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Detailed Analysis of Google Pixel 8: A desirable small high-end phone that requires a price reduction
For those who prefer small high-end phones, the Google Pixel 8 is an excellent comprehensive choice if you can get it for less than Rs 60,000.
Advantages: – High-quality construction and appearance – Small, IP68-rated design for water and dust resistance – Outstanding primary camera, with an enhanced ultra-wide camera – Bright and crisp 120Hz OLED screen – Seamless and uncluttered Android 14 interface – Guaranteed 7 years of software updates – After several updates, overall performance is impressive.
Downsides: The charging process is sluggish and it doesn't come with a charger. The Tensor G3 tends to slow down when handling heavy tasks. It still doesn't have a telephoto camera and is quite pricey.
Score: 3.75 out of 5
Cost: Ranges from Rs 75,999 to Rs 82,999
We've been testing the Google Pixel 8 for several months. By the end of last year, we were familiar enough with it to include it in our top smartphones of 2023 list. However, some high-end phones actually improve and become more reliable over time after receiving several updates to resolve initial glitches. Google Pixel phones perfectly illustrate this phenomenon. We decided to extend our time with the Pixel 8 to gather more insights and now, we're ready to share all the essential details about it.
The design of the Google Pixel 8 is both solid and compact, with a high-end finish and tactile feel. Only minor modifications have been made to the Pixel 8's design by Google, and these changes have been successful. The phone maintains the distinctive Pixel aesthetic and its small size makes it comfortable to hold. The weight is less than 190 grams. The phone has a robust construction with a high-quality finish due to its aluminum frame and glass back. It has kept its IP68 certification for resistance to dust and liquids. The screen remains flat, but the edges have a gentle curve, enhancing its visual appeal and feel.
The bezels are visibly thinner, particularly the bottom one, which aids in reducing the phone's height by a small amount. The screen and the back of the phone are safeguarded from scratch damage by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. Its Rose Gold version shows minimal fingerprints and smudge marks. The metallic edges pair well with the back of the phone. This metallic look also continues to the unique camera strip at the back, a feature that has been retained in the last three versions of the phone, if not more.
The volume controls and power button can be found on the right side of the device. Their positioning, as well as the in-screen fingerprint scanner's, is well thought-out, allowing for easy access without having to extend the fingers too much. The scanner might not be the top of its class, but it's certainly a step up from what's found in the Pixel 7 series. The SIM card slot is on the left side of the phone, and a USB-C port with a speaker is located at the bottom. However, there's still no memory card slot or 3.5 mm headphone jack.
The Google Pixel 8's display is vivid and crisp, at last featuring a 120Hz refresh rate. Google has slightly decreased the display size without compromising resolution, thereby enhancing pixel density. The Pixel 8 comes with a neat 6.2-inch Full HD+ OLED display, offering a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels and a maximum brightness of 2000 nits. This is the first time a non-Pro Pixel device has achieved a 120Hz refresh rate. The screen, which complies with HDR10+ standards, provides brilliant sharpness, superior color accuracy, and contrast right from the start.
It's beneficial that they've calibrated it well since there aren't many color modification options available. There are merely two settings – Adaptive and Natural. The Adaptive setting enhances color vibrancy a bit, while the Natural setting retains the original hues. Experiment with both and select the one that appeals to you the most. There's also an always-on display feature if that's what you prefer. The display doesn't leave much room for dissatisfaction, and it's one of the most noteworthy aspects of this phone in several ways.
The Google Pixel 8's hardware and performance are decent, although not quite on par with top-tier models. It utilizes Google's third-gen Tensor G3 processor, which is also found in the Pixel 8 Pro. Despite its satisfactory performance, it doesn't quite compete with the recent two generations of Qualcomm's leading chips, namely Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Gen 3, in terms of sheer processing strength. However, the Tensor G3's artificial intelligence processing capabilities should not be overlooked, even if they may not be evident in common synthetic benchmark results.
This device comes with 8GB RAM and offers either 128GB or 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. It's worth noting that some rival phones have featured the speedier UFS 4.0 storage since the beginning of 2023. As for the device's performance, the Tensor G3 handles everyday activities quite smoothly, whether it be using social media or messaging apps, streaming videos, surfing the web, or juggling various browser tabs. Initially, we noticed the phone would warm up slightly during the first stages of our testing, but it now maintains a more consistent, cooler temperature over extended periods.
