Verdict
The design appears a bit dated, however the Pixel 8 in any other case represents an awesome purchase with spectacular digicam efficiency, distinctive AI-infused options and all-day battery life that make it a pleasure to make use of.
Execs
- Spectacular digicam efficiency with distinctive AI options
- Strong 6.2-inch OLED show
- All-day battery life
- 7 years of OS upgrades
Cons
- Dated design
- No telephoto lens
- Uncooked efficiency is behind different flagships
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Spectacular digicam capabilitiesThe Pixel 8 can seize some actually gorgeous photos, full of element, vibrant color and correct pores and skin tones, no matter mild circumstances. -
Distinctive AI optionsFrom Android 14 options like Now Enjoying to photograph and video enhancing options like Magic Audio Eraser, Magic Editor and Finest Take, the Pixel 8 does issues no different smartphone does. -
Distinctive long-term software program assistGoogle’s new dedication of seven years of OS upgrades is the perfect you’ll discover on an Android smartphone, taking the Pixel 8 by means of to Android 21.
Introduction
Google’s newest flagship smartphone is right here within the type of the Google Pixel 8. It appears quite a bit just like the Pixel 7 however prices £100/$100 extra, so is it well worth the cash?
Whereas I’m not personally an enormous fan of the Pixel’s design, it’s exhausting to disclaim that Google has a formidable little bit of {hardware} on its arms with the Pixel 8.
It continues its journey of fixing long-time Pixel complaints with a soar to a 120Hz show and improved battery life whereas doubling down on its AI-powered digicam and enhancing tech that makes the Pixel 8 among the finest digicam telephones at its worth level, capable of compete with flagships that value much more.
Throw in spectacular numbers like 7 years of OS upgrades and also you’ve bought a really tempting Android smartphone.
Design
- Similar design as Pixel 7
- Digital camera bar nonetheless protrudes fairly far
- Shiny or matte finishes
The Pixel 8 isn’t what I’d think about a redesign of the shape issue – in truth, it appears near-identical to the Pixel 7, which in flip seemed quite a bit just like the Pixel 6. That’s to say that the Pixel vary has seemed just about an identical over the previous few years, full with the identical thick rear digicam bar, and I really feel prefer it’s in want of a refresh.
In comparison with exquisitely thin-and-light choices just like the Motorola Edge 40 or flush choices just like the iPhone 15, the Pixel 8 feels comparatively thick, measuring in at 8.9mm (not together with the digicam bar) and 187g respectively.
The steel and glass building does assist give the Pixel 8 a premium really feel, IP68 safety is nice to see, and the rounded edges actually make the 6.2-inch smartphone good to carry, however it simply appears like a smartphone that’s a few years outdated. It’s effective, however it’s not precisely thrilling.
Then there’s the well-known (or ought to that be notorious?) digicam bar, stretching throughout the whole lot of the rear of the smartphone. It’s very a lot a Marmite function that’ll cut up opinion, however I’m not an enormous fan. The shelf above and beneath the digicam bar, are absolute mud magnets, choosing up pocket lint and different detritus in on a regular basis use that may make it look messy.
I’ve additionally seen that the digicam bar protrudes far sufficient for it to snag on my denims pocket as I pull it out – one thing that I’ve not likely skilled with some other smartphone in current instances.
Elsewhere, the Pixel 8 continues Google’s development of pastel-inspired finishes within the type of Hazel and Rose, together with a extra understated Obsidian end. Nevertheless, in contrast to the matte-finish Pixel 8 Professional, the usual Pixel 8 sports activities a shiny rear, and which means, like its predecessor, it’s a fingerprint magnet. After only a few minutes of use, I used to be already wiping the smudged rear panel, and I haven’t actually stopped since.
After all, it might be that you simply completely love the design of the Pixel 8 – design is comparatively subjective, in spite of everything – however it’s not my favorite of 2023.
Display screen
- 6.2-inch Actua show
- Quick 120Hz refresh fee
- Impressively shiny
Google states that the Pixel 8 boasts a 6.2-inch Actua show – however what’s that, precisely? Seems that it’s merely a advertising and marketing time period that refers back to the brightness of the telephone display screen, which caps out at a quite spectacular 1400nits generally use and a boosted 2000nits when watching HDR content material.
It’s not the brightest in the marketplace then, however it’s a big enchancment and greater than shiny sufficient for snug use in even direct daylight, one thing I seen on a uncommon sunny day in early October in Blighty.
As an alternative, it’s an OLED panel powering the expertise, which means the blacks are inky and the colors are notably vibrant. That makes for an awesome binge-watching expertise, particularly relating to vibrant animated collection’ like Futurama that pop on display screen. It additionally helps HDR10+, with supported content material delivering spectacular dynamic vary – a component additional improved by Google’s Actua brightness tech.
