Google Pixel 8 Pro Review – MONEY talks

All Indian users out there here is a quick review of Google Pixel 8 Pro.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro is only available in 12GB of RAM and 128GB storage in India which is priced at Rs 1,06,999 and yes, it’s not worth buying at all. Just stay away as much as you can, it’s too pricey for what Google is offering.

The same 128GB storage is priced at $999 in the USA which is approx Rs 83,000 in Indian rupee.

Skip it in India and that being said, let’s start the review.

Google Pixel 8 Pro Review

Yes, the Google Pixel 8 Pro is worth buying but is it the best smartphone, the answer is no because we have lots of other better options from Samsung and even from Apple around this price range, so think for movement when you’re buying the Pixel 8 Pro at $999 or Rs 1,06,999.

Price is the key everywhere and I just hope that Google realizes this and works on Pixel 9 series prices in India. Otherwise, it will be hard for them to sell lots of units like they did with the Pixel 7.

Now, Google has added tons of additional features only in Pixel 8 Pro from Boosted video, Temperature sensor, and Pro camera mode.

So let’s go deep down and see whether this is the perfect smartphone for your needs or not.

Display

The 6.70-inch LTPO OLED is perfect for all kinds of needs, on top of that, Google has added a massive 2400 nits peak brightness which means, everything on the screen will be clearly visible under the sunlight.

LTPO means the device can go from 1hz to 120Hz which helps a lot in optimizing the battery which isn’t the case with Pixel 8.

As this is a Pro model, it has all the great features from HDR support to Widevine L1 but sadly, it has an optical fingerprint sensor. This means fingerprints won’t work if your fingers are wet.

This is a letdown as this is a pricey phone, little cost-cutting.

The Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 is there on the front as well as on the rear side while the frames are made out of aluminum. So there is nothing to worry about the build quality but still, use case because glass is glass and it will break.

Also, the IP68 provides dust/water resistance up to 1.5m for 30 minutes. By the way, the 213 weight is acceptable for the 6.70-inch smartphone.

Related: Best Smartphones Under Rs 25,000

Temperature sensors are also there in Pixel 8 Pro but as of now, you can’t use it on humans as Google is yet to get FDA approval. As of now, you can check the temperature of anything other than humans.

FYI, the haptic motor on Pixel 8 Pro is pure magic. You will feel the device on your finger.

In short, the Pixel 8 Pro has a great display and the same can be said for the build quality as well. After all, this is a $999 (Rs 1,06,999 – India) smartphone.

Performance

Let me make this very simple for you, 

Google Tensor G3 is not as powerful as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or even Apple A17 Pro but it won’t give you a hard time while playing games or even using a smartphone in day-to-day usage.

It’s far better than Google Tensor G2 but if you’re PRO-GAMER then it’s better you stay away from the Pixel 8 Pro. Either take a look at iPhone 15 Pro or Galaxy S23 Ultra.

By the way, the Google Tensor G3 is a 4 nm SoC which means the battery will last for a long time. Now, about whether the Pixel 8 Pro gets hot or not, we have to wait for summer time but at this moment, it’s working great compared to the Pixel 7 Pro.

During the throttle test, Google Pixel 8 Pro went up to 55% which isn’t a good sign but it is better compared to the Pixel 7 Pro which went up 57%.

So yes, the Pixel 8 Pro does get hot, but it’s not as bad as Pixel 7 Pro. So as I have said, this is not made for gaming, it’s a good option for day-to-day usage only.

The moral of the story is that the Google Tensor G3 is not made for heavy gaming. However, if you’re someone who plays little games like COD Mobile or even BGMI mobile then it won’t be a huge problem.

Software and AI

7 Years of Security and 7 Years of OS updates, bold claim, right? I’m just hoping that Tensor G3 will be able to last for the next 7 years. Otherwise,7 years of updates won’t make any sense.

When it comes to iPhones, they last longer because of the chipset but when it comes to Pixel, it’s not the case because Google is just using the Exynos processors which doesn’t have a good reputation.

Still, a 7 OS update is a good step and this means, the Pixel 8 Series will get updates till 2030.

Just an add-on, don’t buy something on future promises. It’s good that Google is offering 7 OS updates but that’s for the future, so don’t buy Pixel 8 Pro because it offers 7 OS updates.

Talking about AI, 

Google has implemented the Bard across the device. Now, if you’re reading this article and if you trigger the Google assistant then ask to summarize this in a compact way, the assistant will happily do it.

