Summary
When a new function of my phone is introduced, it is quite unusual for others to congregate around me in order to examine it. A few of them are included in the Pixel 8. For instance, my coworkers were astonished by the effectiveness of the newly introduced Best Take function, which creates a superior group photograph by selecting the faces that seem to be the most attractive from a collection of photographs.
It is also possible to eliminate background noise from films, transform a photograph taken during the middle of the day into a sunset, and simply shift objects around in photographs without the need for Photoshop. And it’s all because of the artificial intelligence that’s built inside the Pixel 8 device.
Google Pixel 8 review
Yes, I am the same way; I am sick of hearing the name “AI.” However, Google (largely) lives up to the expectations by providing a multitude of features for the Pixel 8 that make your life simpler and a little bit more enjoyable. In addition, the Google Pixel 8 has a display that is more vivid and a battery life that is longer. You even get software upgrades for a period of seven years. Add it all together, and you have one of the greatest Android phones that has been released so far.
Then, what could possibly be disliked about it? Although the price of $699 is $100 more than that of the Pixel 7, the performance of the new Tensor G3 processor is still inferior to that of its competitors. Do you think this “AI phone” is right for you, and does it deserve a spot on our list of the best phones? In my comprehensive review of the Pixel 8, I discuss both the positive and negative aspects of the device.
GOOGLE PIXEL 8 REVIEW: SPECS
| Price | $699 |
| OS | Android 14 |
| Processor | Tensor G3 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB |
| Display | 6.2 OLED, 120Hz |
| Rear cameras | 50MP main (f/1.68) with 8x Super Res Zoom, 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2) |
| Front camera | 10.5MP (f//2.2) |
| Video | 4K up to 60 fps |
| Battery | 4,575 mAh |
| Charging | 30W |
| Dimensions | 5.9 x 2.8 x 0.4 inches |
| Weight | 6.6 ounces |
THIS IS A REVIEW OF THE GOOGLE PIXEL 8: PRICE AND RELEASE DATE
We began accepting pre-orders for the Google Pixel 8 on October 4, and the phone was made available for purchase on October 12.
The Google Pixel begins at $699 for a storage capacity of 128 gigabytes. This is an increase of $100 from what Google charged the previous year. This is still $100 cheaper than the iPhone 15 and the Samsung Galaxy S23, which is a significant difference. For a total expenditure of $759, you will be required to spend an additional $60 if you desire 256 gigabytes of storage space.
A REVIEW OF THE GOOGLE PIXEL 8: ITS COLORS AND DESIGN
As someone who has been carrying about the Pixel 8 in my pocket rather than the iPhone 15 and the Galaxy S23, I have to admit that there are aspects of Google’s design that I like more than the other two offerings. The curved shape and rounded edges of the handset are two features that I truly like since they make it easy to grasp. By reducing the size of the screen on its flagship phone from 6.3 inches to 6.2 inches, Google has made the Pixel 8 more compact than the Pixel 7. This is another factor that contributes to the advantage.
While the Pixel 8 has dimensions of 5.9 inches by 2.8 inches by 0.4 inches and weighs 6.6 ounces, the Pixel 7 has dimensions of 6.1 inches by 2.9 inches by 0.3 inches and weighs 6.9 ounces. As a result of the enormous camera bar that is located on the rear, the design is on the bulkier side, which is the sole drawback to the design. The unusual appearance is still something I like. The fact that this is a Pixel phone cannot be questioned in any way.
Pixel 8 is available in Rose, Hazel, and Obsidian color options. After putting the Rose hue to the test, I found that it is a really subdued shade of pink that I like. In contrast to the matte surface of the Pixel 8 Pro, the rear glass has a polished appearance. While I personally like the latter approach, the Pixel 8 did an excellent job of preventing fingerprints from appearing on its surface.
REVIEW OF THE GOOGLE PIXEL NO. 8: DISPLAY
The so-called Actua display that is included on the Pixel 8 is without a doubt one of the most significant improvements to the phone. There is a significant increase in brightness here, which is good news since I discovered that the OLED display of the Pixel 7 gave out an insufficient amount of light when seen outside in direct sunshine.
The 6.2-inch screen of the Pixel 8 is rated for 1,400 nits with high dynamic range (HDR) content and 2,000 nits of peak brightness, which is a significant improvement above the Pixel 7’s ratings of 1,000 and 1,400 nits, respectively.
The Pixel 8 achieved a maximum brightness of 1,349 nits while showing high dynamic range (HDR) material and 1,224 nits when adaptive brightness was activated in our laboratory tests. In spite of the fact that we did not test HDR content on the earlier Pixel 7, the display only hit 961 nits while using adaptive brightness. That is a fairly significant leap.
