Some Google Pixel 2 XL[1] users have reported a volume flaw that reduces the sound level of audio clips sent through messaging apps such as Google Allo[2], Instagram[3], and Telegram[4] among others. Google[5] has acknowledged the issue and is working on a fix. The newest problem notably emerges days after some Pixel 2 and Pixel users complained about a connectivity flaw with mesh routers[6].
Affected users have reported the voice messaging issue on the Pixel User Community of the Google Product Forums. The users state that when they send a voice clip recorded on a Pixel 2 XL suffering from the bug, the recipient receives the same clip with a minimal volume. The sound level on the receiving device can't be increased even by taking up the level to maximum or by using headphones, as spotted[7] by AndroidPolice. "I experienced the unusually low volume for outgoing voice messages in WhatsApp[8] on two Pixel 2 XLs. The same behaviour was observed with Google Allo voice messages," one of the users who described[9] the issue on Google Product Forums said, adding that the issue doesn't impact the volume in phone calls and is absent from the Pixel 2 and older Pixel models.
It appears that the problem with voice messages exists on Pixel 2 XL units running Android 8.0 and Android 8.1. However, we weren't able to replicate the issue on an Android 8.1-running Pixel 2 XL unit of a team member.
Community Manager Orrin Hancock stated in response to user reports that Google is aware of the issue and is looking into it. "Want to let you all know...