As if Pixel users aren’t already troubled with many issues, a new problem has emerged with the latest Pixel 9 series smartphones. Several issues already affecting Pixel phones include annoying quick phrases pop-ups, fingerprint not working, Gemini Assistant not responding, and more. And now, it has come to light that a plethora of Pixel 9 users have been facing GPS issues where it is wildly inaccurate or weak.
For those who rely heavily on GPS, this is a significant impediment, a major drawback, or an unacceptable flaw. Many affected users have taken to Reddit and Google Pixel’s community forum to raise their concerns. Users say that the GPS is unreliable on the Pixel 9 series phones. They even compared the GPS accuracy with their previous model, i.e. older Pixel phones or Samsung phones, and concluded that the GPS on the Pixel 9 is not precise.
Pixel 9 users reporting different GPS problems
While Google has yet to officially acknowledge the problem, the sheer volume of user complaints suggests a potentially serious underlying issue, possibly related to hardware. Affected users are reporting a range of problems.
1. Missed turns and inaccurate navigation:
Drivers using Google Maps, Waze, and other navigation apps are finding that the Pixel 9 fails to accurately track their location, leading to missed turns and frustrating detours. One user reported consistently being “told to turn after already passing the intersection.”
2. Erratic location tracking during hikes:
Trekkers using apps like Gaia GPS to track hikes are experiencing “location dancing,” where the GPS jumps erratically, recording false movement and inflating distance calculations. This not only skews fitness data but also makes it difficult to navigate trails effectively.
3. Weak GPS signal and location fluctuations
Even basic location tracking seems to be affected, with users reporting a weak GPS signal and significant location fluctuations, especially when the phone is not in direct line of sight with the sky. One user noted that “holding the phone in my hand improves it a lot,” suggesting a potential issue with the phone’s antenna design or placement.
4. Anomalous readings and “phantom movement”
Some users are observing strange GPS behavior, including “spurs, backtracking, and wild swings in elevation” during activities like hiking. Even when stationary, the phone may register movement, creating inaccurate activity records.
These issues are particularly concerning for those who rely heavily on their phones for navigation and location-based services. The inconsistency and unreliability of the Pixel 9’s GPS are causing some users to consider returning their devices, a disappointing turn of events for what is otherwise a highly anticipated flagship phone.
Google’s acknowledgment on Pixel 9 GPS bug
With the mounting evidence of GPS problems, it is crucial for Google to acknowledge the issue and provide a timely solution. While Google hasn’t directly acknowledged this problem, a response on the Google Issue tracker gives us some more clarity. As per them, this issue isn’t related to Google Maps. That means, it has something to do with either the Android OS or perhaps, the hardware on the device.
The issue seems unrelated to Google Maps Platform APIs and out of our support scope. Please note that this place is to report Google Maps Platform API bugs and feature requests and not for these kinds of concerns. We’ll be closing this as we are unable to work on your issue.
If it turns out to be a hardware bug, it will be hard to fix. However, whether the problem lies in software or hardware, is yet to be known. We hope that Google acknowledges this bug and comes up with a solution soon.