TechPhonesAndroid PhonesI want a Pixel 8 Pro already – here are 3 features Google’s next flagship needsThe competition is only getting stronger and Google needs to respondWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechPhonesAndroid PhonesI want a Pixel 8 Pro already – here are 3 features Google’s next flagship needsThe competition is only getting stronger and Google needs to respondWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
The competition is only getting stronger and Google needs to respond
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
The Pixel 7a is fine… but the Pixel 8 Pro should be better(Image credit: Future)
The Pixel 7a is fine… but the Pixel 8 Pro should be better
(Image credit: Future)
If you’re in the market for a newGoogle Pixelphone at the moment, you’ve got theGoogle Pixel 7, theGoogle Pixel 7 Pro, and the more recentGoogle Pixel 7ato choose between. They’re all very decent smartphones in their own ways, but I can’t help but look ahead to later in the year and theGoogle Pixel 8andGoogle Pixel 8 Pro.
1. Much better battery life and charging speeds
Underwhelming battery life has been mentioned in both ourPixel 7andPixel 7areviews (though it was actually okay on thePixel 7 Pro). Based on my own previous experience with Pixel phones, this is an area where Google needs to do much better – I’ve found that these handsets have never really been great in the battery life department, and get noticeably worse as time goes on.
It feels as though a lot of manufacturers, Google included, design phones to a certain spec and then worry about battery life afterwards – but in 2023, it’s really not okay that handsets are struggling to make it through a full day of use. From the consumer perspective though, battery life makes a huge difference to the experience of using the phone. I’d happily take a bit of extra weight and thickness to the Pixel 8 Pro if it meant that the battery didn’t need constant recharging.
Then there’s charging speed: 23W, 20W and 18W for the Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7 and Pixel 7a respectively. Those are really poor figures considering thatthe latest smartphonescan get all the way up to 240W now. This is another area where the Pixel devices are lagging behind, and there’s lots of room for improvement with the Pixel 8 Pro.
2. Next-level camera capabilities
The Pixel phones have long been synonymous with top-quality photos and videos, thanks mainly to Google’s efforts in image processing technology and AI – being able to use machine learning to, for example, brighten up a low-light shot.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
In the last couple of years though, phones like theiPhone 14 Pro Maxand theSamsung Galaxy S23 Ultrahave caught up with Google in this department. You can get stunning results from plenty of handsets nowadays, and the Pixel series doesn’t seem quite so special to me in this particular field anymore.
I’m hoping that the Google Pixel 8 Pro comes through with next-level camera capabilities in terms of both the hardware and the software it offers: multiple high-quality camera lenses on the back of the handset (perhaps even a periscope lens) and thensome really neat trickswhen it comes to the way that pictures and videos are captured and saved.
3. More software innovations
I’ve written before aboutthe exclusive featuresthat you get when you buy a Pixel phone: these are very welcome, but it doesn’t mean that Google can’t do more in this department. I’m hoping that Google adds even more reasons to go for the Pixel 8 Pro as opposed to one of thebest Android phonesfromSamsungorOnePlus.
The AI chatbot Bard seems like a good place to start. Google Assistant has been around for years, of course, but it’s something we’ve all got used to now, and in all honesty it’s not particularly useful. Having an AI helper on hand to compose emails, respond to text messages and make life run more smoothly would be much appreciated.
We’ve heard little aboutAndroid 14up to this point, and it’s the mobile operating system that the Pixel 8 Pro is almost certainly going to come with. Let’s hope between now and launch day we get a few announcements aboutAndroidfeatures that haveiPhoneowners feeling envious, and convince me to upgrade to a Pixel 8 Pro.
Today’s best Google Pixel 7a and Google Pixel 6a dealsGoogle Pixel 7a$233ViewSee all pricesGoogle Pixel 6a$185.98ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Google Pixel 7a and Google Pixel 6a dealsGoogle Pixel 7a$233ViewSee all pricesGoogle Pixel 6a$185.98ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Google Pixel 7a and Google Pixel 6a dealsGoogle Pixel 7a$233ViewSee all pricesGoogle Pixel 6a$185.98ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Google Pixel 7a and Google Pixel 6a deals
Google Pixel 7a$233ViewSee all pricesGoogle Pixel 6a$185.98ViewSee all prices
Google Pixel 7a$233ViewSee all prices
Google Pixel 7a$233ViewSee all prices
Google Pixel 7a
Google Pixel 7a
$233View
$233
$233
See all prices
Google Pixel 6a$185.98ViewSee all prices
Google Pixel 6a$185.98ViewSee all prices
Google Pixel 6a
Google Pixel 6a
$185.98View
$185.98
$185.98
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
TOPICSGoogleAndroid
TOPICS
Vollebak pushes the limits of outerwear with Double Graphene Puffer and Shielding SuitThe company continues to weave innovation into every thread
The company continues to weave innovation into every thread
Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 review: sensational sound, ordinary ANCBowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?
Bowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?
Corsair HS80 Max Wireless review: a solid mid-tier gaming headsetA capable audio option for the price you’re paying
A capable audio option for the price you’re paying
Logitech C920 Pro HD review: a solid and affordable webcam upgradeThe Logitech C920 Pro HD has plenty to offer shoppers on a budget
The Logitech C920 Pro HD has plenty to offer shoppers on a budget
Android XR to debut on all-new Apple Vision Pro rival from SamsungAndroid XR will underpin future mixed reality experiences on headsets and glasses
Android XR will underpin future mixed reality experiences on headsets and glasses
Google’s “Willow” quantum chip won’t just change future computers, it could change the worldWillow smashes benchmarks at a level hard to comprehend
Willow smashes benchmarks at a level hard to comprehend
Pixel 9a leaks again, showing Google is heading in a new directionNewly leaked images of a “Pixel 9a prototype” appear to confirm Google’s changed design direction
Newly leaked images of a “Pixel 9a prototype” appear to confirm Google’s changed design direction
Google Maps is getting its best free update yet and it’s a game-changerThe best traffic warnings are coming to the main Maps app at last
The best traffic warnings are coming to the main Maps app at last
Microsoft’s 5-star Surface with keyboard is Best Buy’s killer dealBest buy it at Best Buy!
Best buy it at Best Buy!
Sonos' premium soundbar just hit its lowest-ever price in 5-star dealTop-tier sound doesn’t have to cost top dollar
Top-tier sound doesn’t have to cost top dollar
