Google’s Pixel smartphones have excelled with AI tips, but software program efficiency has constantly been a problem. Stuttering or microstutters have at all times been an issue with Pixel gadgets, going again to the Pixel 6 sequence. However, new and up to date {hardware} (like on the newest Pixel 9 sequence) someway manages to make up for what is thought to be a kernel-related situation. There’s even a current thread on Google’s official Issue Tracker, which has been up since April 2024 (together with two different duplicates) that has identified the identical, with no decision from Google in sight. Finally, a developer determined to take issues into his personal arms and has provide you with a repair that ought to hopefully be integrated in Google’s official software program channels for everybody.
A developer, Sultan Alsawaf, who presents a customized kernel for some Pixel fashions, appears to have discovered a resolution to the Pixel’s micro stutters. The developer claims that it’s mainly a bandwidth administration downside. This has to do with the inaccurate use of “lock” or “turn-taking rule,” which limits the variety of OS queries on a particular path.
He claims that Google makes use of the time period “lock” incorrectly, as it isn’t strict sufficient in apply (btsdev->lock vs a mutex_lock). This permits an extreme variety of working system gadgets to share the identical path at any given time, akin to a visitors jam brought on by too many automobiles clogging a avenue. This, in keeping with the developer, chokes up the working system, resulting in stuttering at random cases. This is a subject we now have beforehand mentioned in our Pixel opinions.
The developer additionally claims that he has discovered a repair that has been applied in his customized kernel that may be flashed on supported gadgets. The repair implements the best use of “lock” which truly limits the variety of OS gadgets, avoiding overloading and extra exact bandwidth calculations to the CPU for processing.
Alsawaf has already despatched Google his repair for the difficulty. So, hopefully, Google implements the kernel modifications in a future replace for all its Pixel smartphones. Those considering flashing the developer’s customized kernel may also go forward with the identical, however it comes with a transparent threat of wiping your information or ending up with a bricked cellphone. Therefore, it’s advisable to easily look forward to Google to ship an official repair.
