The Google Pixel 8 Pro has been my daily driver for nearly six months now, and I can confidently say it’s one of the most refined smartphones I’ve used. Announced in late 2023, the Pixel 8 Pro brought several promising upgrades to Google’s flagship lineup, including improvements in display technology, processing power, and camera capabilities.
As an Android enthusiast, I was drawn to the Pixel 8 Pro for its clean software experience, the AI-powered features powered by Google’s Tensor G3 chipset, and the exceptional photography the Pixel series is renowned for. Over this period, I’ve tested it in various conditions, from daily use and photography excursions to gaming sessions and multimedia consumption.
The phone’s sleek design, robust build quality, and thoughtful ergonomics have left a lasting impression. The refined camera system continues to be the highlight, offering incredible detail and dynamic range. At the same time, the performance from the custom Tensor G3 processor has been reliable, if not groundbreaking. Battery life has been a mixed bag, but the device has excelled in software reliability and connectivity features like 5G and Wi-Fi 6E.
Physical Dimensions and Weight
The Pixel 8 Pro balances modern aesthetics with functional design, offering a well-rounded feel that appeals to both minimalist and ergonomic sensibilities. Its dimensions stand at 162.6 x 76.5 x 8.7 mm (6.40 x 3.01 x 0.34 inches), making it slightly taller and wider than its predecessor. The device weighs approximately 213 grams (7.51 oz), which is on the heavier side but adds to its premium feel.
Despite its weight, the phone remains comfortable for extended use thanks to its rounded edges and smooth finish. The aluminum frame offers a robust build, while the Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back enhances durability.
In my experience, the Pixel 8 Pro’s weight distribution is excellent, and it doesn’t feel unwieldy in one hand. Even with a case, the phone maintains its sleek profile without being too bulky. For users prioritizing durability and premium construction, the Pixel 8 Pro ticks all the right boxes.
Screen Size and Resolution
One of the standout features of the Pixel 8 Pro is its 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display, which has been a joy to use. The screen offers a QHD+ resolution (1440 x 3120 pixels) and an impressive pixel density of 512 PPI, ensuring crisp visuals and vibrant colors.
What sets the Pixel 8 Pro apart is its 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, which dynamically adjusts based on the content displayed. This ensures fluid scrolling, immersive gaming, and improved battery efficiency. Google has calibrated the display for HDR10+ support, and consuming HDR content on platforms like YouTube and Netflix is nothing short of stunning.
The color accuracy is top-notch, with Google’s Real Tone technology making skin tones look more natural. Outdoor visibility is excellent, thanks to a peak brightness of up to 2,400 nits, which performs admirably in direct sunlight.
After six months, the display remains a key highlight of the Pixel 8 Pro, with no noticeable burn-in or degradation. Whether it’s reading, gaming, or streaming, the Pixel 8 Pro’s display consistently delivers an outstanding visual experience.
Chipset (Tensor G3) and Its Performance Benchmarks
The Tensor G3 chipset, custom-built by Google, powers the Pixel 8 Pro and continues to impress with its AI-focused capabilities. While it doesn’t match the raw performance of competitors like Apple’s A17 Pro or Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, it shines in its niche use cases.
The chipset is built on a 4nm process and features a 9-core CPU architecture (1x Cortex-X3, 4x Cortex-A715, 4x Cortex-A510). Paired with the Mali-G715 GPU, the device handles gaming and multitasking with ease, though it’s not aimed at hardcore mobile gamers.
Where the Tensor G3 truly excels is in AI and machine learning tasks. Features like real-time transcription, on-device voice processing, and advanced camera enhancements benefit significantly from the chipset’s AI capabilities. For example, Magic Editor and Best Take are lightning-fast, elevating the photography experience.
In benchmarks, the Tensor G3 delivers respectable scores:
- Geekbench 6: Single-core: 1800, Multi-core: 4800
- 3DMark Wild Life: 6900 points
While these numbers lag slightly behind flagship competitors, real-world performance has been seamless, with no significant slowdowns or stutters.
Battery Capacity and Charging Speed
The Pixel 8 Pro features a 5,050mAh battery, which, on paper, is substantial enough to last a full day of moderate use. However, battery performance has been inconsistent over six months.
On average, the phone provides about 6-7 hours of screen-on time with light-to-moderate use, such as social media browsing, streaming, and photography. Intense activities like gaming or 4K video recording can drain the battery faster.
Charging speeds are capped at 30W wired and 23W wireless with Google’s proprietary Pixel Stand. While not as fast as competitors offering 65W or higher speeds, the device charges from 0 to 50% in about 30 minutes, which is sufficient for a quick top-up. Full charging takes just over 90 minutes.
The adaptive battery feature is worth noting, as it learns usage patterns to optimize longevity. However, heavy users may find the battery life lacking, especially compared to other flagships. Google’s focus seems to be on reliability rather than groundbreaking endurance.
Primary Sensor – Megapixel Count, Aperture, and Sensor Size
The Pixel 8 Pro’s camera system is headlined by a 50MP primary sensor, with an impressive f/1.68 aperture and a sensor size of 1/1.12 inches. This large sensor captures incredible detail, even in low light, and rivals professional cameras in some scenarios.
The Octa-PD autofocus ensures accurate focusing, and the addition of laser autofocus makes shooting fast-moving subjects effortless. Google’s computational photography, powered by the Tensor G3, adds features like Night Sight, Magic Eraser, and Best Take, which elevate the photography experience.
During my use, the primary camera has consistently delivered excellent results, with sharp details, vibrant colors, and outstanding dynamic range. Portrait mode, enhanced by AI, produces natural bokeh effects. The sensor performs admirably in low-light conditions, with Night Sight capturing well-lit, noise-free images.
The only downside is occasional lens flare during harsh lighting conditions, but this is a minor issue in an otherwise stellar camera system.
Front Camera
The Pixel 8 Pro features a 10.8MP front camera with an f/2.2 aperture and a 1/3.1-inch sensor size. While not groundbreaking in terms of megapixels, Google’s software wizardry makes it stand out.
Selfies are crisp, with natural skin tones and excellent detail. The front camera supports 4K video recording at 30/60fps, which is ideal for vloggers and video calls. Portrait mode on the selfie camera is impressive, with accurate edge detection and pleasing background blur.
Over six months, I’ve found the front camera reliable and consistent, making it a solid choice for casual photographers and content creators.
Sound Quality, Loudness, and Stereo Separation
The stereo speakers on the Pixel 8 Pro deliver a rich audio experience, with balanced sound and surprising loudness. Whether it’s music, gaming, or calls, the sound quality has been consistently impressive.
The bottom-firing speaker works in tandem with the earpiece, creating a well-separated stereo effect. While bass levels are not as deep as some competitors, mids and highs are clear and distortion-free even at high volumes.
Google has also enhanced haptics, making vibrations synchronised with audio cues, a subtle but welcome feature for immersive gaming and media consumption.
5G and Wi-Fi 6E Support
Connectivity is another area where the Pixel 8 Pro excels. It supports 5G Sub-6 and mmWave and Wi-Fi 6E, ensuring blazing-fast internet speeds. Over six months, the phone maintained strong and stable connections, even in crowded environments.
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Conclusion
After nearly six months, the Pixel 8 Pro has proven to be a reliable companion. It excels in software, camera capabilities, and display quality. While there are minor setbacks like battery life and charging speed, the overall experience is satisfying. For Android enthusiasts and photography lovers, the Pixel 8 Pro remains a top contender in the flagship market.