Google has a strange strategy of revealing all the details about their devices to the public before they’ve even launched, and it works surprisingly well. The hype surrounding the Pixels and Pixel watch 2 is much larger than that of previous Pixels or perhaps since the first rebirth of the “Pixel” brand. If you’re eager to buy the new Pixel 8 series but can’t decide whether it’s worth settling for the Pixel 8 or going for the Pro variant, let’s take a look at all the differences between Pixel in this article 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.
Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro: build, size and displays
The biggest difference between the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro is in the size. The Pixel 8 features a 6.2-inch 120Hz display and has a smaller footprint compared to the Pro’s massive 6.7-inch screen. In fact, the Pixel 8 is smaller than the Pixel 7, which has a 6.3-inch screen, making it a great option for those who need a relatively smaller device. The Pixel 8 has an FHD+ screen, while the Pixel 8 Pro’s screen is still “technically” 2K, but has fewer pixels compared to the Pixel 7 Pro’s screen.
One of the other changes to the Pro model this year is the exclusion of a curved screen in favor of a flat screen. First, the curved display introduced accidental touches, but most people tend to associate curved displays with premiumness; Therefore, a group of people will be disappointed
The fronts of both devices are protected by Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and the chassis of both are made of aluminum. Another piece of feedback that Google has taken into account this year is the elimination of glossy backs in favor of a matte texture, which should improve the in-hand feel. Overall, if you’re buying a Pixel based on size alone, the Pixel 8 makes sense if you need a small form factor, while the Pixel 8 Pro is for all the big screen enthusiasts.
Both the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro have 120Hz AMOLED screens that Google calls Super Actua. The 8 Pro display is a flat LTPO panel, which means the phone can automatically adjust the refresh rate and go as low as 1Hz to save power. This means that the Pixel 8 Pro AoD saves more energy than the Pixel 8, which also has a dynamic panel that goes up to 60 Hz. The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro have FHD+ screen resolutions.
Battery life comparison
Pixel 8 packs a 4575mAh battery, while the 8 Pro comes with a larger 5050mAh battery. What has also improved besides the battery capacity are the charging speeds. The regular 8 now supports 27W charging, while the Pro can use 30W. Wireless charging speeds are also increased to 18W and 23W respectively, which is great because Pixels are still probably the slowest in terms of charging.
According to many reports, the Tensor G3 should run much cooler, which probably also means that it is much more efficient (4nm Samsung Process). Therefore, we should see a boost in battery life from both devices.
Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro: Cameras
Another big difference between the Pro and non-Pro models is the cameras. The Pixel 8 has a dual-camera setup, with the primary sensor being a 50MP wide-angle f/1.9 lens and the secondary being a 12MP ultra-wide f/2.2 lens. The Pixel 8 Pro, on the other hand, has a triple camera setup, with the primary lens being the same as the Pixel 8, 50 MP Wide f/1.9 lens, a secondary Telephoto 48 MP f/3.5 with 5x optical zoom camera (30x zoom through the software trickery from Google) and finally a 48MP ultra-wide f/2.2 lens for macros.
The primary sensors on both phones should perform similarly; the lack of telephoto on the Pixel 8 still hurts. The Pixel 8 Pro’s second camera, a 48MP telephoto, can take 5x optical zoom photos using the software trick Google introduced in the Pixel 7 Pro last year, but this time around, thanks to improved AI processing, Google claims the 8 Pro can take sharp photos from a distance. Here are all the new camera features:
- AI Face Swap for Photos
- Magic editor for photos
- Pro mode for photos
- Video boost for videos
- Night vision for videos
- Audio eraser for videos
The 8 Pro gets a temperature sensor that can measure the temperature of objects or your skin (available soon). You should be able to measure the temperature of, for example, a pan in which you want to cook or a warm bottle of milk.
If you like Pixel photos but don’t need the extra telephoto lens, the Pixel 8 will do just fine. However, if you often zoom in on the camera to capture distant objects, you may want to consider the Pixel 8 Pro. Since most of the above software features are available on both devices and some will also make their way to the Pixel 7 series, it all comes down to whether you need the extra telephoto lens.
Performance: Tensor G3 and UFS 3.1
Tensor G3 is the result of Google’s latest collaboration with Samsung. Google claims the G3 runs much cooler than the G2 and has more AI processing power. For all you nerds out there, the G3 uses a 1+4+4 layout: one prime, four performance, and four efficiency cores.
