Verdict
The design see a bit dated , but the Pixel 8 otherwise represents a great bargain with impressive television camera carrying into action , AI - infuse feature that remain unique amidst increase competition , and all - daylight battery life that progress to it a joy to apply .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
Google ’s flagship Pixel 8 may no longer be the only AI - infused flagship on the block with the introduction of the likes of the Galaxy S24 and Honor Magic 6 Pro in early 2024 – but it rest the most capable .
While I ’m not personally a huge devotee of the Pixel ’s design , it ’s backbreaking to deny that Google has an telling combination of hardware and AI - enhance software on its hands with the Pixel 8 .
It continues its journeying of set long - time Pixel complaints with a jump to a 120Hz display and ameliorate battery life while doubling down on its AI - power camera and delete technical school that make the Pixel 8 one of the best camera phones at its cost full point , able to compete with flagships that be a lot more .
Throw in telling number like seven long time of O upgrades and you ’ve got a very temptingAndroid smartphone .
Design
The Pixel 8 is n’t what I ’d deal a redesign of the form broker – in fact , it looks near - identical to thePixel 7 , which in turn looks a destiny like thePixel 6 . That is to say that the Pixel range has looked pretty much identical over the past few years , perfect with the same thick rear camera measure , and I feel like it ’s in need of a refresh .
Compared to finely thin - and - wanton options like theMotorola Edge 40or flush options like theiPhone 15 , the Pixel 8 feels relatively duncical , measuring in at 8.9 millimetre ( not including the tv camera bar ) and 187 g respectively .
The metal and glass construction does help give the Pixel 8 a premium feel , IP68 protectionis great to see , and the rounded bound certainly make the 6.2 - inch smartphone nice to apply , but it just feels like a smartphone that ’s a couple of years quondam . It ’s fine , but it ’s not exactly exciting .
Then there ’s the illustrious ( or should that be infamous ? ) television camera streak , unfold across the entirety of the rear of the smartphone . It ’s very much a Marmite feature that ’ll split judgment , but I ’m not a huge fan . The ledge above and below the camera bar , are absolute dust magnets , picking up pouch lint and other detritus in quotidian consumption that can make it look messy .
I ’ve also detect that the television camera bar start far enough for it to snag on my jeans pocket as I pull out it out – something that I ’ve not really have with any other smartphone in recent time .
Elsewhere , the Pixel 8 continues Google ’s trend of pastel - inspired finishes in the form of Hazel and Rose , along with a more minimise Obsidian finish . However , unlike the matte - finish Pixel 8 Pro , the standard Pixel 8 fun a glossy rear , and that means , like its harbinger , it ’s a fingermark magnet . After just a few minutes of utilization , I was already wipe the smudged rear dialog box , and I have n’t really stopped since .
Of course , it may well be that you absolutely love the design of the Pixel 8 – design is relatively immanent , after all – but it ’s not my front-runner .
Screen
Google states that the Pixel 8 vaunt a 6.2 - inchActua presentation – but what is that , just ? release out that it ’s plainly a merchandising term that refers to the brightness of the earphone screen , which caps out at a rather impressive 1400nits in world-wide consumption and a boosted 2000nits when watching HDR subject .
It ’s not the brightest on the marketplace then , but it ’s a significant advance and more than bright enough for comfy use in even lineal sunlight , something I noticed on a uncommon cheery twenty-four hours in Blighty .
Instead , it ’s an OLED panel power the experience , mean the Negroid are ink-black and the colouring are particularly vibrant . That make for a neat binge - view experience , especially when it comes to colourful animated series ’ like Futurama that pop on screen . It also supportsHDR10 + , with supported content delivering impressive active range – an constituent further improve by Google ’s Actua brightness technical school .
The more astute Pixel rooter may notice that the Pixel 8 is 0.1 inches smaller than its predecessor , but that ’s not really that noticeable in substantial - man use . In fact , with the same 1080 x 2400 solvent as the Pixel 7 , the Pixel 8 is more pixel - dense at 428ppi , and thatisnoticeable . The crisp look of the display was one of the first things I observed when powering it on .
