Pixel 8 Pro Review: Why This Phone is a Game Changer for Android Users
Google has finally unveiled its latest flagship phone, the Pixel 8 Pro, at its Made by Google event on October 4, 2023. The Pixel 8 Pro is the successor to the Pixel 7 Pro, which was one of the best Android phones of 2022. But how does the Pixel 8 Pro compare to its predecessor, and what makes it a game changer for Android users? In this review, we will take a closer look at the Pixel 8 Pro’s design, display, cameras, performance, battery, software, and features, and see why it is worth your attention.
Table of Contents
· Design and Display
· Cameras
· Performance and Battery
· Software and Features
· Conclusion
Pixel 8 Pro Design and Display
The Pixel 8 Pro follows the same design language as the Pixel 7 Pro, with a glass back and an aluminum frame. However, there are some noticeable differences. The Pixel 8 Pro has a matte glass finish that makes it more smudge-resistant and comfortable to hold. The rear camera module has also been redesigned, with a single pill-shaped cutout for the three cameras, a flash, and a mysterious sensor that we will talk about later. The Pixel 8 Pro comes in three colors: Licorice (black), Porcelain (off-white), and Sky (blue).
The Pixel 8 Pro has a 6.7-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a QHD+ resolution of 3120 x 1440 pixels and a 20:9 aspect ratio. The display supports HDR10+ and has a peak brightness of 1500 nits. The display also has a variable refresh rate that can go from 1Hz to 120Hz depending on the content. This means that the display can save battery by lowering the refresh rate when displaying static images or text, and increase it when scrolling or gaming. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and has an in-screen fingerprint scanner.
The Pixel 8 Pro’s display is one of the best in the market, offering sharp details, vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth animations. The display also supports Always-on Display and Ambient EQ features that adjust the brightness and color temperature according to the ambient light.
Pixel 8 Pro Cameras
The Pixel 8 Pro has a triple camera setup on the back, consisting of a 50MP main camera, a 48MP telephoto camera, and a 48MP ultra-wide camera. The main camera has an f/1.9 aperture, a 25mm focal length, a 1/1.31-inch sensor size, a multi-directional PDAF system, laser autofocus, and optical image stabilization (OIS). The telephoto camera has an f/3.5 aperture, a 120mm focal length, a 1/2.55-inch sensor size, a multi-directional PDAF system, OIS, and 5x optical zoom. The ultra-wide camera has an f/2.2 aperture, a multi-directional PDAF system, and autofocus.
The Pixel 8 Pro’s cameras are powered by Google’s computational photography techniques that enhance the images with AI and machine learning. Some of the features include Pixel Shift, which combines multiple shots to create one high-resolution image; Auto-HDR+, which balances the exposure and dynamic range; Night Sight, which captures stunning photos in low-light conditions; Astrophotography Mode, which captures the stars and the Milky Way; Motion Mode, which creates motion blur effects; Cinematic Pan, which creates smooth video panning effects; HDR+ with Bracketing, which captures multiple exposures for better details; Real Tone, which adjusts the white balance for natural skin tones; Magic Eraser, which removes unwanted objects from photos; Photo Unblur, which reduces motion blur from photos; Portrait Light, which adds lighting effects to portrait photos; and more.
The Pixel 8 Pro can record videos in up to 4K resolution at 30 or 60 frames per second (fps), or in Full HD resolution at up to 240 fps. The videos also support OIS, EIS, HDR+, audio zoom, and stereo sound recording.
The front-facing camera of the Pixel 8 Pro is a 10.5MP selfie camera with an f/2.2 aperture, a 21mm focal length, a multi-directional PDAF system, and autofocus. The selfie camera also supports Auto-HDR+, Night Sight, Portrait Mode, and video recording in up to 4K resolution at 30 or 60 fps.
