Summary
Highlights
The reviewer starts by giving an immediate verdict: the Pixel 8 is recommended for those who desire the unique Pixel experience and are willing to pay for it. However, if you are looking for an all-rounder phone with good price-to-value, there are better devices available at this price point.
The design of the Pixel 8 is praised, especially the 'visor' which naturally rests under the user's finger, making it comfortable to hold. It features Gorilla Glass Victus on both front and back, and a brushed aluminum frame, making it well-built and durable with an IP68 rating. The 187g weight with a 6.2-inch display feels just right.
The display is described as beautiful and stunning, with minimal bezels, 2000 nits brightness, HDR10+, 120Hz refresh rate, and 430 PPI. The reviewer notes the absence of LTPO, but generally finds the display's resolution, clarity, and color integration excellent, offering a seamless experience without excessive heating.
The Pixel's software is highlighted as a major strength, known for its clean, minimal, and fun experience. Although there were initial bugs and app crashes upon release, recent updates have refined the experience, fixing issues in the camera app and improving overall smoothness. The commitment to seven years of software updates is genuinely appreciated.
The reviewer points out significant issues with connectivity (modem), CPU (Tensor G3), and GPU. The modem, possibly a Samsung Exynos model, struggles with dual SIM usage and range, affecting network speeds. The Tensor G3, while not 'trash,' is not the most powerful and shows small lags and stutters in daily use and photo processing, especially when compared to flagship devices from Samsung and Apple. The GPU, while capable of gaming, isn't top-tier for intensive gamers, and the phone tends to warm up under load, although not uncomfortably.
The 4575 mAh battery pleasantly surprised the reviewer. With light to medium usage (excluding intensive gaming), it consistently provides a full day of battery life, often retaining 20-25% charge by day's end. An average of 6 to 6.5 hours of screen-on time is achievable, even with the 120Hz display active. Heavy gaming, however, drains the battery quickly.
The camera is considered the Pixel 8's strongest justification for its price. It excels in capturing true-to-life skin tones, avoiding the artificial whitening common in some Chinese phones. Google's processing, especially HDR, results in stunning photos. While lacking a telephoto lens, the overall processing, colors, saturation, and contrast deliver excellent images. Video quality is stable and accurate, offering an iPhone-like fluid experience, though not matching the iPhone 15 Pro's capabilities. AI features and integration with apps like Gemini are also mentioned as strong points for future-proofing.
The reviewer concludes by not fully recommending the Pixel 8 for everyone due to its fundamental issues with calling, connectivity, and potentially underperforming CPU/GPU for its price segment in the Indian market. While the 'Pixel experience' is excellent and appeals to users, these performance drawbacks make it hard to recommend over competitors like the iQOO 12 or S23, which offer better value for performance. The Pixel 8 is only recommended if the user specifically desires the unique Pixel experience despite its shortcomings.