Google has also finally made the jump to the now - standard120Hzrefresh rate seen on much of the Android competition , up from the 90Hz of the Pixel 7 , though it misses out on theLTPO techof the Pixel 8 Pro .
disregarding , this give up the Pixel 8 to advantageously vie in a busy insurance premium outer space , and the super - tranquil refresh rate makes vivification , scrolling and anything with a scrap of move experience that little bit nicer .
Cameras
Google has a bit of a repute when it amount to camera carrying out , with Pixels tending to make some of the ripe mental imagery of any Android phone , arguably even eclipsing top - end option like theSamsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – and that , of track , continues with the Pixel 8 .
The wiz of this year ’s show is the fresh 50MP octa - atomic number 46 chief photographic camera , with central specs including f/1.68 aperture and a 1/1.31 - inch sensor . It ’s also the same as the main tv camera of the more expensive Pixel 8 Pro , meaning you ’re getting the best camera quality possible even with the cheaper modelling .
Instead , the independent reason to prefer for the Pixel 8 Pro is the inclusion of a 48MP 5x telephotograph lens , permit you to get closer to your case – though with Google ’s AI - powered 8x Super Res Zoom useable , I ’d contend that the lack of a dedicated telephoto electron lens on the even Pixel 8 is n’t as bountiful a dealbreaker as it would be on any other Android smartphone .
That all say , the Pixel 8 is capable of taking some truly sensational photos . Images in well - light up conditions are punchy while not bet overprocessed like some rivals , with plenty of contingent and imposingly accurate people of color . That ’s especially true of tegument spirit , with the Pixel 8 delivering some of the most true - to - lifespan cutis look of any phone I ’ve test this year .
HDR performance is just as telling , negociate to capture a wide dynamic scope without that wash - out looking , even in rough direct kindling .
dispirited - light photography is another strong point of the Pixel 8 , delivering image packed with light and vibrant coloration that make the London Nox cityscape wait particularly tasty . There ’s still the episodic lens of the eye flare where the source of twinkle is direct in the range of a function , but I ’d say it adds to the overall look of the image , rather than detracting from it .
I will say , it execute well when there’ssomelight in the tantrum . When it come to truly dreary nighttime circumstance , the Pixel 8 falls behind what ’s possible on rivals like theiPhone 15 Pro , so it ’s not the perfect low - light option .
Alongside the main television camera you ’ll get a 12MP ultrawide with a all-embracing 125 - degree FOV that ’s sodding for both scenic vistas and taking big group photo . Despite the low-spirited resolution of the ultrawide lens , the quality of images is coherent between the two . It ’s just as elaborate and vibrant as what you ’ll get from the main lens , with surprisingly consistent colour tuning between the two lens . It ’s not quite as up to in low - igniter conditions , however .
Of naturally , that ’s only half the story when it comes to Pixel phones . The Pixel 8 continues Google ’s journey of AI - infused photo and video recording features with raw addition to the already - encompassing roster including Macro Focus , which can rescue enhanced particular in extreme tight - ups . There ’s also Video Boost that will mechanically improve video calibre , but that ’s not usable until later this year .
There are also young editing feature of speech available in the Google Photos app to complement the raise AI functionality . This includes somewhat cool features like Audio Magic Eraser which remove pestiferous background noise like Siren from videos , and Best Take , which can basically generate an image with everyone ’s best smiling – no more silly poses ruining those precious mathematical group shots .
It also allowed me to totally murder some roadworks from an picture with good ( but not perfect ) results .
The AI - infused editing will likely split opinion , but if you ’re into that sort of thing , there ’s no good headphone for it than the Pixel 8 . The Samsung Galaxy S24 comes closer than most alternative with its Galaxy AI picture editing features that allow you remove subjects and set the framing using generative fill , but it ’s nowhere near as full have as the Pixel .
