Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro: Which One Should You Buy?
Google is expected to launch its new flagship smartphones, the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro, later this year. The Pixel 8 series will be the successor to the Pixel 7 series, which was released in 2022. The Pixel 8 series will feature Google’s own custom-made processor, the Tensor G3, which promises to deliver faster and smarter performance, especially for artificial intelligence and machine learning tasks. The Pixel 8 series will also come with Android 13, the latest version of Google’s operating system, which will offer new features and improvements.
But how do the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro compare to each other? What are the main differences and similarities between them? Which one should you buy if you are looking for a new smartphone? In this article, we will answer these questions and more. We will compare the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro in terms of design, size, display, performance, camera, battery, price, availability, pros, and cons. By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of which one suits your needs better.
Table of Contents
· Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro: Design and Size
· Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro: Display and Performance
· Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro: Camera and Battery
· Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro: Price and Availability
· Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro: Pros and Cons
· Conclusion
Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro: Design and Size
The Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro will have a similar design language to the previous Pixel models. They will have a rectangular shape with rounded corners and edges, a glass back with a matte finish, an aluminum frame, and a rear camera strip that houses the lenses and the flash. The front of the phones will have a hole-punch cutout for the selfie camera at the top center of the screen. The phones will also have an in-screen fingerprint scanner for biometric security.
The main difference between the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro in terms of design will be their size. The Pixel 8 will be smaller and more compact than the Pixel 8 Pro. According to some leaks, the Pixel 8 will have a screen size of 6.2 inches, while the Pixel 8 Pro will have a screen size of 6.7 inches. The exact dimensions and weight of the phones are not yet known, but we can expect that the Pixel 8 will be easier to hold and carry than the Pixel 8 Pro.
Another difference between the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro in terms of design will be their color options. The Pixel 8 will reportedly come in three colors: white, black, and pink. The Pixel 8 Pro will also come in three colors: white, black, and green. The white color will have a porcelain-like texture, while the black color will have a glossy finish. The pink color for the Pixel 8 and the green color for the Pixel 8 Pro will have a gradient effect that changes depending on the angle of light.
Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro: Display and Performance
The display is one of the most important features of any smartphone, as it is where you interact with your device and view your content. The display quality depends on several factors, such as resolution, pixel density, refresh rate, brightness, contrast, color accuracy, viewing angles, etc.
The Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro will both have OLED displays, which are known for their deep blacks, vibrant colors, wide viewing angles, and low power consumption. OLED displays can also support variable refresh rates, which means they can adjust their refresh rate depending on what is displayed on the screen. This can improve battery life and performance.
However, there will be some differences between the displays of the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro. The first difference will be their resolution. The resolution refers to how many pixels are displayed on the screen horizontally and vertically. The higher the resolution, the sharper and clearer the image quality. The resolution also affects the pixel density, which is measured in pixels per inch (ppi). The higher the pixel density, the smoother and more detailed the image quality.
According to some leaks, the Pixel 8 will have a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels, which translates to a pixel density of 424 ppi. The Pixel 8 Pro will have a resolution of 3120 x 1440 pixels, which translates to a pixel density of 512 ppi. This means that the Pixel 8 Pro will have a higher resolution and pixel density than the Pixel 8, which means it will have a sharper and clearer display.
The second difference between the displays of the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro will be their refresh rate. The refresh rate refers to how many times the screen updates its image per second. The higher the refresh rate, the smoother and more fluid the motion quality. The refresh rate also affects the responsiveness and input lag of the screen.
According to some leaks, both the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro will have a refresh rate of 120 Hz, which is twice as fast as the standard 60 Hz refresh rate. This means that both phones will have a smooth and fluid display, especially for gaming, scrolling, and animations. However, the Pixel 8 Pro will have an advantage over the Pixel 8, as it will have a variable refresh rate that can go as low as 10 Hz when displaying static content, such as photos, texts, or icons. This can save battery life and reduce eye strain.
The performance of a smartphone depends on several components, such as the processor, memory, storage, graphics card, and operating system. The performance determines how fast and smooth a smartphone can run various tasks and applications.
The Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro will both have Google’s own custom-made processor, the Tensor G3. The Tensor G3 is Google’s first in-house processor, which is designed to deliver faster and smarter performance, especially for artificial intelligence and machine learning tasks. The Tensor G3 will also enable new features and capabilities for the Pixel phones, such as improved speech recognition, translation, captioning, photography, video editing, gaming, security, and privacy.
The Tensor G3 will be based on a 5-nanometer process technology, which means it will have smaller and more efficient transistors that can perform more calculations per second. The Tensor G3 will also have eight cores: four high-performance cores and four power-efficient cores. The high-performance cores will handle demanding tasks like gaming or video editing, while the power-efficient cores will handle basic tasks like browsing or messaging. The Tensor G3 will also have a dedicated neural engine that will handle artificial intelligence and machine learning tasks.
The exact specifications and benchmarks of the Tensor G3 are not yet known, but we can expect that it will be comparable or superior to other flagship processors in the market, such as the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 or the Samsung Exynos 2100. The Tensor G3 will also be compatible with 5G networks, which offer faster and more reliable internet connectivity.
The Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro will both have 8 GB of RAM (random access memory), which is where the processor stores data and instructions that are currently in use. Having more RAM can improve performance by allowing more programs to run simultaneously without slowing down. However, having too much RAM can also be wasteful if it is not used.
The Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro will have different storage options. The storage is where the smartphone stores data and instructions that are not currently in use by the processor. Having more storage can allow more files to be stored on the device, such as photos, videos, music, games, etc. However, having too much storage can also be wasteful if it is not used.
The Pixel 8 will have two storage options: 128 GB or 256 GB. The Pixel 8 Pro will have three storage options: 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB. Both phones will use UFS (universal flash storage) 3.1 technology for their storage, which offers faster read and write speeds than previous versions.
Both phones will also use SSD (solid state drive) technology for their storage, which uses flash memory chips to store data. SSDs are faster, quieter, lighter, and more reliable than HDDs (hard disk drives), which use spinning disks and magnetic heads to read and write data. However, SSDs are also more expensive and have less capacity than HDDs.
Both phones will not have a microSD card slot for expandable storage. This means that you cannot add more storage to your device by inserting a microSD card. This can be a disadvantage if you need more storage than what is available on your device.
Both phones will run on Android 13, which is the latest version of Google’s operating system for smartphones. Android 13 will offer new features and improvements over previous versions of Android, such as:
· A new Material You design language that adapts to your wallpaper color and personal preferences.
· A new Privacy Dashboard that shows you how apps access your data and lets you control your permissions.
· A new Quick Tap feature that lets you perform actions by tapping the back of your phone.
· A new Live Translate feature that lets you translate speech and text in real time across apps.
· A new Scrolling Screenshots feature that lets you capture long screenshots of web pages or documents.
· A new One-handed Mode feature that lets you use your phone more easily with one hand by shrinking the screen size and moving the controls to the bottom.
· A new Game Dashboard feature that lets you access game-related settings and tools while playing games, such as screen recording, do not disturb mode, performance optimization, etc.
· A new Smart Reply feature that lets you reply to messages and notifications with suggested responses and actions, such as emojis, stickers, links, etc.
· A new Device Controls feature that lets you control your smart home devices from the power menu of your phone.
· A new Nearby Share feature that lets you share files, links, photos, and more with nearby devices using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or NFC.
Android 13 will also offer better performance, security, stability, and compatibility than previous versions of Android. Android 13 will also receive regular updates from Google for at least three years.
Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro: Camera and Battery
The camera is another key feature of any smartphone, as it is where you capture your memories and express your creativity. The camera quality depends on several factors, such as the number of lenses, the resolution, the aperture, the zoom, the autofocus, the stabilization, the flash, the modes, the filters, etc.
The Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro will both have impressive cameras that will take advantage of Google’s artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities. The Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro will both have a rear camera system that consists of three lenses: a main lens, a telephoto lens, and a wide-angle lens. The main lens will be used for taking regular photos and videos. The telephoto lens will be used for taking zoomed-in photos and videos. The wide-angle lens will be used for taking wide-angle photos and videos.
However, there will be some differences between the cameras of the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro. The first difference will be their resolution. The resolution refers to how many megapixels (MP) are captured by the camera sensor. The higher the MP, the more detail and clarity the image quality. However, MP is not the only factor that affects camera quality. Other factors include the size of the sensor, the size of the pixels, the quality of the lenses, etc.
