Google Pixel 8 Pro is the most amazing phone ever

The Google Pixel 8 Pro is a high-end Android smartphone that, despite the arrival of competitive GenAI-powered phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, can still accomplish a variety of things that its competitors cannot.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro is the best Pixel that Google has ever built, and it reflects Google’s vision for the future of mobile technology, albeit that vision might be hazy and unfocused at times. It has a wonderful display that is larger and brighter than its competitors at this price point, and the photography features, aided by Google’s machine learning, are unparalleled by any other phone manufacturer. Some of the new AI functions are intriguing and useful, while others are strange, if not off-putting, and the phone exhibits the worst Android habits. However, Google has committed to this phone for seven years of upgrades, which is longer than ever before, so there is plenty of time for development, and the hardware provides Google with a wonderful foundation to expand on.

This is the first phone that focuses heavily on AI, from the camera to the software. Newer phones, such as the Samsung Galaxy S24, also focus on AI, but none are as feature-rich as Google’s offering. It’s been doing this for years, after all.

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Google Pixel 8 Pro KEY FEATURES

Bursting with intelligent AI-infused software, the promise of software updates for many years to come, and a camera and screen that dazzle, the Google Pixel 8 Pro does an excellent job of offering prospective buyers something unique.

The same old style, but enhanced with a matte surface and richer colors. It’s the best Pixel yet, but the Pixel aesthetic is becoming stale. The Pixel 8 Pro’s major feature is its bright and sharp display, which is comparable to and possibly better than the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The good stuff is valuable, but certain AI elements cross the line when they work, and others are difficult to detect. Great all-around camera features, including some unusual AI editing options that resemble Photoshop creation rather than photography. Still, unquestionably good images. Good enough performance for the time being, but it’s uncertain whether this phone will live up to Google’s seven-year promise, or if Android will cut corners to fit into the Pixel 8 Pro later. Excellent battery life thanks to a huge cell within and strong power management that keeps the brilliant display under control.

With iOS 17, Apple makes a persuasive case for sticking with the phone everyone else is buying. The Google Pixel 8 Pro’s camera editing tools may raise doubts about reliability based on the photos it takes, and the summary tool is erroneous. Moving the focus away from speed and performance and toward designing a processor tailored to boost AI performance gives the Pixel 8 Pro a distinct selling point, even in 2024, when Samsung and other manufacturers will be delivering their GenAI-powered capabilities. The Pixel’s AI capability is simply more comprehensive than the competing Galaxy AI.

GOOGLE PIXEL 8 PRO UNBOXING

There simply isn’t much unboxing to be done. The Pixel 8 Pro arrives in a fairly normal half-height white cardboard box with a picture of the phone emblazoned on the lid.

Inside, the list of accessories is very short: a USB-C cable and a USB-A-to-C adaptor to ease data transfer from as many older phones as feasible. Sure, there’s a SIM eject button and some papers, but nothing particularly important, such as a charger.

CAMERA

• Excellent photographs with increased macro quality
• Upgrades on all cameras, particularly telephoto
• Not as good for night photographs as the iPhone 15 Pro

Google’s Pixel phones have always stood out for their cameras, and the Pixel 8 is no exception. The camera experience here is excellent, thanks to some welcome sensor updates, a slew of software tweaks, and a lot smarter app. It ranks among the top camera phones on the market in 2024.

The trio of cameras on the rear includes a main 50MP octa-PD camera with a wide f/1.68 aperture and a huge 1/1.31-inch sensor, as well as a 48MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom and a 48MP ultrawide with autofocus. Google has not skimped on any of these cameras, and they all produce outstanding results. Shots from the Pixel 8 Pro have that distinct Pixel appearance, which I adore. Highlights are pushed to create dramatic images, with colors that are restrained but realistic and bright. The shots aren’t as cool as those from the 7 Pro, having warmer tones throughout. The camera’s ability to produce skin tones is unparalleled in the smartphone arena, and despite still shooting 12MP shots, it retains a tremendous level of detail, particularly in fur.

Many people enjoy how Samsung flagships and newer iPhones boost the colors, and there’s nothing wrong with that – but the more subtle nature of photographs from the Pixel 8 Pro gives them a more professional appearance. However, most of this comes down to personal preference. The Google Pixel 8 Pro performs admirably in low-light situations, although photos are best when there is some light. There is no wild night setting here that allows you to snap images in complete darkness, but the majority of the shots I’ve taken at night are usable, with vibrant colors and plenty of detail.