The SoC is built on a 4nm process and uses the Cortex-X3 as Prime Core, clocked at 2.91 GHz. The performance cores are Cortex-A715, clocked at 2.37 GHz, and the efficiency cores are Cortex-A510, clocked at 1.7 GHz. The GPU is a Mali-G715. Considering Google’s claims that the G3 is cooler than the G2, they may have added a beefy cooling chamber, otherwise Samsung has done it this time. Either way, it should be interesting to see once we get the devices.
The storage and RAM remain unchanged from last year. Yes, the Pixel 8 series is still using UFS 3.1 (Angry on our part), while the competition has already moved to the faster UFS 4.0 storage and UFS 4.1 is just around the corner. Google should have at least opted for UFS 4.0 on the Pro model and made the 256GB version standard, but here we are. So it doesn’t matter which Pixel 8 you buy; the performance must be identical.
Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro: Connectivity
Both devices have Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC and USB Type-C. The USB-C port this time isn’t just a regular Type-C port that charges and has slow data transfer, but a USB 3.2, meaning Pixels can now output a display signal that users can use to connect their devices to external displays or even external accessories such as AR glasses.
Google also appeared to be testing a desktop mode for Android, as did Samsung DEX, but we don’t have enough information to nail down all the details on that. Let’s hope they do well. Both the standard and pro models come with USB 3.2, unlike some other manufacturers (Appl.. *Cough)
Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro: Specifications
| Specification | Pixel8 | Pixel 8 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 154.8 x 75.1 x 13.4mm | 167 x 80.9 x 13.4mm |
| Display | 6.2-inch 1080 x 2400p 60-120 Hz AMOLED (Actua) display with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. 2000 nits peak brightness. | 6.7 inches 1344 x 2992 (Check) 120 Hz LTPO (Super Actua) AMOLED with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. 2400 nits peak brightness |
| To build | Aluminum chassis, flat glass front, matte texture on the back. IP68 Water Resistant | Aluminum chassis, flat glass front, matte back. IP68 Water Resistant |
| Processor | Tensor G3 | Tensor G3 |
| RAM, storage variants | 8/128 GB, 8, 256 GB UFS 3.1, LPDDR5x | 12/128GB, 12/256GB, 12/512GB UFS 3.1, LPDDR5x |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB Type-C 3.2 | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB Type-C 3.2 |
| Battery | 4575mAh with 27W wired charging and 12W wireless/reverse wireless | 5050 mAh with 30W wired charging and 23W wireless charging |
| Cameras | 50 MP primary f/1.9 wide-angle camera, 12 MP f/2.2 ultra-wide rear cameras. 10.5 MP f/2.2 selfie camera | 50 MP f/1.9 wide primary camera, 48 MP f/3.5 telephoto lens, 5x optical zoom (30x via software) 48 MP Ultrawide for macro |
| Audio | Stereo speakers, audio via Type-C | Stereo speakers, audio via Type-C |
| New sensors | Under display optical fingerprint scanner | Under display optical fingerprint scanner, temperature sensor |
| Software features | Magic Editor, Face Swap, Video Boost, Audio Eraser for Videos, Magic Eraser, Photo Blur, Face Blur, Real Tone | Magic Editor, Face Swap, Pro Mode, Video Boost, Audio Eraser for Videos, Magic Eraser, Photo Blur, Face Blur, Real Tone |
| To colour | Rose, Hazelnut, Obsidian | Sky blue, porcelain, obsidian black |
| Price | $699/~Rs 75,999 | $999/~Rs 1,06,000 |
Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro: Final Verdict
The Pixel 8 got a $100 price hike this year and now costs $699, which will make people consider the Pixel 8 Pro, which costs the same as last year’s Pro model, i.e. $999. Google played well this time, as the price difference is just $200 and for the same you get an extra capable camera, a bigger battery with faster charging, more RAM and most importantly a bigger LTPO AMOLED that is more efficient and brighter.
And did we mention that awesome Sky Blue variant, which looks unlike any other Pixel we’ve seen so far? Therefore, it makes more sense to buy the Pixel 8 Pro if you can afford it, otherwise the Pixel 8 will do just fine.
