Seven years of support, cutting-edge generative AI capabilities, excellent zoom, all while remaining more affordable than premium competitors
Google’s flagship Pixel phone is back, offering superior photography, intelligent features, and extended software support for up to seven years. However, the debate remains open regarding whether the Pixel 8 Pro’s premium attributes justify a notable price increase.
Priced at £999 (€1,099/$999/A$1,699), this new Android device still comes in at a lower cost than its competitors from Apple and Samsung, which are priced at £1,200. Nevertheless, the £150 increase from last year’s outstanding 7 Pro may raise eyebrows.
The phone boasts an upgraded aluminum and glass design. The impressive 6.7-inch OLED screen is now flat, in contrast to the curved edges of previous Pixel Pro models. It offers remarkably smooth scrolling and can achieve an impressive peak brightness of 2,400 nits, although this level is sustainable for only a few minutes in intense sunlight before dimming to still very legible levels.
New for this year, an enhanced 2D facial recognition system has been introduced, which can now be used for authenticating payments, not limited to unlocking the phone. While it may not be as advanced as certain 3D facial recognition systems like Apple’s Face ID and has limitations such as not functioning with sunglasses or in low-light conditions, it proved to be quite useful during my testing, especially when combined with the under-display fingerprint sensor.
Google’s new Tensor G3 chip, when assessed on paper, slightly lags behind leading competitors such as Qualcomm and Apple. However, it performs just as effectively in handling games, applications, and general usage as the best in the market. The battery life is on par with the Pixel 7 Pro, lasting nearly 37 hours between charges, making it suitable even for a day of heavy use. Nevertheless, you’ll likely need to recharge it nightly, a process that takes about 85 minutes when using a 30W charger.
Specifications
Display: A 6.7-inch 120Hz QHD+ OLED screen with a pixel density of 489ppi.
Processor: Powered by the Google Tensor G3 chipset.
Memory: Equipped with 12GB of RAM.
Storage: Available in 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage options.
Operating System: Runs on Android 14.
Camera: Features a 50MP primary camera, a 48MP ultrawide camera, a 48MP 5x telephoto camera, and a 10.5MP front-facing selfie camera.
Connectivity: Supports 5G, eSIM, Wi-Fi 7, UWB (Ultra-Wideband), NFC, Bluetooth 5.3, and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System).
Water Resistance: Rated with an IP68 certification, allowing submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes.
Dimensions: Measures 162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8mm in size.
Weight: Weighs 213 grams.
Android 14, offering an extended seven-year update support
One of the most significant enhancements for this year’s Pixel is the notably extended software support. The phone comes with the latest Android 14 and a commitment to provide both Android and security updates for a full seven years, ensuring that the 8 Pro will remain secure and functional until at least October 2030. This aligns Google with Apple’s iPhone in terms of support and surpasses most other prominent Android manufacturers by a minimum of two years. Fairphone stands out by offering even more support with a remarkable 10-year commitment.
This is a substantial development, as it prolongs the phone’s useful lifespan and potentially enhances its resale value in the second-hand or third-hand market, ultimately contributing to a longer and more sustainable use of the device. This shift is beneficial not only for users’ finances but also for the environment, and it is hoped that it will encourage other major manufacturers to catch up in terms of support.
Generative AI everywhere
Google has hopped on the widely discussed generative AI trend, incorporating it into various aspects of the phone and assuring further enhancements, such as the integration of its Bard AI into Assistant.
Several of these features are currently exclusive to the United States, such as Assistant’s capability to provide concise summaries of websites and articles. Additionally, there’s a noteworthy wallpaper generator and the functionality to read articles aloud to users. Furthermore, Assistant has made substantial progress in understanding the natural flow of speech, proficiently handling hesitations and pauses so that users can ask questions without feeling rushed. Voice typing has also been enhanced, now automatically inserting appropriate punctuation when users pause, representing a significant improvement.
Google Photos infused with more AI
Additionally, Google Photos has incorporated more generative AI technology. The “Magic Eraser” feature has evolved into the comprehensive “Magic Editor.” This tool allows you to choose people and objects for repositioning or resizing, replace the sky, or adjust the lighting, leveraging AI to seamlessly blend various elements of the image. It presents four options simultaneously for users to select the most suitable one or offers the option to generate more choices. While this feature is in beta, and it may take up to 30 seconds to process, when it performs accurately, the results can be truly remarkable.
Camera
Google’s Pixel phones have consistently featured some of the most exceptional cameras available, and the 8 Pro is certainly no different. The core hardware has received enhancements throughout, incorporating larger and more luminous sensors compared to its predecessors. These improvements enhance the quality of low-light photography and reduce the occurrence of blurriness in fast-paced scenes.
The most substantial improvement is found in the ultrawide camera, while the main camera consistently delivers outstanding shots, as does the 5x optical zoom telephoto camera. Similar to the Pixel 7 Pro from the previous year, the camera offers an additional 2x optical zoom for the main camera and 10x for the telephoto by utilizing only the central pixels of the sensor. This method works effectively as long as there’s sufficient light available.
The camera comes with an array of enjoyable and automated features. Furthermore, the Pixel 8 Pro introduces full manual controls for the first time, allowing you to capture full 50MP RAW format images (digital negatives) and provides control over shutter speed, ISO, and focus. This enhancement will be particularly appreciated by photography enthusiasts.
In summary, the 8 Pro outperforms other phone cameras when it comes to effortlessly producing excellent images in challenging conditions, such as capturing fast-moving subjects or dealing with low-light scenarios, making it an exceptional point-and-shoot camera.
Sustainability
Google does not specify the exact battery lifespan but it is anticipated to endure over 500 full charge cycles while retaining at least 80% of its initial capacity. The phone is serviceable through both Google and third-party repair shops, and authentic replacement components will soon be offered by iFixit. If the device is no longer under warranty, screen replacements by Google cost £116, and battery replacements are priced at £56.
The Pixel 8 Pro incorporates a minimum of 18% recycled materials, including recycled aluminum, plastic, and tin. Detailed information regarding the phone’s environmental impact can be found in the company’s sustainability report. Google also provides a free recycling service for old devices.
Price
The Google Pixel 8 Pro is priced starting at £999 (€1,099/$999/A$1,699).
To put it in context, the Pixel 8 is available for £699, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is priced at £1,249, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max comes in at £1,199, and the Fairphone 5 is priced at £649.
While the Pixel 8 Pro may not represent the same high-end value as its predecessors, it still delivers excellent value compared to its competitors. Its screen, build quality, performance, and battery life all stand out. The Pixel’s unique design sets it apart from the crowd, giving it a distinct identity. It boasts an exceptional camera system, enhanced by an array of advanced AI-driven editing tools that challenge the boundary between reality and artificial elements. When used responsibly, these features can be both enjoyable and practical.
Furthermore, the phone comes with the assurance of additional Google generative AI technology to be introduced in the near future, aligning with Google’s hardware philosophy of providing a strong product at launch and ongoing enhancements through feature updates.
However, the most significant improvement lies in the extended seven-year software support, which positions the Pixel on par with Apple and surpasses most other Android devices, with only the Fairphone 5 offering longer support. This is a commendable stride toward sustainability.