When moving between the zoom and ultrawide cameras, there is often a significant color change that the software attempts to correct. This can be startling, especially if you’re jumping in 5 times, because the image you’re seeing skips around before settling. The images from both secondary cameras are excellent, and it’s refreshing to see the ultrawide treated with a high-resolution sensor rather than as an afterthought. The zoom skills may not match the range of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but the 5x zoom allows you to get close to a subject while retaining lots of detail. I’ve been using this camera a lot in the last several weeks.

The Pixel 8 Pro performs better than the Pixel 7 Pro in terms of video capturing. Colors are better matched throughout photographs and videos now, so you get those beautiful colors and skin tones. Things take a turn at night, when the stabilization introduces strange panning effects and noise becomes prevalent. The actual camera technology is perhaps the least fascinating aspect of this camera, with Google focusing heavily on improvements and new capabilities added to Google Photos and the Camera app itself. For example, the Camera app is now much more intelligently designed. You may now simply switch between Photo and Video modes, with different settings and choices for each. This is a little modification, but having these two options separated makes a lot of sense.

The Pixel 8 Pro also includes several additional camera controls. None of these make their way to the Pixel 8. Once accessed, these manual settings allow you to adjust the shutter speed, ISO, and white balance. If you delve deeper, you’ll find an option to force the phone into Night Sight mode and only use the telephoto camera for zooming at night. All of this is quite welcome, and it gives individuals who wish to exercise more physical control the ability to do so. What truly distinguishes the Pixel 8 Pro’s camera from other phones on the market are the AI capabilities in both the Camera app and within Google Photos. Some of these aren’t quite ready yet, such as the Video Boost tool, which brightens nighttime video footage, but there are plenty of options to experiment with.

Magic Editor uses generative AI to replace large portions of an image you’ve taken. Have you taken a photo of a blue sky? Magic Editor can change that to a grey one. Have you ever captured a street jam-packed with cars? Magic Editor can make it appear empty. In just a few taps, I transformed my small dog into a much larger one who dominated the entire room, dwarfing the furniture. It can be hit or miss, and it doesn’t always work, but when it does, it’s worth a second look.

I did just as many double takes with the Best Take feature. This works when you capture a large number of images of a single individual or a group and their facial expressions aren’t exactly right. Best Take examines all of the images you’ve taken and suggests an alternative face expression to overlay the original image. In well-lit circumstances, it works extremely well – almost too well, albeit it can frequently struggle to get the neck position quite right.

I believe that parents who struggle to get numerous children to smile at the same time would make extensive use of this function. Still, it feels strange to me, especially when you’re changing entire expressions – for example, turning someone sad during a conversation into someone joyful and smiling. It makes me uncomfortable, and this is just the beginning.

DESIGN AND SCREEN

• Three fairly bland color selections
• It can be uncomfortable to hold
• Even brighter and crisper than the iPhone 15 Pro Max!
• The bezel is somewhat thicker than the iPhone

In a similar way to current Apple and Samsung phones, Google altered an existing design for the Pixel Pro 8 rather than entirely recreating it. Google has been utilizing this style since the Pixel 6, and while it once felt modern, it is now beginning to feel a touch dated. The Pixel 9 Pro requires an upgrade next year. It’s a well-built phone, though, with a glass and metal body and a welcome IP68 designation for dust and water resistance.

The Pixel 8 Pro has a lot going for it, but its overall design and ergonomics are its worst features. Google has also failed to address some of the most serious faults with the general Pixel design, which has evolved over the last few revisions. For example, the phone retains the camera visor, which was featured since the Pixel 6. This is a bar that runs across the back and houses all of the camera sensors in a neatly organized space. Because of its flat top and bottom, this bar serves as a shelf for dust to adhere to while it is in a pocket. As we highlighted in our Pixel 8 review, the camera bar protrudes enough to snag pants when retrieved from a pocket. This may appear to be a minor issue, but it demonstrates a lack of attention to detail in the Pixel 8 Pro’s design. These concerns have been identified for years, with no adjustments taken to enhance usability.

I’ve also found it unpleasant to hold the phone for long periods. At 213g, it’s not very hefty, but it seems rather top-heavy, with most of the weight placed on the thick camera. Even though the iPhone 15 Pro Max weighs around 10g more, I’d say it feels lighter. The Pixel’s edges are also sharp, even though the sides are softened at the back. It all adds up to a phone that takes some getting accustomed to. On a more positive side, Google has changed the previously glossy texture to a satin finish, which does an excellent job of eliminating fingerprints and smudges. Surprisingly, this design feature is missing from the smaller Pixel 8, which retains its highly glossy appearance.

