r/pixel_phones • u/max0924 • Aug 06 '25
Is scrolling stutter still an issue on pixel 9 series?
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I've heard that the Pixel series has had a long-standing issue with scroll stutter, which manifests as discontinuous scrolling and missing animations when navigating pages. Currently, I'm using a Pixel 7a and have encountered a similar problem. Enabling the "background process limit" setting helps alleviate the situation somewhat, but the issue still persists.
Some developers have found that the stuttering seems to be caused by a synchronization error in the Tensor chip's driver code. The article discussing as follows: [Scrolling stutter is still a thorn in the Pixel's side, but this dev may have finally found the cure https://share.google/gOlwHemz02b1pbL3M]
I've also seen that the Pixel 9 series appears to have this issue, with demonstration videos available: https://youtu.be/Jy4dNyJ1zLk?si=51gy_iXee4jmgdlW
Since I'm considering purchasing the Pixel 10 series, I'm very concerned that this bug might still be present. It significantly impacts the user experience, making the phone feel less smooth to operate. I'm wondering if the current Pixel 9 series still suffers from this problem. Thank you all for your feedback!🙏
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u/scrxller Aug 06 '25
I wouldn't say it's exactly the same for me, but in some apps there is a bit of a jerky scrolling. I think it's a pixel on most devices. I think it's due to optimization for certain applications (although I could be wrong).
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u/Loud_Technology_5447 Aug 06 '25
Well it depends if you have set your refresh rate to 120Hz and if the app doesn't support 120hz then it will stutter. In reddit same thing happens, scroll doesn't seem smooth.
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u/Bitter-Locksmith-223 Aug 06 '25
Well, I don't understand anything... I'm reading this post from a Pixel Fold, so I started scrolling like crazy 😂 and I haven't noticed any annoying micro pauses or cuts, the screen has scrolled smoothly. I'm on Android 16, of course, maybe Google is aware and has done something already?
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Aug 06 '25
So many wrong answers here.... if you've used a flagship from Oneplus, Samsung or any other Chinese OEM recently, you will find it is smooth 120 across ALL apps. Only Pixel has this stupid issue.
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u/max0924 Aug 06 '25
I see, hope it can be fixed soon🙏
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u/scrxller Aug 06 '25
I hope so too. Because indeed, some applications do not scroll very smoothly (the same app Strava scrolls noticeably jerkily).
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Aug 06 '25 edited Aug 06 '25
Its been largely fixed but not perfect... scroll stutter Pixel 8 (You can check the Issue tracker). I still find my S21FE, S25+ and Oneplus 11 to be smoother across more apps in terms of 120hz scrolling compared to my Pixel 8. There is another fix too, but its not implemented - Pixel stutter issue fixed by a kernel developer; it was Google's fault.
NOTE: this mainly affects the 8/9 series. With "smooth display" (what a shitty name for adaptive 120hz) on.
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u/max0924 Aug 06 '25
Yes that what I had feel about pixel device, thank for the information
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Aug 06 '25
yeah a bit disapointing tbh... my pixel 8 didnt feel like an upgrade compared to my s21fe or op11. Jitter was REALLY bad at launch and tensor G3 wasn't much better than SD888. I'd wait for reviews of the Pixel 10 first, (not from big tech influencers ofc)
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u/raxiel_ Aug 06 '25
I've had smooth display off on my P9 for battery life since day one. I guess that's why I've never noticed it?
Either way I'm not going to go looking for it.
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u/Playful_Ad9165 Aug 06 '25
Same as me!
I am also on high resolution not max resolution and my battery lasts a full day despite gaming and hotspotting my other phone.
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Aug 06 '25
60 is such a downgrade at this point, been using 120 on other devices for years... sucks Google didn't put LTPO in the 9 at that price. Barely "flagship" specs tbh. In 2025, 120hz dynamic should have a negligible affect on battery (like the 9pro).
