ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Pixel 8 affords a flagship-level expertise with Google’s newest AI and machine studying options, all for underneath $700. Proper now, you should purchase one for as little as $549.
- With quick efficiency, superb cameras, and Actua show, it is among the best smartphone offers obtainable.
- In comparison with equally priced telephones, just like the Nothing Telephone 2, the Pixel 8 is a much better worth.
The Google Pixel 8 Professional could be getting all the eye these days (particularly because it’s the primary handset to realize entry to Google’s new Gemini AI model), however the usual Pixel 8 could be the actual MVP of Google’s lineup this yr.
Assessment: Google Pixel 8 Pro: This phone sold me on an AI-powered future
That is as a result of the Pixel 8 affords among the best mixtures of specs, options, and premium design at a worth significantly decrease than the competitors. What’s extra, now that we’re on the finish of the yr, Pixel 8 deals are hovering around $549.
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Google Pixel 8
The Google Pixel 8 features a new Tensor G3 processor, the first Actua display on a Pixel, dual rear cameras, and Android 14 with seven years of software updates.
At that worth, the Pixel 8 is just not solely tough to disregard, however maybe the one telephone you have to be considering of if you happen to’re procuring on a price range. You will not discover one other telephone prefer it underneath $600, and it is solely if you sift by means of the $800-$1,000 choices that you simply discover commendable competitors.
A giant purpose why that is such a compelling possibility is the Tensor G3 chip, Google’s newest in-house processor that powers the entire Pixel 8’s AI and machine studying options. It is not only a strong Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 various, however a monumental purpose why the Pixel 8 is such an incredible telephone.
The chip powers all of the Google Pixel-ness of the Pixel 8, from transcribing voices within the Recorder app to letting you edit pictures to your coronary heart’s content material with the AI-powered Magic Editor. The Google Assistant additionally takes benefit of the G3 to course of your voice faster and even summarize net pages for rapidly consuming info. Alongside powering Google’s HDR pipeline for pictures, guaranteeing Android 14 is slick and easy, the G3 is likely one of the most succesful smartphone chips available on the market. And when paired with 8GB of RAM, you will by no means have a gradual day.
The show is one other big purpose to get this telephone. The Pixel 8’s 6.2-inch Actua show is a bit smaller than the display on the Pixel 7, however that makes it simpler to carry in a single hand. It is also beautiful to have a look at; with a Full HD+ decision, a 120Hz refresh fee, and a pair of,000 nits of peak brightness, it is one of many brightest and clearest shows available on the market. Plus, it is OLED, so colours are vibrant and inky blacks are plentiful.
Additionally: The best camera phones: Capture crystal-clear photos, videos, and selfies
Look past the show and you will find a handsome telephone crafted out of aluminum and Gorilla Glass Victus. That includes Google’s signature digicam bar on the again and skinny bezels across the show, the Pixel 8 is a stunner amongst different sub-$700 telephones. It is also IP68-certified for mud and water resistance, and it is available in three good finishes: Obsidian (black), Hazel (kinda inexperienced), and Rose (extra of a golden peach, in my view).
In the case of Pixel telephones, there are two areas you need to discuss: cameras and software program.
On the digicam entrance, Google knocked it out of the park. The rear 50MP important shooter and 12MP ultra-wide are each glorious performers in broad daylight and at night time. The cameras simply match or outpace what you’d get with an iPhone 15 Professional or Galaxy S23 Extremely by way of readability, element, and sharpness, whereas colours are sometimes much more correct than they ever have been on a Pixel telephone. You additionally get the entire digicam chops that the Pixel identify carries like astrophotography, Tremendous ResZoom, twin publicity controls, and Extremely HDR. That is on prime of different options like Finest Take and Magic Editor that make these cameras the neatest you will discover. Plus, video high quality has been vastly improved over earlier Pixels — it is flat-out akin to the iPhone.
On the software program aspect, Google’s Pixel expertise atop Android 14 stays my favourite option to work together with Android. It is clear, minimal, and offers you a heat, inviting feeling that no different Android pores and skin can mimic. You get all of the options of Android 14 like customizable lock screens, higher safety, bigger fonts, and improved notifications together with the entire Pixel options you could possibly ask for like Name Display screen, Now Enjoying, Direct My Name, AI-generated wallpapers, and – in fact – the Pixel Launcher.
However the actual kicker within the software program division is Google’s prolonged assist. The corporate is guaranteeing seven full years of software program assist, which suggests you will get updates till 2030 if you happen to purchase this telephone. That is unparalleled for an Android telephone, and it provides gadgets just like the iPhone a run for his or her cash.
Additionally: Google Pixel 8 vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro: Which model should you buy?
The Pixel 8 also can final all day on a cost due to the 4,575mAh cell inside. With my medium to heavy utilization, I usually finish days with 30-40 % within the tank, which suggests anybody utilizing the telephone a bit much less may stretch it out to final a day and a half. Plus, you get 30W quick charging to juice again up in addition to Qi wi-fi charging.
So, what are the downsides? Actually, there aren’t so much. The Pixel 8 nonetheless will get fairly heat after utilizing it for some time, however that is typical with Google’s Tensor processors. I additionally want there was a correct telephoto digicam on the again; Tremendous Res Zoom is useful for upscaling digitally zoomed pictures, however it may well solely take you thus far. Oh, and I nonetheless do not belief Face Unlock; Google helps you to use it to pay for issues now utilizing Google Pay, but it surely nonetheless depends on a flat picture of your face to authenticate you.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
You are not going to discover a a lot better worth than the Pixel 8. From the attractive show and design to the speedy efficiency and superb cameras, Google’s normal flagship telephone stands by itself with an impeccable steadiness of high-end options for a cheaper price than different flagships.
Additionally: The best Android phones that we tested this year
With its sale worth of $549, the closest competitors occurs to be the Galaxy S23 FE and Nothing Phone (2), two gadgets which might be completely worthy of a spot in your pocket however do not provide the identical worth because the Pixel 8. Google’s telephone is a correct flagship with seven years of software program assist, the most recent AI options, and the corporate’s newest digicam tips. The Telephone (2) and S23 FE are high-end mid-rangers that steadiness specs and worth properly, however do not feel as high-end because the Pixel does.
Anybody purchasing for an Android telephone underneath $600 — not to mention underneath $700 — ought to look to the Pixel 8. The worth is just unimaginable, and it is by far among the best telephones of the yr.