Brand new flagship phones like the Google Pixel 6 feel weighty and solid thanks to premium materials like glass and aluminum. However, it’s easy to forget that phones are made up of a number of smaller component parts, some of which move around. If you start shaking your Pixel, you might even hear it rattle. But is that normal? Are phones supposed to make a tapping or knocking noise when shaken?
Why does the Pixel 6 rattle?
The rattle noise you hear in your Pixel 6 is a result of the camera’s optical image stabilizer. This has been confirmed by the community over at the Google Pixel subreddit. The effect may be more prominent on Pro models thanks to the telephoto lens, but it affects the standard Pixel 6 as well. In fact, that rattling sound can be heard on many phones featuring optical image stabilizers, including other Pixels.
Don’t worry, the sound is normal. However, it’s not really something you want to be hearing. Those internal components are meant to move, but the tapping or knocking noise happens when they’re moved to their limits. That’s best avoided.
In other words, you’d be wise to keep rattling to a minimum. That means setting your phone down gently and avoiding anything that may cause heavy vibration. Even if you don’t hear a rattle, it’s smart to practice caution when using bicycle, motorcycle, or even car mounts.
Granted, it is possible to hear an unintended rattle from your phone. If the device has been dropped or otherwise damaged, there may be something knocking around in there. Suffice to say, that would not be a normal noise. Hopefully you’ll be able to tell if such a sound was caused by a drop or other accidental damage.
A small rattling noise coming from the Pixel 6 camera bar is completely normal. It’s just part of the phone’s image stabilizer. A word to the wise, though: Whatever you’re doing to make a rattling sound probably isn’t very good for the phone. Keep jolts to a minimum, and you may forget that it makes any sound at all.