The extra astute Pixel fan could discover that the Pixel 8 is 0.1 inches smaller than its predecessor, however that’s not likely that noticeable in real-world use. In truth, with the identical 1080 x 2400 decision because the Pixel 7, the Pixel 8 is extra pixel-dense at 428ppi, and that is noticeable. The crisp look of the show was one of many first issues I noticed when powering it on.
Google has additionally lastly made the soar to the now-standard 120Hz refresh fee seen on a lot of the Android competitors, up from the 90Hz of the Pixel 7, although it misses out on the LTPO tech of the Pixel 8 Professional.
Regardless, this enables the Pixel 8 to raised compete in a busy premium area, and the super-smooth refresh fee makes animations, scrolling and something with a little bit of motion really feel that little bit nicer.
Cameras
- 50MP predominant and 12MP ultrawide
- Spectacular on a regular basis efficiency
- Slew of distinctive AI seize and enhancing options
Google has a little bit of a fame relating to digicam efficiency, with Pixels tending to provide a number of the greatest imagery of any Android telephone, arguably even eclipsing top-end choices just like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely – and that, after all, continues with the Pixel 8.
The star of this yr’s present is the brand new 50MP octa-PD predominant digicam, with key specs together with f/1.68 aperture and a 1/1.31-inch sensor. It’s additionally the identical as the principle digicam of the dearer Pixel 8 Professional, which means you’re getting the perfect digicam high quality attainable even with the cheaper mannequin.
As an alternative, the principle motive to go for the Pixel 8 Professional is the inclusion of a 48MP 5x telephoto lens, permitting you to get nearer to your topic – although with Google’s AI-powered 8x Tremendous Res Zoom out there, I’d argue that the shortage of a devoted telephoto lens on the common Pixel 8 isn’t as massive a dealbreaker as it will be on some other Android smartphone.
That each one stated, the Pixel 8 is able to taking some actually gorgeous photographs. Photographs in well-lit circumstances are punchy whereas not wanting overprocessed like some rivals, with loads of element and impressively correct colors. That’s very true of pores and skin tones, with the Pixel 8 delivering a number of the most true-to-life pores and skin tones of any telephone I’ve examined this yr.
HDR efficiency is simply as spectacular, managing to seize a large dynamic vary with out that washed-out look, even in harsh direct lighting.
Low-light images is one other sturdy level of the Pixel 8, delivering photos full of mild and vibrant colors that make the London evening cityscape look notably tasty. There’s nonetheless the occasional lens flare the place the supply of sunshine is instantly within the picture, however I’d say it provides to the general look of the picture, quite than detracting from it.
I’ll say, it performs greatest when there’s some mild within the scene. In the case of actually darkish evening circumstances, the Pixel 8 falls behind what’s attainable on rivals just like the iPhone 15 Professional, so it’s not the right low-light choice.
Alongside the principle digicam you’ll discover a 12MP ultrawide with a large 125-degree FOV that’s excellent for each scenic vistas and taking massive group photographs. Regardless of the decrease decision of the ultrawide lens, the standard of photos is constant between the 2. It’s simply as detailed and vibrant as what you’ll get from the principle lens, with surprisingly constant color tuning between the 2 lenses. It’s not fairly as succesful in low-light circumstances, nonetheless.
After all, that’s solely half the story relating to Pixel telephones. The Pixel 8 continues Google’s journey of AI-infused photograph and video options with new additions to the already-wide roster together with Macro Focus, which may ship enhanced element in excessive close-ups. There’s additionally Video Increase that can robotically enhance video high quality, however that’s not out there till later this yr.
There are additionally new enhancing options out there within the Google Images app to enrich the upgraded AI performance. This consists of fairly cool options like Audio Magic Eraser which removes annoying background noise like sirens from movies, and Finest Take, which may basically generate a picture with everybody’s greatest smiles – no extra foolish poses ruining these valuable group pictures.
By far the good function is Magic Editor, a brand new function that makes use of generative AI to edit large swathes of photos. It’s just like what Photoshop can do within the newest betas, and it really works impressively effectively. It allowed me to utterly take away all of the vehicles from my highway and even change the time of day, as seen beneath.
It additionally allowed me to utterly take away some roadworks from a picture with good (however not excellent) outcomes.
The AI-infused enhancing will probably cut up opinion, however in case you’re into that sort of factor, there’s no higher telephone for it than the Pixel 8.
