ZDNET Key Points
- The Pixel 8 delivers a top-of-the-line experience with Google’s latest AI and machine learning features, all for under $700. Right now, you can get one for just $499 on Amazon.
- With fast performance, great cameras and Google’s Actua display, this is one of the best smartphones available today.
- Compared to similarly priced phones like the Nothing Phone 2, the Pixel 8 is a much better value.
The Google Pixel 8 Pro is likely to get a lot of attention right now (especially since it’s the first phone to get access to Google’s New Gemini AI Model), but the standard Pixel 8 could be the real MVP of Google’s lineup this year.
Also: I compared the Google Pixel 8a to every Android phone under $500 — here’s my buying advice
That’s because the Pixel 8 offers one of the best combinations of premium specs, features, and design at a significantly lower price than the competition. Plus, since Amazon Prime Day, Pixel 8 price hovers around $499.
At that price, the Pixel 8 is not only hard to ignore, it’s probably the only phone you should consider if you’re shopping on a budget. You won’t find another phone like it for under $500, and it’s only when you sift through the $800 to $1,000 options that you find worthy competition.
A big reason this is such a compelling choice is the Tensor G3 chip, Google’s latest in-house processor that powers all of the Pixel 8’s AI and machine learning features. Not only is it a solid alternative to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but it’s also a big reason why the Pixel 8 is such a great phone.
Review: Google Pixel 8 Pro: This Phone Convinced Me About the AI-Powered Future
This chip powers all of the Pixel 8’s Google Pixel features, from voice transcription in the Recorder app to letting you edit photos to your heart’s content with the AI-powered Magic Editor. Google Assistant also leverages the G3 to process your voice faster and even summarize web pages for quick information. In addition to powering Google’s HDR pipeline for photography and keeping Android 14 smooth and responsive, the G3 is one of the most capable smartphone chips on the market. And when combined with 8GB of RAM, you’ll never have a slow day.
The display is another big reason to buy this phone. The Pixel 8’s 6.2-inch Actua display is a bit smaller than the one on the Pixel 7, but that makes it easier to hold in one hand. The screen is also gorgeous; with a Full HD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and 2,000 nits of peak brightness, it’s one of the brightest and sharpest displays on the market. Plus, it’s OLED, so colors are vibrant and blacks are rich.
Also:
Look beyond the display and you’ll see a beautiful phone crafted from aluminum and Gorilla Glass Victus. With Google’s signature camera bar on the back and thin bezels around the display, the Pixel 8 is a beautiful phone among sub-$700 phones. It’s also IP68-certified for dust and water resistance, and comes in three beautiful finishes: Obsidian (black), Hazel (a slightly greenish hue), and Rose (more of a peachy yellow, in my opinion).
When it comes to Pixel phones, there are two aspects you need to talk about: the camera and the software.
On the camera front, Google has done a great job. The 50MP main rear camera and 12MP ultra-wide camera both perform excellently in both daylight and nighttime conditions. The cameras easily match or surpass what you get on the iPhone 15 Pro or Galaxy S23 Ultra in terms of clarity, detail, and sharpness, while colors are often much more accurate than on a Pixel phone.
Also: Google Just Added a Big Feature to the Pixel Camera, and Two More Could Be Coming Soon
You also get all the camera features that come with the Pixel name, like astrophotography, Super ResZoom, dual exposure control, and Ultra HDR. That’s on top of other features like Best Take and Magic Editor that make these the smartest cameras you’ll find. Plus, video quality has improved a lot over previous Pixels—it’s on par with the iPhone.
On the software side, Google’s Pixel experience on Android 14 is still my favorite way to interact with Android. It’s clean, minimalist, and has a warm, inviting feel that no other Android skin can replicate. You get all the Android 14 features like a customizable lock screen, better security, larger fonts, and improved notifications, along with all the Pixel features you could ask for, like Call Screen, Now Playing, Direct My Calls, AI-generated wallpapers, and — of course — Pixel Launcher.
But what’s really exciting in the software department is Google’s extended support. The company guarantees a full seven years of software support, meaning you’ll get updates until 2030 if you buy this phone. That’s unheard of for an Android phone, and it gives devices like the iPhone a run for their money.
Also: Google Pixel 8 vs Google Pixel 8 Pro: Which Model Should You Buy?
The Pixel 8 also lasts all day on a full charge thanks to the 4,575 mAh battery inside. With moderate to heavy use, I usually end the day with 30-40 percent battery, which means anyone who uses the phone a little less can get a day and a half of use out of it. Plus, you get 30W fast charging to recharge, as well as Qi wireless charging.
So what are the downsides? Honestly, not many. The Pixel 8 gets a little warm after a while, but that’s to be expected with Google’s Tensor processor. I also wish there was a proper telephoto camera on the back; Super Res Zoom is handy for enhancing digitally zoomed photos, but it can only take you so far. Oh, and I still don’t trust Face Unlock; Google now lets you use it to pay for things with Google Pay, but it still relies on a flat image of your face to authenticate you.
ZDNET Buying Advice
You won’t find a better value phone than the Pixel 8. From its gorgeous display and design to its fast performance and great camera, Google’s standard flagship phone strikes the perfect balance of premium features at a lower price than other flagship phones.
Also: Google Pixel 9, Pro, Pro XL, and Pro Fold: Specs, features, and everything else we know so far
At a retail price of $499, the closest competitor is Galaxy S23 FE And No phone (2)Two devices that are absolutely worthy of a place in your pocket, but don’t offer the same value as the Pixel 8. Google’s phone is a true flagship phone with seven years of software support, the latest AI features, and the company’s latest camera tricks. The Phone (2) and S23 FE are premium mid-range phones that strike a good balance between specs and price, but don’t feel as premium as the Pixel.
Anyone shopping for an Android phone under $600 — let alone under $700 — should consider the Pixel 8. It’s an incredible value, and it’s one of the best phones of the year.