As a point of reference, the Galaxy S23 achieved 1,340 nites, while the iPhone 15 achieved a slightly higher 1,401 nites. The OLED display of the Pixel 8 generated a greater amount of the DCI-P3 color space than the iPhone 15, although it was not as good as the display of the Galaxy S23. And the Pixel 8 scored quite well in terms of color fidelity, even if it wasn’t nearly the top in its category.
CAMERAS with the Google Pixel 8: A Review
Despite the fact that the Google Pixel 8 retains its twin lenses on the rear, it has included a new feature in the shape of a macro close-up mode that is accessible via the ultrawide camera. And there are a multitude of AI camera capabilities that are rather remarkable, despite the fact that they may be glitchy at times.
In order to produce more vibrant colors and details in your photographs, the Pixel 8 is equipped with a primary wide camera that has a resolution of 50 megapixels and enables more powerful image processing. A 12 megapixel ultrawide camera is included, and it has a field of vision that is larger than that of the Pixel 7 (125.8 degrees against 114 degrees).
As opposed to the previous resolution of 10.8 megapixels, the front-facing camera in the Pixel 8 has a resolution of 10.5 megapixels. On the other hand, the newer Pixel has a broader field of vision (95 degrees as opposed to 92.8 degrees).
The capabilities of the Pixel 8’s cameras after a shot has been taken are what really set them apart from other cameras. For instance, Best Take is able to analyze group photographs and using generative artificial intelligence to generate the most attractive photograph. This feature may be quite useful in situations when someone is blinking or has an unpleasant expression. When I put the Pixel 8’s Best Take feature to the test with a few of my coworkers, it automatically selected the most attractive faces that were smiling and looking into the camera.
You also have the ability to touch on the faces that are in the picture and choose a new stance if you so want. However, despite the fact that the process takes a little bit of time and that some of the faces seem to be slightly pasted on bodies, Best Take is rather ingenious overall.
Using Magic Editor, which gives you the ability to modify topics in new ways, was another enjoyable experience for me. To give you an example, I had my kid take a picture of me pretending to dunk, and then I chose to be in the picture and pushed myself closer to the basket. Despite the fact that the final product seems to be photo-shopped, with a faint contour around my torso, it is certainly funny. During the time that I attempted to do the same thing with my kid, Magic Editor removed one of his shoes altogether.
It is also possible to alter the way the sky and lighting seem in your photographs using Magic Editor. For example, you might have the Pixel 8 alter that snap so that it appears to be taken during the golden hour. It took just a few seconds to transform a photo of a pure blue sky into something that was closer to twilight, and it even included a sun that was setting into the same image. It’s cool, but at the same time it’s not really scary.
Taking photographs that have not been altered in any way, how does the Pixel 8 perform? The yellow, lavender, and orange mums in this picture are a clear indication of how well they are doing. As is typical, the Galaxy S23 produces the picture that is the brightest and most oversaturated, which is something that some people will value more. On the other hand, the photo taken with the iPhone 15 is my favorite since it provides a greater contrast and a greater gradation of color. On the other hand, the photo taken by the Pixel 8 is very vibrant and ranks as my second favorite among the bunch.
I find that the portrait that the Pixel 8 photographs of our U.S. phones editor John Velasco is superior to the one that the iPhone 15 would have attempted to capture. However, the warmer skin tone on the iPhone’s photo is more realistic. The Google phone draws out more of John’s face and hair from the shadows than the iPhone does.
EXAMINATION OF THE GOOGLE PIXEL 8: video
In the course of my testing, I was blown away by the video function that the Pixel 8 had. The program is known as Audio Magic Eraser, and it has the ability to eliminate background noise from your clips. This allows you to concentrate on the sound that you are interested in hearing, whether it be music or someone chatting.
For instance, while I was filming a video of myself chatting on a windy day in front of rippling water, the Pixel 8 was able to eliminate the majority of the wind noise with only a touch. A slider control was also available, which allowed me to choose the amount of the backdrop that I wanted to get rid of. Additionally, there were distinct buttons for speech, wind, and noise.
For the purpose of evaluating the overall video quality of the Pixel 8, I took this film along the beach on a day that was generally bright and late in the afternoon. I recorded it in 4K at 30 frames per second. I came to this frame rate because it enables you to zoom in, which is something that is not possible at 60 frames per second. Also, the Pixel 8 does not support 10-bit high dynamic range at 60 frames per second.
