Google Gets It Mostly Right With the Pixel 8 Pro

The Pixel 8 Pro is Google’s latest flagship device, and while some will argue that the new device doesn’t offer enough features at its price point, I think Google is finally starting to get into its stride. What we see in the Pixel 8 Pro is the first step in Google making one of the best lineups of Android phones on the market.

Design

If you look at the device, there is not much different from the Pixel 7 Pro. It still has a camera panel on the back, a USB-C charging port on the bottom, and all the usual power buttons you’d expect. It also still features a punch-hole camera on the front like previous Pixel phones.

What ‘s different, however, is that Google has finally ditched the curved display found on previous Pixel phones. They’ve been popular for the past few years, and while some people have liked them, I was one of the many who found the curved edges more annoying than attractive. However, now that the Pixel 8 Pro has a flat display, you can rest easy knowing you’ll see a clear image across the entire panel without any weird curved pixels.

This flatter display also means the sides are slightly flatter and larger than the Pixel 7 Pro, but the phone still offers that light and thin Pixel design that Google has been championing for some time. The phone is now easier to hold than previous Pixel models, and you won’t have to worry about accidentally touching the screen while doing so.

The back panel is made of soft-touch glass, similar to that found on the previously released Pixel Fold. It feels nice on your fingers and also hides fingerprints well compared to a standard glass back. It looks great on the black Pixel 8 Pro, offering a satin finish that looks good in any light. The aluminum on the sides has a mirror polish, which means it is more likely to attract fingerprints, making it one of the weak points of the design. However, overall the phone is beautiful to look at.

Now about the display: Google has been offering all-screen displays in most of its Pixel devices over the past few years, and the Pixel 8 Pro is no exception. It’s a massive 6.7-inch OLED display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz and a peak brightness of 2,400 nits and up to 1,600 nits when using HDR. It’s a fantastic display that can easily compare to other top-end flagship devices like the iPhone 15 Pro Max .

Software and Performance

Software is always the category where Pixel devices excel, and the 8 Pro is no exception. Google offers the lightest, fastest build of Android that works without a lot of the bloatware and add-ons that Samsung and other Android manufacturers build into their devices. They’re the most versatile option on the market if you want pure Android, and it’s easy to see why these Google-made devices have remained so popular among Android fans over the years.

Google has also built a lot of AI features into the Pixel 8 Pro , allowing you to use generative AI to create wallpapers and even edit photos and videos using the technology. There are a lot of features on display (or coming in the next few months) that simply aren’t available on other phones, and if you like tinkering with that kind of stuff, you’ll love what the Pixel 8 Pro has. suggest.

Otherwise, the experience is exactly what you’d expect from an Android smartphone. However, a lot of what makes the Pixel 8 Pro impressive is the AI ​​features running on Google’s custom Tensor G3 chip. However, it seems like these features could be extended to other devices, and Google’s decision to limit them to just the G3 feels a little artificial in most cases.

The Pixel 8 series is the first Google device to offer up to seven years of promised support , something you won’t see on devices with a Qualcomm chip. But those extra years come at a price—Google’s custom Tensor G3 chip simply can’t keep up with the more powerful chips offered by Samsung and Qualcomm, or Apple’s A-series chips in the iPhone.

But if you’re buying a Pixel 8 Pro, you’re not going to do it just for performance. There’s definitely something to be said for brand loyalty, and that certainly says a lot about the Pixel line, even if it has veered away from the more budget-friendly options that made these devices so popular in the past.

Face unlock is finally useful

The good news is that face unlock isn’t so bad this time around. Apple has been using Face ID for years, and all devices except the iPhone SE rely on facial scanning to unlock. And while Google has tried to replicate the success of Face ID with Face Unlock, this is the first time it actually works as it should.

After a very short setup process, you can start unlocking your phone with your face and it works well. During my time with the device, I only had to enter the PIN at startup a couple of times, or rely on the fingerprint scan when Face Unlock accidentally didn’t scan. I’ve noticed that it’s not as reliable when your face is wet, so you might need your fingerprint when you’re working out or checking your phone after a swim. It’s much more reliable than before, which is a huge win for the Pixel line.

Camera

The Pixel line is known for its cameras, and the 8 Pro doesn’t disappoint. The new “Pro Mode” lets you adjust focus, ISO, shutter speed, and other settings like white balance and brightness, so you don’t have to download a third-party app to control these settings. However, what’s most impressive about the Pixel isn’t the camera hardware: what makes it really special is Google’s various machine learning systems that help produce the stunning images that Pixels are known for.

Overall, however, you won’t see much of a difference between photos taken by the Pixel 8 series and the Pixel 7. Sure, Google has improved the Pixel 8’s macro mode, which makes it easier to take close-ups, but beyond that, these small upgrades are likely on their own not enough to convince Pixel 7 owners to upgrade.

trick

However, there is one thing about the Pixel 8 Pro that looks a little silly: the temperature sensor. The sensor is located on the back of the phone, along the camera bezel, and while you might think, “That’s cool,” the feature is largely useless since you’ll have to hold the phone directly to whatever you’re trying to measure the temperature of. .

This seems like a gimmick in every way, and while it might have been useful back in 2020 when we were in lockdown and had to constantly monitor our temperature to leave the house, it’s not something that seems necessary at the moment.

The last word

The Pixel 8 Pro feels like a consistent evolution of the Pixel 7. It’s a really solid phone, especially if you want to learn more about what Google is doing with artificial intelligence. The promised seven years of support means you’ll be able to use this phone for a long time, and the design changes are welcome.

While there’s nothing here to justify the extra $100 added to the price, the Pixel 8 Pro is undoubtedly one of the best Android smartphones on the market, offering the lightest, fastest, and most comprehensive version of Android you’ll find. you can purchase. right now.

Pros :

• Beautiful device and display
• Lots of AI features that make the phone feel fresh
• The soft-touch glass back looks beautiful, feels good to the touch, and hides fingerprints well.
• Still offers the lightest version of Android ever.

Cons :

• The polished aluminum on the sides can scratch easily.
• A $100 price increase doesn’t seem justified.
• Temperature sensor looks like a gimmick