Google Pixel 8 Pro random reboot or crashing issue pushes some to replace units

The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro started shipping last week, and we are now beginning to see the first impressions and reviews from early adopters. Admittedly, my X timeline has seen an uptick in positive stuff being said about the phones especially when compared to their predecessors, and it gets me even more excited about the Pixel’s future. But even as most people revel in good moments, there are several others experiencing random reboots and crashing issues on their Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.

The Pixel 8 pair has been hailed as the best ever smartphone from Google. It may sound generic given this has been said with just about every new phone release from major companies. But in truth, there are some good things to write home about the Pixel 8 series.

The design is sleek. The display is first-class. The battery got bigger and better and so did the fast charging tech juicing it. There have been no damning reports of cellular connectivity and overheating issues still plaguing the Pixel 7. The cameras are just some next-level stuff, especially now that video recording is so much better. And to top things off, Google promises industry-leading 7 years of software support.

But none of these glorious things matter if your Pixel 8 won’t stay powered on due to some random reboot or crashing issue popping up multiple times a day. I’d totally understand my 6-year-old Nokia 5 randomly rebooting on me. After all, it has quite old software and aging hardware. But I’d equally be fuming if a week-old $1000 phone starts behaving similar to the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro.

Looking at the multiple reports shared in Google Pixel community forums and Reddit, the Pixel 8 often reboots or crashes when doing basic tasks like opening the notification center or quick settings menu, unlocking the SIM, or even when browsing system settings. It also happens when using certain apps such as Google Photos, Chrome and YouTube. When the crash happens, the phone goes back to the home screen. In worst cases, the Pixel 8 freezes, touch becomes unresponsive and then reboots. Below is a video from one of those affected.

There are plenty of other scenarios that trigger the random reboot or crashing bug on the Pixel 8. Most threads I saw on the official community and Reddit simply have comments from other users noting they have the same problem. Since Google hasn’t put out any official statement, it’s unclear what the issue is about. Some are already pointing to a hardware problem, but it’s still too early to say.

Several others have already submitted replacement requests and are waiting for a new unit from Google. So we’ll keep an eye and let you know if these issues persist even on replacement models. You’re also welcome to share your experience in the comments.

Featured image: Google

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