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| We Tested Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro: Exploring Their Innovative AI Capabilities |
The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro have officially arrived, promising the expected annual updates in design, camera capabilities, and performance. However, Google's smartphones are renowned for their software, and the Pixel 8 introduces a suite of AI-powered image editing features that range from practical to downright remarkable.
Curious whether this year's Pixel devices are worth the upgrade? We'll provide you with our initial impressions after some hands-on time with Google's latest phones.
Google Pixel 8
The Google Pixel 8 boasts improved performance, a brighter display, and an array of captivating AI-driven camera features.
Google Pixel 8 Pro
If you desire a larger display, advanced camera capabilities, and a sleek matte design, the Pixel 8 Pro is the way to go.
Release Date and Preorders
Preorders for the Pixel 8 lineup are currently open, with an official launch date of October 12. Pricing starts at $699 for the Pixel 8 and $999 for the Pixel 8 Pro. When preordering the Pixel 8 directly from Google, you'll receive a complimentary pair of Pixel Buds Pro, while the Pixel 8 Pro preorder includes the all-new Pixel Watch 2.
Two Attractive Designs - With a Nod to the Pro
The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro closely resemble last year's Pixel 7, with a few welcome refinements. Both phones exhibit slightly softer edges and a comfortable grip. However, the prominent aluminum camera bar on the back, now housing even larger camera modules, remains somewhat polarizing.
Nonetheless, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are aesthetically pleasing Android phones, available in appealing color options. The Pixel 8 comes in Obsidian, Hazel, and Rose, with the Rose variant offering a compelling alternative to the pink iPhone 15. Meanwhile, the Pixel 8 Pro's Obsidian, Porcelain, and Bay options include the enticing Bay variant, sporting a delightful baby blue hue. Google deserves credit for introducing vibrant colors to its "Pro" lineup, an area where other manufacturers, such as Apple, have been more conservative. To complement this, Google is releasing Bay-colored Pixel Buds Pro to match the Pixel 8 Pro's fresh hue.
While both phones are visually appealing, the matte finish of the Pixel 8 Pro enhances grip and minimizes glare and fingerprints, a feature appreciated during photography sessions. In contrast, the standard Pixel 8 retains the glossy finish of its predecessors, which may not be a concern for most users, particularly those using protective cases. Nevertheless, the trend towards matte, smudge-resistant designs, seen in phones like the Galaxy S23 and iPhone 15, is noteworthy.
An Array of Useful Features, Including Innovative AI
Pixel phones have consistently prioritized useful software and exceptional photography over raw horsepower, and the Pixel 8's camera and AI features uphold this tradition.
While the camera specifications on paper may seem similar to last year's models, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro promise significant improvements in the photography experience. Notably, the Pixel 8 now includes the Pro's Macro Focus mode, enabling close-up captures of intricate details. Google also claims that the 8 Pro will excel in low-light photography, offer improved zoom, and introduce Night Sight Video, applying their renowned nighttime image enhancement to video footage for the first time. However, the true magic emerges during photo editing.
Google's Magic Eraser feature has garnered praise for its ability to remove unwanted elements from photos. With the Pixel 8's new Magic Editor, you can manipulate virtually any aspect of your photo to achieve dramatic results. In a captivating demonstration, a Google representative edited a seemingly ordinary beach scene. They highlighted a person in the photo and effortlessly moved and resized them within the beach setting, all while maintaining natural proportions and minimizing distortion. Additionally, the Magic Editor offers various filters that can change the time of day or transform the photo into a Japanese manga illustration. Impressively, all these effects processed instantly within Google's photos app, showcasing Google's AI capabilities and the new Tensor G3 processor, potentially challenging third-party image editing apps.
Ever encountered group photos where someone isn't smiling or looking at the camera in every shot? Google aims to solve this problem with another AI feature called Best Take. After taking multiple photos of a group, you can individually adjust each person's expression in post-processing. While this feature addresses a common issue, it can be both impressive and slightly unsettling to witness a single face changing within a photo while everyone else remains static.
Smaller yet Valuable Upgrades
In addition to these eye-catching AI features, the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro introduce several practical upgrades to Google's smartphone lineup. The Pixel 8 Pro now features a temperature sensor, allowing you to measure the temperature of various surfaces by holding the camera close. This feature works on surfaces ranging from walls and fabrics to liquids and food, providing precision in everyday tasks like cooking.
Meanwhile, the standard Pixel 8 receives a notable refresh rate boost, increasing from 90Hz to 120Hz. This enhancement ensures smoother scrolling through webpages and photo albums, bringing it in line with the Galaxy S23 and giving it an advantage over the base iPhone 15 models, which still operate at a comparatively slower 60Hz.
Both the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro feature "Actua" displays promising enhanced color accuracy and increased brightness, with the Pixel 8 Pro achieving an impressive 2,400 nits, surpassing even the iPhone 15 Pro. This high brightness level makes Google's flagship an ideal choice for outdoor use. The OLED displays, available in 6.2 inches for the Pixel 8 and 6.7 inches for the Pixel 8 Pro, exhibited pleasing visuals during our brief hands-on experience, although long-term performance remains to be seen.
As with previous models, Google guarantees "beyond 24-hour battery life" for these phones, although real-world testing found the Pixel 7's endurance and charging speeds somewhat lacking. We hope for improvements in this regard with the Pixel 8. On the bright side, if you decide to invest in a Pixel 8, you can anticipate ongoing support, with Google committing to providing the latest Android updates and security patches for up to seven years.
The Verdict
The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro represent an incremental upgrade from Google, offering the most significant benefits to those upgrading from a Pixel 6 or older model. However, features like Magic Editor and Best Take, exclusive to the Pixel 8 for now, have the potential to make these phones the best choices for photography enthusiasts. They also stand out as the most visually appealing Pixels yet, particularly the matte-finished Pixel 8 Pro.
That being said, these phones come with a $100 price increase compared to last year's models. With the new iPhone 15 lineup and the reliable Galaxy S23 series competing in the same space (now with the more affordable Galaxy S23 FE), the Pixel 8 faces stiff competition in the quest for the top smartphone spot. We eagerly await our comprehensive review to determine if the Pixel 8 can make the cut. Stay tuned for more updates.
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