Review of the Google Pixel 8 Pro

Attempting to use artificial intelligence to push software quality to new heights, the Google Pixel 8 Pro seems to be the smartphone of the future. Additionally, it is expected to get an unparalleled degree of software and security support—seven years, to be precise. Even while everything about this seems amazing right now, the Pixel 8 Pro feels a little behind the times in certain places since there are some issues that AI can't solve.

To be clear, the Pixel 8 Pro is without a doubt the greatest Google Pixel phone (best Google Pixel phones table), which makes sense given that it costs close to $1,000. It's also perhaps the most audacious move the company has made, aiming to lead the way for smartphones to use AI in the future. It mostly succeeds in this, sometimes to an unsettling extent, but this emphasis leaves you lacking in terms of gaming and raises uneasy doubts about the Pixel 8 Pro's worth as hardware.

The cost and accessibility

The price of the Pixel 8 Pro with 128GB of storage starts at $999 / £999; 256GB and 512GB have prices of $1,059 / £1,059 and $1,179 / £1,179, respectively. For $1,399, there is an additional 1TB option; however, it is limited to the Obsidian colorway. The Pixel 8 Pro is now at least $100 more costly than the Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 6 Pro were when they were first released, pricing it in line with the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus and the Apple iPhone 15 Pro.

With the exception of gaming performance, Google's flagship appears reasonably priced in many respects considering its generational upgrades, particularly to the camera array and display. It does a commendable job of holding its own against competitors with comparable prices.

But with time, the benefits that the Pixel 8 Pro brings over its less expensive sister, the Pixel 8, become less apparent. This issue is less about dubious choices made in the Pro's design (apart from the integrated thermometer) and more about how strong of a foundation Google created with the basic model. There are benefits to choosing the flagship, no question, but they are much more appealing to aficionados of photography than to regular smartphone users.

The Pixel 8 Pro is the unquestionable option if you're the kind of person who uses their smartphone to take pictures or record movies most of the time. Whether you use the default camera settings or adjust the 'Pro' settings, the power of its expensive and adaptable range of camera lenses is really amazing. For the rest of us, it makes sense to save $300 / £300 and get the Pixel 8.

Details

The introduction of the Google Tensor G3 chipset is the largest change between the Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro's internals, with neither device significantly differing from the other. Even though the CPU, GPU, and other hardware components have been altered, the main purpose of these modifications is to improve AI features rather than to increase raw speed.

The features that have the biggest improvements include Magic Editor, Magic Audio Eraser, and others, but Tensor G3 also offers a number of little upgrades that Google is eager to point out. These include reduced power consumption and improved video recording with more resolution, accurate colors, dynamic range, and contrast. All of these benefits are available to the Pixel 8 as well; the Pixel 8 is not the only device that can take use of them.

Technically speaking, RAM is upgraded from LPDDR5 to LPDDR5X, although its 12GB capacity is unchanged from the Pixel 6 Pro. As a result, the Pixel 8 Pro has 4GB more RAM than the Pixel 8 and rivals with comparable prices; nonetheless, this is more of a nice-to-have than a noticeable benefit.

Available attributes

Let's discuss the Pixel 8 Pro's temperature sensor before moving on to the new software features. Apart from particular instances like testing the formula's temperature, it's difficult to conceive of many general use cases where this smartphone helps all prospective purchasers. Unfortunately, this seems like a miss, and if it doesn't feature in future Pixels, I doubt many people will give it another look.

As usual, the Pixel 8 Pro's software is the main attraction, and with Google putting all of its effort into incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into every function possible, there is plenty to discuss. Right now, "Best Take" and "Magic Editor" are the most interesting. The word "currently" is crucial in this case since several of the features—like "Video Boost" and "Night Sight Video"—that are marketed as being included in the Pixel 8 Pro package aren't really available yet and won't be accessible until later in 2023.