Performance
The Pixel 8 , along with the Pixel 8 professional , are the first Pixels to sport Google ’s upgraded 4nmTensor G3chipset .
The chipset continues the company ’s focal point on AI smarting over virginal carrying into action force with some pretty cool software features , like the camera tricks mention originally , along with other nerveless features that I ’ll follow to in more item in a bit . That ’s pair off with 8 GB of LPDDR5X RAM and either 128- or 256 GB of store depending on the model you opt for .
I must acknowledge , I was ab initio concerned about the cosmopolitan performance of the Pixel 8 . The first match of days of use were mar with stuttering , even when performing relatively simple tasks like scrolling through X and run to the abode silver screen . However , a subsequent software update seemed to fix the issue , and in the day since , I ’ve not really remark much of a retardation .
That means ecumenical performance is very reactive , with a smooth execution when scrolling through TikTok , messaging on Beeper and even when edit photo using the headphone ’s new AI feature of speech . The same ca n’t quite be said for gaming , however .
When playing a short 15 - min session of Survivor.io , a cartoon - y 2D top - down shooter , there were a few import with bead in frame pace and even a bit of stuttering – and this is a game that in general black market quite well on even mid - range chipsets . It was n’t consistently spoilt , but it happened when there were a lot of moving parts on filmdom .
That ’s all backed up by benchmark results too ; in condition of naked as a jaybird performance , the Tensor G3 is more in line with 2022’sSnapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1than the newerSnapdragon 8 Gen 2that alternative were rocking at its initial launch in October , and that gap has only widened with the sacking of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 regain on likewise price alternative in early 2024 .
Software
Software , along with camera public presentation , are the two big rationality to choose for the Pixel 8 over the lot of other smartphones on the market place .
The Pixel 8 was the first smartphone on the marketplace to runAndroid 14at launch in October , and it follow with a few handy new features singular to the Pixel . One of the smallest yet handy is rule , essentially a feature that allows your phone to automatically vary stage setting based on factor like what Wi - Fi connection you ’re connected to .
I set the Pixel 8 to do the earphone to vibrate mode when connected to my piece of work Wi - Fi , and now it ’ll mechanically quieten down in the agency and then shift back to gimcrack as before long as I leave . It ’s small feature like that that really make the Android 14 experience .
It ’s also a clean reading of Android 14 with no customs UI elements or puzzling options menus to navigate – a refreshing change compare to the bevvy of third - party Android skins like MIUI , ColorOS , FunTouchOS and MagicOS that intemperately customise the experience on whirl . That also means the Pixel 8 is whole free of bloatware , with only the stock Google apps appearing on the phone at setup .
It ’s notjustthe clean approach path to Android 14 that makes the Pixel 8 place upright out . It also apply the advanced AI business leader of the Tensor G3 chipset to do some pretty coolheaded thing .
One of my favourites is the ability for the phone to automatically acknowledge background medicine as I go about my day , and it then list this in a Now play app for me to crop later . It ’s also utterly unbelievable at spokesperson - to - text translation and boasts unique Google Translate capabilities too – but there ’s much more to it than big cool features .
Even smaller interactions , like being able to rick off my alert and timers just by saying discontinue , and the AI - powered At a Glance that deliver much more contextual information than the standard widget available on most other Android smartphones , really raise the experience of using the Pixel 8 .
Samsung has begun infringe on Google ’s AI - instill osmium with Galaxy AI on the new Samsung Galaxy S24 reach , offering features like on - machine version , transcription , summarisation of text , change the smell of emails and text and canonical picture editing tech , but it ’s not quite up to Google ’s standards – just yet , anyway .
But by far the best part about the Pixel 8 software experience is just how long it ’ll be supported for , with Google committing to a market - lead seven OS upgrade and seven years of surety mend that ’ll take the Pixel 8 through to Android 21 , matched only by Samsung with its S24 range . This means the Pixel 8 package experience will only continue to improve over time , with access to new features as Google reveals them .
