Is Google Pixel 8 Pro Worth It? Our Full Review
Google Pixel 8 Pro offers smooth performance, great battery life, and a vibrant display, but AI features can be slow. Read the full review!
Google Pixel 8 Pro is Google’s best-looking and most ambitious Pixel yet with major camera upgrades and a custom Tensor G3 chipset designed for AI-powered features. Google promises seven years of major updates, surpassing Apple’s five years and matching Samsung.
The phone introduces advanced AI features like an improved call-screening assistant and Magic Editor for photos. While Android’s software can be messy, long-term updates mean improvements will benefit Pixel 8 Pro users for years.
With competitive pricing and frequent discounts, the Pixel 8 Pro is a solid choice for Android users looking for a premium experience without going for a foldable or the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Table of Contents
Google Pixel 8 Pro Specifications
| 🔹 Feature | 🔍 Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Release Date | October 12, 2023 |
| ⚖️ Weight & Dimensions | 213g, 162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm |
| 🏗 Build | Glass front & back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame |
| 📶 SIM & Protection | Nano-SIM + eSIM, IP68 water and dust resistance (up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| 📱 Display | 6.7-inch LTPO OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (HBM), 2400 nits (peak) |
| 🔲 Resolution | 1344 x 2992 pixels (~489 ppi) |
| 🛡 Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, Always-on display |
| 📲 Operating System | Android 14 (upgradable to Android 15), 7 years of updates |
| ⚡ Processor | Google Tensor G3 (4nm), Nona-core CPU |
| 🎮 GPU | Immortalis-G715s MC10 |
| 💾 Storage & RAM | 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB, 12GB RAM (UFS 3.1) |
| 📷 Main Camera | 50MP (wide), 48MP (5x periscope telephoto), 48MP (ultrawide) |
| 🎞 Camera Features | Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra-HDR, panorama, Best Take, Zoom Enhance |
| 🎥 Video Recording | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@24/30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR |
| 🤳 Selfie Camera | 10.5MP (ultrawide), HDR, panorama, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| 🔊 Sound | Stereo speakers, no 3.5mm jack |
| 🌐 Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E/7, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, NFC |
| 🔌 USB & Ports | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| 📡 Sensors | Fingerprint (under-display), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, thermometer (skin temperature) |
| ✨ Extra Features | Ultra Wideband (UWB), Circle to Search |
| 🔋 Battery | 5050mAh Li-Ion |
| ⚡ Charging | 30W wired (50% in 30 min), 23W wireless, reverse wireless, bypass charging |
| 🎨 Colors | Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Mint |
| 🔢 Models | GC3VE, G1MNW |
| 💰 Price | $299.95 / £358.60 / €554.10 |
| 🚀 Performance Tests | AnTuTu: 924,853 (v9), 1,151,243 (v10), GeekBench: 3613 (v5), 4462 (v6) |
| ☀️ Display Brightness | 1600 nits (measured) |
| 🔈 Loudspeaker | -26.6 LUFS (Good) |
| 🔋 Battery Life | Active use: 11h 14min, Endurance rating: 90 hours |
Google Pixel 8 Pro Price and Availability Review
The Pixel 8 Pro starts at $999 / £999 / AU$1,699 for 128GB storage, with options up to 1TB in the US. The lowest price we’ve seen is $749 / £583 / AU$1,399 on Amazon/Google.
Though the Pixel 8 Pro costs more than the Pixel 7 Pro, it offers better value with seven years of software, security updates, and Pixel feature drops. This is a huge improvement for Android phones which usually don’t offer such long-term support.
Pixel 8 Pro has a great display, a large battery and impressive cameras with AI editing tools. While its performance might not be the best, long-term support helps it hold its value.
If you’re willing to spend this much, the iPhone 15 Pro offers a better software experience with iOS 17. But the Pixel 8 Pro still offers good value, especially compared to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus.
Google Pixel 8 Pro Design Review
The Google Pixel 8 Pro looks a lot like the Pixel 6. It has a matte finish and nice color options making it look stylish. It seems like every new Pixel phone has the same design.
The changes are small. The Pixel 8 Pro is slightly more curved with a matte finish and new colors. It feels nicer than the Pixel 7 Pro, but not very different.
Phone has rounded corners and a flatter screen making it easier to hold and better for viewing. Many people like the Bay blue color but I chose the Porcelain model because I prefer lighter shades.
This is the best-looking Pixel yet, but it still looks like previous models. Google has used the same design for three years. These updates could have come last year, and by now, we could have seen something new.
The camera bump gives the phone a unique style. On the Porcelain model, it has a slight golden shine, which looks nice in the sunlight. If you’ve never had a Pixel, you might like the design.