Going back to what is already accessible, Best Take is an incredibly potent tool that completely changes the way you see group photos. This function lets you choose and transfer emotions from one image to another by analyzing comparable photos in your Google Photos. Positively, this eliminates the fear that a mistimed blink may ruin an otherwise flawless shot, but more concerningly, it fabricates a moment that never happened.

With Magic Editor, which arguably offers one of the most sophisticated picture editing suites accessible on a smartphone, these same worries are amplified. With it, you may use deep learning to your advantage to change, resize, and remove things' and people's overall look as you see fit. It has the power to literally and figuratively move mountains for you.

Before you get too excited about Magic Editor's remarkable features, keep in mind that it is far from perfect. The main issue with it is that it has to be connected to the internet in order to function, most likely partly to regulate how you use the feature. This is made evident when you get a pop-up notification saying that you can't make a certain update because it could go against Google's GenAI guidelines. There's also the potential wait time for each change, which might be anywhere from 10 to 15 seconds.

Additionally, there might be big differences in the quality of the changes since Magic Editor can only do so much to salvage badly captured photos. Generally speaking, you can only anticipate outcomes that are comparable to what you first fed the feature.

This remark also holds true for Audio Magic Eraser, a tool that can locate and eliminate unwanted noises from your films with astonishing effectiveness. Even while it still has some rough edges that Google can probably smooth down in the future, its present state makes it sufficient for a fast cleaning in place of requiring specialized knowledge or software to accomplish the same result.

It's enough to state that the Pixel 8 Pro is loaded with software features that are currently unmatched by any other smartphone. Given its simplicity of use, it may not be comprehensive enough to completely replace desktop programs like Photoshop, but there's no doubting its potency.

An ultrasonic fingerprint scanner is the one feature that the Pixel 8 Pro is still lacking. This device uses the same optical solution as the Pixel 7 Pro, which is at best functional and at worst annoying. Similar to past years, Google made a mistake by not replacing it with a speedier, more contemporary choice, which would have increased the smartphone's worth more than the temperature sensor.

Photography

The Pixel 8 Pro has outstanding cameras, as one would assume, with many lens upgrades over the Pixel 7 Pro. Without a doubt, the ultrawide module has undergone the greatest glow-up of the whole array, going from a 12MP to a 48MP lens with an even wider ƒ/1.95 aperture. Additionally, the primary and telephoto lenses, with respective clock speeds of ƒ/2.80 and ƒ/1.68, have wider apertures. Although the former also has multi-zone laser autofocus, there doesn't seem to be much of a difference in terms of focus speed and ability when compared to the Pixel 7.

It goes without saying that the Pixel 8 Pro takes incredible pictures and videos with this stacked configuration. Here, Google has further improved its post-processing magic, providing an excellent out-of-the-box experience for those who want to record moments in the greatest light with the least amount of hassle. This produces vivid, highly contrasted, and detailed images for astrophotography, landscapes, portraiture, and other subjects.

The main sensors on the Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8 are the same, therefore the images captured with that lens on both phones are of the same quality. The Pixel 8 Pro retains far more detail at 5x, 10x, and even 30x images; differences only become apparent when using the ultrawide and telephoto lenses. The benefits of having more megapixels on an ultrawide are not as noticeable, and only the most perceptive eyes should find anything.

The appropriately called "Pro" controls, which let you adjust ISO, shutter speed, white balance, and other parameters, are only available on the Pixel 8 Pro. It also offers up alternatives like saving photographs in RAW format in addition to JPG, and native 50MP captures instead of 12MP binning. Given how good the default experience is, these alternatives are pleasant but rather specialized. The higher megapixel count proves to be the most helpful, even if it causes a tiny delay in the camera viewport between pictures.

Strangely, because the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro share the same processor and primary lens, there's no good explanation why these controls are exclusive to the Pixel 8 Pro. Even if this helps set the two apart, it makes you wonder whether the Pixel 8 Pro is still worth having after Google's capricious software lockdown. Ultimately, the camera software has already been translated to other, older devices with Tensor architecture by the manufacturer.

