Google Pixel 8 review

Trade in Google Pixel 8

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The Google Pixel 8 is positioned as a competitive option in the smartphone market, even with its recent $100 price increase. At $699, it still offers good value when compared to its rivals like the iPhone 15 and Samsung Galaxy S23, both starting at $799.

Some notable improvements in the Pixel 8 include a brighter display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a more powerful Tensor G3 chip, and AI camera enhancements that can impress users. The addition of a proper macro mode to the ultra-wide camera is a welcome feature for photography enthusiasts.

One standout feature is Google’s commitment to providing seven years of OS and security updates, ensuring long-term usability and security for the device.

While the Pixel 8 Pro offers additional features like a larger screen, telephoto zoom, and pro-level camera controls at a higher price point, the regular Pixel 8 appears to be a strong contender for the title of best Android phone.

Ultimately, the decision to choose the Pixel 8 will depend on individual preferences and priorities, but it seems to offer a compelling overall package.

GOOGLE PIXEL 8 SPECS

GOOGLE PIXEL 8 HANDS-ON: PRICE AND RELEASE DATE

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The Google Pixel 8 is available for pre-orders starting on October 4, with the phones officially going on sale on October 12. The base model of the Pixel 8 starts at $699, which marks a $100 increase compared to the previous Pixel 7. However, it’s worth noting that some carriers may have charged $699 for the Pixel 7 last year, while Google did not for unlocked devices.

The base model of the Pixel 8 offers 128GB of storage, but users have the option to upgrade to 256GB for a price of $759. This pricing structure provides users with more storage capacity options to suit their needs.

GOOGLE PIXEL 8 HANDS-ON: DESIGN AND COLORS

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The Google Pixel 8 boasts a more compact design compared to its predecessor, the Pixel 7. The screen size has been slightly reduced, going from 6.3 inches on the Pixel 7 to 6.2 inches on the Pixel 8. The phone features a satin metal frame and polished black glass, and its design incorporates softer edges for a more comfortable grip. Additionally, the bezels have been slimmed down.

In terms of dimensions, the Pixel 8 measures 5.9 x 2.8 x 0.4 inches and weighs 6.6 ounces. This is a notable reduction in size and weight compared to the Pixel 7, which measured 6.1 x 2.9 x 0.3 inches and weighed 6.9 ounces. While the Pixel 8 is slightly thicker, it is shorter, narrower, and lighter overall.

The Pixel 8 is available in several color options, including Obsidian, Hazel, and Rose. Among these choices, you personally prefer the Rose option for its standout appearance.

GOOGLE PIXEL 8 HANDS-ON: DISPLAY

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The Google Pixel 8 features a notable display upgrade with its Actua display technology. It boasts a 6.2-inch panel that reaches up to 1,400 nits in brightness with HDR content and can achieve up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness. This represents a significant improvement compared to the Pixel 7, which had a peak brightness of 1,000 nits with HDR content and 1,400 nits in peak brightness. For comparison, the iPhone 15 is rated at 1,600 nits with HDR content and 2,000 nits peak brightness, while the Galaxy S23 offers 1,200 nits and 1,750 nits, respectively.

During your hands-on experience with the Pixel 8, you found the display to be adequately bright for indoor use while browsing the web and reviewing photos. Additionally, the Pixel 8’s display refresh rate has been upgraded from 90Hz on the Pixel 7 to 120Hz, promising smoother scrolling and animations. Unlike the Pixel 8 Pro, this display’s refresh rate is not dynamic, and it also features an always-on display for quick access to essential information.

GOOGLE PIXEL 8 HANDS-ON: CAMERAS

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The Google Pixel 8 retains much of its camera hardware from the previous year’s model, but it brings significant improvements in camera capabilities. Here’s a breakdown of the camera upgrades:

1. Main Camera: The main camera on the Pixel 8 features a 50MP sensor, which is the same as the Pixel 7. However, the new model has a slightly wider aperture at f/1.68, compared to f/1.85 on the Pixel 7. This wider aperture should result in brighter and potentially better low-light photos.
2. Ultrawide Camera: The Pixel 8’s 12MP ultrawide camera offers a slightly larger field of view, with 125.8 degrees compared to 114 degrees on the Pixel 7. The standout feature is the ability to capture macro close-up shots using this lens, which allows for detailed close-ups of subjects like flowers.
3. Front Camera: While the front camera on the Pixel 8 has a slightly lower resolution at 10.5MP compared to 10.8MP on the Pixel 7, it offers a wider field of view at 95 degrees versus 92.8 degrees. This wider field of view can be beneficial for capturing group selfies or including more in your shots.

These camera upgrades, especially the macro photography capability and the wider aperture on the main camera, should enhance the overall camera performance of the Pixel 8.

