Google Pixel 8 has some annoying disadvantages, but even more advantages [TEST]

After years of waiting, Google Pixel smartphones are officially entering Poland. The first models are Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, which had their global premiere last year, as well as Pixel 8a, which is both the cheapest and the youngest representative of the series, having debuted on the market just a few days ago.

There will still be time to test the “cheap Pixel”. For now, I had the opportunity to take a closer look at the standard “8”. Here are the biggest advantages and disadvantages of the Pixel 8 smartphone.

A PLUS: Minimalist design and compact dimensions

The design of Google Pixel devices has always been characterized by simplicity and minimalism. It is no different in the case of the tested device. In fact, the only “controversial” element of the design is the protruding metal camera island, which, however, has its own charm.

Despite the large display size, the smartphone remains compact, so we can easily operate it with one hand. It is also difficult to have any reservations about the quality of the materials used and the quality of workmanship. All elements fit together well.

The front panel and back of the smartphone are covered with Gorilla Glass Victus glass, which further strengthens the structure. Pixel 8 also meets the IP68 standard. Google warns that although the device is waterproof, “normal use and wear may reduce its water resistance.” Moreover, water damage is not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.

A PLUS: Excellent OLED screen and 120 Hz

Pixel 8 is equipped with a 6.17-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1080 by 2400 pixels. As befits an organic panel, we are dealing here with excellent black and contrast, as well as vivid and saturated colors. It is not the brightest panel on the market (1,400 nits in HBM mode), but even in strong sunlight it performs more than decently.

The American manufacturer has finally “raised” the screen refresh rate. In the case of the Pixel 7 model, it was a maximum of 90 Hz. “Eight” offers 60 Hz and 120 Hz modes, and – as Google explains – the refresh rate is adjusted by AI, depending on what we are currently displaying on the screen.

MINUS: Decent performance, but rivals can do much more

Google Pixel 8 has its own Tensor G3 processor, which is made using 4 nanometer technology. On the one hand, this system impresses with its AI algorithms, which show their strength in mobile photography. On the other hand – well – the Tensor G3 is not a speed demon.

Let’s not get each other wrong. Android 14 usually runs nicely on this device (the lack of bloatware probably helps a lot). However, under heavy load, the Pixel processor can occasionally get out of breath, which – after all – should not be the case in a flagship device.

Benchmarks also show that Tensor G3 plays in the second league of mobile systems. Comparing it with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or, for example, Exynos 2400 makes no sense, because both processors beat Google’s CPU in every possible test.

AnTuTu Benchmark photo: DM

The tested smartphone was equipped with 8 GB of RAM and 128/256 GB of user data memory (UFS 3.1). It’s a pity that Google didn’t use faster and more energy-efficient UFS 4.0 modules, which could slightly improve the final performance of the device.

GeekBench 6 photo: DM

As for the communication modules, there is nothing to complain about. There is Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, Wi-Fi 7, as well as an LTE + 5G modem. Pixel 8 supports Dual SIM (nanoSIM/eSIM). Unfortunately, there is no room for a microSD memory card slot.

A PLUS: “Pure” Android 14 and seven years of system updates

What distinguishes Google smartphones from the competition is undoubtedly the “pure” version of the Android system. There are no additional system overlays or so-called bloatware served to us too often by other producers. Pixel 8 is simply Android 14 in its simplest and best form.

In addition, you also have priority in receiving new versions of the Android system. Moreover, in the case of all Pixel 8 series models, we can count on a very long technical support period of up to 7 years.

ON MINUS: Charging with a maximum power of up to 27 W

Google Pixel 8 has a battery with a capacity of 4575 mAh. When it comes to the operating time on one battery charge, it is decent, but not great. When using the LTE network, the SoT factor is about 5.5-6 hours, and when using 5G it is halved to about 2.5-3 hours. In practice, this means that with moderately intensive use, the battery will last about a day.

However, the charging speed is slow. We can charge the Google device via wire with a maximum power of 27 W. As a result, the battery goes from 0 to 100 percent. will fill in approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. This may not be a terrible result, but rivals offer charging with a power of over 100 W. It is nice that Pixel 8 supports wireless charging, although the speed is not impressive (18 W).

A PLUS: An inconspicuous camera with phenomenal AI algorithms

On paper, the camera in Pixel 8 isn’t great. While other manufacturers flood the market with smartphones with three and four lenses and constantly increase the matrix resolution, Google focuses on “only” two lenses with the following specifications:

• main 50 MPf/1.7, 25 mm, 1/1.31″, 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, Laser AF, OIS;
• 12 MP ultra-wide angle, f/2.2, 126°, 1/2.9″, 1.25µm, AF

There is also an ultra-wide-angle front camera with a 10.5 MP matrix.

Don’t let this modest configuration fool you. The hardware may be inferior to the competition, but Google makes up for it all with phenomenal software. The AI ​​algorithms used by the Mountain View company are second to none, which translates into great quality of photos from the main camera.

To say that Pixel 8 is the best photographic smartphone on the market would, of course, be a gross exaggeration (you have to give Samsung and Apple their due), but in the category of devices up to PLN 2.5-3 thousand. You won’t find a better mobile camera for PLN. You just won’t find it. That’s it, full stop.

As for the main 50 MP lens, it performs excellently in both day and night conditions. The photos are sharp and rich in detail. We are also pleased with the fact that despite numerous algorithms that constantly work in the background, Google does not exaggerate with enhancing the photos. The frames retain their naturalness, including color reproduction.

The ultra-wide-angle lens has a more modest 12 MP matrix, which translates into fewer details. However, photos taken in good lighting conditions still look very good. Night teams fare worse. These tend to be a bit blurry, which is mainly due to the lack of optical image stabilization.

I must admit that at times I missed the telephoto lens. The lack of even a 2x optical zoom somewhat limits the photographic capabilities of this device. Therefore, if I were to decide to buy a new Pixel, I would probably choose the 8 Pro model with a telephoto lens and 5x optical zoom.

As for the already mentioned AI algorithms, we can also use their capabilities when editing photos. One of the most interesting functions here is the “magic eraser”, which allows you to remove unwanted objects from the photo in a very simple and effective way. Interestingly, this feature is also available in video editing mode. In this case, we can remove unwanted sounds.

Speaking of video, the Pixel camera records videos in a maximum resolution of 4K at 60 frames per second. Video recorded during the day looks great. However, at night it is much worse – and here you can see the advantage of flagship smartphones from Apple and Samsung over the Pixel.

MINUS: The fingerprint reader is sometimes unreliable, and there is no alternative

Google Pixel 8 has a fingerprint reader built into the device’s screen, which, although it works very fast, is not the most precise. And I wouldn’t make a big complaint about it if Pixel 8 offered an alternative method of removing the lock or authorizing payments. The problem is that we don’t have such an alternative here, because the device lacks a face scanning function. Pity.

SUMMARY

Pixel 8 is a device that, both in terms of price and capabilities, is somewhere between the so-called mid-range premium and the most expensive flagships from Samsung and Apple. It’s a nice and compact smartphone with an excellent OLED screen, “pure” Android 14 and an inconspicuous camera with enormous potential.

Google, however, needs to work on improving the performance of the Tensor system, faster battery charging and expanding biometric functions. He also has to consider the prices of Pixel devices in the official Polish Google Store, where the “Osemka” in the 128 GB version costs PLN 3,599 (!) The situation in which it is cheaper to download a smartphone from the German Google Store than to buy it on the Vistula River is quite disturbing. absurd. Fortunately, the price has been reduced in partner stores and is currently PLN 2,899.