ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Pixel 8 presents a flagship-level expertise with Google’s newest AI and machine studying options, all for underneath $700. Proper now, you should buy one for as little as $499 on Amazon.
- With quick efficiency, wonderful cameras, and Google’s Actua show, it is top-of-the-line smartphone offers out there.
- In comparison with equally priced telephones, just like the Nothing Telephone 2, the Pixel 8 is a much better worth.
The Google Pixel 8 Professional is perhaps getting all the eye these days (particularly because it’s the primary handset to achieve entry to Google’s new Gemini AI mannequin), however the usual Pixel 8 is perhaps the true MVP of Google’s lineup this yr.
Additionally: I in contrast the Google Pixel 8a with each main sub-$500 Android cellphone – this is my shopping for recommendation
That is as a result of the Pixel 8 presents top-of-the-line combos of specs, options, and premium design at a value significantly decrease than the competitors. What’s extra, ever since Amazon Prime Day, Pixel 8 offers have been hovering round $499.
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At that value, the Pixel 8 shouldn’t be solely troublesome to disregard, however maybe the one cellphone you ought to be considering of if you happen to’re procuring on a funds. You will not discover one other cellphone prefer it underneath $500, and it is solely whenever you sift by way of the $800-$1,000 choices that you simply discover commendable competitors.
An enormous cause why that is such a compelling choice is the Tensor G3 chip, Google’s newest in-house processor that powers the entire Pixel 8’s AI and machine studying options. It is not only a stable Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 different, however a monumental cause why the Pixel 8 is such an amazing cellphone.
Overview: Google Pixel 8 Professional: This cellphone bought me on an AI-powered future
The chip powers all of the Google Pixel-ness of the Pixel 8, from transcribing voices within the Recorder app to letting you edit photographs to your coronary heart’s content material with the AI-powered Magic Editor. The Google Assistant additionally takes benefit of the G3 to course of your voice faster and even summarize internet pages for shortly consuming info. Alongside powering Google’s HDR pipeline for images, guaranteeing Android 14 is slick and easy, the G3 is without doubt one of the most succesful smartphone chips in the marketplace. And when paired with 8GB of RAM, you will by no means have a gradual day.
The show is one other large cause to get this cellphone. The Pixel 8’s 6.2-inch Actua show is a bit smaller than the display screen on the Pixel 7, however that makes it simpler to carry in a single hand. It is also gorgeous to have a look at; with a Full HD+ decision, a 120Hz refresh price, and a couple of,000 nits of peak brightness, it is one of many brightest and clearest shows in the marketplace. Plus, it is OLED, so colours are vibrant and inky blacks are plentiful.
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Look past the show and you will find a handsome cellphone crafted out of aluminum and Gorilla Glass Victus. That includes Google’s signature digicam bar on the again and skinny bezels across the show, the Pixel 8 is a stunner amongst different sub-$700 telephones. It is also IP68-certified for mud and water resistance, and it is available in three good finishes: Obsidian (black), Hazel (kinda inexperienced), and Rose (extra of a golden peach, in my view).
On the subject of Pixel telephones, there are two areas you need to discuss: cameras and software program.
On the digicam entrance, Google knocked it out of the park. The rear 50MP major shooter and 12MP ultra-wide are each wonderful performers in broad daylight and at night time. The cameras simply match or outpace what you’d get with an iPhone 15 Professional or Galaxy S23 Extremely when it comes to readability, element, and sharpness, whereas colours are sometimes way more correct than they ever have been on a Pixel cellphone.
Additionally: Google simply added a giant characteristic to the Pixel digicam, and two extra could possibly be on the way in which
You additionally get the entire digicam chops that the Pixel title carries like astrophotography, Tremendous ResZoom, twin publicity controls, and Extremely HDR. That is on high of different options like Greatest Take and Magic Editor that make these cameras the neatest you will discover. Plus, video high quality has been vastly improved over earlier Pixels — it is flat-out akin to the iPhone.
On the software program facet, Google’s Pixel expertise atop Android 14 stays my favourite strategy to work together with Android. It is clear, minimal, and provides you a heat, inviting feeling that no different Android pores and skin can mimic. You get all of the options of Android 14 like customizable lock screens, higher safety, bigger fonts, and improved notifications, together with the entire Pixel options you might ask for, akin to Name Display, Now Enjoying, Direct My Name, AI-generated wallpapers, and –of course –the Pixel Launcher.
However the true kicker within the software program division is Google’s prolonged assist. The corporate is guaranteeing seven full years of software program assist, which implies you will get updates till 2030 if you happen to purchase this cellphone. That is exceptional for an Android cellphone, and it provides gadgets just like the iPhone a run for his or her cash.
Additionally: Google Pixel 8 vs. Google Pixel 8 Professional: Which mannequin must you purchase?
The Pixel 8 also can final all day on a cost due to the 4,575 mAh cell inside. With my medium to heavy utilization, I sometimes finish days with 30-40 % within the tank, which implies anybody utilizing the cellphone a bit much less might stretch it out to final a day and a half. Plus, you get 30W quick charging to juice again up in addition to Qi wi-fi charging.
So, what are the downsides? Actually, there aren’t so much. The Pixel 8 nonetheless will get fairly heat after utilizing it for some time, however that is typical with Google’s Tensor processors. I additionally want there was a correct telephoto digicam on the again; Tremendous Res Zoom is helpful for upscaling digitally zoomed photographs, however it will probably solely take you to date. Oh, and I nonetheless do not belief Face Unlock; Google enables you to use it to pay for issues now utilizing Google Pay, however it nonetheless depends on a flat picture of your face to authenticate you.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
You are not going to discover a a lot better worth than the Pixel 8. From the beautiful show and design to the speedy efficiency and wonderful cameras, Google’s customary flagship cellphone stands by itself with an impeccable steadiness of high-end options for a cheaper price than different flagships.
Additionally: Google Pixel 9, Professional, Professional XL, and Professional Fold: Specs, options, and every thing else we all know to date
With its sale value of $499, the closest competitors occurs to be the Galaxy S23 FE and Nothing Telephone (2), two gadgets which are completely worthy of a spot in your pocket however do not provide the identical worth because the Pixel 8. Google’s cellphone is a correct flagship with seven years of software program assist, the most recent AI options, and the corporate’s newest digicam methods. The Telephone (2) and S23 FE are high-end mid-rangers that steadiness specs and value effectively, however do not feel as high-end because the Pixel does.
Anybody looking for an Android cellphone underneath $600 — not to mention underneath $700 — ought to look to the Pixel 8. The worth is solely unimaginable, and it is by far top-of-the-line telephones of the yr.
