Yes, we’re taking phones again and it’s time for a Pixel 8 Pro review to see how it holds out against Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro this year. The iPhone 15’s USB-C charging port has brought it one step closer to the Android world but there is still room to assess Pixel 8 Pro specs and see if it is still worth fighting the iOS vs Android debate. After its launch of 4 October, the Pixel 8 Pro release date has just passed us on 12 October, allowing in-store access to a larger variety of shoppers. Let’s get into the Pixel 8 pro review to see if you want to get your hands on it too.
(Image Credit – Google Store)
Pixel 8 Pro Review: Breaking Down the Pixel 8 Pro Specs
One of the major announcements with the Pixel 8 Pro launch is the promise of seven years of OS updates that come with the model. Google’s support page has the prediction for updates for the Pixel 6 and 7 however this is limited to about 5 years of security updates and 3 years of software updates.
This is a considerable advantage as users who purchase the phone now should have a long time together with it. Users who wait for the price to drop or buy it later should also be able to use the Pixel 8 Pro for a while without the fear of it becoming outdated immediately. But is the phone worth all this time and investment? Let’s take a look at the Pixel 8 Pro specs.
Pixel 8 Pro Specs: The Tensor G3 Chipset
The Google Pixel 8 Pro features the third generation G3 Tensor chipset and it confidently sets itself apart from other phones, boasting of its AI compatibility rather than traditional features like speed or high performance. The Keyword, which is the Google, Inc. blog, mentions that the Pixel 8 Pro runs on twice as many machine learning models as the first iteration of the Tensor chip of the Pixel 6. Google has been openly embracing AI technology in all of its platforms and products and it’s evident that they do not plan to slow down anytime soon. The Pixel Pro 8 specs now have advanced speech and language processing and a text-to-speech model similar to Google’s data centers.
“Our work with Tensor has never been about speeds and feeds, or traditional performance metrics. It’s about pushing the mobile computing experience forward. And in our new Tensor G3 chip, every major subsystem has been upgraded, paving the way for on-device generative AI. It includes the latest generation of ARM CPUs, an upgraded GPU, new ISP and Imaging DSP, and our next-gen TPU, which was custom-designed to run Google’s AI models.”
– The Keyword, Google
It also supports high-quality photo and video editing features like the Magic Eraser to remove elements from your photo with precision or Best Take to combine multiple images for the best results. The highlight of our Pixel 8 Pro review is our love for the device’s functionality. Paired with the Titan M2 security chip the phone promises better security for all its users.
Pixel 8 Pro Display and Design Specs
The Pixel 8 Pro has a 6.7-inch Super Actua display that is promised to be its brightest ever. The 1244 x 2992 resolution supports a 489 PPI display and the LTPO OLED screen comes with an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz. The Pixel 8 comes with a 6.2-inch display and both models do not come with a curved-edge screen. The phone is protected by the Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cover glass.
The two Pixel phones feature slightly different finishes and colors. The Pixel 8 has a satin metal finish and a polished glass back that is either Rose, Hazel, or Obsidian. The Pixel 8 Pro, styled in Porcelain, Bay, and Obsidian, has a matte glass back with a polished aluminum frame. Google also has additional Mint and Coral color options in its in-house phone case offerings. The phones also feature its original camera bar design on the back, with an oval cutout for the camera.
It seems too early for issues with the very recent Pixel 8 Pro release date, however, users seem to be facing issues with the display already. ZDNet reported that some users are now complaining of a different hue to their Always-On display screen, especially when used in dark environments. The problem appears more specific to the Pixel 8 Pro model rather than its base Pixel 8 model, signaling a possible hardware issue. The problem is a minor one but Google is reported to have offered replacements to users, suggesting that they are aware of the problem.
Contender for Best Phone Camera According to Our Pixel 8 Pro Review
Phone cameras can make or break a device’s performance. Google Pixel admittedly never fails in this area. The 50MP Octa PD wide rear camera lens has an f/1.68 aperture, with a 2x Optical Quality zoom. The 48MP ultrawide lens offers a wide 125.5-degree field of view with autofocus and lens correction features. The telephoto lens is also 48MP and promises 5x optical zoom.
The Pixel 8 Pro incorporates Google’s Super Res Zoom technology for enhanced digital magnification of up to 30x. The phone’s tech specs talk of optical and electronic image stabilization available on the wide and telephoto lenses. The 10.5 MP dual PD selfie camera also showcases autofocus and a 95-degree ultrawide field of view.
The Pixel 8 Pro specs for the camera do not stop at its hardware capabilities. The official Google Pixel 8 Pro page features a long list of camera tools that are made possible by its AI technology, such as Night Sight, Real Tone, Face Unblur, Astrophotography, Live HDR+, Motion autofocus, Magic Editor, etc.
The video features include Cinematic Blur, Cinematic Pan, Slow-motion video support up to 240 FPS, 4K timelapse with stabilization, Audio Magic Eraser, 10-bit HDR video, and support for HEVC and AVC video formats. With 4K and 1080p video recording supported up to 60 FPS, the Pixel 8 Pro promises to support quality videography. The company also promises upcoming Video Boost and Night Sight Video features in future updates.
Battery Life of the Pixel 8 Pro
The phone comes with a 24-hour battery life that can be extended up to 72 hours with the Extreme Battery Saver mode. The Pixel 8 Pro has a typical 5050 mAh battery capacity guarantee which is far from the best on the market. The Google phone supports fast charging with 50 percent change in 30 minutes using the Google 30 W USB-C cable so conditions do apply there. It is also supported by Qi-certified wireless charging. No as per Google Pixel 8 Pro reviews, the battery is not one of its strong suits.
Pixel 8 Pro Price
As great as the Pixel 8 Pro reviews are overall, the choice to purchase them might come down to price. The 128GB model is set at the starting price of $999. For those with a more expendable budget and a need for more storage space, there are 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB models priced at $1,059, $1,119, and $1,219 respectively. The smaller Pixel 8 price starts at a more modest budget of $699.
Looking at the Pixel 8 Pro reviews, it is clear that Google has put a lot of thought into its generative features and camera experience, the standout features of most pixel phones. It also has IP68 dust and water resistance, fingerprint-resistant coating, and sensors for temperature, proximity, and others of a similar nature. Much like other big brands making the move towards sustainability, the Pixel 8 Pro has 100 percent recycled aluminum housing and 18 percent recycled materials as per the product weight. If these criteria contribute to your decision, then the Pixel 8 Pro might be designed for you. Those who ordered the device before the Pixel 8 Pro release date had the opportunity to secure a free Pixel Watch 2 as well, but even without the sweet deal, the Pixel 8 Pro reviews tell us that the phone is worth your time.
