Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 6 photos turning dark for some due to out-of-sync flash

Google Pixel users are facing an unusual problem when attempting to capture photos in dimly lit environments. According to reports, the camera flash is out of sync, leading to dark and unusable photos on the Pixel 6, Pixel 7, and Pixel 7a phones that are renowned for their impressive low-light photography.

The problem manifests in two ways. In some cases, the flash fires briefly a split second before the camera actually captures the image, leaving the scene shrouded in darkness. In other cases, the camera takes multiple shots before the flash synchronizes correctly, resulting in an inconsistent and unreliable experience.

Testing on our Google Pixel 7a revealed a hit-and-miss pattern. In some instances, the flash works correctly, while in others, the phone captures the photo after the flash turns off. While our testing focused on the Pixel 7a, reports span various Pixel models, including the Pixel 6 and 7 series. Curiously, no issues have been reported with the latest Pixel 8, suggesting a potential software culprit specific to older models. Below is a trio of photos captured in the same place under the same conditions showing the behavior of the flashlight on our Pixel 7a unit. Click/tap on each image for a better view.

The surge in user complaints started last month after the Pixel Camera 9.2 update, indicating a potential software-related issue. However, even on devices running newer Android builds, including the stable January 2024 build and the latest Android 14 QPR2 beta, the problem persists, suggesting that Google has yet to find a definitive solution. While a product expert has labeled this anomaly as a bug, Google has not officially acknowledged the issue. This lack of official recognition from Google adds to the frustration for Pixel users. However, the product expert is urging Pixel users affected by the camera flash synchronization problem to contact Google support and provide details of their experience in hopes of expediting a resolution.

Below is a video of the issue shared by one Pixel 6 user on Reddit:

This out-of-sync flash issue significantly impacts low-light photography, a key selling point for Pixel phones. But in the meantime, you may have to embrace daylight photography or use external lighting sources to mitigate the issue until Google provides an update on the matter.