14 DAY TRIAL // The Pixel/Pixel XL might be the first smartphones fully designed and manufactured by Google, but they surely aren't perfect. We won't be talking about hardware since both phones pack a punch when it comes to processing power, but the manufacturing process doesn't seem to be on par with everything else.
Some Google Pixel XL owners have taken to Reddit and XDA to complain about a manufacturing defect present in their phones. It appears that there's a very small gap between the aluminum framing and the display part. The gap is always found in the top right corner, on the front side of the phone.
It's not easy to spot, but once you see it, you can't forget it. The left corner, or any other corners for that matter, is not affected by this manufacturing flaw.
Upon noticing this issue, many Google Pixel XL owners have decided to return their units for a new one without the flaw. Most of them managed to obtain an RMA (returned merchandise authorization) and received new devices that lack that gap on the front side.
It looks like the adhesive used to completely seal the phones did not work correctly on some of the Pixel XL units, although it's kind of strange that the flaw is only present in the top right corner.
"I happened to notice on mine. It is very small but it's there. It's not like that on the left side. I went up to the Verizon store to possibly swap it out but while I was waiting for a representative I looked at their floor models and noticed the same separation on all of their models.
It seems as if there was an adhesive used to fuse the phones together that did not stick on that side. I was actually able to press down on the corner and it would move so I know it is an actual separation,” explains XDA user twostep665.
So, it looks like the issue is widespread since all Google Pixel XL units on display at Verizon, the exclusive carrier in the United States that offers the phone, are affected by this design flaw. The good news is you won't have any issues in returning it if you notice the gap. Let us know if you've noticed such a defect in your Pixel XL phone.