Google Pixel 9 Pro camera bar separates from back panel, again – Android Police

Google’s range of Pixel phones are among the best devices money can buy, and they have used the camera visor design to distinguish themselves from other brands using an island or bump for their lenses. The camera bar first came with the Pixel 6 series in 2021, and you would think the company has the how-to aspect locked down by now. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case, because the Pixel 9 Pro camera bar tends to separate from the back panel.Defend your precious Pixel in styleGoogle has tried several revisions of the camera bar, with each having its own problems. The 6 series had a sturdy chassis, while the 7 was sensitive to sudden temperature changes. The 8 fared decently, but we can’t say the same for the latest Pixel 9 series announced last year. Back in October, one Pixel 9 Pro customer spotted their camera lenses fogging when in the shower, and popping the protective case off revealed the camera bar separating from the back panel.This person managed to secure a replacement from Google’s New York City store while the device was only two weeks old. They said the staff promised to escalate the issue, even though it seemed like an isolated incident at the time. Now, another Reddit post, also from a Pixel 9 Pro customer, narrates a similar experience.In this instance, the unfortunate owner says they have protected the three-month old device with a case and screen protector since the first hour of ownership. They also say the device was never dropped or damaged, but the camera bar is still separating from the rest of the phone with a massive crack running along the upper edge.In a comment under the post, the distressed owner says they contacted Google support about the issue that seemingly came out of nowhere, but the company seemingly refused to help since the device is more than 90 days old. We suppose the option of a third-party repair job is still on the table for this person, but theirs is the second case we’ve seen in the few months since the 9 Pro’s launch.In both instances, the bar separated along the upper edge, creating room for moisture damage and dirt ingress, potentially rendering the phone’s Ip rating meaningless. Given the commonalities between these incidents, we believe Google is well aware of the 9 Pro’s structural concerns, but it simply won’t take existing units off store shelves. We can hope designers go back to the drawing board to ensure the Pixel 10 doesn’t have the same issue, while an extended warranty replacement program is offered to all 9 Pro buyers. The brand has done this previously after owning up to hardware flaws, like for the Pixel 8 series display.Since there is no official confirmation on what caused the issue and how you can save your 9 Pro from such a fate, we would recommend sticking to Google’s own range of cases, or good ones with Made for Google certification, like those from Bellroy, Belkin, Dbrand, OtterBox, Spigen, UAG, and others. We hope these cases will fit better, reducing undue stress on the camera bar.We have reached out to Google for additional clarification, and will update the article if we hear back.We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.Your comment has not been savedFogging while in the shower? WTH are people doing with their phones?Maybe it was just sitting on the counter while they showered. I know our bathroom fogs over like crazy everywhere even with the fans running if we take really hot showers.Lets just say, you dont want to buy 2nd hand phones from me :)My buddy and I both have the 9 Pro XL. I got lucky and mine seems perfectly fine even though I didn’t have a case. He bought a car and it’s been in the case since the day he bought it, but a couple weeks ago he took the case off to clean it and found that the camera bar was completely separated, he just didn’t know because the case had held it on and hidden the problem. He’s normally a Samsung guy and now he’s REALLY regretting trying Google and wants to go back.Ok but what about the car he bought?I’d almost wager that taking the phone in and out of a case might almost be causing the issue, putting a angular force against the edge of the camera bar which sticks out nearly two “quarters” thick from the phone. Google needs to rethink the camera bar design change for the 9 with future devices.That’s plausible, given how both affected users say they were using a case. I hate to be the one to say it since I’ve had some really stupid crap happen to 4 pixels within the last year…but that looks like user damage. That big ass crack in the top isn’t going to happen out of the blue. My guess is put the phone on a back pocket and sat on it, and didn’t realize the bar cracked until later on or after removing the case. The Pixel 9 Pro camera bar is very heavy. Throws the weight of the phone off a lot. Never seen a phone with one end this heavy and I repaired phones for years up until 2022. I almost dropped mine a couple dozen times during the few days I owned it. I got rid of it as I suspected it would be a problem and am running a Pixel 6A until the 10 comes out and I’m buying it cash straight from Google as I’m sick of the bootloader locking nonsense. NEWS FLASH: Sometimes phones have design flaws….For me, the Pixel 6 series was the best iteration of the camera bar. It’s unobtrusive, durable, and fits well within a case. Google has made the design uglier and, apparently, less reliable with each successive redesign. I’m sticking with my 6a until it dies.Also…. It’s a serious amount of fingerprints on the device considering the owner said it’s been in a case since day one. If it were just a few fingerprints in that with it I would understand but that is clearly days of build up of hand grease. The bars on Pixel phones literally just clip in to the back cover, and the reason this one came out if you didn’t look closely is there’s a crack on the top of the bar itself. I don’t understand your comment, are you defending Google here or nah lolThe headline is Clickbait. To say that it is PRONE to happening is more than misleading, it implies there are many reports of it. Android Police’s reputation is now SUSPECT.I have 9 pro XL and so does my brother in law since launch , zero issues , never even heard of this “issue” until now , sounds like user abuse The Google Pixel 9 Pro brings in a lot of new software features and some hardware changes too. Is it worth it?A compact phone that finally does it all”Power in Perspective.”Try a few new tricks on your 9 Pro FoldYou’re stuck with the nerfed S PenSame cameras as Flip 6

Source: https://www.androidpolice.com/google-pixel-9-pro-camera-bar-breaking-again/