Google Pixel 8 review
The Google Pixel 8 is a compact flagship that delivers a pure Android experience with a range of AI-based software features. While its launch price may be higher than last year's model, it boasts several upgrades that justify the cost. The phone features Google's new Tensor G3 chipset, which provides improved performance and efficiency. The display has also been upgraded to a 6.2-inch OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, making it ideal for smooth scrolling and swiping. Additionally, the camera department has seen some changes, including a brighter main camera lens and an ultra-wide-angle camera with autofocus. The Pixel 8's design is sleek and compact, with smaller bezels and a soft matte finish on the aluminum side frame. The phone also boasts IP68 certification against dust and water. In terms of performance, the Pixel 8 handles day-to-day tasks well, but its raw numbers may not be as impressive as those of current flagship competitors. However, Google stresses that it prioritizes optimization over raw power, resulting in efficient battery life despite a larger capacity. Camera-wise, the Pixel 8 delivers excellent results, with great detail and color accuracy in both stills and video. The ultra-wide camera also takes impressive low-light shots. Selfies are good, but may be slightly softer when zoomed in. Overall, the Google Pixel 8 is a significant upgrade to its predecessor, offering a premium compact build, bright display, and excellent camera performance, along with unique software features. While not perfect, it's still competitive, especially for those seeking a vanilla Android experience or a compact flagship.
Build Quality and Design
The Google Pixel 8 is a compact flagship that boasts a premium build quality, making it a standout in its class. One of the first things you'll notice about this phone is its size, which is smaller than its predecessor despite having a similar display. This is achieved through clever design choices, such as thinner bezels and a chassis with rounded edges. The aluminum side frame has a soft matte finish that feels great to hold, while the back is made of Gorilla Glass Victus, providing protection against scratches and drops. The horizontal visor-shaped camera housing is familiar, but the glossy back finish gives it a fresh look. In terms of durability, the Pixel 8 is IP68 certified, which means it can withstand dust and water exposure. This is a welcome feature for anyone who plans to use their phone in harsh environments or accidentally drops it in water. The build quality is one of the strong points of the Pixel 8, making it feel like a premium device that's built to last. The attention to detail and use of high-quality materials make it stand out from other flagships on the market. Overall, the Google Pixel 8's compact design and premium build quality make it an attractive option for those who value a solid phone that won't break the bank. Its compact size, coupled with its durable construction, makes it a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable device that can withstand the rigors of daily use.
Battery Life
While the Google Pixel 8 is an impressive flagship device with a compact design, bright display, and great camera performance, its battery life is a major letdown. Despite having a larger capacity than its predecessor (4575mAh vs 4355mAh), the Pixel 8's endurance rating has actually decreased this year. In our testing, the Pixel 8 managed an overall score of 83 hours, which is lower than last year's model. When looking at screen-on time alone, the results were similar to last year's device. This suggests that while the battery capacity has increased, it hasn't translated into better battery life. Furthermore, charging speeds are not impressive either. The Pixel 8 charges from 0 to 100% in about an hour and a half using the 27W charger, which is not particularly fast compared to other flagships on the market. Unfortunately, this means that heavy users may find themselves needing to top up their Pixel 8 more frequently throughout the day. While wireless charging is now supported, it's not a replacement for decent battery life. Overall, the battery life of the Google Pixel 8 is a disappointment, especially considering its compact design and high-end features. If you're someone who relies heavily on your phone's battery to last through the day, you may want to consider this aspect before making a purchase.
Display
The Google Pixel 8 boasts a compact design while packing a punch with its upgraded display features. The phone's 6.2-inch OLED screen offers a crisp 1080p resolution, paired with a seamless 120Hz refresh rate that enhances the overall user experience. Swiping and scrolling are smooth and effortless, making it ideal for daily tasks. One of the notable improvements is the increase in maximum brightness, which can reach over 1,000 nits manually and boost to an impressive 1,400 nits automatically when exposed to bright light. This makes the Pixel 8 one of the brightest phones available, perfect for outdoor use. The display also boasts excellent color accuracy and great contrast ratios. HDR10+ video support is another significant feature that enhances the visual experience. The Pixel 8's screen also features Gorilla Glass F protection, providing a durable and scratch-resistant surface. The display's performance is further complemented by its ability to dial back to 60Hz when idle, conserving energy. This thoughtful design ensures that users can enjoy an uninterrupted viewing experience while still maintaining battery efficiency. Overall, the Pixel 8's display is a significant upgrade over its predecessors, offering a premium and engaging visual experience that sets it apart from other flagship devices.