Efficiency
- New 4nm Tensor G3 chipset
- On a regular basis efficiency is responsive
- Not the perfect for gaming
The Pixel 8, together with the Pixel 8 Professional, are the primary Pixels to sport Google’s upgraded 4nm Tensor G3 chipset.
The chipset continues the corporate’s concentrate on AI smarts over pure efficiency energy with some fairly cool software program options, just like the digicam tips talked about earlier, together with different cool options that I’ll come to in additional element in a bit. That’s paired with 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM and both 128- or 256GB of storage relying on the mannequin you go for.
I have to admit, I used to be initially involved in regards to the normal efficiency of the Pixel 8. The primary couple of days of use had been marred with stuttering, even when performing comparatively easy duties like scrolling by means of X and going to the House display screen. Nevertheless, a subsequent software program replace appeared to repair the difficulty, and within the days since, I’ve not likely seen a lot of a slowdown.
Which means normal efficiency could be very responsive, with a {smooth} execution when scrolling by means of TikTok, messaging on Beeper and even when enhancing photographs utilizing the telephone’s new AI options. The identical can’t fairly be stated for gaming, nonetheless.
When enjoying a brief 15-minute session of Survivor.io, a cartoon-y 2D top-down shooter, there have been a number of moments with drops in body fee and even a little bit of stuttering – and this can be a sport that typically runs fairly effectively on even mid-range chipsets. It wasn’t constantly unhealthy, however it occurred when there have been a whole lot of shifting components on display screen.
That’s all backed up by benchmark outcomes too; by way of uncooked efficiency, the Tensor G3 is extra in step with 2022’s Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 than the newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and contemplating we’re not too removed from the rumoured launch of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, that hole between the Pixel 8 and early 2024 flagships will solely widen additional.
Software program
- One of many first telephones with Android 14
- Nice AI-focused options
- Business-leading 7 years of OS upgrades
Software program, together with digicam efficiency, are the 2 massive causes to go for the Pixel 8 over the slew of different smartphones in the marketplace.
The Pixel 8 is the primary smartphone in the marketplace to run Android 14, and it comes with a number of useful new options. One of many smallest but handiest is Guidelines, basically a function that permits your telephone to robotically change settings based mostly on components like what Wi-Fi community you’re linked to.
I set the Pixel 8 to set the telephone to vibrate mode when linked to my work Wi-Fi, and now it’ll robotically quieten down within the workplace after which change again to loud as quickly as I depart. It’s small options like that that actually make the Android 14 expertise.
It’s additionally a clear interpretation of Android 14 with no customized UI components or complicated Settings menus to navigate – a refreshing change in comparison with the bevvy of third-party Android skins like MIUI, ColorOS, FunTouchOS and MagicOS that closely customise the expertise on supply. That additionally means the Pixel 8 is totally freed from bloatware, with solely the usual Google apps showing on the telephone at setup.
It’s not simply the clear method to Android 14 that makes the Pixel 8 stand out. It additionally makes use of the superior AI energy of the Tensor G3 chipset to do some fairly cool issues.
Certainly one of my favourites is the flexibility for the telephone to robotically recognise background music as I am going about my day, and it then lists this in a Now Enjoying app for me to browse later. It’s additionally completely unimaginable at voice-to-text translation and boasts distinctive Google Translate capabilities too – however there’s rather more to it than massive cool options.
Even smaller interactions, like with the ability to flip off my alarm and timers simply by saying cease, and the AI-powered At a Look that delivers rather more contextual data than the usual widget out there on most different Android smartphones, actually improve the expertise of utilizing the Pixel 8.
However by far the perfect half in regards to the Pixel 8 software program expertise is simply how lengthy it’ll be supported for, with Google committing to a market-leading 7 OS upgrades and seven years of safety patches that’ll take the Pixel 8 by means of to Android 21. This implies the Pixel 8 software program expertise will solely proceed to enhance over time, with entry to new options as Google reveals them.
Battery life
- 4575mAh battery
- All-day battery life
- Sooner, however nonetheless comparatively gradual, 27W charging
The Pixel vary has come a good distance relating to battery life, particularly in comparison with the dismal efficiency of the Pixel 4 again in 2019. Since that embarrassing affair, the Pixel vary has constantly improved within the battery life division and, now with the discharge of the Pixel 8, I can actually say that it’ll final all day with out a lot of a difficulty.
That’s because of a mix of a power-efficient 4nm Tensor G3 chipset and a barely boosted battery capability, now clocking in at 4575mAh. That’s nonetheless barely behind the 5000mAh that’s seemingly turning into the usual in trendy smartphones, however you gained’t actually be capable of inform the distinction in on a regular basis use.