Typically, the phone maintains a cool temperature, but it can get slightly heated after half an hour of playing games or taking a lot of pictures in quick succession. While the heat doesn't become dangerously high, the device's performance does decrease noticeably as it gets warmer. In some situations, performance could even fall to 50%, as shown in the image of the 3D Mark stress test below. We carried out a few artificial benchmark tests to measure its performance and to see how it compares to its predecessor, the Tensor G2, which is used in the Pixel 7 series.
The benchmark scores can be viewed in the accompanying image, however, I'll provide a comparison of its performance against its previous version and the OnePlus 11 5G, which uses the older Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip from Qualcomm. The Tensor G3's Geekbench 6 single-core score is notably 50% greater than the other two chips, owing to its 3 GHz Cortex-X3 core that governs the nona-core chipset. Yet, its multi-core score falls right in the middle of the two, showing a 15% increase from the G2 and trailing the Qualcomm chip by 10%.
In the 3D Mark Wild Life gaming test, we noticed a 33 per cent increase in performance when compared to the Tensor G2. Still, it's quite a ways behind the accomplishments of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, with the Tensor G3 lagging behind by a significant 30 per cent. That being said, the actual gaming performance of the Pixel 8 is fairly good, and it can handle most games available today. In some instances, you might need to reduce the graphics quality for an acceptable frame rate.
This phone features dual speakers, positioned behind the earpiece and at the bottom of the device, which together deliver a decently loud and robust audio performance with excellent stereo distinction. The device is compatible with Bluetooth 5.3 and supports tri-band WiFi, including a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 standards. Throughout our assessment period, we observed the call quality and reception to be consistently satisfactory. Importantly, the phone is also 5G-ready.
The Google Pixel 8 offers a satisfactory battery duration, although it lacks a truly speedy charging feature. While the battery capacity has been boosted from 4355 mAh in the Pixel 7 to 4575 mAh in the Pixel 8, the actual battery lifespan remains somewhat comparable. Initially, the battery performance was inferior to the Pixel 7 during our initial tests. However, following several updates and adjustments, the battery now lasts well over a day with normal usage and approximately 28 to 30 hours, which is reasonable for a smaller-sized phone.
The charging times have improved slightly from the previous model, but still fall short of present-day norms, which were even surpassed by some Chinese manufacturers five years ago. The Pixel now supports 27W fast charging with USB-PD 3.0 chargers, a 7W increase from the maximum capacity of the Pixel 7. Thus, using a 30W charger instead of a 20W charger does enhance the charging rate, although the improvement is not significantly noticeable as it was with the 7.
Google continues to not provide a charger with its package, only a USB-C cable. We tested numerous third-party chargers with power levels of 20W, 25W, 30W and above. The quickest charging time we recorded for the Pixel 8, from 1% to 100%, was 88 minutes, which is 7 minutes faster than the best time for the Pixel 7. I think only Apple's flagship devices charge slower than this. The OnePlus 12 and Xiaomi 14 accomplish the task in under 40 minutes. If not as rapid, I hope Google aims for a charging time of less than an hour for the Pixel 9.
The camera performance of the Google Pixel 8 is exemplary, with an enhanced ultra-wide camera. Although the two rear cameras may seem identical to those of the Pixel 7, they have been upgraded. The main camera boasts 50MP, laser auto-focus, and optical image stabilization (OIS), along with an expanded f/1.7 aperture. The 12MP ultra-wide camera offers a wider 126-degree field of view. It also features auto-focus, allowing it to function as a high-quality macro camera, which was lacking in the Pixel 7. However, the telephoto camera, which is a distinct feature of the Pro models, is still missing.
The primary camera takes fantastic photos in both well-lit and dim conditions. The color accuracy is decent and the dynamic range is superb. The contrast, which has consistently been remarkable on Pixel phones throughout the years, is equally impressive on the Pixel 8. The images it captures are very detailed, as demonstrated by the camera samples provided at the end of this segment. Its performance in low light conditions is also among the top.
The phone seamlessly transitions to Night Sight mode in dim lighting, enhancing the image just right without sacrificing the detail or overdoing it. The details captured in such conditions are frequently similar to those taken in adequate light. Pixel phones have been excelling in portrait photography for quite a while, and this excellence continues with the Pixel 8. In portrait photos, the edge detection is incredibly accurate, providing nearly flawless background differentiation. This feature performs well on both human subjects and other objects, as can be seen in the camera samples.
I noted earlier that this device doesn't come with a specific telephoto camera. However, the camera application does provide a 2X zoom feature, often referred to as hybrid or digital zoom. Although I wouldn't describe these zoomed images as lossless, they are quite impressive, similar to what you would anticipate from an optical zoom. You have the option to zoom up to 8X, but the image quality significantly decreases and appears blurry past 5X. The AI manages to maintain decent image quality up to 5X.
Shifting focus to the 12MP ultra-wide camera, the results are fairly impressive when there is adequate lighting. The color and dynamic range are quite similar to the primary camera. Sometimes the colours might seem a bit too vibrant, but most people wouldn't mind. It also functions decently in dim lighting, however, the colours may appear somewhat dull and the details aren't as sharp as the primary camera. The Pixel 8's ultra-wide camera is equipped with auto-focus, making it capable of capturing high-quality close-up or macro shots.
The device comes equipped with a 10.5MP front-facing camera, a minor reduction from the 10.8MP found on the Pixel 7. However, the quality remains unchanged. The front camera yields high-quality selfies that maintain natural skin colors. Its wide field of view allows for excellent portrait selfies. All camera lenses have the capability to record 4K videos at 24, 30, and 60 fps. The back cameras also offer slow-motion recording at 1080p with a maximum of 240 fps. The OIS and gyro-EIS features ensure steady and smooth footage. There is an option for 10-bit HDR. The videos recorded by the rear cameras are crisp, stable, and considered quite impressive for this range.
Click this link to view raw image samples captured with the Google Pixel 8.
The operating system and user interface of the Google Pixel 8 are among the best available for Android. Being a Pixel phone, it provides the most pristine and optimal Android 14 experience currently available. It delivers an unadulterated Android experience with no unnecessary apps and features the Material You design aesthetic. The user interface is smooth, completely free of lag, and now free of any significant bugs. Any minor problems that were initially present in the phone post-launch have since been rectified.
The Pixel 8 operates on the most recent version of Android 14, including the security patch from March 2024. It is anticipated to regularly receive updates in the future. Remarkably, Google has committed to providing seven years of software updates for the Pixel 8 series. The phone comes with a variety of handy features for users to experiment with, as well as popular Google apps that are flawlessly incorporated.
Whether it's identifying objects with Google Lens, speech recognition, or translation, everything functions smoothly. There are also some unique camera software features such as Magic Eraser and Camouflage that can help you modify or improve your photos. Google continues to update this device with new features, now including enhanced options powered by Google AI. Keep an eye on Pixel Tips to discover the latest improvements or additions to the Pixel 8.
The Google Pixel 8 is available for purchase in India at Rs 75,999 for the 128GB storage model and Rs 82,999 for the 256GB model, both of which come with a one-year warranty. These prices are noticeably steeper by Rs 16,000 compared to the introductory price of the Pixel 7. The delay in releasing this review was due to our anticipation of a potential price reduction, but unfortunately, this hasn't occurred. It's worth noting that with select credit cards, you can secure a Rs 10,000 immediate discount on the Pixel 8. Despite this, the overall price still appears slightly above what would be considered reasonable. Let's delve into the reasons why this is the case.
The Pixel 7 Pro, which is mostly superior in terms of specifications except for its processor, is currently available at a price of Rs 66,999 for the 128GB model. Although it operates on the Tensor G2 chip from the previous generation, it still provides sufficient power for most tasks. Additionally, it boasts a high-resolution screen and an advanced camera system, including an impressive telephoto lens that the Pixel 8 lacks.
The Pixel 7, not significantly different from the 8, can be purchased for as little as 45K. Given the huge price gap, it's difficult to endorse the Pixel 8 at its current rate. Even though it surpasses the Pixel 7 in several aspects, the high price tag doesn't seem justified. It's not only the previous generation of Google phones that pose a challenge to the Pixel 8, but also some of the more potent current top-tier devices like the OnePlus 12 and Xiaomi 14 which are available for much less. The Apple iPhone 15 can also be added to this competitive lineup.
The Google Pixel 8 isn't a disappointing phone by any means. In fact, it stood out as one of the premium phones in 2023 and continues to hold its appeal. However, 2024 has introduced fresh competition, and it must step up to ensure it offers good value for money. Currently, Google appears to be following Apple's pricing approach, where their new phones become a more sensible purchase a year later, typically after a price reduction during the holiday season. If this trend continues, the Pixel 8 would be a worthy investment, particularly if you can find it for less than 60K in the near future.
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