The video from the Pixel 8 is really superior than that from the iPhone 15 when I pan around. As well as the green trees in the backdrop, the lake, the sky, and the pier all seem to have a more lively appearance. In spite of the fact that it has the greatest zooming capabilities, the Galaxy S23 surpasses all expectations and gives off an artificial Caribbean-like atmosphere.
The Blur video option on the Pixel 8 is meant to blur away the surrounding while bringing you into focus, but I personally do not find it to be as impressive as it claims to be. You can see in the video that the iPhone 15 does a much better job of separating myself from the trees when it is set to Cinematic mode. On the other hand, the Pixel 8 displays some fuzzy patches surrounding me as I walk down a path.
FEATURES OF THE GOOGLE PIXEL 8: PERFORMANCE AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
The new Tensor G3 processor that is included in the Google Pixel 8 promises to improve both the speed of the central processing unit (CPU) and graphics, but the major boost comes from the Pixel 8’s cognitive capabilities. In point of fact, Google claims that the G3 is capable of running twice as many machine learning models on-device as the original Tensor silicon that was used in the Pixel 6. In spite of this, I did have one vexing glitch when I was doing the tests.
One feature that exemplifies the G3’s superior intelligence is the enhanced Call Screen screen experience. In addition to being able to take calls for you, Google Assistant now has the ability to do it with a voice that sounds more natural. After putting this function to the test, I was able to get the impression that a real person was on the other end of the line, asking me in a courteous manner what the call was about. From that vantage point, I was able to see the words of the other caller in real time. A future Google Pixel Feature Drop will even allow you to touch on-screen alternatives, such as confirming appointments, without having to pick up the phone. This will be possible after the feature drop is implemented.
The Google Pixel 8 is also capable of summarizing any online page that you are now reading in a matter of seconds. Simply hold the power button for a length of time and then touch or speak “summarize,” and you will be presented with a few essential bullet points. A Tom’s Guide post that discussed the reasons to purchase the Pixel 8 rather than the Pixel 8 Pro was neatly summed by the Pixel 8.
With the addition of a new proofread button, even the keyboard also receives an AI boost. Simply pressing the button after you have finished typing will bring up recommendations that are highlighted for you to approve. My intentional mistake of using their instead of there was successfully rectified by the keyboard.
During the testing process, I did come across a few performance flaws that were problematic. During the time that I was utilizing the Audio Magic Eraser tool in the Photos app, the Play button that was located at the top of the video window vanished, and the app eventually stopped responding after that. Although I attempted to forcibly shut the application and then reopen it, I had the same problems. Only by doing a soft reset on the phone was the issue resolved.
In terms of overall performance, the Tensor G3 processor found in the Pixel 8 is quicker than the G2 chip found in the Pixel 7, although it is still behind the speed of other premium smartphones. In the single-core segment of the Geekbench CPU test, the Pixel 8 was able to outperform the Galaxy S23. However, when it came to the multi-core performance, the Pixel 8 was unable to compete with the Samsung and the iPhone 15.
In terms of graphics performance, the Pixel 8 comes in a distant third place, according to the 3DMark Wild Life benchmark. In the basic Unlimited test, the Pixel 8 managed to achieve just 54 frames per second. In spite of this, I must mention that the gaming on the Pixel 8 was quite fluid. This was true not just while I was playing Asphalt 9 and racing around the track while flipping in the air, but also when I was playing Diablo Immortal and destroying opponents.
Finally, we measured the amount of time required to convert 4K footage to 1080p resolution. The job was completed by the Pixel 8 in 45 seconds, which was the longest time among its competitors; nonetheless, this time is comparable to the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s time of 39 seconds. Only twenty-five seconds were required for the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Last but not least, the Google Pixel 8 achieved a remarkable score of 1,791 on the Geekbench ML test, which compares the performance of several machine learning algorithms. This is less than half of what the iPhone 15 has, yet it is about three times as high as the Galaxy S23.
Despite the fact that it is not a performance problem in and of itself, it is important to point out that the Face Unlock function on the Pixel 8 has been improved to the point where it is now secure enough to accept mobile payments. I had to use the personal identification number (PIN) or fingerprint unlock instead since it does not open your phone when it is dark. That is a nice feature.
THIS IS A REVIEW OF THE GOOGLE PIXEL 8: BATTERY LIFE AND CHARGING
One piece of good news is that the battery life of the Google Pixel 8 is far better than that of the Pixel 7. The unfortunate reality is that it is still lagging behind the leading flagships. It took the Pixel 8 an average of 9 hours and 59 seconds to complete the Tom’s Guide battery test, which consisted of continuous web browsing at a screen brightness of 150 nits. The test was conducted with the screen set at 60Hz as the mode. In the smooth mode (120Hz), the Pixel 8 lasted for 9 minutes and 43 seconds.
