Google lately launched the Google Pixel 8 series and numerous reviews claim Google Pixel 8 Pro is the best Pixel smartphone out there in the market. Definitely, a variety of plausible reasons contribute to that and in this blog, we are going to address them. The folks who have been using the phone have been posting positive reviews online, like its simple setup, its shot quality, its easier video and photo access, and a lot more!
1. Google Pixel 8 Vs Google Pixel 8 Pro specifications
Let’s talk about the specifications of both the phones, Google Pixel 8 and Google Pixel 8 Pro, and note down the key differences.
Price and availability:
Google launched both Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro officially on October 4, 2023, and it became available in offline showrooms and stores on October 12. Unlike the Google Pixel Fold, both are available in many countries like the US, Canada, France, Germany, India, etc, marking history by becoming the widest launches ever for google pixel 8 pro mobile phones.
Both the phones are witnessing price hikes across the board, with the Pixel being sold out at $700 and the Pixel Pro at $1,000, while the pricing depends totally on your local region but both the US and EU witnessed similar price hikes.
Although the good part, anyone pre-ordering a Google Pixel 8 Pro will receive a Pixel Watch 2 while anyone pre-ordering a Google Pixel 8 will receive a pair of Buds Pro for free.
Design and hardware:
Let’s compare and contrast the key distinctions between the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro:
| GOOGLE PIXEL 8 | GOOGLE PIXEL 8 PRO | |
| Security Operations Center | Google Tensor G3 | Google Tensor G3 |
| RAM | 8GB LPD DR5X | 12GB |
| Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB or 512GB or 1TB |
| Battery | 4575mAh | 5050mAh |
| Ports | USB-C | USB-C |
| Operating System | Android 14 | Android 14 |
| Front Camera | 10.5MP, f/2.2 | 10.5MP Dual PD selfie camera |
| Rear camera | 50MP, f/1.7, OIS (primary), 13MP, f/2.2, 126° FOV (ultrawide) | 50MP Octa Phase Detection Wide Camera, 48MP Quad Phase Detection Ultrawide Camera, 48 MP Quad Phase Detection Telephoto Camera |
| Connectivity | UWB, NFC | |
| Dimensions | 150.5 × 70.8 × 8.9mm | 162.6 × 76.5 × 8.8mm |
| Colours | Rose, Hazel, Obsidian Black | Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay |
| Display type | OLED, 60-120Hz | LTPO OLED, 1-120Hz |
| Weight | 187g | 213g |
| Charge speed | 27W wired, 18W wireless | 30W wired, 18W wireless |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Display dimensions | 6.2″ | 6.7″ |
| Display resolution | 1080 × 2400 | 1344 × 2992 |
| Charge options | Wired, Wireless | USB-C wired, Qi wireless |
| SIM support | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM and eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM and eSIM) |
| Cellular connectivity | 4G, 5G mmWave | 4G, 5G mmWave |
| Wi-Fi connectivity | Wi-Fi 7 (Except certain markets) | Wi-Fi 7 (Except certain markets) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
Straightaway, the corners of the phones’ screens are kind of rounded, more like a Samsung Galaxy S23+, unlike the squared-off corners of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Talking of materials, nothing extraordinary has been used, google pixel 8 pro stuck to its classic glass and aluminium. The Pixel 8 Pro has a matte finish with a camera bar and frame of brushed aluminium, while the Pixel 8 has a glossy finish with a frame of matte aluminium. The camera is redesigned quite a bit and the lenses are placed much closer together than before.
The Pixel 8 has a 6.2-inch display while the Pixel 8 Pro has a 6.7-inch display. Both phone screens flaunt Google’s new Actua branding, which will provide an improved brightness level that is 1,400 nits on the Pixel 8 and 1,600 nits on the Pixel 8 Pro. Also, 2,000 nits and 2,400 nits respectively, when outdoors.
The Pixel 8 has the same 1080p resolution, although with an upgrade to 120Hz, while the Pixel 8 Pro has the same 1440p LTPO OLED panel with the capability of ratcheting down to 1Hz, a unique feature.
Basically, both the phones are using the new Tensor G3 chipset which is meant to improve overall performance. Although, the latest version of Tensor is not the best in the market.
Cameras:
One definitely cannot miss on cameras in this series, which are quite amazing. In the past, google pixel 8 pro stuck with camera sensors for years once upon a time. The time until Google launched the Google Pixel 6, it did use the sensor used in the Pixel 3 for the time being.
Well now, all three sensors on the Google Pixel 8 Pro are new, though the Google Pixel 8 has only one new main sensor. Though, the 50MP lens is the same in both the phones but a brand new f/1.68 aperture, which is a lot impressive. The best part is the night sight is now available in video recording too.
Software and security updates:
It has been years since Google released its software update between August and October. In 2021, Android 12 arrived in October and in 2022, Android 13 arrived in the first week of August, with a slight update. While Android 14 finally arrived alongside the Google Pixel 8.
The beautiful part is, that Google levelled up its software game this year excellently, it will now provide seven years of complete OS updates and five years of patches to older Tensor-powered smartphones.
2. Google Pixel 8 Pro pros and cons
Now let’s discuss the pros and cons of Google Pixel 8 Pro.
Pros:
- 7 years of OS updates: Google is promising 7 years of OS updates, something that is way longer than what any other Android phone company can provide.
- Brilliant AI camera features: Google has offered top-notch camera features, that can capture good-quality photos and even some phenomenal editing tools.
- Brand-new polished design: Google has managed to offer a refined finish and an alluring Bay colour.
- Face unlock that now works for payments: Google has launched a brand-new feature that face unlock feature that even works for payments.
- Latest Actua display, and Tensor G3 chip: Google has launched its latest ‘Super Actua’ display which is its LTPO display, which offers variable refresh rates between 1Hz and 120Hz making the display excellent.
- Incredible photo editing tools: Google has even provided amazing photo editing tools that would make the photos look even better.
Cons:
- Performance throttling issues: Google has failed at one major aspect which is performance as there are still some performance throttling issues that impact the phone’s overall efficiency like the device getting warm to touch when playing games.
- Quite slow charging and mediocre battery life: Google could not offer better battery life, regardless of all other awesome upgrades, the device takes about one and a half hours to charge.
- Pretty expensive: Google has made the price bump over the Pixel 7 Pro but doesn’t offer many upgrades that would justify the high price.
- Stuck at 128 GB starting storage: Google has brought major changes but sadly, is still stuck at 128 GB starting storage though it offers variable storage options like 256GB, 512GB or 1TB.
- Minimal design changes: Google has made minimal changes when it comes to the design part, as there is nothing entirely distinct in design from the previous versions, the device largely resembles its predecessors.
ALSO READ : Take a Look at The Best Phones that are Currently Available
Conclusion
Google has worked well lately with the launch of the Pixel 8 series and has decided to make up for the shortcomings of their other previous releases. The Google Pixel 8 series comes with better camera quality, better processors, and better screen brightness. Particularly, Google Pixel 8 Pro has the ability to process a lot of commands and even use numerous tools without having to connect to the internet or cloud for processing. For more information, visit HostsTheory.
