The Google Pixel 8 has arrived, and it’s making waves as Google’s most distinct non-Pro model to date. With its smaller and lighter design compared to its predecessor, the Pixel 8 offers a unique touch and feel that sets it apart. While it may lack some of the features found in its bigger sibling, the Pixel 8 Pro, it more than makes up for it with its incredible software-first approach and competitive price point. In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive into what makes the Pixel 8 stand out in the crowded smartphone market and explore its strengths and weaknesses.

Google Pixel 8: An Editor’s Choice

The Google Pixel 8 is Google’s best phone yet, earning its place as an Editor’s Choice. Its standout features include the powerful Google Tensor G3 SoC, 8GB LPDDR5X RAM, and 128GB or 256GB of storage. The Pixel 8 boasts a vibrant and stunning OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering smooth visuals and a satisfying user experience. With a 50MP primary camera and a 13MP ultrawide camera, the Pixel 8 captures stunning photos and videos. The phone’s dimensions are 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9 mm, making it compact and easy to handle. It comes in three attractive colors: Rose, Hazel, and Obsidian Black.

Design: A Smaller, Refined Pixel

The Pixel 8 features a sleek and refined design that builds upon the signature Pixel look introduced with the Pixel 6. Its visor-style camera bar, made of brushed aluminum, stretches across the top of the phone’s back, seamlessly blending into the rim. The phone’s smaller size and rounded corners make it comfortable to hold and use with one hand. Compared to its bigger brother, the Pixel 8 Pro, the Pixel 8 is noticeably smaller and more distinct looking. It also weighs a few grams less, further enhancing its handheld experience. The compact size of the Pixel 8 sets it apart from other larger smartphones, making it an appealing option for those who prefer a smaller form factor.

Display: A Stunning OLED Experience

The Pixel 8 boasts a 6.2-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. Google refers to it as an Actua display, designed to offer exceptional brightness. With a peak brightness of up to 2,000 nits and support for a variable refresh rate between 60Hz and 120Hz, the Pixel 8’s display is among the brightest in the industry. Colors are vibrant, viewing angles are stable, and visibility is excellent, even in direct sunlight. The display is laminated closely to its Gorilla Glass Victus cover, creating a seamless and immersive visual experience. The bezels around the screen have been slightly reduced, allowing the display to sit in a smaller body. However, the bottom bezel is still slightly thicker than the others, which may be a minor drawback for some users.

Performance and Heat: Google Tensor G3

At the heart of the Pixel 8 lies the Google Tensor G3 SoC, Google’s third-generation self-made chipset. While the exact specifications of the Tensor G3 are not explicitly disclosed by Google, the company claims significant improvements over its predecessor. The Tensor G3 offers impressive performance, allowing for smooth multitasking and efficient handling of resource-intensive tasks. During extensive testing, the Pixel 8 remained responsive and didn’t suffer from noticeable throttling or stuttering. However, it’s worth noting that the Tensor G3 can generate noticeable heat during extended periods of heavy usage, particularly when capturing high-resolution images or using AI-intensive features. Reports have emerged of heat-related issues affecting battery life and camera performance, especially in areas with poor mobile connectivity. Google acknowledges these concerns and is actively working to address them.

Battery Life: Impressive Endurance

The Pixel 8 delivers impressive battery life, thanks to its 4,575mAh battery capacity. Even with heavy usage, including extensive camera use and browsing on a poor mobile connection, the Pixel 8 easily lasts a full day without requiring a recharge. During testing, users reported screen-on times ranging from 4 to 6.5 hours, depending on usage patterns. The Pixel 8’s battery life is a significant improvement over previous Pixel generations, offering enhanced endurance without compromising on performance. The phone also supports fast charging, allowing for a full recharge in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes via cable. Wireless charging is available at up to 18W with the second-gen Pixel Stand.

Software: A Software-First Approach

As with previous Pixel phones, the Pixel 8 prioritizes software excellence. It is the first phone to launch with Android 14, Google’s latest operating system. The Pixel 8 also benefits from Google’s commitment to providing seven years of full OS updates, surpassing the industry standard. This extended software support ensures that the Pixel 8 will continue to receive the latest features and security patches, making it a future-proof investment for users. Additionally, the Pixel 8 introduces several new software features, including more secure biometric face unlock, improved Google Assistant capabilities, and advanced AI-driven editing tools.

Camera: Capturing the Perfect Shot

The Pixel 8’s camera system is undoubtedly one of its standout features. Equipped with a 50MP primary camera and a 13MP ultrawide camera, the Pixel 8 delivers stunning photos and videos in various lighting conditions. The primary camera’s larger sensor allows for improved low-light performance and increased light sensitivity. The ultrawide camera offers a 125.8° field of view, allowing users to capture more of the scene. The Pixel 8’s camera app is quick to load and delivers stutter-free performance, ensuring users never miss a moment. The Pixel 8 also introduces several innovative AI-driven features, such as Magic Editor and Best Take, which allow users to edit and enhance their photos with ease.

Magic Editor: Redefining Photo Editing

One of the most exciting new features introduced with the Pixel 8 is Magic Editor. Using Google’s advanced AI image model, Magic Editor allows users to recompose and redesign their photos after the fact. With Magic Editor, users can tap or circle objects and subjects in their images and move them around freely, change the sky, or stylize the image to create a unique look. The results achieved with Magic Editor are impressive, with edited images looking professional and natural. While professional photo editing typically requires hours of work in software like Photoshop, Magic Editor simplifies the process, allowing users to achieve stunning results in just minutes.

Best Take: Perfect Group Photos Every Time

Another noteworthy feature of the Pixel 8’s camera system is Best Take. This feature addresses the common problem of capturing group photos where someone is always looking away or blinking. With Best Take, the Pixel 8 captures several photos in quick succession and uses AI to select the best shot where everyone is looking their best. This feature ensures that users can capture perfect group photos without the need for multiple retakes or post-processing.

Ultra HDR: True-to-Life HDR Images

The Pixel 8 introduces Ultra HDR, a groundbreaking feature that revolutionizes HDR photography. Ultra HDR utilizes the Pixel 8’s full HDR display range to deliver HDR images that appear true to life. Unlike traditional HDR techniques that approximate RGB ranges, Ultra HDR displays HDR content as it was intended, resulting in stunningly realistic images. While Ultra HDR content is not yet viewable on all devices, the Pixel 8 supports this feature, allowing users to experience the full potential of HDR photography.

Competition: Choosing the Right Pixel

When considering the Pixel 8, it’s essential to compare it to its Pro counterpart, the Pixel 8 Pro. While the Pixel 8 offers an exceptional smartphone experience, the Pixel 8 Pro takes it a step further with its advanced camera system, premium frosted glass back, and additional software features. However, for most users, the Pixel 8’s attractive price point and impressive features make it the ideal choice. Its smaller size and more affordable price make it a standout option in the competitive smartphone market.

In conclusion, the Google Pixel 8 is a flagship phone designed for the masses. It offers a refined design, stunning display, powerful performance, impressive battery life, and an exceptional camera system. With its software-first approach and extended support, the Pixel 8 ensures a future-proof experience for users. Whether you’re a photography enthusiast or a casual smartphone user, the Pixel 8 delivers a premium smartphone experience at a competitive price.