The Pixel 8 Pro display is a striking feature this year, and Google has even given it its name: Super Actua. The Pixel 8 is just plain old Actua, you see. In practical terms, it appears that this refers to the display’s brightness, which is extremely brilliant. The Pixel 8 Pro can hit 2,400 nits at peak brightness and still produces 1,600 nits when not in direct sunlight. In almost every regard, the Pixel 8 Pro display outperforms the iPhone 15 Pro Max. In terms of brightness, total resolution, and sharpness (pixel density), the Pixel has a superior screen.

It was considerably more difficult to tell the difference side by side, albeit the Pixel was noticeably brighter in some circumstances, particularly when viewing a fully white topic. That’s when I switched the Pixel display to the more vibrant ‘Adaptive’ mode, which the iPhone lacks. When I changed the Pixel display settings to the ‘Natural’ screen color style, the colors and brightness levels appeared much more like what I was used to seeing on an iPhone. The Pixel 8 Pro’s bezel is just slightly thicker than that of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but the tiny punch-hole camera is far less invasive than Apple’s Dynamic Island, no matter how much Apple makes it dance and sing.

HOW’S THE PERFORMANCE?

• Tensor G3 Chipset
• 12GB RAM and up to 1TB storage in various locations
• The temperature sensor seems like an unusual inclusion

It’s difficult to assess performance on a Pixel phone. In terms of sheer performance, pushing games and graphics to new heights, the Pixel 8 Pro performs admirably, but it will not win any competition. It handled all of my favorite games and ran high-resolution videos smoothly, but everything looked better on phones like the iPhone 15 Pro or even older Android phones like the Galaxy S23 Ultra (which is now about the same price as the Pixel 8 Pro after eight months).

In contrast, the Pixel 8 Pro is an all-around solid gadget, especially when compared to other phones in this price bracket. Battery life is great, thanks to a bigger battery and improved power management from Google’s Tensor G3 processor. The display is quick and fluid, allowing you to highlight Google’s interface design or replicate the subtle and natural iPhone tones as desired. The Pixel 8 Pro includes a temperature sensor, and I’m not sure why. It is only accurate up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit (about 150 Celsius), thus it isn’t really good for checking the temperature of cookware while cooking, as Google says. I need my frying oil to be approximately 350 degrees, and I want to check my oven to 500 degrees or higher. Try again, Google.

After using the phone for a week, I was originally concerned about its performance. I don’t typically pay much attention to benchmarks, but I was experiencing severe lag everywhere for the first few days, with even basic programs failing to cope. After the first week, there was a visible difference, and everything went much smoother; after another week with the Pixel 8 Pro, it seems speedy in everyday use. Gaming performance continues to lag behind similarly priced phones. I saw many missing frames in heavy games (Genshin Impact and COD Mobile), as well as delays in top-down games like Survivor.io. Everything is still playable, but not to the same extent as on high-end devices using Qualcomm 8 Gen 3, such as the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, OnePlus 12, and Honor Magic 6 Pro.

My colleague Lewis experienced the same problem with the Pixel 8, so I would advise anyone purchasing either of Google’s new phones to keep this in mind for the first few days and persevere with it even if performance seemed unsatisfactory. Google has added some welcome features, like Wi-Fi 7 capability, Bluetooth 5.3, and an ultra-wideband chip for spatial orientation. There is also a fantastic speaker onboard, easily the finest I’ve heard on a Pixel phone.

The temperature sensor, located beneath the flash and next to the cameras, is the most distinctive of the Pixel 8 Pro’s sensors. Open the Thermometer app on your phone, point it at a solid object or a liquid, and it will display the temperature. I’m not sure who this is for, as anyone who needs to test the exact temperature of something is likely to already have an accurate tool. This just feels like a gimmicky addition we’ve seen on Pixel phones before, and it’ll be gone next year, never to return.

Buy it if...

• The visor is always evolving, but it remains a recognized design; the flat screen improves usability and screen protectors.
• Exceptionally bright display, but it is also sharp, color-accurate, and with an adequate adjustable refresh rate.
• Android from the source, with an exclusive feature set and 7 years of software support.
• Overall, the camera is of excellent quality.
• Is there a thermometer on board?

Don't buy it if…

• Battery life is not competitive.
• While charging speed has improved, it remains behind the curve.
• Some software features are exclusive to specific nations.
• In terms of raw performance and load stability, the Tensor G3 chipset falls behind.

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