ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Pixel 8 affords 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 among the best smartphone offers accessible.
- 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 likely to be getting all the eye these days (particularly because it’s the primary handset to realize entry to Google’s new Gemini AI mannequin), however the usual Pixel 8 is likely to be the actual MVP of Google’s lineup this 12 months.
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 affords among the best mixtures of specs, options, and premium design at a worth 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 worth, the Pixel 8 isn’t solely tough to disregard, however maybe the one cellphone you ought to be considering of if you happen to’re buying on a funds. You will not discover one other cellphone prefer it underneath $500, and it is solely while you sift by means of the $800-$1,000 choices that you just discover commendable competitors.
An enormous motive why that is such a compelling possibility is the Tensor G3 chip, Google’s newest in-house processor that powers all the Pixel 8’s AI and machine studying options. It is not only a strong Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 different, however a monumental motive why the Pixel 8 is such a terrific cellphone.
Evaluation: Google Pixel 8 Professional: This cellphone offered 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 pictures 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 rapidly consuming info. Alongside powering Google’s HDR pipeline for images, guaranteeing Android 14 is slick and easy, the G3 is likely one of the most succesful smartphone chips available on the market. And when paired with 8GB of RAM, you may by no means have a sluggish day.
The show is one other large motive to get this cellphone. The Pixel 8’s 6.2-inch Actua show is a bit smaller than the display 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 fee, and a couple of,000 nits of peak brightness, it is one of many brightest and clearest shows available on the market. 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, for my part).
Relating to Pixel telephones, there are two areas it’s important to discuss: cameras and software program.
On the digicam entrance, Google knocked it out of the park. The rear 50MP important shooter and 12MP ultra-wide are each wonderful performers in broad daylight and at evening. 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 an enormous characteristic to the Pixel digicam, and two extra could possibly be on the way in which
You additionally get all the digicam chops that the Pixel identify carries like astrophotography, Tremendous ResZoom, twin publicity controls, and Extremely HDR. That is on prime of different options like Finest Take and Magic Editor that make these cameras the neatest you may discover. Plus, video high quality has been vastly improved over earlier Pixels — it is flat-out corresponding to the iPhone.
On the software program aspect, Google’s Pixel expertise atop Android 14 stays my favourite option 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 all the Pixel options you possibly can ask for, reminiscent of Name Display screen, Now Taking part in, Direct My Name, AI-generated wallpapers, and –of course –the Pixel Launcher.
However the actual kicker within the software program division is Google’s prolonged help. The corporate is guaranteeing seven full years of software program help, which suggests you may get updates till 2030 if you happen to purchase this cellphone. That is unparalleled for an Android cellphone, and it offers units just like the iPhone a run for his or her cash.
Additionally: Google Pixel 8 vs. Google Pixel 8 Professional: Which mannequin do you have to purchase?
The Pixel 8 may also final all day on a cost because of the 4,575 mAh cell inside. With my medium to heavy utilization, I sometimes finish days with 30-40 % within the tank, which suggests 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 loads. 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 useful for upscaling digitally zoomed pictures, however it may well solely take you thus far. Oh, and I nonetheless do not belief Face Unlock; Google allows you to use it to pay for issues now utilizing Google Pay, but it surely nonetheless depends on a flat picture of your face to authenticate you.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
You are not going to discover a significantly better worth than the Pixel 8. From the attractive show and design to the speedy efficiency and wonderful cameras, Google’s normal flagship cellphone stands by itself with an impeccable stability of high-end options for a lower cost than different flagships.
Additionally: Google Pixel 9, Professional, Professional XL, and Professional Fold: Specs, options, and every part else we all know thus far
With its sale worth of $499, the closest competitors occurs to be the Galaxy S23 FE and Nothing Telephone (2), two units which are completely worthy of a spot in your pocket however do not supply the identical worth because the Pixel 8. Google’s cellphone is a correct flagship with seven years of software program help, the most recent AI options, and the corporate’s newest digicam tips. The Telephone (2) and S23 FE are high-end mid-rangers that stability specs and worth nicely, 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 just unbelievable, and it is by far among the best telephones of the 12 months.