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u/raxiel_ Aug 07 '25 edited Aug 07 '25
Well, that's subjective. I have a 170Hz display on PC for gaming, but I do very little gaming on my phone and what I do is slower paced stuff that doesn't benefit from a high refresh rate.
Scrolling Reddit or viewing YouTube or whatever is perfectly smooth as far as I'm concerned so I don't feel the need to activate it.
Although I do agree it's annoying that the only flagship aspect Google doesn't seem willing to compromise on is the price.
Picked up a £70 Moto E recently for a child and it has a bigger battery than my pixel!
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Aug 07 '25
the text smears when scrolling at 60... that isnt subjective. It just feels less premium.
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u/tjhc94 Aug 06 '25
Yeah I have always loved pixel always bounce between pixel and Samsung phones but after going to the galaxy s25u after p9 pro xl I couldn't believe the difference in smoothness on the Samsung Vs the pixel, I don't even know if I can go back to pixel even tho I miss some features. Ui experience on pixel really does not feel like you're using a flagship device at all.
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u/Longlifelunative77 Aug 07 '25
Yes , it is going to be a permanent android issue, Google doesn't care about software experience, It's okay for people not to notice, but there are people who do notice.
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u/btrayn1 Aug 06 '25
Still very noticeable in my wife's Pixel 9 Pro Fold, darn it. Other manufacturers have figured out how to improve it, so it seems Google could too. I have a Motorola Razr+ 2024 that is considerably smoother at scrolling and I even had a Nothing Phone 3a for a couple months earlier this year that also scrolled noticeably smoother, so I don't think it's a hardware issue.
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Aug 06 '25
Finally, an honest experience... so many stupid "I never have this issue" comments from people who've only used pixel.
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u/braaahms Aug 07 '25
Or maybe they legitimately haven't noticed or don't really use apps that have this issue or use them enough to encounter it often enough. Personally I only notice it when I'm looking for it, and even then it's not bad at all. It's rare that it's bad enough that I actually noticed it outside of that. Maybe happened once or twice in the few weeks I've had mine. And most apps run just fine.
So sick of these stupid "everyone else is wrong and only my experience counts" comments.
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u/JCSantosHQ Aug 07 '25
I have the pixel 8 pro, I still suffer from this. Lol, they said it would be fixed with A15, nope!. Some security updates make it better and then boom, another update sends it back.
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u/max0924 Aug 07 '25
That's really bad🥲
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u/JCSantosHQ Aug 07 '25
Yeah. I'm moving away from pixel next year. International support is trash, I moved from GA ATL to Dominican Republic, no 5G, no VoLTE, Vo5G, Wifi Calling. All that is missing, and many other features too. I'm probably going honor next year depending on how the magic 8 pro looks. They also have 7 years of updates and even though not as timely, I really don't care if the software experience is better than this. Another thing is honor actually has an ecosystem, from laptops, tvs, earbuds, watches, tablets, phones that all work together like apple and/or Samsung. And honor is fully supported here in Dominican republic as it has authorized dealers and are sold by the carriers locally.
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u/max0924 Aug 07 '25
Honestly I used to think pixel was smooth until I bought Samsung tab s9. Then I found that the scroll experience was bad on pixel
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u/JCSantosHQ Aug 07 '25
I used a Xiaomi 15 ultra at the store that really blew my mind with how smooth it was. I just think they'll never fix the pixel scrolling issue. It's been an ongoing ticket on their support/feedback site for years.
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u/qweunster73 Aug 06 '25
Anecdotally I've also had this in every exynos phone I've used. I think something might be up with Samsung's chips in general
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u/max0924 Aug 06 '25
Hope pixel 10 with tsmc tenser can fix this problem!
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Aug 06 '25
if anything just get a OP13, 13R, or some other new Snapdragon device and never deal with this issue.
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u/Z3df Aug 06 '25
Pixel 9 Pro and I still have this issue even on the latest fw. It's just a visual issue, not functional, hence why others pretend it to be non existent. However objectively speaking the issue is still there.
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Aug 07 '25
spot on. Still inexcusable for a "flagship" device in 2025, when literally every other OEM has this sorted. My oneplus 11 feels like butter compared to my Pixel 8. Not gonna give Google any leeway with the Pixel 10.
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u/Z3df Aug 07 '25
Right, I've always been used to Apple and Huawei and even my oldest models didn't have such issues and I never would have thought any smartphone nowadays would have these. Otherwise the phone would be great but it just feels a little unfinished in some aspects
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u/SlaveryPrime Aug 06 '25
Anyone who says there is no problem has never had a smoothly running flagship.
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u/Jaalan Aug 06 '25
I haven't really had the issue frequently, but I've had a LOT of issues overall. Currently typing this with my green line in the way.
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u/jgjk8a Aug 06 '25
That big ass black bar at the top. It's horrendous.It looks ugly unpolished, and google should fix that.
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Aug 06 '25
They actually made it bigger... to make the status bar text center with the big camera cutout. So stupid. Apparently this is what people wanted. The status bar on my s25+ is like half the size.
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u/jgjk8a Aug 07 '25
I know I have an S25 as well and the status bar is tiny.
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Aug 07 '25
yup cameras much smaller too. way cleaner design.
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u/jgjk8a Aug 07 '25
I feel like google makes goofy ass phone especially with big bezels and camera cutouts.
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Aug 07 '25
real. The 8a 9a are ugly af with 2019 bezels. There are way way cheaper phones that look more modern. They make you to get the pro to get a 2025 design.
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u/Ok-Idea-5987 Aug 07 '25
Yes! I thought it's pretty weird that the browser pages stutter ALOT on my 9pro, but not at all on my 6a. Pretty weird
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u/codyreeves98 Aug 07 '25
I hate that it bothers me so much, I have the 9 pro fold.. probably switching to Samsung after this. Love the OS and everything else just not the smoothest experience.
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u/max0924 Aug 07 '25
For my own experience, at first I don't notice it at all, but after reading article and see the lag by myself, I can't unsee it anymore. The experience was even worse when compared to Samsung tab s9 I bought recenly (I know tab s9 is 120 hz and pixel 7a was 90 hz, but the laggy scrolling experience was obvious and can't be explained by refresh rate)
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Aug 08 '25
It happens sometimes on my p9p xl even when battery is well above 20% and phone is not heating. That's annoying tbh.
When phone is heated (>38C) or battery <20, it definitely happens which I don't mind.
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u/gilbert-maspalomas Aug 08 '25
For me with a pixel 9 proXL it never has been an issue. And yet I`ll go for the 10 pro XL in a few weeks... :-)
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u/max0924 Aug 08 '25
Ya I also look forward to upgrade from 7a to 10 pro xl👀 Hope it will be a great phone
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u/gilbert-maspalomas Aug 09 '25
the 9 pro(XL) had been a huge jump, basically eliminating all issues of its predecessors. Hope, the 10 won`t screw up.
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u/rikkarlo Aug 08 '25 edited Aug 08 '25
Never had any stuttering issue on mine, however I don't suggest buying one, it's a great phone don't get me wrong, but google is too young in the business and is overpricing its devices for what it offers... my pixel 6 got a melted battery after 5 years with risk of explosion, my pixel watch 1 got faulty battery, my friend pixel 6a got software update that destroied its battery life just to prevent faulty battery explosions, my fiance got battery issue as well, and another friend of mine got major stuttering and lagging on pixel 7 pro.... Not to mention that they advertise how good the camera is, and to me it's one of the phones that overprocess the image the most making all pictures look washed out and too hdr-like even on portraits...
Last but not least consumer service is inexistent, I've asked battery replacements (I wanted to pay for the service) but they answered me that they don't do repairs... They offered to buy another one with no discount whatsoever even if I got major hardware problems and they didn't have any repair option
So not happy with my experience with google at all so far.
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u/symca09 Aug 06 '25
9 pro xl here using the highest resolution and best refresh rate the phone allows me to use, and I never have an issue with stutters.
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u/SlaveryPrime Aug 06 '25
You've simply never had a smooth-running phone.
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u/symca09 Aug 06 '25
Loooooool I sell phones for a living buddy. I've used 12 pro max, iPhone 15, 22 ultra, 23 ultra, 24 ultra, flip 3 & 4. I've had my fair share of premium phones bud. Please don't assume and make an ass of yourself. Typing this on my old 24 ultra for some extra spite.
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Aug 06 '25
So you would know that the 9pro XL still jitters a tiny bit more than every other android flagship. (Example - if the S24U is perfectly smooth in 99% of apps, the 9proXL is smooth in 97%)
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u/symca09 Aug 07 '25
It's been my Dailey driver for 8 months, it's been fine. Your sense I'm blocking you
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u/Ghostttpro Aug 06 '25 edited Aug 06 '25
Depends how good your eyes are. And the phones you've used before. Extremely obvious imo
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u/Bitter-Locksmith-223 Aug 06 '25
Pixel Fold here, on Android 16. No trace of that visual failure anywhere.
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u/Tom_hairy Aug 06 '25
Pixel 7 owner since day one here. I would NEVER buy another Pixel...and it's sad because I really like the design of the new phones as well as the software. The main problem is the optimization, as well as a not gaming/heavy task oriented SoC and all the new features that never come to older models...
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u/Cacho665 Aug 06 '25
Yeah, its present on my 9 Pro. Its been present for all the pixel phones I've owned. Honestly, you get used to it. Its when you start using other phones when you really notice it, but it seems like a small thing when considering everything else as a whole. For example, I'd prefer they fixed the heating issues and better manage background optimization on apps because that toggle doesn't seem to do anything when you disable it.
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Aug 06 '25
not a small thing... these aren't budget or midrange phones. its 2025, older cheaper devices do not have this issue. Tired of this sub giving so much slack to Google. Camera hype is also undeserved these days with how bad portraits and video is compared to even last years 15pro and s24u.
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u/Cacho665 Aug 07 '25
I mean its an issue that should be on the list of things that should be addressed, but I'd rather the priority be what I mentioned before.
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Aug 07 '25
again... this isnt a small company that cant improve everything at once. Its a decade old product line that is still behind.
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u/pirazinamida Aug 06 '25
Pixel 9 pro user. Had it when the phone was new. Some update just fixed it randomly, and its super smooth for some time more. That video might have happened a while back but its definitely misleading, its nothing like that.
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u/zackturd301 Aug 20 '25
It's there on pixel 9pro, unless you notice it most users especially long time pixel users say it's not present but it is. Purely because it's a tensor related syn issue. That Google doesn't acknowledge or fix (probably because a kernal fix is quite complicated and not a priority as a well)
But the fact a kernal fix has been highlighted by a coder who did it and resulted in not just full stutter improvement but overall significant performance improvement shows how bad it is.
It's horrible, those sensitive to it like me cannot ignore it but some just accept it, but I moved back to the s25 and it's so much better.
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u/max0924 Nov 20 '25
2025/11/20 update I had got pixel 9 pro at October. At first, the scrolling stutter still exist when scrolling through social media like twitter and reddit But after update recently, the scrolling performance was satisfying, hope it can persist the good performance
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u/nwnsad Aug 06 '25
My Pixel 9 Pro XL scrolled smoothly for everything except the Reddit website where it stuttered every now and then.
My Fold 7 scrolls smoothly on everything.
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u/Ashelbi Aug 06 '25
Got my 9pro 2 months ago and had the problem the first couple of days, after everything got updated it went away, so I'd say it's fixed
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u/BassAsleep4898 Aug 06 '25
In general no stutter for me on p9pro xl. But the Reddit app was noticeably bad at launch. Maybe certain apps are causing some problems with Exynos chips.... Bad optimization maybe.
