Google Pixel 8 Pro After The Buzz: Was It Worth the Hype?
In the fast-paced world of technology, most products get a brief moment in the spotlight before fading into obscurity. Once the initial review period ends, the media moves on to the next big thing, and many gadgets are left behind. However, some products manage to defy this trend, standing out as devices people continue to ask about months later. These are the gadgets we hold onto as daily drivers, the ones we watch age over time. The Google Pixel 8 Pro is one such device.
As Google’s most ambitious flagship, the Pixel 8 Pro is on the cusp of a refresh, prompting the inevitable question: Should you stick with it for another year or get ready for the next wave of pre-orders? Let’s dive into an in-depth analysis of the Pixel 8 Pro, exploring its strengths, weaknesses, and what it offers in a rapidly evolving market.
The Pixel 8 Pro was a bold statement from Google, released at a time when artificial intelligence (AI) was becoming a major focus for tech companies. Over the years, Google’s Pixel lineup has consistently pushed the envelope in AI integration, often setting trends that others follow. The first Pixel, for instance, was a masterclass in computational photography, a field that has since become a standard across all smartphones. However, this success story doesn’t fully apply to the Pixel 8 Pro.
While the Pixel 8 Pro continues to showcase Google’s prowess in AI, it didn’t quite capture my attention as some of its predecessors did. Part of the issue lies in Google’s hardware choices, which, although visually stunning, have never been the most efficient in my opinion. The Pixel 8 Pro, with its sleek baked color finish, matte glass, and shiny chrome-like accents, is undeniably a beautiful device. The decision to go flat on the display also gave it a minimalistic appeal, aligning with current design trends.
However, the Pixel 8 Pro’s design presented a contradiction. Despite being lighter than both the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Galaxy S24 Ultra, it doesn’t feel that way in hand. The weight distribution, possibly affected by the prominent camera visor, makes the phone feel heavier than it is. This was one of my major gripes with the device.
Speaking of the design, the camera visor is another point of contention. On one hand, I appreciate Google’s more uniform design, especially for table use. On the other hand, the sharpness of the metal edges made the phone uncomfortable to use without a case. Ironically, the phone that I thought would not need a case ended up being the one I used with a case the most. However, credit where it’s due, Google’s cases are worth the investment. After a year of use, they still look almost new, a testament to their quality.
One aspect where Google finally got it right is the display. After years of struggling to compete with other flagships, the Pixel 8 Pro finally delivered a great display experience. The brightness is on point, which is particularly useful when taking photos in bright environments. The colors are vibrant, and the responsiveness of the panel, thanks to its speedy refresh rate, is buttery smooth. Even the speakers, often an afterthought in smartphones, impressed me on the Pixel 8 Pro. This was the best audio experience I’ve had on a Pixel device to date.
However, my excitement for the Pixel 8 Pro waned when it came to its AI features. One of the frustrating trends in the tech industry is the tendency to release unfinished products, promising future updates to unlock their full potential. The Pixel 8 Pro was no exception. Many of the AI features that were touted at launch weren’t available until months later, by which time I had already moved on to other devices. This delay significantly diminished the phone’s appeal.
Yes, being the first to receive Android updates is a nice perk, and the Pixel Launcher continues to be smooth and intuitive. However, I’m not a fan of the grid layout, which doesn’t optimize space for widgets, or the “At a Glance” widget that you can’t remove. Even the UI elements adapting to the theme isn’t something I particularly care about. I’m more focused on functionality, and in that sense, the Pixel 8 Pro falls short.
One feature I did appreciate was the “Circle to Search” function, which arrived on the Pixel 8 Pro shortly after Samsung introduced it on the Galaxy S24. The Magic Editor and Audio Magic Eraser are also standout features, offering impressive capabilities that are genuinely useful. However, Google’s much-touted Gemini AI, which was supposed to be a game-changer, ended up being underwhelming. It works similarly to AI on other Android phones, and the advanced version still has its quirks.
