ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Pixel 8 gives a flagship-level expertise with Google’s newest AI and machine studying options, all for below $700. Proper now, you should purchase one for as little as $499.
- With quick efficiency, superb cameras, and Actua show, it is among the best smartphone offers out there.
- In comparison with equally priced telephones, just like the Nothing Cellphone 2, the Pixel 8 is a much better worth.
The Google Pixel 8 Professional may 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 may be the true MVP of Google’s lineup this 12 months.
Evaluation: Google Pixel 8 Pro: Five months later, still the AI phone to beat in 2024
That is as a result of the Pixel 8 gives among the best combos of specs, options, and premium design at a worth significantly decrease than the competitors. What’s extra, Pixel 8 deals are hovering around $499 on Amazon proper now.
At that worth, the Pixel 8 shouldn’t be solely tough to disregard, however maybe the one telephone try to be considering of when you’re procuring on a price range. You will not discover one other telephone prefer it below $600, and it is solely whenever you sift by way of the $800-$1,000 choices that you simply discover commendable competitors.
An enormous 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 isn’t only a strong Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 various, however a monumental purpose why the Pixel 8 is such a terrific 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 images 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 data. Alongside powering Google’s HDR pipeline for images, making certain Android 14 is slick and easy, the G3 is likely one of the most succesful smartphone chips in the marketplace. 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 screen on the Pixel 7, however that makes it simpler to carry in a single hand. It is also gorgeous to take a look at; with a Full HD+ decision, a 120Hz refresh fee, and a couple of,000 nits of peak brightness, it is one of many brightest and clearest shows in the marketplace. Plus, it is OLED, so colours are vibrant and inky blacks are plentiful.
Additionally: Google’s December Pixel Feature Drop brings major camera upgrades and other goodies
Look past the show and you will find a handsome telephone crafted out of aluminum and Gorilla Glass Victus. That includes Google’s signature digital camera 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, for my part).
In the case of Pixel telephones, there are two areas it’s important to speak about: cameras and software program.
On the digital camera entrance, Google knocked it out of the park. The rear 50MP principal shooter and 12MP ultra-wide are each wonderful 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 way more correct than they ever have been on a Pixel telephone.
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You additionally get the entire digital camera chops that the Pixel title carries like astrophotography, Tremendous ResZoom, twin publicity controls, and Extremely HDR. That is on prime of different options like Greatest 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 strategy 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 might ask for like Name Display screen, Now Enjoying, Direct My Name, AI-generated wallpapers, and – after all – the Pixel Launcher.
However the true kicker within the software program division is Google’s prolonged help. The corporate is guaranteeing seven full years of software program help, which suggests you will get updates till 2030 when you purchase this telephone. That is extraordinary for an Android telephone, and it offers units 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 can even final all day on a cost because of the 4,575mAh cell inside. With my medium to heavy utilization, I sometimes finish days with 30-40 p.c within the tank, which suggests anybody utilizing the telephone a bit much less might 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 lots. 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 digital camera on the again; Tremendous Res Zoom is helpful for upscaling digitally zoomed images, however it could possibly solely take you thus far. Oh, and I nonetheless do not belief Face Unlock; Google enables you to use it to pay for issues now utilizing Google Pay, nevertheless it 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 commonplace flagship telephone stands by itself with an impeccable steadiness of high-end options for a cheaper price than different flagships.
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With its sale worth of $499, the closest competitors occurs to be the Galaxy S23 FE and Nothing Phone (2), two units which are 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 help, the most recent AI options, and the corporate’s newest digital camera tips. The Cellphone (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 searching for an Android telephone below $600 — not to mention below $700 — ought to look to the Pixel 8. The worth is just unimaginable, and it is by far among the best telephones of the 12 months.