According to some leaks, the Pixel 8 will have a rear camera system with a 12 MP main lens, a 12 MP telephoto lens, and a 16 MP wide-angle lens. The Pixel 8 Pro will have a rear camera system with a 50 MP main lens, a 12 MP telephoto lens, and a 16 MP wide-angle lens. This means that the Pixel 8 Pro will have a higher resolution main lens than the Pixel 8, which means it will have more detail and clarity in its photos and videos.
The second difference between the cameras of the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro will be their zoom capabilities. The zoom capabilities refer to how much a camera can magnify an image without losing quality. There are two types of zoom: optical zoom and digital zoom. Optical zoom uses physical lenses to magnify an image without losing quality. Digital zoom uses software to crop and enlarge an image, which results in loss of quality.
According to some leaks, both the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro will have optical zoom capabilities up to 4x. However, the Pixel 8 Pro will also have digital zoom capabilities up to 20x, while the Pixel 8 will only have digital zoom capabilities up to 10x. This means that the Pixel 8 Pro will have more zoom options than the Pixel 8, which means it will be able to capture distant objects more clearly.
The third difference between the cameras of the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro will be their video recording capabilities. The video recording capabilities refer to how well a camera can record videos in terms of resolution, frame rate, stabilization, sound quality, etc.
According to some leaks, both the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro will have video recording capabilities up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second. However, the Pixel 8 Pro will also have video recording capabilities up to 8K resolution at 30 frames per second, while the Pixel 8 will not. This means that the Pixel 8 Pro will have higher resolution video recording options than the Pixel 8, which means it will have more detail and clarity in its videos.
Both phones will also have optical image stabilization (OIS) and electronic image stabilization (EIS) for their video recording, which means they will reduce camera shake and blur. Both phones will also have stereo sound recording, which means they will capture clear and balanced audio from both sides of the device.
The front camera, also known as the selfie camera, is where you take photos and videos of yourself or with others. The front camera quality depends on similar factors as the rear camera, such as the resolution, aperture, autofocus, stabilization, flash, modes, filters, etc.
The Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro will both have a single front camera with a 12 MP resolution and an f/2.0 aperture. The front camera will also have autofocus, EIS, and a screen flash for low-light situations. The front camera will also have various modes and filters for selfies, such as portrait mode, night mode, panorama mode, beauty mode, etc.
The front camera of both phones will also have video recording capabilities up to 1080p resolution at 30 frames per second. However, the Pixel 8 Pro will also have video recording capabilities up to 4K resolution at 30 frames per second, while the Pixel 8 will not. This means that the Pixel 8 Pro will have higher resolution video recording options than the Pixel 8 for the front camera.
The battery is another essential feature of any smartphone, as it is where you store the power that keeps your device running. The battery quality depends on several factors, such as the capacity, the charging speed, the wireless charging, the battery saver mode, etc.
The Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro will both have a lithium-ion battery that can be charged via a USB-C port or a wireless charger. The battery capacity refers to how much power the battery can store and provide to the device. The battery capacity is measured in milliampere-hours (mAh), which indicate how long the battery can last under certain conditions. The higher the mAh, the longer the battery life.
According to some leaks, the Pixel 8 will have a battery capacity of 4000 mAh, while the Pixel 8 Pro will have a battery capacity of 5000 mAh. This means that the Pixel 8 Pro will have a larger and longer-lasting battery than the Pixel 8.
The charging speed refers to how fast the battery can be recharged from empty to full. The charging speed is measured in watts (W), which indicate how much power is delivered to the battery per hour. The higher the W, the faster the charging speed.
According to some leaks, both the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro will support fast charging up to 30 W via a USB-C port. This means that both phones will be able to charge from 0% to 50% in about 30 minutes. However, the Pixel 8 Pro will also support wireless charging up to 15 W, while the Pixel 8 will not. This means that the Pixel 8 Pro will be able to charge wirelessly from 0% to 50% in about 60 minutes.
Both phones will also support reverse wireless charging, which means they can charge other devices wirelessly by placing them on the back of the phone. This can be useful for charging accessories like earbuds, smartwatches, or other phones. However, the reverse wireless charging speed will be much slower than the regular wireless charging speed, and it will also drain the phone’s battery faster.
