Google Pixel 8 Evaluation 2023

Final month, Google introduced two new smartphones: its all-new flagship system, the Google Pixel 8 Professional, and a smaller sibling, the Pixel 8. Whereas the Pixel 8 Professional comes with quite a lot of AI-driven options that distinguish it from the competitors, I’m nonetheless driving that Barbie summer season excessive and will by no means miss the chance to check something pink. Thus, I opted to present in to my Barbie desires and take a look at the Google Pixel 8, completed in rose.

I spent two weeks touring round Turkey utilizing the Google Pixel 8, which I rapidly discovered to be comfortably smaller and extra ergonomic than the Pixel 8 Professional. For many who desire a smartphone for informal internet looking and a few images, that is the system to contemplate. Nevertheless, you’ll need to just be sure you go for extra storage—and that may deal with the digital camera’s quirks. Learn on for my ideas on the Pixel 8’s design, digital camera and extra.

Greatest for:

• Informal customers
• Google lovers who desire a extra inexpensive however highly effective cell system

Skip if:

• You want top-notch battery life
• You don’t need to mess with digital camera settings

Google Pixel 8 Design

A Light-weight Construct With A Acquainted Design

I’m of the mindset {that a} telephone shouldn’t really feel such as you’re holding a brick in your hand. The Google Pixel 8 ticks this field with a smaller, 6.1-inch show and a curved, ergonomic glass casing. It feels light-weight at simply over 6 ounces and is comfy to carry in your hand. Once I wandered the streets of Istanbul and had valuable little actual property in my all-time favourite (however diminutive) crossbody bag, the small measurement of the Pixel 8 grew to become my favourite system. I’ve carried round different candybar gadgets and lots of Samsung telephones; some gadgets can depart my wrists and palms feeling sore by the tip of the day, however I didn’t expertise that with the Pixel 8. By far, this system felt the lightest–and fairly highly effective when it comes to computing energy, however extra on that later.

In comparison with final 12 months’s Pixel 7, the Pixel 8 appears to be like very related, with the identical curved digital camera panel on the again. It’s so much like the Pixel 7 that except you’re wanting carefully, you received’t discover the distinction, particularly since size-wise, the Pixel 8 loses .1 inches–not an enormous distinction in any respect. I personally assume that’s a wise alternative. In any case, because the saying goes: if it ain’t broke, don’t repair it. Google took that to coronary heart and targeted on totally different upgrades, which was additionally a wise alternative.

Google Pixel 8 Show

Easy And Vibrant

As a result of I spent about 22 hours within the air on this journey, I made a decision in addition up a few of my favourite reveals to see how the show carried out whereas trapped in my airline seat. The Pixel 8 ups the refresh charge as excessive as 120Hz (from the 7’s 90Hz). The result’s that the show appears to be like nice.

From watching my favourite reveals (together with Archer reruns) to taking part in Stardew Valley and Curler Coaster Tycoonthe Pixel felt clean and quick–no lagging or stuttering right here. Regardless of the 6.1-inch OLED Actua show being smaller in comparison with different gadgets, the photographs got here off crisp and clear, and it nonetheless felt massive sufficient to get pleasure from watching TV whereas on a airplane.

Pixel 8 Efficiency

Highly effective However Toasty

I’ve to present credit score to Google the place credit score is due. I threw every little thing I might on the Pixel 8—navigating by crowded metropolis streets, valley hikes and extra. I captured video footage and ran a number of apps together with Spotify, Google Maps, Uber and others concurrently. It dealt with these moments with ease, and I now have an appreciation for the speedy new Google Tensor G3 chip and 8GB RAM. This telephone, regardless of not even technically being a “flagship” system (an honor reserved for the Pixel 8 Professional), got here able to social gathering onerous, so to talk.

My solely concern with its efficiency is that when it’s operating a number of apps, it will get toasty to the purpose I used to be utilizing it as a hand hotter throughout a 40-degree, early morning rise. It’s not a fireplace hazard, nevertheless it will get heat sufficient to be noticeable. I haven’t seen any proof in my testing that this temperature change impacts efficiency.

Google Pixel 8 Digicam

The Good, The Dangerous And The Downright Annoying

The most important modifications to the Pixel 8 will be discovered within the digital camera’s new AI options, however the digital camera itself warrants a deep dive as properly. I’ve blended emotions about it. On one hand, the 50MP and 12MP ultrawide lenses carried out fantastically throughout numerous circumstances. Over the course of two weeks, I snapped landscapes, Turkish cats, portraits of my accomplice and extra throughout numerous lighting sorts. In museums, I zoomed in on sarcophagi particulars. Proper in the midst of the museum, I in contrast it with my accomplice’s Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely to see the way it carried out towards a flagship system.

