The Pixel 8 series packs the best hardware and software that Google makes at the time of writing. While cameras are obviously a big sales pitch, it’s Google’s promise of “up to 7-year” support that’s got everybody talking about the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. And it’s not just security and bug fixes, but Google “plans” to deliver major OS upgrades to both these devices for seven years. It goes without saying that it’s a tall claim.
While it’s nice that you’d theoretically be able to hold on to your Pixel 8/8 Pro for far longer than any other Android phone on the planet, there’s also a cost or two attached. One is that you’d really want to have to trust on Google— which given its track record would be easier said than done— and second is the cost of buying these devices itself. The Pixel 8 starts at a cool Rs 75,999 while the top-shelf Pixel 8 Pro can go up to Rs 1,13,999. That’s expensive, even if the product is coming straight from the makers of Android.
The Pixel 8 Pro is obviously the “hero” product. It gets a bigger and better screen, more cameras and for the first time, pro app controls, in addition to some new photo and video tricks up its sleeve. The battery, too, is a bit bigger on the 8 Pro. The Pixel 8 meanwhile, is probably one of the few remaining compact flagship phones that money can buy in 2023, which is a big sell for those waiting for a phone like that. Like Samsung and Apple, Google also has a phone for everybody. Or so you’d think.
- PRICES: The Pixel 8 comes in a choice of 8GB/128GB and 8GB/256GB for Rs 75,999 and Rs 82,999, respectively. The Pixel 8 Pro is available with 12GB/128GB or 12GB/256GB for Rs 1,06,999 and Rs 1,13,999, respectively.
- DESIGN: Both the Pixel 8 series phones are made of glass and metal. The Pixel 8 Pro uses the latest Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The Pixel 8 has the first-generation Victus. On the Pixel 8 Pro, you get a matte finish on the back while the frame is glossy/polished. The Pixel 8 has a glossy back and a matte frame. You can get the Pixel 8 Pro in a choice of Bay and Obsidian. The Pixel 8 comes in Hazel, Rose and Obsidian. You get an IP68 rating in both the phones.
- DISPLAY: The Pixel 8 Pro has a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display with an unconventional 1344×2992p resolution. The panel can go as low as 1Hz and tops-out at 120Hz. The brightness can go all the way up to 1,600nits in HDR. The peak brightness can go up to 2,400nits. The Pixel 8 has a smaller 6.2-inch 1080p OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 2,000nits of peak brightness (up to 1,400nits in HDR).
- PROCESSOR: Both the phones are powered by Google’s 4-nanometre Tensor G3 chip.
- SOFTWARE: Both the phones run Android 14 right out of the gate.
- CAMERAS: The Pixel 8 Pro has three cameras on the back: a 50-megapixel f/1.68 primary, 48-megapixel f/1.95 ultrawide with autofocus, and another 48-megapixel periscope-style telephoto for 5x optical zoom. The Pixel 8 has dual rear cameras with a 50-megapixel main (same as the Pixel 8 Pro) and 12-megapixel ultrawide. Both the phones have a 10.5-megapixel selfie camera, though only the 8 Pro gets autofocus.
- BATTERY: The Pixel 8 Pro has a 5,050mAh battery. The Pixel 8 has a 4,575mAh battery. You get wireless charging in both the phones.
Follow FE Tech Bytes on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook.