Ron Amadeo
Does the Pixel camera have a hardware problem? Android police have tracked down numerous reports of broken cameras on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 3, and the Pixel-exclusive Google Camera app is being reviewed-bombarded with tons of 1-star reviews from users saying their cameras are no longer working. Google told the site that it knew of no software issues, indicating that all of these people were experiencing a hardware failure.
The problems range from the camera app crashing immediately when opened and displaying a black screen, or an error message with the caption “Something went wrong. Close and reopen the camera app.” Claims about what exactly is causing the problems are all over the place, but it seems difficult to blame a software bug because the Google camera and third-party apps are affected, and removing updates and factory settings may not be the problem do not solve.
The main complaint level on the Pixel Help forums is now almost 900 responses. The oldest device, the Pixel 2, seems to be the most affected, but reports for the Pixel 3, 3a and 4 are out there. Every Pixel camera from Pixel 2 to Pixel 5 has the same camera sensor (a Sony IMX363 / IMX362), so it’s possible that it’s all affected.
Android police have contacted Google, saying “the company presents hardware errors as a possible explanation – due to wear and tear over time, or abuse such as physical damage or fall.” The site continues: “The company invites interested parties to contact Google Customer Support to explore their options.”
Previously, many of Google’s Nexus phones were caught in a hardware problem due to a lack of flash memory. These phones would eventually stop working, leading to a series of lawsuits. Most Nexus phones are manufactured by LG, with the Nexus 6P the only Huawei device. The Pixel 2 was built using LG, while the Pixel 2 XL was made with HTC. After the Pixel 2, Google bought the team he worked with from HTC and started manufacturing devices at Foxconn.