Google’s new Pixel 10 series is facing serious criticism as users report disturbing bugs affecting emergency calls and display functionality.
TLDR:
- Some Pixel 10 users are unable to reach 911, instead hearing garbled noises during emergency calls.
- Widespread reports of display issues, including “screen snow” and colored stripes, are making the phones temporarily unusable.
- Google has yet to officially comment, though Reddit posts show company accounts interacting with affected users.
- The problems may stem from hardware faults or software bugs and span across all Pixel 10 variants.
What Happened?
Just weeks after the release of the Pixel 10 series, Google is facing a fresh round of user complaints involving critical issues. Reports are surfacing of users being unable to contact emergency services and others dealing with severe display malfunctions. While some bugs seem intermittent, others are making the devices completely unusable.
Pixel 10 , can someone explain,second day of usage (brand new) i opened whatsapp and thats what happened!! I lock the screen open back on and it disappeared
byu/Ok_Economist_3997 inpixel_phones
Emergency Call Failures Raising Safety Concerns
One of the most alarming problems reported involves the failure to reach 911 using the Pixel 10. A Reddit user detailed multiple attempts to contact emergency services on their Pixel 10 Pro XL. Instead of connecting to an operator, they were met with a disturbing mix of electronic screeches, garbled beeps, and ghostly voice fragments, describing it as “like trying to talk to aliens through a broken modem.”
- The user tried calling four times without success, only managing to connect using a different phone, the Pixel 7, at the same location and carrier.
- Incoming calls from 911 worked fine on the Pixel 10, further narrowing the issue to outbound emergency dialing.
- At least one other Reddit user confirmed similar problems while dialing 911 on a Pixel 10 device.
- This mirrors a previous issue from 2022 where Pixel devices also had trouble with emergency calls, prompting a fix from Google.
So far, this bug seems limited in scope, but its implications are severe. The exact cause is unclear, though speculation points to either a network compatibility problem, possibly involving Google Fi, or a firmware bug specific to the Pixel 10 series.
Display Problems: Snowy Screens and Colored Stripes
Apart from emergency call failures, numerous Pixel 10 users are reporting display glitches that significantly impact usability.
Screen Snow Issue
A bug known as “screen snow” causes the screen to freeze and display pink, colorful static lines, much like an old broken television. This issue has been seen across the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL models.
- Android Authority experienced the bug during regular use on YouTube. The phone’s lower half froze and stayed unresponsive for ten minutes before recovering.
- Users noted the device wasn’t hot when the issue occurred, suggesting it’s likely not related to overheating.
- Disabling features like Always on Display and dark mode reportedly reduced the frequency of the bug, though did not eliminate it.
Colored Stripe Glitch
Other users reported seeing bright red, green, or blue stripes filling the screen, often making the phone temporarily useless. In some cases, locking and unlocking the device temporarily resolved the issue.
- These symptoms point to potential problems with the graphics chip, motherboard, or faulty display hardware.
- The timing of the defect, just days after launch, suggests a possible manufacturing flaw or poor quality control.
- Users are being encouraged to exchange or return their devices where possible, as repairs may be expensive and wait times could increase if more users are affected.
Google has not yet released an official statement, though the PixelCommunity Reddit account has been engaging with users, suggesting the company is actively investigating. As of now, no fix has been included in recent Pixel software updates.
What TechKV Thinks?
In my experience, launch bugs are one thing, but failing to call 911 is inexcusable. That’s a basic function every phone must get right. No camera upgrade or AI feature can justify a smartphone that fails in emergencies or randomly turns into a static-filled brick. I found the user reports both frustrating and alarming. If I had a Pixel 10, I would be seriously reconsidering whether to keep it or return it until Google delivers a solid fix. It’s 2025, and we shouldn’t still be asking if our phones can make a simple call or display the screen correctly.
