Google acknowledges screen bumps on Pixel 8 Pro; says it has "no functional impact"

Following the launch of the Google Pixel 8 series, several users began to notice ‘screen bumps or bulges’ that theoretically should not be there. This issue generated debate at the time, even causing cases of people asking for a warranty replacement.

Now, a little over a month after our original coverage, we finally have an official word from the Google team.

It seems that the issue was important enough for a Google spokesperson to come out with a public explanation. In this regard, the company spokesperson said the following:

“Pixel 8 phones have a new display. When the screen is turned off, not in use and in specific lighting conditions, some users may see impressions from components in the device that look like small bumps. There is no functional impact to Pixel 8 performance or durability.”

So, although Google recognizes the presence of these screen bumps on multiple Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro devices, the company’s current position is not to consider them as a defect. According to the statement, the bumps could actually be impressions of internal components, and will have no functional impact.

This contrasts with some cases from a few weeks ago (like the one from Redditor _Eulenmongol_) where affected users got a new unit:

It’s notable that the same Redditor verified that the screen bumps were also present in the new received Google Pixel 8, so they chose to keep it since it seems to occur on many units. The presence of these bumps on many devices could be the reason that forced Google to give an official word on the matter.

Pixel 8 and 8 Pro screen bumps are usually not noticeable to the naked eye, since you have to see them from a specific angle or under certain lighting conditions. Therefore, it should not affect daily use of the phone in any way, although some claim that once they noticed them, they could no longer stop seeing them. A similar situation occurred in Samsung’s Galaxy S23 series.

It is quite normal that these types of issues generate concern among users about possible hardware defects in their new devices. However, Google has gone public calling for calm to try to alleviate the situation.