upgrade By Zak Doffman CISA warns that 'FreeType contains an out-of-bounds write vulnerability when attempting to parse font subglyph structures related to TrueType GX and variable font files that may allow for arbitrary code execution.' Google explains this 'could lead to local code execution with no additional execution privileges needed,' and that 'user interaction is not needed for exploitation.' All of which means you need to take this seriously.

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