Both phones will also have a battery saver mode, which is a feature that reduces the power consumption of the device by limiting some functions and features, such as brightness, refresh rate, background activity, etc. The battery saver mode can be activated manually or automatically when the battery level reaches a certain percentage. The battery saver mode can extend the battery life of the device by several hours.
The battery life of a smartphone depends on several factors, such as the usage pattern, the network condition, the settings, etc. Therefore, it is hard to estimate how long a smartphone can last on a single charge. However, based on some tests and reviews, we can expect that the Pixel 8 Pro will have a longer battery life than the Pixel 8, due to its larger battery capacity and variable refresh rate.
Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro: Price and Availability
The price is another important factor to consider when buying a smartphone, as it is where you decide how much you are willing to pay for your device. The price depends on several factors, such as the model, the storage option, the market, the carrier, etc.
The Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro will both have different prices depending on their storage options. According to some leaks, the Pixel 8 will have a starting price of $699 for the 128 GB option and $799 for the 256 GB option. The Pixel 8 Pro will have a starting price of $999 for the 128 GB option, $1099 for the 256 GB option, and $1199 for the 512 GB option.
These prices are for the unlocked versions of the phones, which means they can work with any compatible carrier or network. However, if you buy the phones from a specific carrier or network, you may get a different price or a discount. For example, some carriers may offer installment plans or trade-in deals that can lower the upfront cost of the phones.
The availability refers to when and where you can buy your smartphone. The availability depends on several factors, such as the launch date, the market, the carrier, etc.
The Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro will both have an official launch event on October 4th, which is when Google will announce all the details and features of the phones. The phones will then be available for pre-order shortly after the event, and they will start shipping and arriving in stores on October 12th.
However, these dates are for the US market only. The availability of the phones in other markets may vary depending on Google’s distribution and partnership agreements with local carriers and retailers. For example, some markets may get the phones earlier or later than others, or they may not get them at all.
Therefore, if you want to buy a Pixel 8 or a Pixel 8 Pro in your country or region, you should check Google’s official website or your local carrier’s or retailer’s website for more information.
Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro: Pros and Cons
The pros and cons are where you weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each smartphone and decide which one is better for you. The pros and cons depend on your personal preferences, needs, and budget. Here are some of the pros and cons of the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro:
Pixel 8 Pros:
· Cheaper than the Pixel 8 Pro
· Smaller and more compact than the Pixel 8 Pro
· Has a pink color option
· Has a fast and smooth display with a 120 Hz refresh rate
· Has a powerful and smart processor with the Tensor G3
· Has a decent camera system with a main lens, a telephoto lens, and a wide-angle lens
· Has a fast charging speed of 30 W
· Has a reverse wireless charging feature
· Runs on Android 13 with new features and improvements
Pixel 8 Cons:
· Has a lower resolution and pixel density than the Pixel 8 Pro
· Has a lower zoom capability than the Pixel 8 Pro
· Does not support wireless charging
· Has a smaller battery capacity than the Pixel 8 Pro
· Does not have a 4K video recording option for the front camera
Pixel 8 Pro Pros:
· Has a higher resolution and pixel density than the Pixel 8
· Has a higher zoom capability than the Pixel 8
· Supports wireless charging up to 15 W
· Has a larger battery capacity than the Pixel 8
· Has a variable refresh rate that can go as low as 10 Hz to save battery life
· Has a higher resolution main lens than the Pixel 8
· Has an 8K video recording option for the rear camera and a 4K video recording option for the front camera
· Has a green color option
Pixel 8 Pro Cons:
· More expensive than the Pixel 8
· Larger and heavier than the Pixel 8
· Does not have a pink color option
Conclusion
The Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro are both excellent smartphones that will offer you fast and smart performance, impressive cameras, smooth and fluid displays, and Android 13 features. However, they also have some differences that may affect your decision.
If you are looking for a cheaper, smaller, and more compact smartphone that still has great features and capabilities, you may prefer the Pixel 8. If you are looking for a larger, more premium, and more powerful smartphone that has more options and features, you may prefer the Pixel 8 Pro.
Ultimately, the choice is yours. You should consider your personal preferences, needs, and budget before making your final decision. We hope this article has helped you compare the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro and decide which one is better for you.