It's unclear whether Google intends to ultimately roll out this capability on other Pixel phones. We think it would be better if the tech company fixed some of the camera software's flaws with the Pixel 8 Pro. The camera change, which is really jerky and awful, is by far the worst. This error makes moving between the cameras during video production tedious, but it is less of an issue for photography. Then there are peculiarities like as the 3.0x zoom limit for Portrait Mode, which is arbitrary, and the forced 1.5x zoom, which mysteriously disables the telephoto lens. Updates to Google's software should address all of these complaints, but as of this writing, things remain unfortunately as they are.

Let's talk about the selfie camera for a moment. It has undergone some little specs changes, but it now boasts Phase Detection Auto Focus, so you should be getting better selfies. Thanks to certain Google software tweaks, it's now safe enough to use as an unlocking mechanism for banking applications and other similar apps. Lastly, video performance has to be discussed. With the exception of the addition of 24 frames per second recording in both 1080p and 4K formats, everything is essentially unchanged from the Pixel 7 Pro.

Design

When you hold the Pixel 8 Pro in your hands, it's evident that Google has improved the smartphone's design language with some little but noticeable adjustments that help set it apart from its predecessor. One instance of this redesign is the Pixel 7 Pro's single camera array cutout, which offers a considerably cleaner appearance than the device's dual cutouts.

But the Pixel 8 Pro's ergonomics are where this becomes most obvious. The considerably softer, more graceful rounded corners have taken the place of the severe edges of the previous model. The Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back, which has a smooth, silky texture that is so lovely to the touch that it makes you wish all phones felt like this, is the most satisfying feature, however. Despite its durability, a lot of people will naturally put a case on it, which lessens the appeal of the Pixel 8 Pro's other excellent features.

With the exception of one minor issue—its shiny metal frame—the Pixel 8 Pro is the most attractive phone Google has ever produced. It is nothing like the more intelligent matte finish seen on the Pixel 8, particularly considering how easily scratches and fingerprints can smear it.

Three colors are available for the Pixel 8 Pro: Bay, Obsidian, and Porcelain. Every choice has its own charm, but Bay stands out as a pleasant contrast to the subdued colors of the other two.

Display

The Pixel 8 Pro, which marks the release of Google's "Super Actua" display, really glows brighter than other smartphones. With a peak brightness of 2,400 nits and a full-screen brightness of 1,600 nits in HDR, it's a long cry from the dark days of the Pixel 6 Pro. These specifications live up to the hype, providing positively amazing screen quality for images, movies, and any other content you might ever wish to see.The 6.7-inch display remains the same in size as the Pixel 7 Pro, but Google has chosen to reduce the resolution from 1440p to 1344p. Though the reason for this is unknown, in actuality it doesn't really matter since the Pixel 8 Pro still measures in at 489 pixels per inch. Despite the fact that 1080p is the default output resolution, it is still rather crisp and the difference between the full resolution and 1080p is hardly noticeable.The Pixel 8 Pro, which features an upgraded LTPO OLED display, can now refresh at a rate of 1-120Hz as opposed to the Pixel 7 Pro's 10-120Hz range. This little adjustment improves battery life, especially for those who like to have the "Always On Display" option on.It may come as a disappointment to fans of the curved display on the previous two Pixel Pro models to hear that Google decided to offer the Pixel 8 Pro a flat screen instead. Even while some people may find this less immersive, it strengthens the phone's durability and reduces the possibility of glare from light bouncing off the curved edge.