Virtually all of my images got here out simply in addition to images taken on the S23 Extremely–a stunning discovery, however a welcome one. It proves that I don’t should spend 4 figures on a cell system to get an important picture. Granted, in contrast to the Pixel 8 Professional, you’re not going to get that telephoto lens, however I didn’t miss that very a lot.

Normally, the digital camera high quality is enough for many wants. I wished to kick myself once I forgot my Sony A6000 digital camera for my go to to Topkapi Palace; finally, I didn’t want that digital camera as a result of the Pixel 8’s pictures got here out fantastically. All through the remainder of my journey, I discovered myself ditching my professional-grade digital camera in lieu of this small and moveable system.

My essential concern got here from the automated options constructed into the Pixel 8. The macro lens is downright annoying. Sure, I really like the truth that I can take shut photographs. They’re crisp and clear, although the colours are extra muted in comparison with the competitors. That mentioned, the macro lens at all times tries to register earlier than you may take photographs, and that second wait time irritated me. Turning it off solely helped a lot, as after some time it will randomly flip again on. You’ve been warned.

I additionally had mixed-bag outcomes with the Magic Eraser. Individuals I wished to erase up shut gave me a blurry, colourful space within the picture that was painfully apparent was altered. This concern is one thing that I’ve seen way back to my Pixel 6 Professional, so this isn’t new. These undesirable photobombers additional away from the lens have been camouflaged a lot smoother and efficiently eliminated. In truth, in a single shot taken at Topkapi Palace, I used to be left impressed with the standard of the Magic Eraser.

That is all to say: If you happen to’re in search of to do away with the random individual beside you, I nonetheless advocate utilizing Photoshop. However for these the place you’re eradicating these just a little additional away, the Pixel 8 software program will actually shine. Personally, I don’t thoughts having different vacationers in my pictures–it’s a part of the package deal deal once you journey. However it’s good to see that Google can do away with a few of them if I don’t need them in my pictures.

Google Pixel 8 Professional Battery Life

Pack Your Energy Financial institution

If there’s one main characteristic that I want Google might have improved, it’s the battery life. I spent my time in Turkey snapping images, browsing on an LTE community and navigating with Google Maps. And the battery took a beating. Once I unplugged round 9AM, the battery typically solely lasted till about 3:30PM. That won’t look like quite a bit, however my mobile phone was always battling worldwide service; since coming again stateside, it’s held out to 6PM or later.

You’ll get all-day battery life in case you’re setting your telephone down through the workday, however in case you’re always on the go, chances are you’ll need to deliver an influence financial institution with you.

Google Pixel 8 Verdict

A Strong Alternative For Informal Customers

After testing the Pixel 8 for 2 weeks, it felt like a breath of contemporary air to make use of this small, gentle and highly effective system. I want the battery lasted longer, however the digital camera, regardless of its quirks, makes up for the runtime. People who are inclined to do gentle browsing and informal pictures will need to make investments on this system. It’s additionally nice for people who desire a strong digital camera with out the majority of a large flagship telephone.

I like to recommend choosing the 256GB storage capability, because it is available in 128 and 256GB. Even for the informal customers that this system is geared towards, the 128GB will replenish rapidly because of apps, images and video. And, as a pleasant reminder, for individuals who hate upgrading their gadgets, Google has promised seven years of software program and safety updates for the Pixel 8, so you may get this system and never take into consideration getting a brand new telephone for years.

My Experience

I’ve been a client tech & electronics author and editor for over 4 years, and I’ve lined every little thing from Apple iPhone launches to full opinions of cell gadgets together with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5. As the patron and electronics editor at Forbes, I’ve lined main telephone launches together with Apple and Google for the previous two years, together with at different publications. My reporting on telephones contains opinions in Decider, in addition to main bulletins at Digital Tendencies and most not too long ago ZDNET.

How I Examined The Google Pixel 8

I used the Google Pixel 8 as my essential system for the previous 4 weeks, taking it on a visit to Istanbul and Cappadocia to seize images, message mates, make home and worldwide calls, verify climate, navigate the town and far more. I ran a number of apps throughout the system whereas capturing video for family and friends to seize my travels. I even pulled up Stardew Valley and Curler Coaster Tycoon for hours to see how the Pixel 8 dealt with numerous cell video games.

For the digital camera, I examined it throughout city settings and pure landscapes, portrait pictures, many various cat topics and extra. I used it in vivid sunlit areas and night time pictures to see how every turned out. The digital camera noticed motion each indoors and out of doors to see how nonetheless life and motion pictures turned out below numerous circumstances, and the identical went for video to share with family and friends. Moreover, I cross-tested it with Samsung’s digital camera system to learn the way the digital camera held up towards the competitors.

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