Battery life
The Pixel cooking stove has fare a long way regarding barrage fire life , especially compare to the drear carrying out of thePixel 4back in 2019 . Since that embarrassing affair , the Pixel chain has consistently improved in the electric battery life department and , now with the release of the Pixel 8 , I can honestly say that it ’ll last all day without much of an issue .
That ’s thanks to a combination of a power - effective 4 nm Tensor G3 chipset and a slightly further battery electrical capacity , now clocking in at 4575mAh . That is still slightly behind the 5000mAh that ’s seemingly becoming the criterion in modern smartphones , but you wo n’t really be able to state the difference in everyday use .
That articulate , I ’ve found that the Pixel 8 can serve my needs on a long workday . That commonly include waking up at 7:30am , using it sporadically for texting , outcry , respond to emails , taking a few snaps and having a cheeky scroll through TikTok , and by the death of the day at about 11:30pm , I ’m looking at around 20 - 30 % left in the tank .
For reference , that ’s with around 3.5 hours of screen - on time on medium , and plenty of filmdom - off time listening to euphony .
When it does need a top - up , the Pixel 8 charge faster than its 20W - enabled harbinger with ( slenderly boost ) 27W debauched charge backing . The problem is that there is n’t a charging brick included in the loge , so you ’ll need to source your own fast charger to experience those improved charging speeds .
More specifically , I interpret 51 % charge in 30 minutes with a full charge acquire around an hour and 20 minutes . It ’s not exactly the blisteringly truehearted hurrying of the120W Xiaomi 13 T Pro , then , but it should slightly abridge how long your sound spends tethered to the wall .
You do also have the choice of wireless charging , but at 18W , it ’s notably slower than charge via the USB - ascorbic acid port .
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Should you buy it?
The Pixel 8 boasts a keen camera apparatus , further enhanced by a slew of AI shooting modes and editing features .
The Tensor G3 chipset prioritises AI capabilities over raw performance , meaning you ’ll get better performance from Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 - equippedflagship alternatives .
Final Thoughts
Marmite - like pattern choices away , the Pixel 8 is a solid buy for anyone on the market for a great all - rounder in 2024 . The 6.2 - in display is a adult improvement on its predecessor with a max brightness of 2000nits , a faster 120Hz refresh pace and more pixels that translate to a gorgeous presentation well suited to play and binging .
There ’s also solid everyday performance on offer from the AI - focused Tensor G3 chipset , though the col in raw processing power is widening compared to competing Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 devices like theOnePlus 12 in early 2024 . Still , it ’s pretty power effective , with the Pixel 8 not struggle to last all twenty-four hours on a single charge .
Of course , the great reasonableness to prefer for a Pixel is the television camera , and it ’s safe to say that the Pixel 8 delivers exquisitely detailed , vivacious and colourful images from its new main 50MP sensing element . That extends to humbled luminousness , though in really dark options , it does fall behind key rivals like theiPhone 15 professional .
The new AI - infused shooting mode and photo redaction features bolster up Google ’s AI - powered focus with some pretty cool tricks not useable on any other smartphone . It wo n’t be for everyone , but if you like to edit out your snaps before deal on social medium , the Pixel 8 is perfect .
Google ’s light approach to Android 14 is also ideal , with no bloatware and some genuinely helpful AI - power feature that are , again , undivided to the Pixel 8 .
The best part is that it ’ll continue to improve for class with an industry - lead promise of 7 OS upgrades that ’ll take the phone to Android 21 . That ’s only match by Samsung with theSamsung Galaxy S24 , and represents one ofthebig intellect to get yourself a Pixel .
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How we test
We try every mobile phone we brush up thoroughly . We use industry - standard tests to compare features properly and we use the phone as our chief machine over the review period . We ’ll always secernate you what we come up and we never , ever , accept money to review a ware .
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FAQs
Yes , it can endure a dunk shot in body of water with IP68 dust and water resistance .
Despite the improved 27W charging speeds , the Pixel 8 does n’t ship with a charging brick in the box – just a USB - C cable and a USB - C - to - USB - A adapter .
Test Data
Full Specs
