Google’s Pixel 4 has only recently launched, and it’s facing some major problems already. We recently reported about the face unlock problem that lets anyone unlock your phone when your eyes are closed, with Google promising a software update to fix the issue.
And now, there’s another problem with the Pixel 4: the device’s Smooth Display feature and how it works is pretty confusing. Early owners of the Pixel 4 are starting to find out that the Smooth Display feature, which sets the display rate to 90Hz, often comes down to the regular 60Hz.
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To avoid yet another controversy, Google has come out with an explanation as to how the feature works. The company said to make sure the battery life doesn’t get affected, it lowers the refresh rates in cases where the higher refresh rates aren’t necessary. “In some conditions or situations, we set the refresh rate to 60Hz. Some of these situations include: when the user turns on battery saver, certain content such as video (as it’s largely shot at 24 or 30fps), and even various brightness or ambient conditions,” the company said in a statement to The Verge.
Google’s Pixel 4 doesn’t include massive batteries to power the 90Hz refresh rate on the display throughout the day, so it has to go back to the regular 60Hz refresh rates to help last the device longer. Google says the company will roll out a new update “in the coming weeks” that will enable the new 90Hz Smooth Display in “more brightness conditions”.