The Google Pixel 8 Pro, released in 2023, is Google’s latest offering in the flagship smartphone market. It builds on the strengths of the previous Pixel models while introducing a range of hardware and software upgrades, particularly in AI-driven features. As Google’s marquee phone, the Pixel 8 Pro competes with other top-tier smartphones like the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Let’s take a deep dive into its design, performance, camera system, and user experience, while assessing how well it stacks up against its competitors.
Design and Build
At first glance, the Pixel 8 Pro doesn’t deviate drastically from the design of its predecessor, the Pixel 7 Pro. It maintains the distinctive camera bar on the back, though this time with a more refined pill-shaped cutout housing the triple camera system. The phone is more rounded at the corners and feels more ergonomic in the hand, addressing one of the common complaints about the sharper edges on earlier models.
The 6.7-inch Super Actua display is a key upgrade, boasting a flat OLED panel with a 2992 x 1344 resolution. Unlike the previous generation’s slightly curved edges, the Pixel 8 Pro’s flat display enhances usability and minimizes accidental touches, which is appreciated by users who engage in multitasking or gaming. One of the standout features of this display is its 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, which can dynamically scale down to as low as 1Hz to save battery when the content on the screen is static. The peak brightness has also been significantly improved, reaching 2,400 nits, making outdoor visibility in direct sunlight a breeze.
In terms of build, the Pixel 8 Pro is constructed with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back, providing a durable finish. It is rated IP68 for water and dust resistance, which is now a standard in high-end smartphones. This makes the phone resistant to accidental water submersion and everyday dust and debris.
Performance: Tensor G3 Processor
One of the major differentiating factors of the Pixel 8 Pro is its use of Google’s custom Tensor G3 chipset, rather than opting for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors that are found in most Android flagship devices. The Tensor G3 is engineered to prioritize AI and machine learning tasks, offering enhanced performance in areas such as image processing, voice recognition, and real-time translation. While its raw processing power, as measured by benchmarks like Geekbench, is slightly behind Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Apple’s A17 Pro chipsets, the real value lies in its AI-optimized capabilities.
The 12GB of RAM is standard across all models, ensuring smooth multitasking and an excellent user experience even with resource-intensive applications. Storage options range from 128GB up to 1TB, although it’s worth noting that the storage type is UFS 3.1, which is not quite as fast as the UFS 4.0 standard used by some competitors.
In terms of everyday performance, the Pixel 8 Pro handles demanding tasks like gaming, photo editing, and video streaming with ease. The integration of AI capabilities, however, is where the Tensor G3 really shines. Features like Google Assistant have become even more responsive, while functions like Live Translate now operate faster and more fluidly, even offline.
AI and Software: Android 14 and Beyond
The Pixel 8 Pro ships with Android 14, and as with all Pixel devices, it is among the first to receive Google’s software updates and new features. Google has committed to providing seven years of software updates, which is an industry-leading policy, ensuring that Pixel 8 Pro users will be among the first to benefit from Android advancements and security patches well into the future.
Android 14 brings with it a range of customization features, from AI-generated wallpapers to improved privacy controls. The Tensor G3 processor further enhances Android 14’s capabilities, allowing for on-device AI processing that powers features like Magic Editor, which enables users to manipulate photos with advanced editing tools. This includes the ability to move objects within an image or even change facial expressions using AI. These tools have taken Google’s reputation for computational photography to new heights, allowing users to create professional-level photos with minimal effort.
One of the more futuristic features of the Pixel 8 Pro is its ability to use AI to summarize long articles or emails, a feature that will likely appeal to productivity-focused users. Furthermore, Google’s Call Screen feature, which uses AI to screen spam calls, has been improved, providing more accurate filtering and an even more natural-sounding virtual assistant to handle unwanted calls.