Camera
The Google Pixel 8 boasts an impressive camera setup, with a 50MP main camera and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera on the back. The main camera uses the same sensor as last year's model but features a brighter f/1.7 lens, while the ultra-wide camera is borrowed from the Pro model with autofocus. In daylight conditions, the main camera produces excellent results, with plenty of detail and well-saturated colors. The two-time zoom toggle works seamlessly, offering a good balance between detail and sharpness. However, there may be some fine details in foliage that appear slightly fuzzy. Portraits taken at a two-time zoom by default deliver decent results, but subject detection can sometimes lead to imperfections around the edges. In low-light conditions with the night mode enabled, the main camera performs admirably, balancing exposure and detail well. However, textures may get smoothed out by noise reduction in some instances. The ultra-wide-angle camera delivers impressive results in daylight conditions, maintaining the same tonal properties as the main camera with excellent detail. Autofocus makes it ideal for close-up and macro shots. In low-light conditions, the ultra-wide camera excels, with nice exposure and good dynamic range, although colors may appear soft without the night mode. 4K videos taken with the main camera at night display a good level of detail and wide dynamic range, but may exhibit some softness. Ultra-wide-angle 4K videos are decent, offering solid colors, contrast, and dynamic range, but could benefit from improved detail levels. Selfies captured by the 10.5MP front-facing camera deliver good detail, although zoom selfies appear slightly softer. Overall, the Google Pixel 8's cameras offer impressive performance in various lighting conditions, making it an excellent choice for photographers seeking a compact Flagship with exceptional imaging capabilities. While not perfect, the Pixel 8's camera setup is a significant upgrade over its predecessor and remains competitive in the market. With a premium build, bright display, and unique software experience backed by 7 years of support, the Google Pixel 8 is a solid recommendation for those seeking a vanilla Android experience or a compact Flagship with exceptional camera capabilities.
Price and Value
The Google Pixel 8 is a compact flagship that promises to deliver a pure Android experience and AI-based software features. While it's true that this year's model boasts several upgrades, including a more powerful Tensor G3 chipset and a brighter higher refresh rate display, the question remains: is the price hike worth it? Unfortunately, the answer lies in the realm of uncertainty. The Pixel 8 comes with a higher launch price than its predecessor, which might deter some potential buyers. However, when you consider the array of features and improvements that come with this device, it's hard not to feel like you're getting value for your money. The Tensor G3 chipset is undeniably more powerful and efficient, making everyday tasks a breeze. The camera department has also seen significant upgrades, including a brighter f/1.7 lens on the main camera and autofocus on the ultra-wide cam. And let's not forget about the sleek design, which makes this compact flagship a joy to hold and use. Of course, there are some areas where the Pixel 8 doesn't quite shine. Charging speed, for instance, is nothing special, and battery life could be better. Additionally, the chipset performance falls behind competitors in certain aspects. Despite these minor drawbacks, I firmly believe that the Google Pixel 8 offers a significant upgrade over its predecessor. The price hike might be a tad steep for some, but considering the array of features and the promise of 7 years of software support, it's hard not to feel like this device is worth every penny. Ultimately, whether or not the Pixel 8 represents good value depends on individual preferences and priorities. If you're looking for a compact flagship with a unique software experience and top-notch camera performance, then yes, I would say that this phone is definitely worth considering.
Performance
The Google Pixel 8's performance is a mixed bag, with some notable upgrades and areas where it falls short. One of the most significant improvements is the new Tenser G3 chipset, which brings a more powerful GPU for improved graphics performance and Google's Titan M2 Chip for AI-related tasks. However, this chipset still lags behind current flagship competitors running on Snapdragon processors in terms of raw numbers. Despite this, the Pixel 8 performs admirably in day-to-day tasks, making it suitable for general use. The phone also does a great job with thermal management, although it did display significant thermal throttling during our prolonged stress test, which included some sharp dips. Battery life is another area where the Pixel 8 falls short. Although it has a larger battery capacity (4575mAh) than its predecessor (4355mAh), the endurance rating is less this year, with the phone earning an overall score of 83 hours. Screen-on-time results are similar to last year's model. One notable improvement is charging speed, which has increased from 20W to 27W. Wireless charging is also now supported. However, charging speed is still not impressive compared to other flagships. In conclusion, while the Pixel 8's performance is not outstanding in terms of raw numbers or battery life, it still manages to deliver a smooth and responsive experience for general use. The Tenser G3 chipset provides a solid foundation for gaming and AI-related tasks, but its limitations are evident when compared to other flagships. Overall, the Pixel 8's performance is average at best, but it's not a deal-breaker for those looking for a compact flagship with great camera performance and a unique software experience.