Google’s Pixel devices are having a weird change with their notification and call vibrations after the March 2025 update. Multiple people have posted on the Google Pixel subreddit complaining about the change, with one user describing it as a “hollow feeling” vibration with “less thunk” post-update.
Google screwed up Pixel vibrations again
Pixel owners have noticed a weird change to haptics after a March update.
Umar Shakir is a news writer fond of the electric vehicle lifestyle and things that plug in via USB-C. He spent over 15 years in IT support before joining The Verge.
This wouldn’t be the first time Google has messed up haptics on Pixels. Back in 2022, an update weakened notification vibrations on Pixel 6 phones, before it was fixed about two months later.
Verge staffers have also noticed the change on Google Pixel 8 Pro devices. Whether it’s a bug or an intentional change is unknown, but it does not sound good. The change has also been seen on Pixel 7 and 7 Pro devices, but not on the Pixel 9 series, reports 9to5Google.
I just updated my own Pixel 8 Pro, and personally, the vibrations for a text message seem more intense when I place the device on a table. However, my experience with the haptics while typing is that it feels weaker, and selecting text feels like flicking a rubber band.
We don’t know if the latest change happened as part of the latest Android update or was part of a Feature Drop. We have reached out to Google about the issue and will update this article when we hear back.
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