That is in contrast to the Pixel 7, which only lasted for 7 hours and 30 minutes when its adaptive smoothness was turned off and 7 minutes and 17 seconds when it was turned on. This is a significant improvement in the Pixel 8’s endurance, and it is rather comparable to the average for the smartphones that we evaluate.
However, there are other flagship phones that have a greater battery life. Over the course of our tests, both the Galaxy S23 and the iPhone 15 remained operational for more than 11 hours, which means that the Pixel 8 is at least one hour behind the competition.
The Pixel 8 is capable of charging at 30W, and the results that we saw were satisfactory. After thirty minutes, the phone reached sixty percent, surpassing both the iPhone 15 (which reached fifty-three percent) and the Galaxy S23 (which reached fifty-five percent).
REVIEW OF THE GOOGLE PIXEL 8 TO INCLUDE ANDROID 14 AND SOFTWARE
Almost everything about the Pixel 8 is future-proof. This is due to the fact that Google has pledged to provide operating system and security updates for an astounding seven years, in addition to releasing new features every few months.
When compared to the three years of operating system upgrades and the five years of security updates that the Pixel 7 received, this is a significant gain. At the moment, Samsung provides complete Android upgrades for a period of four years, while iPhones normally get updates for a period of five years.
Android 14, which includes a variety of enhancements, is the operating system that the Pixel 8 runs. In order to personalize your experience, for instance, there is a lock screen picker that can be customized, as well as generative artificial intelligence wallpapers. There is a new magnifier function that makes things simpler to read for those who have visual impairments, and a new tool called Health Connect that stores all of your fitness and health data in a one location for your convenience.
In a future software update, the Pixel 8 will get lossless USB audio; however, we do not know when this update will be released. Considering that it is also included in Android 14, it is quite probable that further Android devices will begin providing support for it as well.
GOOGLE PIXEL 8 vs PIXEL 8: A Comparison
Here is a cheat sheet for those of you who are on the fence about whether or not to purchase the Google Pixel 8 or the Pixel 8 Pro. We have a comprehensive guide that explains all of the differences between the two. The Pixel 8 Pro has a display that is 6.7 inches in size and has a more dynamic refresh rate of 1-120 pixels per second. Additionally, the rear of the device is made of matte glass, making it simpler to hold. Additionally, it has 12 gigabytes of random access memory (RAM), which is more than the 8.
Additionally, the Pixel 8 Pro comes with pro camera options inside the camera app, allowing you to adjust the ISO, white balance, and other settings. Additionally, the Pixel 8 Pro comes with a telephoto lens that has a 5x zoom, while the Pixel 8 just employs digital zoom. Last but not least, the Pixel 8 Pro is the only device that supports Video Boost, a future function that enhances the quality of movies that are uploaded to the cloud.
With a price tag of $699, the Pixel 8 is the superior option for those who want a more compact form. Additionally, the Pixel 8 offers a better value than the Pro variant, which costs $999.
REVIEW THE MOST RECENT UPDATES
We have updated our evaluation of the Pixel 8 with additional battery test results, which are now reflected in the revised averages. our change was made on October 17th. In addition, we have re-executed our video transcoding test after implementing upgrades for the Pixel 8, and the results have been improved.
A REVIEW OF THE GOOGLE PIXEL 8: THE BOTTOM LINE
When it comes to smartphones, the Google Pixel 8 is the antidote to boredom. It is a demonstration of what is possible when you have very intelligent hardware and software working together and you attempt to use what artificial intelligence is capable of doing. Even while it may take a few attempts to get everything exactly as you want it, the Audio Magic Eraser tool in videos and Best Take was extremely impressive to me. I found it to be so impressive that I was amazed.
Additional advantages of the Pixel 8 include a display that is brighter, a macro setting for the camera, and HDR video that looks exceptionally fantastic. The general design of the phone is polished and comfortable to operate with one hand, despite the fact that the camera hump on the rear of the phone is still somewhat large. In spite of this, the Photos app may sometimes be a little bit unstable, which is something that will most likely be fixed in future releases.
However, despite being priced $100 more than the Pixel 7, I believe that the Pixel 8 is still an excellent deal. It is priced $100 lower than the iPhone 15 and the Galaxy S23, while providing virtually all of the features that are offered by the competition. In general, I choose the iPhone 15 since it has a longer battery life and superior performance, while the Galaxy S23 provides you with a telephoto zoom lens. To put it another way, the Pixel 8 is an excellent camera phone and an overall top device for the price category.
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