If you dive into any story we publish about the Pixel 5, you are almost guaranteed to find at least one guy who can’t help but ask, “Yeah, but is there a display gap?” He’s doing that because with every Google Pixel phone release there is some issue that pops up on a limited number of devices that the world turns into, “Google is the worst phone maker ever.” The Pixel 5 display gap is this year’s issue that has everyone’s Super Serious focus.
Google has now addressed the separation that some folks are seeing on their Pixel 5 and doesn’t appear to be worried. In fact, the specialist who posted to the Pixel Phone Support today, said that this is a “normal part of the design,” that this minor separation won’t effect the phone’s water or dust resistance, and also that they will work with customers who are concerned. Their “quality control data” appears to suggest this is a minor problem affecting a small number of devices.
Hi Pixel Community,
We’ve had a chance to investigate units from customers and, combined with our quality control data from the factory, we can confirm that the variation in the clearance between the body and the display is a normal part of the design of your Pixel 5. There is no effect on the water and dust resistance or functionality of your phone. We will work with customers on an individual basis to address any concerns they may have.
For those who haven’t followed Pixel 5 Displaygapgate-o-rama, here are a couple of photos of the issue people are noticing:
As you can see from those, people are rightly upset that their new $700 phone doesn’t appear to be put together very securely. Like, that’s a gap, homies. I have two Pixel 5 units in house at the moment and neither have this, but I’d probably be asking for a new unit this minute if either did.
So, Pixel 5 owners, if you are seeing that gap, I’d reach out to Google and tell them about your situation while also asking for a brand new replacement.
// 9to5Google
My Pixel 5 doesn’t have a gap but I have seen pictures of ones that obviously do. If it’s by design why isn’t it consistent on all Pixel 5s?
Oh. that’s the amount of gap we’re talking about? I don’t know that I’d ever be able to notice. Now, my first S7 had screen gap. Was so large, I could completely put a whole toothpick inside of the phone, sideways.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e5289636ec4391166a2dcf8e2b7634d9ea32ca31ab351ffb1b240eff4599f41c.jpg
“[N]ormal part of the design”; and
“[W]ill work with customers who are concerned.”
So which is it? Why would there be concern if its normal construction?
If I got my Pixel 5 and it had this “design feature”, I’m returning it immediately. Google can be terrible at times.
I got mine in Just Black the other day. No screen separating issues for me yet. I put it in a Spigen Liquid Air case.
P.S. – Still waiting on my damn dBrand Grip Case. Pre-ordered it 33 days ago.
Courage
Well, looks like I’m getting an 8T!
Aww… The gap! Nothing to see there. That is a design FEATURE, not a QC issue
honestly google support and CS is trash, they have zero consumer advocacy.
I think im gonna go with an iphone 12 pro max.
I’ve been an ardent android user since the G1. Currently on OP8Pro (hate it – camera isn’t that great), and i’ve had every pixel and nexus.
And every time i buy a pixel and nexus and had to deal with google CS i regretted my purchase.
Their explanation for this gap is another part of this arrogant refusal to ever admit wrongs.
Right there with you. I’m going to get the pro max as well next week. Can’t wait to get rid of this buggy pixel 3 xl
While a pretty ridiculous comment from Google and should result in every gapped owner returning their device and demanding a non-gapped version, is this hill worth dying on and dealing with the atrocious out-sourced support? I don’t know if it’d be worth my time personally…
I plan to run a case, and when I get my P5 in about a month, this will be something I see once every 6 months when I remove my case to clean my phone.
They may want to update their website….? https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/d72fca08bd58f81458965628b978d4dd8dbbff72e408053606d672d182975f69.png
Embarrassing. I’ve never seen such a casing gap in all the years I’ve used Android devices. This shouldn’t be seen as “normal” (as others have noted, dust and dirt could build up there), but more of a design flaw.
This reminds me of the Note 4 screen gap issue. On some units, there was a gap between the screen glass and the frame that was large enough to fit a credit card.
If I got one with that separation, I’d return it as defective. If the device is sold as being a smooth surface and you get it with a gap that you feel every time you pick up the phone, that’s either a defect or false advertising.
So much dirt and dust would build up in there.
I mean, the screen is attached with both clips and glue. It’s not going anywhere. I’m sure they’re correct that this is only a cosmetic and not a functional issue.
But to say that a variable gap is “normal”? Maybe if you have shit design or manufacturing tolerances, and/or awful quality control.
IS this just a problkem with the Black ones or have some people reported the problem with Sage Green as well? None of the sage green ones ive sen have an issue.
I can see the same gap as pictured above on only the top left corner of my P5
I was one of the guys that couldn’t help but ask “Yeah, but is there a display gap?”
I seem to have bad luck with this sort of thing. If there’s a defective batch, I usually get one of them. My Moto X2 had a peeling wood back and moto/google just sent me a new one. They didn’t even ask me to return the old one. I kept using the peely one and the gap disappeared over the course of a month. Maybe the same will happen for P5 owners? I wouldn’t count on it.
What a beautiful morning!
Almost as good as your holding it wrong. Maybe Google will give out cases to fix the problem.
So glad I jumped off the Pixel train. No customer should have to put up with noticeable gaps between the display and body. ????????♂️
Which phone have you gone with now? I am contemplating as well. I have been through the all Nexii and Pixels 1-4. Love updates, as stock as possible and value, so was thinking of OnePlus.
When I returned my 4XL last year, I switched to an 11 Pro Max, and haven’t looked back.
Pre-orders for the 12 Pro Max go live two days from now, and I can hardly wait. The new video capabilities look incredible, so I’ll be buying that. ????
If it’s normal than they should ALL have it, so that’s BS.
Luckily mine doesn’t.
This bullshiting right on customers’ faces has got to stop!!
HOGWASH… everyone is in the return window. Please send the phone back if the damn thing is separating
Agreed, problem is –> restocking fees since Google is sayings it’s normal.
The mere fact that some P5s demonstrate this and others do not is an indication of poor QC. Sorry Google, but you can’t have it both ways. Especially for a $700 device.
Even worse is that they claim it’s ‘a normal part of design’, as if other OEMs are doing the same thing. ????????♂️
If it’s a normal part of the design, why isn’t it like that on every pixel 5?
Yet one more reason why I cant bring myself to buy a Pixel phone. Can they not just build a phone with great hardware and software once. Just once.
Wow
Google can’t seem to do anything right. JFC. Gonna pass for now. Hopefully they get their s*it straight in the future. (LOL)
Dude Google come on…..I’m a pixel fanboy but man I can’t stand behind that ridiculous claim.
What an unacceptable answer. Typical Google BS. I still remember when the screen for Nexus 7 had a similar issue with either a gap or would lift. Google’s quality assurance for new devices is horrendous. Every single device that launches has issues. Every year like clockwork. Being an early adopter is simply not worth the cost anymore
I didnt know Google had a quality control department LOL???
LMFAO! This company is run by baboons. Sorry, that’s an insult to baboons; they are highly intelligent animals.