Check out our Google Pixel 8 review where we delve on the smartphone\’s real world performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and more.
Impressive cameras, AI tools
Good design
Respectable battery life
Amazing software support
Slow charging speeds
Performance could have been better
Pricey
Google maintains its two-model strategy in the flagship smartphone lineup with the introduction of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. There aren’t significant differences between the two models, at least in terms of specifications. However, the Pixel 8 is considerably cheaper than the Pro mode despite offering the same chipset, software features, main sensor, and front camera. So, should you opt for the Pixel 8 over the 8 Pro or explore other competitors within the segment? Read this review to find out.
Table of Contents
Verdict
Design and display
Cameras
Performance and software
Battery and charging speeds
Final verdictVerdict
While the Pixel 8 is a commendable smartphone in its own right, the handset may fall short in comparison to other smartphones in its price range when it comes to performance, viewing experience, and battery life. That being said, the Pixel 8 can be an outstanding choice for camera enthusiasts. It excels in capturing stunning photos, which are further enhanced by AI editing tools that will continue to improve with software updates for years to come.Design and display
The Pixel 8 follows the same design language as its elder sibling the 8 Pro. It boasts rounded corners, a glass back, a recyclable aluminium frame, and a rear camera visor with an oval-shaped cutout for the cameras. However, the regular Pixel 8 is much more compact. In fact, its dimensions are even smaller than last year’s Pixel 7 (review) model, making the latest entry-level flagship from Google ideal for single-handed usage.
The smartphone comes in three colour variants: Hazel, Obsidian, and Rose. I got the Obsidian colour variant for review. It has a greyish hue and a glossy finish at the back, which is a magnet for fingerprints and smudges. You will have to buy a case separately to avoid stains and save yourself some time cleaning the device every now and then.
The Pixel 8 sports a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer at the bottom edge, along with what looks like two speaker vents. However, only one of them is actually outputting audio. The second vent could be for aesthetics to give the phone a symmetrical look. But, fret not, you still get a stereo experience on the Pixel device, with the secondary speaker placed behind the earpiece atop the display.
Speaking of which, the Pixel 8 is equipped with a 6.2-inch OLED display with FHD+ resolution, centred punch-hole, 1200 nits brightness, HDR support, and 120Hz refresh rate. While the display is a definite upgrade from Pixel 7 with a higher refresh rate, brightness, and slimmer bezels, it still doesn’t feel flagship-grade. It lacks QHD+ resolution and the battery-friendly LTPO panel, which dynamically refreshes the screen between 1Hz and 120Hz. Both these features have become quite common within the segment.
Having said that, you will find the Pixel 8 viewing experience respectable. The colours look vibrant even when viewed from an angle, and the refresh rate can drop down to 60Hz, if not the coveted 1Hz, to save some battery. The sunlight legibility of the phone is also impressive, and it comes with built-in support for HDR content in apps like YouTube and Netflix.
