Google has finally started seeding the December software update to its Pixel 6 duo, and at long last, it brings numerous fixes for the fingerprint issues plaguing the flagship phones since launch. The problematic saga of the Pixel 6 series and its fingerprint sensor has been quite an interesting one. First, the two Google phones rely on an optical in-display fingerprint sensor, which is noticeably slower than the ultrasonic sensor on the likes of Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Soon after the phone started shipping, users complained about sub-par accuracy and how sluggish it was. The company later responded that the authentication speed was slow because of the additional layers of security that Google has put in place. But that was not the end of it. And as more complaints poured in, Google vowed to fix it with an upcoming update. Well, the company is finally making good on its promise.
The December Android update has started rolling out for the Pixel 6 duo, a while after its predecessors were updated to the latest build earlier this month, just as the company had promised. Multiple Pixel 6 and 6 Pro users on Twitter and Reddit have posted that the December update, which is just over 200MB in size, is now rolling out for users in the United States and other markets. Google rolls out updates in a phased manner, so if it hasn’t arrived yet, the update notification will be popping up within the next few days for Pixel 6 users who are yet to receive it. This way, Google can prevent a bug from affecting all target devices, as was the case with its botched Google Photos update that removed the Magic Eraser feature. After pulling the updated build’s rollout, Google eventually fixed it with a corrective build.
Finally, The Fingerprint Sensor Is Free Of Flaws
The list of bug fixes that arrive with the latest update (build number SQ1D.211205.016) is quite expansive. However, the changelog mentions three core authentication-related improvements. ”General improvements for fingerprint sensor stability & performance,” There are also “additional fixes for issues preventing enrollment of new fingerprints in certain conditions” and “general improvements for face unlock stability & performance.” One Pixel 6 user mentioned on Reddit that after installing the December update, the fingerprint sensor works just fine with a hydrogel screen protector on top. Earlier, the biometric sensor didn’t work at all with the protective layer on top of the screen.
The latest update also resolves a Bluetooth-related issue that automatically enabled the wireless connectivity feature and another one that caused audio distortion. It also fixes an issue that made the Google Assistant call random contacts. Google is also rolling out mandy camera-centric upgrades with the December update to improve the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro’s imaging performance. The two phones have already won laurels for their dependable cameras, and it appears that Google wants to keep refining them over time. Specifically, the update improves color consistency, camera autofocus, and stability, among other parameters.
Sources: Google Support, Reddit