ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Pixel 8 presents 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 on Amazon.
- With quick efficiency, superb cameras, and Google’s Actua show, it is the most effective smartphone offers obtainable.
- 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 is likely to 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 is likely to be the true MVP of Google’s lineup this 12 months.
Additionally:Â I compared the Google Pixel 8a with every major sub-$500 Android phone – here’s my buying advice
That is as a result of the Pixel 8 presents the most effective combos of specs, options, and premium design at a worth significantly decrease than the competitors. What’s extra, ever since Amazon Prime Day, Pixel 8 deals have been hovering around $499.
At that worth, the Pixel 8 is just not solely troublesome to disregard, however maybe the one cellphone try to be considering of should you’re buying on a price range. You will not discover one other cellphone prefer it below $500, and it is solely if you sift by means of the $800-$1,000 choices that you just 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 all the 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 cellphone.
Evaluate:Â Google Pixel 8 Pro: This phone sold me on an AI-powered future
The chip powers all of the Google Pixel-ness of the Pixel 8, from transcribing voices within the Recorder app to letting you edit photographs 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 internet pages for shortly consuming data. Alongside powering Google’s HDR pipeline for images, guaranteeing 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 enormous purpose to get this cellphone. 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 take a look at; with a Full HD+ decision, a 120Hz refresh price, and a pair 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.
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Look past the show and you will find a handsome cellphone 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).
With regards to Pixel telephones, there are two areas it’s a must to discuss: cameras and software program.
On the digital camera entrance, Google knocked it out of the park. The rear 50MP essential shooter and 12MP ultra-wide are each wonderful performers in broad daylight and at evening. The cameras simply match or outpace what you’d get with an iPhone 15 Professional or Galaxy S23 Extremely when it comes to readability, element, and sharpness, whereas colours are sometimes much more correct than they ever have been on a Pixel cellphone.Â
Additionally: Google just added a big feature to the Pixel camera, and two more could be on the way
You additionally get all the 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 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 technique to work together with Android. It is clear, minimal, and provides 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 all the Pixel options you might ask for, reminiscent of Name Display screen, Now Taking part in, Direct My Name, AI-generated wallpapers, and –of course –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 implies you will get updates till 2030 should you purchase this cellphone. That is exceptional for an Android cellphone, and it offers units just like the iPhone a run for his or her cash.Â
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 because of the 4,575 mAh cell inside. With my medium to heavy utilization, I usually finish days with 30-40 % within the tank, which implies anybody utilizing the cellphone 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 quite a bit. 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 photographs, however it could actually solely take you up to now. Oh, and I nonetheless do not belief Face Unlock; Google helps 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 significantly better worth than the Pixel 8. From the beautiful show and design to the speedy efficiency and superb cameras, Google’s commonplace flagship cellphone stands by itself with an impeccable stability of high-end options for a cheaper price than different flagships.
Additionally:Â Google Pixel 9, Pro, Pro XL, and Pro Fold: Specs, features, and everything else we know so far
With its sale worth of $499, the closest competitors occurs to be the Galaxy S23 FE and tech%2Fproductspercent2Fphone-2″ rel=”noopener nofollow” goal=”_blank”>Nothing Cellphone (2), two units which can be completely worthy of a spot in your pocket however do not supply the identical worth because the Pixel 8. Google’s cellphone is a correct flagship with seven years of software program help, the newest AI options, and the corporate’s newest digital camera methods. The Cellphone (2) and S23 FE are high-end mid-rangers that stability specs and worth properly, however do not feel as high-end because the Pixel does.
Anybody searching for an Android cellphone below $600 — not to mention below $700 — ought to look to the Pixel 8. The worth is just unbelievable, and it is by far the most effective telephones of the 12 months.