If you own a Pixel 6 and are thinking about upgrading, you won’t see much difference. Hopefully, Google brings a fresh new design next year, especially since the Pixel now costs as much as high-end phones like the iPhone 15.
Google Pixel 8 Pro Display Review
The Pixel 8 Pro’s display is one of its best features, offering incredible brightness and sharpness. It reaches up to 2,400 nits at peak brightness making it even brighter than the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
In terms of resolution and pixel density, Pixel 8 Pro has edge over Apple’s flagship. It also offers an ‘Adaptive’ mode for more vivid colors while the ‘Natural’ mode provides a more balanced look.
The bezels are slightly thicker than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but the smaller punch-hole camera is less distracting than Apple’s Dynamic Island.
Google Pixel 8 Pro Software Review
Pixel 8 Pro introduces some interesting AI-powered features, but many are missing at launch or hard to find.
One of the best additions is the improved call screening which sounds more natural than before. The AI-generated wallpapers are fun offering thousands of combinations based on preset choices, though they feel more like a well-made third-party app than a revolutionary feature.
Although they aren’t always dependable, Google also promotes AI-powered tools like webpage summarization. During testing, feature misread important details which made it difficult to trust.
Certain features such as call screening, are concealed under submenus & Safety Check-In option is hard to find because of its ambiguous name.
Additionally, some major features—like Zoom Enhance, Video Boost, and Night Sight video—won’t be available until a future update. Google promises improvements, but for now, the software experience feels incomplete.
Google Pixel 8 Pro Cameras Review
The Pixel 8 Pro improves on its predecessor with better macro photography, upgraded cameras, and a stronger telephoto lens. However, night shots still lag behind the iPhone 15 Pro.
The main camera now has a wider f/1.65 aperture, allowing more light for better photos. Compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, some Pixel 8 Pro shots looked better, but the iPhone still performed better in low light.
Macro shots are a highlight, letting you get closer to subjects than iPhone. Food photography also benefits from Pixel’s enhancements making dishes look more appealing in poor lighting.
Some key camera features like Night Sight video and Zoom Enhance, are not available yet and will arrive in a future update.
Google Photos on Pixel 8 Pro provides unique AI-powered editing features after you’ve shot a picture. Image editing is made simple with the new Magic Editor which allows you to move, erase and resize items. Even while outcomes aren’t always flawless, they show Google’s dedication to AI-assisted photography.
Google Pixel 8 Pro Performance Review
The Pixel 8 Pro is not the fastest phone but it manages games and apps effortlessly. Although it can manage demanding games and high-quality films, smartphones like iPhone 15 Pro & Galaxy S23 Ultra are still speedier.
Tensor G3 chip and increased power efficiency provide the battery a long lifespan. The screen is bright and smooth, and its color adjusts based on your preferences.
Some AI aspects are slow, though. Magic Editor occasionally crashes & takes a long time to edit photos. Additionally, it takes a few seconds for AI wallpapers to load.
Google promises seven years of software updates but it’s unclear if the Tensor G3 will keep up with future Android versions. Given Google’s history with product support, it’s uncertain how well this phone will hold up in the long run.
Google Pixel 8 Pro Battery Life Review
Pixel 8 Pro’s increased power management makes it easy to get through entire day on a single charge. Its battery life is mediocre, nevertheless, in comparison to rivals like Galaxy S24 Plus which has a longer lifespan.
Google uses aggressive power-saving methods such as battery-saver modes and adaptive brightness. With its 30W charging capability, phone can be fully charged in less than an hour and reach 72% charge in 30 minutes.
However, faster charging would be a welcome upgrade. Google includes a USB-C cable and a USB-A to USB-C adapter in the box, but no wall charger—you’ll need to buy one separately.
Google Pixel 8 Pro: Pros & Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| 🎨 Unique and recognizable design | 🔋 Battery life could be better |
| 📱 Easy-to-use flat screen and and works well with screen protectors | ⚡ Slow charging speed |
| 🌈 Bright and sharp display | 🌍 Some features not available in all countries |
| 📅 7 years of software updates | 🚀 Slower performance than other top phones |
| 📷 Great camera | ❌ |
| 🌡️ Built-in thermometer | ❌ |
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Conclusion
Google Pixel 8 Pro is Google’s best Pixel yet, showcasing its vision for the future of mobile tech. It has a bright, impressive display and unmatched photo features powered by AI. Some AI tools are useful while others feel experimental but overall, it’s the best AI-driven phone available. With seven years of software updates, Google has plenty of time to refine and improve it.
