The Google Pixel 8 Pro is undeniably Google’s flagship premium phone. With its large screen, dedicated telephoto lens, and sleek design, it easily holds its own against other top-tier devices. Now that the Pixel 8 comes with a higher price tag, starting at $1,000, the question arises: Does it still offer good value for the price? After spending some hands-on time with the Pixel 8 Pro, we can certainly argue that it does, thanks to the array of improvements Google has incorporated.
From enhanced cameras to a more extensive utilization of AI, there are several compelling features in the Pixel 8 Pro. Additionally, it boasts a brighter display and a new Tensor G3 chip. However, it’s worth noting that not everyone may see these changes as justifying the $100 premium over the Pixel 7 Pro. To determine where you stand on the Pixel 8 Pro spectrum, consider exploring the reasons to buy this phone, as well as some of the downsides we’ve observed during our initial experience with Google’s latest device.
Why You Should Buy a Google Pixel 8 Pro?
All Rear Cameras are Better
Updating the cameras on the Pixel 8 Pro is a significant step forward for Google. In fact, all three rear cameras have received upgrades, positioning the Pixel 8 Pro as a strong contender among the best camera phones available.
The primary rear camera on the Pixel 8 Pro still boasts a 50MP sensor, but it now features a wider aperture designed to enhance low-light performance. The telephoto lens has also seen improvements, promising brighter shots. Furthermore, Google has elevated the ultrawide lens from a 12MP sensor on the Pixel 7 Pro to an impressive 48MP shooter on the new device. What’s even more exciting is that you can use this ultrawide lens for capturing stunning macro shots.
The outcome of these enhancements should translate into brighter, more detailed photos. The Pixel 8 Pro’s camera performance is poised to compete favorably with the best shots produced by rivals such as the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Pro-specific Camera Features
The Pixel 8 Pro inherits the same AI-powered photo processing and editing enhancements as the Pixel 8. This includes the Magic Editor, which allows you to fine-tune aspects like lighting, shot composition, and other details to achieve the perfect photo. With the Best Take feature, you can mix and match faces from various group shots to ensure everyone looks their best in the final picture. Additionally, the Audio Magic Eraser works effectively in eliminating unwanted sounds from the video footage you capture with your Pixel device.
But the Pixel 8 Pro also boasts some intelligent photo features unique to its model. The Magic Eraser feature has been enhanced to erase larger objects and areas without leaving behind artifacts or smudges. Furthermore, by the end of the year, Pixel 8 Pro users will gain access to Video Boost, enabling them to upload RAW video footage to the cloud for adjustments in color, lighting, graininess, and stabilization. These features cater to the needs of those who are serious about digital photography and video editing.
New Temperature Sensor
You might not have been actively seeking this feature, but the Pixel 8 Pro introduces an exclusive temperature sensor. While it may come off as a bit gimmicky for now, there’s potential for this sensor to become quite useful in the future.
At present, the temperature sensor can determine the temperature of objects, which can be handy for checking the temperature of various items like food, liquids, and even surfaces. While it might seem like a neat party trick for many users, there’s more to it. Google is collaborating with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to seek approval for the Pixel 8 Pro’s sensor to measure the temperatures of people. This could turn out to be an extremely valuable feature, allowing quick temperature checks, particularly for parents assessing whether their child is running a fever and needs to stay home from school.
An improved Tensor G3 Chip
Powering the Pixel 8 Pro is the Tensor G3, and Google has made some notable upgrades to this chipset. They’ve enhanced the GPU and incorporated the latest CPUs from ARM. Whether this closes the performance gap between Google’s Tensor silicon and chipsets like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 remains to be seen until we can run benchmark tests. Nevertheless, the improvements made to the Tensor G3’s Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) seem well worth the investment.
According to Google, the Tensor G3’s TPU is capable of running more than double the number of machine learning models compared to the Tensor found in the Pixel 6, all directly on the device. This is what enables the Pixel 8 Pro to offer features like Magic Eraser’s ability to remove larger objects and other unique capabilities.
One such feature is Call Assist, which provides a more realistic-sounding assistant to handle incoming calls and even displays an on-screen message regarding the call’s nature. The Pixel 8 Pro’s Google Assistant interaction has also been improved, allowing for more natural conversations without concerns about pauses or verbal hesitations confusing the assistant. Additionally, the Google Assistant can now read webpages aloud to you, and soon, you’ll be able to get an on-the-fly summary of recorded content by simply pressing a button in the recorder app.