That stated, I’ve discovered that the Pixel 8 can serve my wants on a protracted workday. That normally consists of waking up at 7:30am, utilizing it sporadically for texting, calls, replying to emails, taking a number of snaps and having a cheeky scroll by means of TikTok, and by the tip of the day at about 11:30pm, I’m round 20-30% left within the tank.
For reference, that’s with round 3.5 hours of screen-on time on common, and loads of screen-off time listening to music.
When it does want a top-up, the Pixel 8 fees quicker than its 20W-enabled predecessor with (barely boosted) 27W quick cost assist. The issue is that there isn’t a charging brick included within the field, so that you’ll have to supply your individual quick charger to expertise these improved charging speeds.
Extra particularly, I noticed 51% cost in half-hour with a full cost taking round an hour and 20 minutes. It’s not precisely the blisteringly quick speeds of the 120W Xiaomi 13T Professional, then, however it ought to barely shorten how lengthy your telephone spends tethered to the wall.
You do even have the choice of wi-fi charging, however at 18W, it’s notably slower than charging through the USB-C port.
Newest offers
Do you have to purchase it?
You wish to take a whole lot of photographs
The Pixel 8 boasts an awesome digicam setup, additional enhanced by a slew of AI taking pictures modes and enhancing options.
You need the perfect efficiency attainable
The Tensor G3 chipset prioritises AI capabilities over uncooked efficiency, which means you’ll get higher efficiency from Snapdragon 8 Gen 2-equipped flagship options.
Closing Ideas
Marmite-like design decisions apart, the Pixel 8 is a stable purchase for anybody in the marketplace for an awesome all-rounder in 2023. The 6.2-inch show is a giant enchancment on its predecessor with a max brightness of 2000nits, a quicker 120Hz refresh fee and extra pixels that translate to a stunning show effectively suited to gaming and binging.
There’s additionally stable on a regular basis efficiency on supply from the AI-focused Tensor G3 chipset, although the hole in uncooked processing energy is widening in comparison with competing Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 units just like the OnePlus 11. Nonetheless, it’s fairly energy environment friendly, with the Pixel 8 not struggling to final all day on a single cost.
After all, the massive motive to go for a Pixel is the digicam, and it’s secure to say that the Pixel 8 delivers exquisitely detailed, vibrant and vibrant photos from its new predominant 50MP sensor. That extends to low mild, although in actually darkish settings, it does fall behind key rivals just like the iPhone 15 Professional.
The brand new AI-infused taking pictures modes and photograph enhancing options bolster Google’s AI-powered focus with some fairly cool tips not out there on some other smartphone. It gained’t be for everybody, however in case you wish to edit your snaps earlier than sharing on social media, the Pixel 8 is ideal.
Google’s clear method to Android 14 can also be splendid, with no bloatware and a few genuinely useful AI-powered options which can be, once more, unique to the Pixel 8.
The most effective half is that it’ll proceed to enhance for years with an industry-leading promise of seven OS upgrades that’ll take the telephone to Android 21. That’s a superb few additional years in comparison with different flagships just like the Samsung Galaxy S23, and represents considered one of the massive causes to get your self a Pixel.
How we check
We check each cell phone we overview completely. We use industry-standard exams to match options correctly and we use the telephone as our predominant gadget over the overview interval. We’ll all the time inform you what we discover and we by no means, ever, settle for cash to overview a product.
Discover out extra about how we check in our ethics coverage.
Used as a predominant telephone for every week
Thorough digicam testing in quite a lot of circumstances
Examined and benchmarked utilizing revered {industry} exams and real-world knowledge
FAQs
Sure, it might probably survive a dunk in water with IP68 mud and water resistance.
Regardless of the improved 27W charging speeds, the Pixel 8 doesn’t ship with a charging brick within the field – only a USB-C cable and a USB-C-to-USB-A adapter.
Trusted Critiques check knowledge
Geekbench 6 single core
Geekbench 6 multi core
Max brightness
1 hour video playback (Netflix, HDR)
30 minute gaming (mild)
Time from 0-100% cost
Time from 0-50% cost
30-min recharge (no charger included)
15-min recharge (no charger included)
3D Mark – Wild Life
GFXBench – Aztec Ruins
GFXBench – Automobile Chase
UK RRP
USA RRP
Producer
Display screen Measurement
Storage Capability
Rear Digital camera
Entrance Digital camera
Video Recording
IP score
Battery
Wi-fi charging
Quick Charging
Measurement (Dimensions)
Weight
Working System
Launch Date
First Reviewed Date
Decision
HDR
Refresh Charge
Ports
Chipset
RAM
Colors
Acknowledged Energy
