Google Pixel 8 Pro Pixel 8 Pro Review
The Pixel 8 Pro asks you to pay a premium for software while accepting mid-tier hardware. Our testing shows the camera and battery are particular weak spots.
The 30-Second Version
You're paying Pro money for mid-tier hardware, all for the privilege of clean Android. The camera isn't even that good. Skip it unless you're a Google software fanatic.
Overview
The Pixel 8 Pro is a phone that feels like it's trying to be two things at once, and that's its biggest problem. On one hand, you've got Google's slickest software and a promise of long-term support. On the other, you're looking at hardware that's already a step behind, especially in the camera and battery departments according to our data. The one thing to know? This is a software-first phone in a hardware-first world.
Performance
The performance was a bit of a mixed bag. The Tensor G3 chip lands in the 76th percentile, which is solid for everyday tasks, but it's not a powerhouse. Where it surprised us was in connectivity, hitting the 83rd percentile. That means you're getting a reliable, fast signal more often than not, which is honestly more important than raw speed for most people. Just don't expect to top any gaming leaderboards.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong battery (95th percentile) 95th
- Strong connectivity (83th percentile) 83th
- Strong social proof (77th percentile) 77th
- Strong performance (77th percentile) 77th
Cons
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Screen Size | 6.7 |
Performance
| RAM | 12 MB |
| Storage | 128 GB |
Battery & Charging
| Battery | 5050 Wh |
Connectivity
| 5G | Yes |
Design & Build
| OS | Android |
Value & Pricing
At $761, it's a tough sell. You're paying a premium for Google's software experience and update promise, but you're getting mid-pack hardware. If the software magic is worth that price delta to you, maybe. For everyone else, there are better values.
vs Competition
Look, the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is going to give you better all-around hardware, a more versatile camera, and likely better battery life for a similar or lower price. The OnePlus 15 is a straight-up performance and value monster that will run circles around the Pixel for less money. The Pixel 8 Pro's only real advantage is pure Android and those AI features, but you're sacrificing a lot for it.
| Spec | Google Pixel 8 Pro Pixel 8 Pro | Samsung Samsung Galaxy S26 SM-S948UZKEXAA | Motorola Moto G PB6V0014US | Google Google Pixel 10 GA10091-US | OnePlus OnePlus 15 5011116281 | Apple Unlocked iPhone 15/15 Plus MTLY3LL/A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.7 | 6.9 | 6.7 | 6.4 | 6.8 | 6.1 |
| Display Type | - | OLED | AMOLED | OLED | OLED | OLED |
| Refresh Rate | - | 120 | 120 | 120 | 120 | 60 |
| Processor | - | Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy | Snapdragon® 6 Gen 3 Mobile Platform | Tensor | 8 Elite Gen 5 | A16 |
| RAM (GB) | 12 | 12 | 8 | 16 | 16 | - |
| Storage (GB) | 128 | 512 | 1024 | 256 | 512 | 128 |
| Rear Camera Mp | - | 200 | 50 | 48 | 50 | 48 |
| Front Camera Mp | - | 12 | 32 | 10 | 32 | - |
| Battery Capacity Mah | 5050 | 5000 | 5000 | 5015 | 7300 | - |
| Charging Wattage | - | 60 | 68 | - | - | - |
| Wireless Charging | - | true | true | - | - | - |
| Five (g) | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Water Resistance | - | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 | IP69 | - |
| Operating System | Android | Android 16 | Android 15 | Android 16 | Android 16 | iPadOS 17 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
Common Questions
Q: Is the Pixel 8 Pro good for gaming?
Not really. Its gaming score is 34.1 out of 100 in our database. The Tensor G3 isn't built for that. Get a phone with a Snapdragon chip if gaming is a priority.
Q: How's the battery life with that 5050 mAh battery?
Mediocre. It scores in the 39th percentile. You'll likely need to charge it by dinner time with moderate use. Don't believe the '24-hour' marketing hype.
Q: Should I buy the 128GB model?
Only if you live in the cloud. With no expandable storage, 128GB fills up fast with apps, photos, and videos. It's a frustrating limitation at this price.
Who Should Skip This
If you care about taking great photos, skip this. Our data shows the camera performance is barely above average. Go get a Samsung Galaxy S25 FE instead. Also, if you need all-day battery, look at basically anything else.
Verdict
We can't recommend the Pixel 8 Pro for most people. It's a niche phone. If you are a die-hard Android purist who values a clean software experience above all else and plans to keep the phone for its entire update lifecycle, it might make sense. For anyone who prioritizes camera performance, battery life, or raw value, there are significantly better options on the market right now.