These advancements represent impressive capabilities that were once unimaginable, and thanks to the Tensor G3, they can be executed effortlessly.
Brighter Display
The Pixel 7 Pro’s 6.7-inch display had a respectable brightness of 927 nits, but it lagged behind comparable phones like the Galaxy S23 Plus (1,345 nits) and iPhone 15 Pro Max (1,550 nits) when we measured it with our light meter. To address this, Google has taken a step forward with the Pixel 8 Pro by opting for a brighter panel.
Specifically, the Pixel 8 Pro boasts a Super Actua display, which promises a substantial increase in brightness — reaching 1,600 nits for HDR brightness and peaking at 2,400 nits. In real-world usage, displays often don’t reach their listed maximums. However, if the Super Actua display comes even close to these numbers, it’s bound to outshine phones from both Apple and Samsung by a noticeable margin.
Updated Matte Finish
At a quick glance, the Pixel 8 Pro doesn’t appear markedly different from its predecessor, the Pixel 7 Pro. In terms of design, there aren’t many major changes to note, except for one significant update.
The Pixel 8 Pro features a matte glass finish, as reported by my colleague John Velasco. This particular finish enhances the phone’s grip when held, making it notably easier to handle. If you’ve found the previous Pixel Pros to be a bit slippery, it seems that this new model addresses that concern, providing a more secure hold.
Why You Should Not Buy Google Pixel 8 Pro?
The Pro Model Costs Extra This Year
Both Pixel 8 models have seen a $100 price increase compared to the previous generation. The standard Pixel 8 now comes in at $699, while the Pixel 8 Pro is priced at $999. It’s worth noting that the regular Pixel 8 remains more affordable than its competitors, while the Pixel 8 Pro now shares a price point with the iPhone 15 Pro and Galaxy S23 Plus, effectively eliminating Google’s price advantage.
Ultimately, individual consumers will need to weigh whether the differences between the Pixel 8 Pro and the Pixel 7 Pro justify the increased cost. From my initial experience with the Pixel 8 Pro, I find the changes to be significant. However, if one of the key appeals of the Pixel was its relatively lower cost compared to other top-tier phones, it’s important to recognize that the Pixel 8 Pro can no longer make that claim.
Is Battery Life Improved?
One important aspect missing from the Pixel 8 Pro information is its battery life. We’re certainly hoping for a significant improvement over the Pixel 7 Pro, which struggled to last more than 8 hours in our tests. Typically, an average smartphone can endure about 10 hours of continuous web surfing before needing a recharge, and the devices on our list of best phone battery life can last 11.5 hours or more.
Unfortunately, Google hasn’t provided much clarity on what to anticipate in terms of the Pixel 8 Pro’s battery life. We do know that it boasts a slightly larger battery than the Pixel 7 Pro, and it’s possible that the Tensor G3 chip may offer improved power management. However, until we have concrete information, questions about battery life might make us hesitant to fully embrace the Pixel 8 Pro.
Base Model Storage Limited
Samsung has recognized the growing need for greater storage capacity in high-end phones, evident in both the Galaxy S23 Plus and S23 Ultra starting with 246GB of storage. The iPhone 15 Pro Max also offers a minimum of 256GB.
Surprisingly, Google seems to have missed this lesson, as it continues to provide just 128GB of storage in its base model. This storage allocation appears meager for a phone bearing the “Pro” designation, particularly when one of the standout features of the device is its exceptional photo and video capabilities.
It’s understandable why Google, with its thriving cloud storage business, might not prioritize offering substantial physical storage. However, providing more storage would be a welcomed move, especially for the professional users Google aims to attract, and it could justify the higher price tag for the phone.
Google Pixel 8 Pro Outlook
The Pixel 8 Pro offers plenty to appreciate, especially when it comes to its impressive camera capabilities. However, there are a couple of concerns to keep in mind. Firstly, its price tag stands at $999, which may be a significant consideration for potential buyers. Secondly, there’s some uncertainty surrounding its battery life performance. Preorder deals for the Pixel 8 Pro may help mitigate the cost concern, and as we conduct our comprehensive testing, we’ll provide a clearer picture of just how well this phone performs.