When it comes to the spec sheet, the Pixel 8 Pro has both strengths and weaknesses. Unfortunately, Google’s competitors have not only caught up but, in some cases, surpassed Google’s approach to the Tensor chipset. The G3 processor, which powers the Pixel 8 Pro, was a disappointment in many ways. It lagged behind in most benchmarks, and while I’m not one to obsess over benchmarks, the poor gaming performance was hard to ignore. Even after software updates, the Tensor G3 struggled with demanding tasks, making it clear that it’s good for most tasks, but not all.
Another disappointment was the storage options. In 2023, 128GB of storage was already dated, especially for a phone that positions itself as a photography powerhouse. If the main selling point is its camera capabilities, then it needs to offer more storage to accommodate the high-quality photos and videos it captures.
Battery life was another area where the Pixel 8 Pro fell short compared to its Snapdragon-powered rivals. Yes, it can get through a day on a single charge, but it’s hard to ignore how much better the competition is at power management. For instance, you can leave a Galaxy phone overnight without charging it, and it’ll lose only about 5% of its battery. By contrast, the Pixel 8 Pro still drains power overnight, even when idle.
As with every Pixel phone, photography is at the core of the Pixel 8 Pro’s identity. This is where Google has consistently excelled, and the Pixel 8 Pro is no exception. The camera visor, which protrudes significantly from the back, houses an impressive array of hardware. While there are phones with bigger sensors and more advanced technology, few can match the Pixel 8 Pro’s balance of hardware and software, especially at its price point of $999.
If you’re looking for a phone with character, the Pixel 8 Pro is it. Google’s approach to photography is unique, playing with contrast to create images that look like they were taken with a much larger camera. Whether you’re using the ultrawide, primary, or telephoto lens, the Pixel 8 Pro delivers consistently powerful results. Super Res Zoom, for instance, is remarkable, allowing you to capture a 30X photo where you can read the text on an air conditioner across the street. This level of detail is usually reserved for much more expensive ultra phones.
The macro mode is another highlight, providing excellent background blur and high-quality close-ups. At night, the Pixel 8 Pro continues to impress, with Google’s algorithms pushing highlights and shadows to create images that look like they’ve been edited in Lightroom. The weird lens flares that plagued previous Pixel devices are gone, and the camera is much faster and more reliable across different focal lengths.
What truly sets the Pixel 8 Pro apart as a “Pro” device is its ability to offer advanced photography features in a simple, user-friendly package. For example, long exposure photos and action pans, which typically require manual controls and a deep understanding of photography, are made accessible to everyone with the Pixel 8 Pro. The phone even saves a regular photo alongside the long exposure shot, giving you options in case you’re not satisfied with the results. Astrophotography mode is another pro-level feature that’s easy to use, adding to the Pixel 8 Pro’s appeal as a photography powerhouse.
Google also made strides in improving the front-facing camera. The wider selfies and more natural skin tones are a welcome improvement, especially after previous Pixels made me look older than I am. When it comes to video, the Pixel 8 Pro is the only Android phone I’d recommend. It’s still not on par with the iPhone, but it’s getting close. The stabilization is excellent, even in challenging conditions, and the video quality holds up well in good lighting. However, once the lights dim, the Pixel 8 Pro struggles, so it’s best to stick to well-lit environments for video.
Revisiting the Pixel 8 Pro just before its update was a valuable experience. It reminded me of everything I love about Pixel phones—and everything I don’t. The Pixel 8 Pro is one of the few “Pro” phones that truly earns its title, at least in the realm of photography. It’s a unique device that looks like nothing else on the market and stays true to the science fiction-inspired aesthetic that has always defined Android.
However, it’s hard to overlook the shortcomings. The Tensor chipset, once a promising innovation, now lags behind its competitors in key areas like performance and efficiency. The Pixel 8 Pro checks many boxes, but it doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and its limitations are becoming harder to ignore.
With the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro already on the horizon, featuring significant improvements, I’d recommend waiting for those models instead of jumping on any discounts for the Pixel 8 Pro. At a price point of $1,100, the Pixel 8 Pro needs to be exceptional in every aspect.
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