Unveiling the Pixel 8: A Game-Changer Worth Upgrading For!

Enter the Pixel 8

Before we proceed with the comparisons, let's first go over the key features of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. The Pixel 8 boasts a 6.2-inch display with a refresh rate of 120Hz, while the Pro version takes it up a notch with a larger 6.7-inch display that offers an adaptive refresh rate ranging from 1 to 120Hz. Powering both phones is the Google Tensor G3 processor, coupled with either 8 or 12GB of RAM.

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The Pixel 8 boasts a 50MP primary camera and a 12MP ultrawide lens. Meanwhile, the Pixel 8 Pro offers the same 50MP main camera along with a 48MP ultrawide lens and a 48MP telephoto lens featuring 5X optical zoom. In terms of battery capacity, the Pixel 8 holds a 4,575 mAh battery, whereas the Pixel 8 Pro comes with a larger 5,050 mAh battery. The standard Pixel 8 can provide storage of up to 256GB, while the Pro model offers options of 512GB or 1TB (in the US).

Both models come preloaded with Android 14 and offer a promising seven-year span of OS upgrades. The Pixel 8 starts at $699, while the Pixel 8 Pro starts at $999. Now, let's compare these specifications to previous Pixel phones you may currently utilize.

Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 7: Minor Upgrades

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The differences between the Pixel 8 and its predecessor are not drastic, similar to many smartphone upgrades these days. The design has been slightly altered with a more rounded shape and smaller bezels and displays.

In terms of displays, the Pixel 8 series stands out with brighter screens. The Pixel 8 Pro reaches a peak brightness of 2400 nits, surpassing the 1500 nits of the 7 Pro. Meanwhile, the Pixel 8 achieves a peak brightness of 2000 nits compared to the 1400 nits of the Pixel 7. Additionally, the standard Pixel 8 enhances the refresh rate to 120Hz from the previous 90Hz on the Pixel 7.

The Pro model now features an increased RAM capacity of 12GB, along with a new 1TB storage option for the US market. The processor has been upgraded to the advanced Google Tensor G3, although the actual performance improvement in real-world usage remains to be seen. Moreover, the Pixel 8 Pro sports a slightly larger battery of 5050mAh compared to its predecessor's 5000mAh, while the Pixel 8 also boasts a bigger battery with a capacity of 4575mAh as opposed to the Pixel 7's 4355mAh.

Moving on to the cameras, the most noticeable enhancement is found in the ultrawide camera of the Pixel 8 Pro, which now boasts a 48MP sensor compared to the 12MP sensor present in the Pixel 7 Pro. Additionally, the aperture of all the cameras has been slightly improved. Overall, the camera experience remains quite similar in terms of functionality.

To be frank, the experience is quite comparable for both generations. If your Pixel 7 Pro or Pixel 7 is in good working order, there isn't a significant justification to upgrade this year. Furthermore, Google's trade-in offers are certainly not contributing towards incentivizing an upgrade.

Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 6: Performance Boost

Let's rewind to 2021 and compare the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro with the new Pixel 8 series. The displays of the Pixel 8 Pro and 6 Pro are remarkably similar. In fact, the 6 Pro boasts a slightly higher resolution at 512 ppi, while the 8 Pro offers 489 ppi. Although the Pixel 8's display is marginally smaller than the Pixel 6's (6.2 in compared to 6.4 in), they are otherwise virtually identical.

RAM and storage are identical for all models, except for the US version of the Pixel 8 Pro, which offers an additional 1TB option. The Pixel 8 series introduces Google's Tensor chip, which is two generations ahead of the chip used in the Pixel 6 series, resulting in improved performance upon upgrading. The Pixel 8 Pro boasts a 47mAh larger battery compared to the Pixel 6 Pro, while the Pixel 8 has a 39mAh smaller battery than the Pixel 6.

In terms of camera capabilities, both the Pixel 7 and Pixel 6 series offer similar features. Therefore, the upgrades mentioned earlier in this section apply to both models, including the inclusion of a larger 48MP ultrawide camera on the Pixel 8 Pro and improvements in aperture and focal length across both models. Additionally, the Pixel 8 represents the first Pixel model to adopt the black bar camera design.

Pixel 8 vs Pixel 5: Time to Upgrade

The improvements from the Pixel 6 to the Pixel 8 may not meet your high expectations. The major change lies in the upgraded processor, transitioning from the original Google Tensor to the enhanced Tensor G3 which offers a considerable performance boost. Apart from that, you can also expect an expanded ultrawide camera and additional features similar to its predecessor.

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Regarded by some as the pinnacle of Google's Pixel line, the Pixel 5 outshines its predecessors. Serving as the final phone featuring the classic black bar camera design, this singular Pixel 5 model stood alone, without an "XL" or "Pro" variant. As for the Pixel 8, it embraces Google's contemporary design aesthetic, making it unmistakable when spotted in the wild.

The Pixel 8 offers several significant improvements over its predecessor, the three-year-old Pixel 5. Firstly, the Google Tensor G3 chip in the Pixel 8 is a substantial upgrade over the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G chip found in the Pixel 5. This means that the Pixel 8 is now considered a high-end phone, compared to the mid-range status of the Pixel 5. Additionally, while the Pixel 5 only came with 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM, the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro allow for greater storage capacity.

Another notable upgrade is in the camera department. The Pixel 5 featured a 12MP main camera, whereas both Pixel 8 models boast 50MP main cameras. Although the Pixel 5 had a slightly better 16MP ultrawide secondary camera compared to the 12MP ultrawide on the Pixel 8, it is overshadowed by the impressive 48MP ultrawide camera on the Pixel 8 Pro. Furthermore, the Pro model also includes an additional 48MP telephoto lens.

The transition to rear-mounted physical fingerprint sensors instead of under-display optical sensors on the Pixel 8 series is one difference that may not be appealing to everyone. Although this technology has improved, personally, I still prefer the rear-mounted sensors. On the bright side, the battery life is a noteworthy improvement. The Pixel 8 Pro boasts an additional 1000mAh, while the Pixel 8 offers a respectable 500mAh enhancement.

The leap from the Pixel 5 to the Pixel 8 is significant, as expected. If you currently own a Pixel 5, you will undoubtedly appreciate the enhancements that both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro offer. Moreover, please note that support for the Pixel 5 will cease after October 2023.