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The Google Pixel 8 introduces several intriguing software features that enhance its camera capabilities. Here’s a closer look at these new features:

1. Magic Editor: The Magic Editor feature allows you to perform advanced edits on your photos. You can move or resize subjects within a photo, change the time of day to achieve different lighting effects, and more. For example, you can make a subject appear larger or create a dusk-like appearance by adjusting the lighting. This feature offers creative flexibility and the ability to fine-tune your photos in unique ways.
2. Best Take: Best Take utilizes AI to analyze group photos and select the best-looking faces from multiple shots. It then combines these faces to create the optimal group photo. This feature is particularly useful for capturing group shots where not everyone is looking their best in a single frame. It can help ensure that everyone appears their best, and you can still choose different looks for individual faces if needed.

These software enhancements, along with existing features like Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur, contribute to making the Pixel 8’s camera experience more versatile and capable of producing stunning photos with creative flexibility.

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The Google Pixel 8 introduces an innovative video feature known as “Audio Magic Eraser,” which enhances the audio quality of recorded videos. This feature uses advanced algorithms to distinguish between the desired audio (such as voices or specific sounds) and background noise (such as sirens or other distractions). Users can then use a slider to reduce or eliminate unwanted background sounds, resulting in cleaner and more focused audio in their videos.

Audio Magic Eraser is a valuable tool for improving the audio quality of videos, ensuring that important sounds are clear and distractions are minimized. It enhances the overall video recording experience and allows users to create content with better audio quality, particularly in noisy environments.

GOOGLE PIXEL 8 HANDS-ON: TENSOR G3 AND AI FEATURES

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The Google Pixel 8 is powered by Google’s Tensor G3 chip, which represents a significant improvement over the previous Tensor G2 chip found in the Pixel 7. The Tensor G3 chip boasts a more powerful ARM v9 CPU, an enhanced GPU, and a substantial boost in machine learning performance. Google claims that the machine learning model on the Pixel 8 with Tensor G3 is 10 times more complex compared to the Pixel 6.

The increased intelligence provided by Tensor G3 enables several new features and enhancements across the device. Google Assistant benefits from this intelligence, offering capabilities like summarizing web pages in three bullet points or reading them aloud. The Recorder app can now summarize recorded conversations, in addition to transcribing them. The Call Screen feature features an upgraded voice and contextual understanding, allowing it to provide relevant on-screen options during calls. The keyboard has also become smarter, offering proofreading capabilities.

In terms of connectivity, the Pixel 8 is equipped with Wi-Fi 7 for faster speeds and lower latency, as well as Bluetooth 5.3 with dual antennas for improved quality.

Overall, the Tensor G3 chip and the associated enhancements bring significant improvements to the Pixel 8’s performance, intelligence, and connectivity.

GOOGLE PIXEL 8 HANDS-ON: SOFTWARE AND UPDATES

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Google is taking a significant step forward in terms of software support with the Pixel 8. The company is now promising an impressive 7 years of both OS and security updates for the Pixel 8, along with regular Feature Drops every few months. This represents a substantial extension of the previous support timeline for Pixel devices.

Previously, Google offered 3 years of OS updates and 5 years of security updates for its Pixel phones. In comparison, Samsung provides 4 years of full Android updates, and Apple typically supports its iPhones for around 5 years.

The Pixel 8 comes with Android 14 out of the box, and this updated software brings a range of improvements and new features. Notable additions include a custom lock screen picker, generative AI wallpapers for customization, a Health Connect tool to manage fitness and health data securely, and a magnifier feature to assist those with vision impairments. This extended software support and feature-rich environment make the Pixel 8 an attractive choice for those looking for a future-proof smartphone.

GOOGLE PIXEL 8 HANDS-ON: BATTERY LIFE AND CHARGING

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The Google Pixel 8 comes equipped with a 4,575 mAh battery, which is larger than the 4,355 mAh battery found in its predecessor, the Pixel 7. The Pixel 7 had relatively short battery life, lasting only 7 hours and 13 minutes in the Tom’s Guide battery test, while many devices on our best phone battery life list offer 11.5 hours or more.

While we don’t have full battery test results for the Pixel 8 yet, the larger battery size is a promising sign that Google has aimed to improve battery life. However, it’s essential to wait for comprehensive testing to determine how the Pixel 8 performs in real-world usage.

On the charging front, Google continues to promise a 50% charge in 30 minutes with a 30W USB-C charger. While the charging rate is technically 27W, this is still an improvement compared to the 23W charging rate of the Pixel 7.

GOOGLE PIXEL 8 HANDS-ON: OUTLOOK

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The Google Pixel 8 appears to be a competitive offering among the best smartphones on the market, with notable improvements in various areas. The AI capabilities of the Tensor G3 chip, particularly in camera features, are impressive and set the Pixel 8 apart. The brighter display and 120Hz refresh rate are welcome upgrades, and the addition of a true macro mode enhances the camera capabilities.

While the Pixel 8 doesn’t have a telephoto zoom lens like the Galaxy S23, its more compact design provides an attractive option for those who prefer smaller smartphones.

To provide a comprehensive assessment of the Pixel 8, it will be essential to conduct thorough lab testing and a full review. Key questions about the real-world performance of the Tensor G3 chip and the battery life improvement with the larger battery will be addressed in these assessments. Stay tuned for the complete results and final rating.

Source: Tom’s Guide