Camera System
The camera system on the Pixel 8 Pro is a standout feature and one of the most advanced on the market. It consists of three rear cameras: a 50MP main sensor, a 48MP ultrawide camera, and a 48MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. On paper, these specs might not seem drastically different from the Pixel 7 Pro, but the improvements in sensor quality, AI-powered processing, and new software features make a substantial difference.
The main 50MP camera has a new sensor with 21% better light sensitivity, which dramatically enhances low-light photography. This is complemented by Google’s Night Sight mode, which has been further refined to deliver crisp, clear images in near-dark conditions. The 48MP ultrawide camera now comes with improved Macro Focus, allowing users to take highly detailed close-up shots with ease. The telephoto lens also sees an upgrade, with better optical stabilization and improved image processing for zoomed-in shots.
Google’s computational photography continues to lead the industry. The new Magic Editor allows users to perform detailed edits directly on the device, including adjusting the position of subjects in photos and enhancing background elements. The Best Take feature intelligently stitches multiple photos together to create the most flattering group shots, ensuring that everyone in the image is smiling or looking their best.
The front-facing 10.5MP camera also gets a boost, with a wider field of view and improved autofocus for clearer, more dynamic selfies. Moreover, Google’s Real Tone technology, designed to more accurately capture diverse skin tones, now works not only in photos but also in video mode, ensuring consistency across media types.
Video Recording: AI in Motion
The Pixel 8 Pro brings AI-powered enhancements to video recording as well, with features like Video Boost and Audio Magic Eraser. Video Boost leverages computational photography techniques to improve video quality, particularly in low light or challenging conditions. Audio Magic Eraser is a new addition that allows users to remove background noise from video recordings, making it easier to capture clear audio in noisy environments.
Video recording capabilities are competitive, with the device supporting up to 4K resolution at 60fps. The combination of AI-driven stabilization and noise reduction ensures that video quality is smooth and professional, even in less-than-ideal shooting conditions.
Battery Life and Charging
One of the most critical aspects of any flagship smartphone is battery performance, and the Pixel 8 Pro doesn’t disappoint. It is powered by a 5,050mAh battery, slightly larger than the one in the Pixel 7 Pro. Thanks to the efficiency of the Tensor G3 chip and the adaptive refresh rate of the display, the Pixel 8 Pro offers impressive battery life, easily lasting a full day of use under typical conditions.
The phone supports 30W fast charging, which is somewhat slower compared to rivals like Samsung and OnePlus, but it still manages to charge the phone to 50% in around 30 minutes. The Pixel 8 Pro also supports wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, enabling users to charge accessories like earbuds directly from the phone.
Additional Features: Thermometer and Beyond
One of the more unusual features of the Pixel 8 Pro is its temperature sensor, located next to the rear camera array. While it might seem like a novelty, the sensor allows users to measure the temperature of objects, such as food or drinks, which could have niche applications. However, it’s not currently approved for measuring body temperature, though Google is reportedly seeking FDA approval for this feature.
The phone is also equipped with an under-display fingerprint scanner, which works reliably and quickly, though some users may still prefer the convenience of facial recognition, which is not available on this device.
Comparison with Competitors
When compared to other flagship phones like the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, the Pixel 8 Pro stands out primarily for its AI-powered features and camera system. While Apple’s A17 Pro chip and Samsung’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 may outperform the Tensor G3 in raw power, the Pixel 8 Pro excels in computational tasks that leverage machine learning, making it ideal for users who prioritize smart features and photo quality.
That said, the software experience on the iPhone remains more polished, with iOS 17 offering a more streamlined and user-friendly interface compared to Android 14, which can sometimes feel cluttered due to Google’s push to integrate as many features as possible.
In terms of battery life, the Pixel 8 Pro performs well, though it doesn’t lead the pack. The iPhone 15 Pro Max offers slightly better endurance, and Samsung’s S24 Ultra provides faster charging. However, for photography enthusiasts, the Pixel 8 Pro’s AI-driven photo tools and real-time editing capabilities make it one of the best options available.
