Google Pixel 8 Review | One Month Later...

Summary

This review offers a detailed take on the Google Pixel 8 after a month of use, focusing on its compact size, design, and key features. The reviewer praises the phone’s solid build, camera quality, and OLED display, though notes occasional software bugs and limited storage options. Performance is generally smooth, but not as fast as competitors, especially for gaming. Battery life exceeds expectations, but slow charging is a drawback. The AI-powered editing tools and camera features are highlighted, though some features are exclusive to the Pro model. Overall, the Pixel 8 is recommended for those seeking a smaller, more affordable flagship phone.

Takeaways

• 📱 The Pixel 8 is a compact and comfortable-to-hold smartphone, similar in size to the Asus Zenfone 10.
• 📸 The camera is reliable and offers great quality, but lacks advanced features like the telephoto lens and multi-zone autofocus found on the Pixel 8 Pro.
• 🔥 The Tensor G3 chipset isn't as fast as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but handles day-to-day performance smoothly despite occasional gaming stutters.
• 🔋 Battery life is excellent, with over 6 hours of screen time in one day, though charging is slow compared to other smartphones.
• 💡 The design feels premium with a matte aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus, although it can be slippery to hold without a case.
• 🎨 The display is vibrant with sharp visuals, supports HDR streaming, and has a 120Hz refresh rate, though it isn't as bright as some competitors.
• 🧠 Software experience is generally good with Android 14, though there are some bugs, such as issues with Android Auto and app freezes.
• 🎮 Gaming performance is decent but not top-tier, with some frame rate drops in graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact.
• 📷 The photo and video editing tools powered by AI are standout features, offering easy options for enhancing images and videos, though some advanced features are missing compared to the Pro model.
• 🎤 The audio quality is strong, with good clarity even in busy environments, and the selfie camera works well even in low light, despite lacking autofocus.

Q & A

What is the general size and design of the Google Pixel 8?

The Google Pixel 8 is compact, similar in size to the Asus Zenfone 10, with a matte aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and back, and a glossy finish. Its design feels premium, and it fits comfortably in the hand due to its rounded corners and edges.

How does the Pixel 8 handle fingerprints and smudges?

The Pixel 8, especially in the darker Olive model, does a good job of hiding fingerprints and smudges, although it still gets slightly greasy after use. Compared to the Pixel 8 Pro's glossy surface, it hides smudges better.

What are the display features of the Pixel 8?

The Pixel 8 has a 6.1-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2400x1080, supporting full HDR streaming but not Dolby Vision. It offers vibrant colors, solid contrast, and can reach a peak brightness of 2000 nits. The refresh rate scales from 60Hz to 120Hz, making the display feel fluid.

How reliable is the fingerprint sensor and face unlock feature on the Pixel 8?

The in-display optical fingerprint sensor works fine as long as your hands are dry. However, face unlock doesn't perform well in dim lighting, so you might need to use a PIN in such situations.

What are some key features of the Pixel 8's Android 14 experience?

The Pixel 8 runs Android 14, which brings features like AI-generated wallpapers, live translation, and enhanced safety tools. Google promises 7 years of OS and security updates, meaning the Pixel 8 will be supported until 2030.

What issues has the reviewer experienced with the Pixel 8's software?

The reviewer experienced occasional bugs, such as Android Auto failing to work, apps freezing, and Google Maps malfunctioning. They hope future updates will resolve these issues.

How is the Pixel 8's performance compared to other flagship phones?

The Pixel 8's Tensor G3 chipset provides good everyday performance but is slower than Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Gen 3 found in other flagships. It handles multitasking well but struggles with demanding games, occasionally dropping frame rates.

Does the Pixel 8 have overheating issues?

The Pixel 8 does not have significant overheating problems. While it can get slightly warm during use, it’s much better compared to previous Pixel models, especially during cooler months like October.

How does the battery life on the Pixel 8 hold up during everyday use?

The Pixel 8 has a 4575mAh battery, which lasts well during normal use. The reviewer reported over 6 hours of screen-on time with various activities, and the phone rarely runs out of battery in a single day.

What are the drawbacks in terms of charging speed for the Pixel 8?

Charging speeds are slower compared to competitors. It supports 27W wired charging and 18W wireless charging, taking around an hour and a half for a full charge. This is slow compared to some Chinese brands that fully charge within 20 minutes.

How does the camera on the Pixel 8 perform?

The Pixel 8 has a 50MP primary camera with optical image stabilization and a 12MP ultrawide lens. While image quality is generally sharp and natural-looking, there are occasional issues like soft portrait shots or slight artifacts. It lacks some features of the Pixel 8 Pro, such as manual controls, high-resolution mode, and a telephoto lens.

What video recording capabilities does the Pixel 8 offer?

The Pixel 8 can record up to 4K video with good stabilization and excellent audio capture. It also has editing tools like noise reduction for vocals, which enhance video and audio quality. However, it won’t receive the Night Sight video mode that's coming to the Pixel 8 Pro.