This is a f*ked thing for website owners but hey, it’s good for users like you.

You can also ask the assistant to read the article. 

Google has also added tons of features in the Photos App and all the features are free for Pixel users. Now, some features are not available on the launch day but they will be added very soon.

One of my favorite features is that if you take a photo of your friend and he is not looking at the cameras then you can make him look at the cameras and make him smile at the same time with the help of AI.

This feature won’t work properly if you only take one image. So you have to take a few images and Google will try its best to combine all the images and try to give you a combination on how you want to change.

It feels superbly clean, just tap on the button, and wallah, your friend will start smiling looking at the cameras.

This feature is added to the photos app and is free too.

Also, the boosted video feature is only for Pixel 8 Pro. Now, to use this feature, you just need to upload your video to the cloud and Google will do all the processing and give you a better-looking video.

Google is using AI and No one is sitting at home, editing your video but still, this is a wild feature but it’s only available on Pixel 8 Pro.

So if you plan to buy Pixel 8 then you will miss out on lots of AI features because your device is not PRO enough.

FYI, the boosted Video feature will be out by December 2023. This is what Google said, it may even take longer. 

By the way, Pixel 8 Pro runs on Android 14 out of the box.

Cameras

It’s a big upgrade from the Pixel 7 Pro. 

Google Pixel 8 Pro has a 50MP primary sensor, 48MP ultra-wide lens, and 48MP 5x telephoto lens while there is a 10.50MP selfie shooter on the front.

Both the cameras can shoot videos at 4K@24/30/60fps and 1080p@30/60fps.

Only the primary sensor has OIS.

I don’t want to talk about dynamic range, softness, noise, and all the other technical-sounding words. Let’s stick to real-life usage where normal people like us are using the phone’s cameras.

Google has gone all out in AI which reflects in cameras as well. So yes, AI is making the cameras better by providing you some extra features.

If we just talk about one tap image and that’s it, then yes, still, Pixel 8 Pro has better cameras compared to what Samsung or even Apple is offering.

The details and the quality you get when you tap the shutter button is just great. You don’t have to worry that the image you took won’t be good. It will be perfect and if somehow, it’s not what you thought it would be then just open the Photos App and use the AI.

The 5X Optical telephoto lens is upgraded and it’s perfect. So if you’re someone who wants to sink into someone else’s windows then this is a perfect sensor, it’s not as good as what Samsung offers with Galaxy S30 Ultra.

Related: 5 Best Smartphones Under Rs 30000

The ultra-wide is better and even under low light, you will get decent-looking images. On top of that, you can also use night mode which will make everything bright and noisy at the same time.

For Pro users, Google has added PRO camera mode which is only available in Pixel 8 Pro. It’s nothing new, it has all the settings that you can play with like changing the ISO or shutter speed.

This was a very big feature and required lots of power and that’s the main reason why Google didn’t add this to Pixel 8.

The selfie camera is kind of meh, it doesn’t justify the $999 or Rs 1,06,999 price tag at all. 

I’m not saying that the front camera is worse but when the device is expensive then the expenses are high. So in the case of Pixel 8 Pro, I’m feeling that high.

I’m only talking about smartphones here…

Boosted videos right, kind of a big deal. Big claims, Google is like, Pixel 8 Pro takes better videos than iPhones. This is not true at all, common Google. Do better.

You have to upload your video on Google Cloud servers and Google’s AI will do some magic and wallah, and you will receive the perfect video.

This is not live yet, it will be out by December 2023 but one thing is for sure, it won’t give you the updated videos right away, and you will have to wait for a few hours.

So, what Google presented at the event wasn’t good at all. It’s better but not good.

If you’re someone who wants to buy a smartphone to shoot videos then stick with iPhones. Just don’t get trapped in the AI stuff.

Also, boosted videos are a very bad name. Should have throne AI inside the name.

Long story short, yes, Google Pixel 8 Pro takes the best images but when it comes to videos, it’s not perfect. It’s not bad but as Google says, the Pixel 8 Pro takes better videos than the iPhone, this is an utter lie.

*Check out the raw camera samples of Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Audio and Battery

The 5,050mAh battery will last for a day without any sort of problem but if you’re that user who loves to play games, loves to shoot videos, loves to use social media for hours, and loves to read articles on MobileDrop then you will have to charge Pixel 8 Pro Twice day.

I know this wasn’t the best plug but hey, it worked.

The 30W charger is not in the box, so you have to use whatever you have at home or buy a new one. By the way, the 30W wire charger will give you 0% to 50% battery in 30 minutes.

