Google Pixel 8 Pro – An evolutionary upgrade with a photography and AI focus
Google Pixel 8 Pro. Picture: Google.
The new Pixel 8 Pro has large shoes to fill because the Pixel 7 Pro was a major hit, and competitors like Apple have been active in updating their flagship smartphones. The Pixel 8 Pro may seem less revolutionary and more evolutionary, but it's particularly enticing for photography enthusiasts.
The Google Pixel 8 Pro's design is similar to its predecessor's. There are subtle tweaks to its shape and dimensions, but these changes are hardly noticeable at a glance. Google has opted for a flat display this time, departing from the curved sides of the Pixel 7 Pro, a change that should appeal to many. I love the feel of curved glass, but it’s starting to look a little dated, and more brands are moving towards a flatter and more practical display. While it may be less visually appealing, it's easier to use, and the glass is protected by the latest Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cover glass.
The glass back has a gorgeous frosted surface that hides fingerprints, and the side rails are made of rounded, polished metal.
The Pixel 8 Pro remains water-resistant, and its excellent stereo speakers are on par with the previous model. The phone's dimensions haven't changed much. Still, any slimming down in one area seems to have been added to the camera bump, which now houses all three cameras behind the same glass, eliminating the separation of the telephoto camera. Additionally, a temperature sensor has been discreetly integrated into the camera bump. I’m unsure who this feature is for since it hasn’t been approved to take skin temperature yet, and it’s only available on the Pixel 8 Pro and not the Pixel 8. Having said that, I quickly found it convenient to take readings of the room, cooking, beverages, and water temperatures, but if it weren't there, I doubt I would miss it.
The 6.7-inch display's resolution has been downgraded slightly to 1,344 x 2,992px, but it still appears just as sharp even at a distance. Notably, the screen is incredibly bright, with a peak brightness of 2,400 nits, making it excellent for outdoor use. Even the iPhone 15 Pro Max, with a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits, is less brilliant than this. The bezels around the display are slim, but those with OCD may not appreciate the slightly larger bezel on the bottom.
The Pixel 8 Pro features an LPTO OLED display, offering smooth motion and variable refresh rates from 1Hz to 120Hz.
WiFi has been upgraded to WiFi 7, but since most people use WiFi 5, I’m not sure how much of an upgrade this is.
This review was based on the 128GB/12GB RAM model of the Pixel 8 Pro provided by Google, but other storage options of 256GB and 512GB are available.
Google's software is a standout feature of the Pixel 8 Pro. It runs the latest Android 14 and features like the new generating AI wallpaper tool is terrific. You input a series of words or prompts, and the AI generates a unique image based on the input — just like with almost any other AI image generator.
Google's other software enhancements focus heavily on camera features, such as the Magic Editor, Best Take tool, and Magic Eraser. Magic Editor, an AI-powered Photoshop-like tool, allows you to separate a subject and move and resize it. The Best Take tool is more efficient for swapping faces between multiple similar shots, providing quick and polished results.
The Pixel 8 Pro has seven years of promised software security and feature updates, significantly improving its longevity. This is a significant leap forward, and I hope other companies follow their lead.
The Pixel 8 Pro is powered by the Tensor G3 chip, offering a responsive and efficient performance. It handles demanding tasks, such as gaming, easily, and its efficiency is noticeable when browsing and running games.
While there’s a notable performance boost over the Tensor G2, my benchmarking results and real-world experience tell me it doesn’t offer the same levels of performance found on other flagship models. Performing the AI photo editing tasks can be slow, but these could improve with future software updates. While the Pixel 8 Pro isn’t class-leading in pure raw processing power, generally, the user experience is smooth and snappy.
Battery life varies depending on usage, but I had no problems getting through a day of heavy use. More demanding tasks or gaming will drain the battery faster, but the phone supports 30W PD 3.0 fast charging, allowing it to recharge reasonably quickly. Of course, because there isn't one in the box, you must have a power supply of your own.
The Pixel 8 Pro features camera improvements, with larger sensors and wider apertures, enhancing its ability to capture more light. The main sensor (50MP Octa PD wide camera, 1.2 μm pixel width, ƒ/1.68 aperture, 82° field of view and 1/1.31" image sensor size) offers excellent performance, producing vibrant and clear images.
The ultrawide camera (48MP Quad PD with autofocus, 0.8 μm pixel width, ƒ/1.95 aperture, 125.5° field of view and Lens correction) excels in brighter environments and can capture decent images in darker settings. The telephoto sensor (48MP Quad PD telephoto, 0.7 μm pixel width, ƒ/2.8 aperture, 21.8° field of view, 5x optical zoom and Super Res Zoom up to 30x) provides brighter images, making it great for zooming in on subjects.
The selfie camera (10.5MP dual PD, 1.22 μm pixel width, ƒ/2.2 aperture, Auto-focus and 95° ultrawide field of view) adds autofocus – a welcome addition.
I’m a big fan of macro photography, and it’s great to see the Pixel 8 Pro can now focus even closer to 2cm, allowing you to capture more detail.
The new Pro controls now feature advanced camera controls over shutter speed, ISO and more, and you can use them with the 50MP high-res mode. Astrophotography now supports the ultrawide and wide lens, including the 50MP high-res mode.
While video improvements such as Video Boost and Night Sight Video are expected in future updates, they weren't available for testing during my time reviewing the Pixel 8 Pro.
Google's Audio Eraser is a noteworthy video feature, as it can separate elements like speech and wind, allowing individual volume adjustments. This is a feature which works better than expected and is something that would take a lot of effort to accomplish in pro video editing software.
The Google Pixel 8 Pro is a solid performer, albeit a modest upgrade from its predecessor. While it comes at a higher price, the long-term support with seven years of software updates is a significant benefit. There are a lot of camera improvements that result in a greater level of control, convenience and consistency. The Google Pixel 8 Pro offers a compelling option in the Android flagship market, especially for those who value long-term software support.
Google Pixel 8 Pro prices start at €1,099 and come in three colours: Bay, Obsidian and Porcelain. Google Store