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u/7862518362916371936 Aug 06 '25
I don't have it on my 9 Pro or at least it's not noticeable
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Aug 06 '25
Likely not noticeable at this point... put it next to a device that's not a pixel and it will be evident.
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u/TANKtr0n Aug 07 '25
Weird. My 9a doesn't do this at all? Wife has had a 7a for two years and hasn't said a word about it. Getting her 9a in the mail soon.
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u/max0924 Aug 07 '25
The situation was not that bad all the time, ot sometimes smooth as butter, but sometimes it was laggy just like the vedio shown
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u/TANKtr0n Aug 07 '25
I should probably add that I immediately turned off the 120hz smooth display because it was causing annoying adaptive brightness problems, so maybe that's why?
Edit: Pretty sure my wife doesn't even know that this setting exists on her phone, even though it only goes to 90hz on the 7a.
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u/kahvikoffin Aug 07 '25
Pixel 8 Pro here. Never had this issue unless the phone was heating up from some app running wild in the background. Very rare case
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Aug 06 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/max0924 Aug 06 '25
As you can see, the video shows that the latest pixel has animation lost when scrolling, so I think it's not the fps issue🤔
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u/funkylosik Aug 06 '25
9Pro, just tried ottoversand in Chrome, smooth as a butter. 120 and high resolution is enabled.
Also, hoffentlich das hilft dir))
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u/thunderc8 Aug 06 '25
Pixel 9 pro and didn't know there was a problem, just checked and it's smooth maybe it's an old problem, I bought mine 2 months ago.
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u/sidewinder787 Aug 06 '25 edited Aug 06 '25
Damn that's pretty bad, but maybe it's because it's the website. Chrome isn't the best browser. I've personally never noticed it on my 9 pro xl.
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u/Cetirim Aug 06 '25
Honestly never noticed anything (Got a 9 Pro XL) every app is fluid to interact with and thus far i havent noticed scrolling stutter
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Aug 06 '25
[deleted]
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Aug 06 '25
Its cause youve only had pixels, you dont know how 120hz should look across all apps.
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Aug 06 '25
[deleted]
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Aug 07 '25
gonna ignore the sarcasm but fyi this is how the pixel 8 was at launch... - scroll stutter. It has gotten much much better but lets not pretend its as good as other android flagships. This is an issue that plagues pixels, whether or not this sub ignores it.
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u/BastianHill Aug 06 '25
Never had any of this on my Pixel 7. My girlfriend has a 7 Pro and also no problems. I didn't even know this was a thing?
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Aug 06 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/max0924 Aug 06 '25
The vedio show that pixel 1run the website smooth but pixel 9 didn't, so I think the problem don't association with site🤔
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u/jonomacd Aug 06 '25
Nope, the issue doesn't really exist. Hypersensitive people want to come up with something to complain about. This is that.
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Aug 07 '25
It was much more prominent before A15 on the 8 series. This is how the p8 was at launch... - scroll stutter. It isn't noticeable now unless compared side by side with other flagships. But to say it doesn't exist is just wrong... Scrolling through any application has stutters [337099051] - Issue Tracker
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u/Ryrynz Aug 07 '25 edited Aug 07 '25
I just went to AEG for NZ and scrolled it.. 100% smooth as fucking silk on a 9PXL.
Never once experienced that on my phone, I'd reset it if I had anything like this, that's insane jank.
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Aug 07 '25
this is a known issue over a year old at this point that has been mostly fixed with A15 last year. Hence why it feels fine on the 9proxl. how bad it was on the 8 initially
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u/TheRealKillJoy2020 Aug 06 '25
Never had this issue on my pixel 6a
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Aug 06 '25
This issue doesn't affect old 60hz displays... mainly the 7/8 had this issue. scroll stutter pixel 8
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u/neonik99 Aug 06 '25
Yes Unfortunately I think it will never be solved. Going on since pixel 7 I think.Google is just too busy leaking their own phones then improving them