Google’s Pixel line has consistently pushed the boundaries of smartphone photography, and the Pixel 8 is no exception. But is it just a camera upgrade, or does it offer a more compelling overall package? As an update to last year’s Pixel 7, the 8 provides some key improvements, but there are also a few areas where it falls short. We have been using the Pixel 8 for a few months, let’s take a look at the things we liked and things that could have been better.
Google Pixel 8
Rs 75,999What Is Good?
- Compact and sturdy design
- Beautiful display
- Decent performance
- Great cameras
- Clean software experience
- Updates have improved the overall device
- A bunch of AI features
What Is Bad?
- Slow charging speeds
- Battery life could been better
Loved It
Here are the five things we loved about the Pixel 8:
Display
The display is one of the most attractive aspects of the Pixel 8. It flaunts a beautiful 6.2-inch FHD+ OLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. It’s a noticeable upgrade from the Pixel 7, offering exceptional peak brightness of up to 2000 nits, which ensures a fantastic viewing experience in almost all conditions. From watching movies to using it outdoors in direct sunlight, the display on the Pixel 8 will never disappoint you.
Design
The Pixel 8’s design assumes the iconic Pixel look but with slightly rounded edges and a prominent camera bump. It’s a compact phone and is easy to carry around in your pockets. One of the best things about the Pixel 8 is that it enables one-handed usage, which is something we loved during our use.
Furthermore, its glass back and aluminium frame give it a more premium look and feel.
Software Experience
Pixel smartphones are known for their fantastic software experiences, and the Pixel 8 takes it a step further. Like every other Pixel device, the Pixel 8 gives you a stock Android experience. The device gives you a smooth and bloatware-free experience with no stutters or lags throughout the interface.
Moreover, we all know that the search giant is betting big on AI, and the Pixel 8 also packs many AI features.
For example, the AI Wallpaper adapts to your preferences and features like Audio Eraser and Magic Editor enhance your multimedia experience. It also gets seven years of updates, which is highly commendable.
Camera
Despite having the same megapixel number as its predecessor, the Pixel 8’s camera system delivers exceptional results — be it in daylight or low-light.
The Pixel 8’s camera system, which includes a 50MP primary sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and a 12MP ultra-wide sensor with an f/2.2 aperture and 126˚ field of view, delivers exceptional results. The wider aperture captures more light for sharper details and improved dynamic range.
Low-light performance is also impressive, building on the strengths of the Pixel 7 with faster processing times. Photos retain the signature Pixel look with a touch of contrast and cooler tones. The only minor disappointment is the lack of autofocus on the 10.5MP selfie camera (present only in the Pro version).
Performance
Many have complained that Pixel devices are not the most powerful flagship smartphones. This is partially true, but Pixel phones are known for their software optimisation, which gets better over time.
Earlier, our unit scored between six and seven lakh on the AnTuTu benchmark, but thanks to a bunch of OTA updates, it easily reached a million. Geekbench 6 scores revealed a single-core score of 1474 and a multi-core score of 3707.
Initially, we faced a few issues which involved overheating in certain scenarios. However, with multiple updates being pushed, this was also sorted.
The Tensor G3 chipset is also a considerable upgrade from its predecessor. It packs a host of advancements as it handles Google’s AI and machine learning features well.
Needs Work
Here are a couple of things about the Pixel 8 that we believe could have been better:
Battery Life
Battery life remains the Pixel 8’s Achilles’ heel. While the 4575mAh battery is an upgrade over the outgoing model, the phone struggles to last an entire day with heavy usage.
The Pixel 8 could only manage about five hours of screen time in our usage. The disappointing part is that our usage did not include any sort of gaming.
This seems like a pattern, but after a host of updates, the battery life has seen some considerable improvements. This means we don’t have to reach for a charger in the middle of the day.
Charging Speed
Speaking of which, charging is another area where the Pixel 8 falls behind the competition. The 27W charging speed is an improvement over the Pixel 7, but it still takes a significant amount of time (around 1 hour and 20 minutes) for a full charge, with inconsistency thrown into the mix.
Verdict
The Pixel 8 is a compelling option for those seeking a premium Android experience with a fantastic camera, clean software, and a commitment to long-term updates. It’s also a compact phone, which is quite rare in the market these days.
The display and design are top-notch, and the AI features are helpful for productive tasks. However, battery life and charging speed remain its downsides. If these areas aren’t dealbreakers for you, the Pixel 8 is a phone that will continue to get better with time.