Entry Level

With the Pixel 8 Pro, you can anticipate six to eight hours of screen time, with extended standby times naturally extending this further. In terms of generational comparison, there has been a tiny 50mAh gain in battery capacity, for a total of 5,050mAh.The Pixel 8 Pro can now be charged wirelessly with up to 30W of power, reducing the amount of time needed to fully charge from empty to full to around 90 minutes. The maximum 23W wireless charging speed is still available, but only with the Pixel Stand 2—Google has sadly chosen not to implement the Qi2 standard in this location. Consequently, the Pixel 8 Pro's maximum output on any other wireless charger is limited to 12W.Aside from this setback, the Pixel 8 Pro has more than enough battery life to last you the whole day. The phone obediently holds onto the energy it has, sipping rather than guzzling power to keep background operations operating smoothly, even in situations when you can't recharge it overnight.Performance

When it comes to gaming performance, neither the Pixel series nor the Pixel 8 Pro precisely dominate the field of smartphones. Even if the Google Tensor G3 chipset is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, it is still far behind what Qualcomm and Apple can do with their technology.Nevertheless, the Pixel 8 Pro is far from a low-end mobile gaming device. At highest settings, Call of Duty: Mobile and PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds Mobile perform flawlessly, offering a silky smooth experience on a 120Hz screen.Though this isn't a Pixel 8 Pro-specific issue, Apple is starting to move the goalposts by including enough power in its phones to run modern console games. Tensor G3 is far from meeting Google's and other Android makers' expectations for future chipset performance, which will be necessary if they want to stay competitive.Thankfully, the Pixel 8 Pro does not have the same heating problems as the Pixel 7 series. There is no chance of thermal throttling, even though the chassis may still grow warm—just not to the same extent.

Is the Google Pixel 8 Pro a good purchase?

• Yes: If you want the best camera setup on an Android.
• Yes: If you watch lots of video content on your phone.
• Yes: If extended software and security updates are valuable to you.
• No: If you must have the highest gaming performance.
• No: If you don’t need a telephoto lens.

Purchasing the Pixel 8 Pro is definitely worthwhile, especially if photography is your top priority. The degree of customisation provided by its 'Pro' settings and the ability of Magic Editor to alter and improve your photos make its variety of cameras among the finest on the market today. Theoretically, it should only grow better over time as these programs' machine learning becomes stronger and new capabilities like Video Boost and Night Sight Video are introduced.It's crucial to remember, however, that the Pixel 8 Pro's unique features are mostly due to software, which seems to be mutually exclusive given that the Pixel 8 has the same Tensor G3 chipset. Not counting the temperature sensor, of course, it's not difficult to see a future in which many of the capabilities that set the two smartphones apart eventually become compatible with both, leaving the Pixel 8 Pro with its meager but useful hardware advantages.Although Google says it will support the Pixel 8 Pro for the next eight years, there's no way of knowing whether it will, and given the company's history of discontinuing projects, customers have good reason to be cautious. Take a look at the apparently endless Google Graveyard. Nevertheless, we must applaud the tech giant for making an effort to extend the lifespan of our cellphones and cut down on needless e-waste.In conclusion, the Pixel 8 Pro is amazing right now and should hold up well over time, with its software suite only becoming better with time. What we don't yet know, however, is the nature of that support.

Replacements

Here are a few recommendations for substitute smartphones in case you ultimately determine that the Google Pixel 8 Pro isn't the right one for you.

iPhone 15 Pro Apple

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro begins at $999 / £999, which is the same price as the Pixel 8 Pro and offers a similarly good photographic experience. Even while Android users could find it challenging to adapt to iOS's peculiarities and restrictions, Android does offer certain advantages over iOS, such as the capacity to play games like Assassin's Creed Mirage and Resident Evil 4 that are often inaccessible on smartphones.Google Pixel 8

The Google Pixel 8 is almost as powerful as the Pixel 8 Pro in many aspects, sharing the same Google Tensor 3 processor. Even if it isn't as luxurious as its more expensive sister, it still doesn't compromise on any of the important aspects and is, for the most part, the better option overall—especially because it is $300 or £300 less expensive.