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(Image credit: Future / Google)
(Image credit: Future / Google)
Jump to category:What’s new? In summaryPrice & AvailabilityColours & DesignDisplayHardwareBatteryCamerasEarly conclusion
Jump to category:What’s new? In summaryPrice & AvailabilityColours & DesignDisplayHardwareBatteryCamerasEarly conclusion
When it comes tothe best Android phonesGoogle is a natural choice. After all, it is the creator and shepherd of the operating system – and with the Pixel 8 series there’s a new promise for seven years of software and security updates and feature drops – which is why the Pixel 8 is such a strong contender. But just how different is it the Pixel 7 and why should you consider buying one?
What’s new? In summary
But first, let me summarise what’s new generation to generation. The Pixel 8 adds the more advanced Google Tensor G3 chip (the next step beyond the G2 before it); there are new colour variants; the main camera receives an upgrade; and the asking price is also higher.
Price & Availability
In context, however, that still makes sense in today’s market: its nearest competitor (well, sort of) is theNothing Phone 2, a device which I’ve really loved using. Still, now that the Pixel 7 is so much lower in price –£430 upon my last Amazon check– that is going to be a major consideration for some.
Today’s best Google Pixel 7, Google Pixel 8 and Nothing Phone 2 dealsGoogle Pixel 7$469ViewSee all pricesGoogle Pixel 8$629ViewSee all pricesNothing Phone (2)$925ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Google Pixel 7, Google Pixel 8 and Nothing Phone 2 dealsGoogle Pixel 7$469ViewSee all pricesGoogle Pixel 8$629ViewSee all pricesNothing Phone (2)$925ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Google Pixel 7, Google Pixel 8 and Nothing Phone 2 dealsGoogle Pixel 7$469ViewSee all pricesGoogle Pixel 8$629ViewSee all pricesNothing Phone (2)$925ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Google Pixel 7, Google Pixel 8 and Nothing Phone 2 deals
Google Pixel 7$469ViewSee all pricesGoogle Pixel 8$629ViewSee all pricesNothing Phone (2)$925ViewSee all prices
Google Pixel 7$469ViewSee all prices
Google Pixel 7$469ViewSee all prices
Google Pixel 7
Google Pixel 7
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$469
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Google Pixel 8$629ViewSee all prices
Google Pixel 8$629ViewSee all prices
Google Pixel 8
Google Pixel 8
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Nothing Phone (2)$925ViewSee all prices
Nothing Phone (2)$925ViewSee all prices
Nothing Phone (2)
Nothing Phone (2)
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We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Colours & Design
When it comes toGoogle Pixelphones and colourways there’s always a fancy shade and new name for each generation’s release. I remember whenthe Pixel 7 was teased, Google did so with various crisp flavours (literally)that were actually handed out in small batches. That model was released in black (Obsidian), white (Snow) and a green-yellow (Lemongrass).
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While the Pixel 8 didn’t present itself with any snack-based forms for its colour options, the format this year is a mixture of familiar and new: there’s black once again (Obsidian), grey-green (Hazel; which was aPixel 7 Prostaple and is still a Pixel 8 Pro option), and a pink-gold (Rose). There’s no blue option (Bay Blue), which is exclusive for the Pixel 8 Pro model.
Display
In terms of size the Pixel 8 is actually slightly smaller than the Pixel 7, owed to its reduction of screen bezel, but it still features a very similar display scale (albeit 6.2- rather than 6.3-inches).
While the Pixel 8’s screen delivers the same resolution (1440x3120 pixels), it ups the ante when it comes to refresh rate (now 120Hz, up from 90Hz), and can deliver much greater brightness too (2000 nits peak, up from 1600).
Hardware
A new generation almost always comes with new hardware, which is exactly what the Pixel 8 offers: on board is Google’s own silicon,the Tensor G3– an update over the Pixel 7’s Tensor G2 chip. Expect advances in compute and graphics, but also an even greater move towards artificial intelligence (AI) processes.
Unlike the Pixel 8 Pro, however, it appears that the Pixel 8 only features 8GB RAM, not 12GB. This limits some of the modes that are available, as the new Night Vision Video isn’t available on the smaller handset – only the Pro.
Battery
The design tweaks mean a modicum of additional battery space in the Pixel 8 too, as you can see above. Although it’s the faster charging that’s likely to be more welcome – still nowhere near the speeds of the quickest systems out there though.
Cameras
One area where I really think the Pixel series excels is with its camera systems. The Pixel 7 doesn’t have a zoom lens like the Pro and the Pixel 8 doesn’t add one of those – instead it’s a focus on enhancing the main camera with a new sensor and optics.
As you can see from the spec above, the Pixel 8 has a new main sensor with a wider aperture that’s able to allow more light in – useful to enhance background blur, faster shutter, and better processing for improved quality.
It’s a shame the Pixel 8 misses out on the Pixel 8 Pro’s major new feature, Night Sight Video, as this live-action adaptation of the well-known stills mode sounds like a major appeal. Just not for users of the smaller handset.
Early conclusion
The Google Pixel 8 appears to be a moderate update over the Pixel 7 – it’s the Pro 8 that receives far more tweaks and new features overall.
Still, the presence of a brighter screen, improved main camera, new colour options, and much longer support (to seven years of updates) will have major appeal.
Today’s best Google Pixel 7 and Google Pixel 8 dealsGoogle Pixel 7$469ViewSee all pricesGoogle Pixel 8$629ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Google Pixel 7 and Google Pixel 8 dealsGoogle Pixel 7$469ViewSee all pricesGoogle Pixel 8$629ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Google Pixel 7 and Google Pixel 8 dealsGoogle Pixel 7$469ViewSee all pricesGoogle Pixel 8$629ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Google Pixel 7 and Google Pixel 8 deals
Google Pixel 7$469ViewSee all pricesGoogle Pixel 8$629ViewSee all prices
Google Pixel 7$469ViewSee all prices
Google Pixel 7$469ViewSee all prices
Google Pixel 7
Google Pixel 7
$469View
$469
$469
See all prices
Google Pixel 8$629ViewSee all prices
Google Pixel 8$629ViewSee all prices
Google Pixel 8
Google Pixel 8
$629View
$629
$629
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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