The Pixel 8 Pro’s cameras are undoubtedly some of the best in the industry, offering amazing photo and video quality in various scenarios. The cameras also benefit from Google’s AI and machine learning capabilities, which add more functionality and creativity to the photography experience.
Pixel 8 Pro Performance and Battery
The Pixel 8 Pro is powered by Google’s own Tensor G3 chipset, which is a 4nm octa-core processor with a nine-core configuration. The Tensor G3 has one Cortex-X3 core clocked at 3.0GHz, four Cortex-A715 cores clocked at 2.45GHz, and four Cortex-A510 cores clocked at 2.15GHz. The Tensor G3 also has an Immortalis-G715s MC10 GPU, which is a custom graphics processor designed by Google.
The Tensor G3 is Google’s third-generation custom chipset, following the Tensor G1 and Tensor G2 that powered the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series, respectively. The Tensor G3 is designed to deliver faster performance, better AI and machine learning capabilities, and more security and privacy features. The Tensor G3 also supports 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6E/7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, UWB, and more.
The Pixel 8 Pro has 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and comes in three storage options: 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage. The Pixel 8 Pro does not have a microSD card slot for storage expansion.
The Pixel 8 Pro has a 4950mAh battery that supports fast charging, wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and reverse charging. The Pixel 8 Pro can charge up to 27W with a wired charger or up to 23W with a wireless charger. The Pixel 8 Pro can also charge other devices wirelessly or via a USB-C cable.
The Pixel 8 Pro’s performance and battery are impressive, offering smooth and responsive operation, long-lasting endurance, and convenient charging options. The Pixel 8 Pro can handle any task, from browsing the web to playing games to running AI applications. The Pixel 8 Pro also has an adaptive battery feature that optimizes the battery usage based on the user’s habits and preferences.
Pixel 8 Pro Software and Features
The Pixel 8 Pro runs on Android 14 out of the box, which is the latest version of Google’s operating system. Android 14 brings several new features and improvements, such as Material You design language, which adapts the UI colors and themes based on the user’s wallpaper and preferences; Privacy Dashboard, which shows the user how apps access their data and permissions; One-handed mode, which makes it easier to use the phone with one hand; Scrolling screenshots, which capture long screenshots of web pages or apps; Live Translate, which translates speech and text in real time across apps and media; and more.
The Pixel 8 Pro also has some exclusive features that are not available on other Android devices, such as Call Screen, which screens incoming calls from unknown numbers and blocks spam calls; Live Caption, which generates captions for any audio or video content on the phone; Now Playing, which identifies songs playing in the background and shows them on the lock screen or notification shade; Car Crash Detection, which detects if the user is in a car crash and calls emergency services if needed; Adaptive Sound, which adjusts the sound quality based on the environment; Extreme Battery Saver, which extends the battery life by limiting the apps and features that can run in the background; Hold for Me, which waits on hold for the user when calling customer service lines; and more.
One of the most intriguing features of the Pixel 8 Pro is the temperature sensor that is located next to the rear camera module. This sensor can measure the skin temperature of the user or other objects by touching them with the back of the phone. The temperature sensor can be used for various purposes, such as monitoring health conditions, checking food or drink temperatures, measuring room temperatures, and more. The temperature sensor works with Google Fit app and other third-party apps that support it .
The Pixel 8 Pro’s software and features are another reason why this phone is a game changer for Android users. The Pixel 8 Pro offers a pure and updated Android experience with no bloatware or ads. The Pixel 8 Pro also offers some unique and useful features that enhance the user experience and provide more convenience and functionality. The Pixel 8 Pro also has a temperature sensor that adds a new dimension to smartphone capabilities.
Conclusion
The Pixel 8 Pro is a remarkable phone that delivers on all fronts: design, display, cameras, performance, battery, software, and features. The Pixel 8 Pro is a game changer for Android users who want a premium flagship phone with no compromises. The Pixel 8 Pro offers amazing photo and video quality with Google’s computational photography techniques; fast and smooth performance with Google’s custom