It also supports 23W wireless charging and Reverse wireless charging.

Stereo speakers are there and they’re perfect. They go loud, they’re clear and also have bass too. 

Now, just like every other smartphone, 40% volume comes from the top speaker and 60% comes from the bottom one. Again, there is no 3.5mm audio jack present.

Google Pixel 8 Pro Pros and Cons

PROS	CONS
Smooth 120Hz LTPO Display	Overpriced
Skin Temperature Sensor	Front Cameras Need a little bit of Improvement
Solid Build Quality	Not The best for Heavy Gamers
Whopping 7 Years of OS Updates	Not the Best for Videography at this price range
Clear and Loud Speakers	Only Wi-Fi 6 For Indian Units
Clean Software with AI	Just A 30W Wired Charging Support
Acceptable Battery Life	The heating Issue is still here
The Best Cameras for Photography
Flat Display
Boosted Videos

My Opinion on Google Pixel 8 Pro India Price

The Indian price of the Pixel 8 Pro is absurd, I mean, Rs 1,06,999 for just base 12GB and 128GB is too much.

It’s not like we don’t have good options at this price range, we have tons of better options from Samsung and Apple.

So it will be very hard for Google to sell Pixel 8 Pro in India. People will hesitate to pay Rs 1,06,999.

Google offers lots of features but still, at the end of the day, it’s a Google smartphone.

I don’t want to say much because the asking price for Pixel 8 Pro is way too much for what Google is offering. So just advice from Friend to Friend, if you really want to buy Pixel 8 Pro then just wait for a few months, and the price will go down.

Just take a look at Pixel 7 Series phones.

Still, if money is not the problem then why you’re reading this, just place your order right now.

Verdict

Do I love the Pixel 8 Pro? Yes, I do but Do I recommend the Pixel 8 Pro to everyone? The answer is No. So, if you love something that doesn’t mean, you have to buy it while in the case of Pixel 8 Pro, the love is expensive.

So find something that provides value for a long time.

Because I don’t know whether Google will be selling Pixel smartphones till 2030. They might kill the smartphone lineup just like what they have done in the past with all the other services.

Google Domains has hurt me the most. In recent times, Google Podcasts.

FYI, Google Pixel 8 Pro is not a bad smartphone at all. It’s just that Google didn’t price it well. So if money is not the problem then I feel, you can spend whatever money you have on Pixel 8 Pro.

Now, if you’re thinking about whether should I spend $999 or Rs 1,06,999 then I feel, you can skip the device.

Still, if you have any sort of questions then feel free to drop a comment. I would love to help you out, see you there or you can also chat with me on Telegram.

By the way, we also have a WhatsApp Channel, so feel free to join the channel. And yes, it’s FREE…

Google Pixel 8 Pro Full Specifications

Price	12GB RAM + 128GB Storage: Rs 1,06,999 USA – $999
Display	6.70-inches LTPO OLED Display Wide-Vine L1 Support HDR10+ Support 2400 nits pick the brightness 1344 x 2992 pixels Resolution 120Hz Screen Refresh Rate IP68 dust/water resistant
Dimensions	162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm Weight: 2013g
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), Glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), Aluminum frame
OS	Android 14 7 Years of OS Updates. 7 Years of Security Updates.
Chipset	Chipset: Google Tensor G3 (4 nm) CPU: Nona-core (1×3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4×2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4×2.15 GHz Cortex-A510) GPU: Immortalis-G715s MC10
SD-Card Slot	No
Rear Cameras	50MP Primary Sensor (OIS) 48MP Ultra-Wide Lens 48MP Telephoto Lens (5x) Video 4K@24/30/60fps. 1080p@30/60/120/240fps.
Front Camera	10.50MP Selfie Shooter. Video 4K@24/30/60fps. 1080p@30/60/120/240fps.
3.5mm Jack	No
Speakers	Stereo Speakers.
Bluetooth Version	5.3 Version.
5G Bands	20 5G Bands. n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n30, n38, n40, n41, n66, n71, n75, n76, n77, and n78
FM Radio	No.
Wifi	Wifi 7 USA Wifi 6 India
NFC	Yes.
Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, thermometer (skin temperature)
Fingerprint Sensor	Yes, In-Display fingerprint sensor
Battery	5,050mAh (non-removable). 30W Wired Charging Support 23W Wireless Charging Support 50% in 30 Minutes (Wired)
Weight	213 Grams
Colors	Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay

Images by Tech That Out/yt