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Table of Contents

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In this Pixel 8 Pro vs. Pixel 8 battle, we're pitting Google's newest phones against each other to determine the key differences between the two.

Both come with upgraded cameras, enhanced displays, and a beefed-up new Tensor G3 chip. But the question is, should you shell out an additional $300 for the pricier Pixel 8 Pro? Or can you be satisfied with the entry-level Pixel 8?

SEE ALSO:Sing, hum or say 'Happy Birthday' to any Google product today. Thank us later.

Let’s dive into an in-depth comparative analysis to get a good idea of which Pixel phone is best for you.

Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 8 Pro: Price

If you’re expecting to get the Pixel 8 at $599 and the Pixel 8 Pro at $899, the same price tags as last year, I hate to break it to you, but there are price hikes across the board.

Pixel 8Credit: Google

The Pixel 8 is now $699 while the Pixel 8 Pro has increased to $999.

Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 8 Pro: RAM and storage

If you want to max out your storage space, the Pixel 8 Pro is best for you. It’s equipped with 12GB of RAM and offers up to 1TB of storage. The Pixel 8 has 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage

Pixel 8Credit: Google

• Pixel 8: 128GB of storage + 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage + 8GB of RAM

• Pixel 8: 128GB of storage + 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage + 12GB of RAM, 512GB of storage + 12GB of RAM, 1TB of storage + 12GB of RAM

Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 8 Pro: Design

The Pixel 8 Pro has an additional sensor that's the biggest draw of this year’s line: a brand spankin’ new temperature reader. Google placed it underneath the flash on its signature camera visor (a design ethos that can be found on the Pixel 8, too).

Google Pixel 8Credit: Google

• Pixel 8:No temperature sensor

• Pixel 8 Pro:Temperature sensor

You’ll also notice that the Pixel 8 Pro has a wider camera module compared to the Pixel 8. This is because it has a telephoto camera – a lens that the Pixel 8 doesn’t have. It’s also worth noting that the Pixel 8 Pro’s camera module appears to have a different shape compared to its predecessor. The Pixel 7 Pro placed its lenses in a pill-and-hole configuration. This year, however, the cameras are placed inside an elongated oval.

SEE ALSO:Pixel 7 and 7 Pro review: Google weaves its camera magic again

Both phones have rounded, smooth edges and a front-facing camera cut out for the selfie shooter.

The Pixel 8 Pro is also much larger with a 6.7-inch display. The Pixel 8, on the other hand, has a smaller 6.2-inch panel. Interestingly, however, the Pixel 8 Pro is slimmer than the Pixel 8, but the former is heavier.

• Pixel 8:0.4 inches thin, 6.6 ounces

• Pixel 8 Pro: 0.3 inches thin, 7.5 ounces

Both phones come in different colors:

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• Pixel 8:Hazel, Rose, and Obsidian

• Pixel 8 Pro:Bay, Porcelain, and Obsidian

Both are rated for IP68 water resistance, which means they're dust-tight and can handle water submersion of 4.9 feet for up to 30 minutes.

Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 8 Pro: Display

As mentioned, the Pixel 8’s 6.2-inch display is smaller than the Pixel 8 Pro’s 6.7-inch screen. As such, if you want a larger phone, go for the Pixel 8 Pro. You’ll get a better pixel count out of the Pixel 8 Pro, too.

Google Pixel 8Credit: Google

• Pixel 8: 1,080 x 2,400 pixels, OLED, 428 PPI

• Pixel 8 Pro: 1,384 x 2,992 pixels, LTPO OLED, 489 PPI

According to the figures posted above, you'll get a sharper, more detailed display on the Pixel 8 Pro compared to its cheaper sibling.

You should also know that the Pixel 8 Pro’s variable refresh rate has a wider range (1Hz to 120Hz) compared to the Pixel 8 (60Hz to 120Hz). This means that when your phone is sitting idle, or when you’re engaging in a slower-paced task, the Pixel 8 Pro can drop all the way down to a 1Hz refresh rate, which should help to preserve battery life (as opposed to the screen unnecessarily refreshing at a rate of 60 times per second).

Both phones, however, can climb up to a 120Hz refresh rate when it’s required (e.g., mobile gaming). Navigating and scrolling on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro should feel smooth and zippy.

The Pixel 8 Pro has a brighter display; it can skyrocket to a peak luminance of 2,400 nits. The Pixel 8 can climb to 2,000 nits, which is pretty bright, too. And finally, the Pixel 8 Pro is equipped with a more durable display compared to its lower-priced sibling (i.e., Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 vs. Corning Gorilla Glass Victus).

Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 8 Pro: Cameras

Both the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro have the same wide camera. Here are the specs:

Credit: Google

• 50 megapixel

• 1.2 μm

• ƒ/1.68 aperture

• 82-degree field of view

• 1/1.31" image sensor siz

However, when we start talking about the ultrawide lens, we get a different story:

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• Pixel 8: 12MP ultrawide with autofocus, 1.25 μm, ƒ/2.2, 125.8-degree field of view

• Pixel 8 Pro: 48MP ultrawide with autofocus, 0.8 μm, ƒ/1.95, 125.5-degree field of view

As mentioned, unlike the Pixel 8, the Pixel 8 Pro has a telephoto camera, which is ideal for capturing portraits and zoomed-in photos. Here are the specs:

• 48MP telephoto camera

• 0.7 μm

• ƒ/2.8 aperture

• 21.8-degree field of view

• 5X optical zoom

Both phones share the same 10.5-megapixel selfie camera that comes with a 1.22 μm pixel width, an ƒ/2.2 aperture, and a 95-degree field of view.

Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 8 Pro: Chipset

Group holding Google Pixel 8 ProCredit: Google

Both the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro come with Google’s new Tensor G3 chip as well as the Titan M2 security coprocessor. The chip facilitates Google’s AI-powered features, and according to the search-engine tech giant, it can handle calculations 10x more complex than the Pixel 6 line. Thanks to the Tensor G3 chip, Google claims the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro can deliver more groundbreaking, cutting-edge photo and audio perks.

For example, Tensor G3 is the engine behind Audio Magic Eraser, a new feature that lets you remove extraneous, unwanted sounds from videos.

Tensor G3 also helps with Pixel’s Call Screen feature, which reportedly does a better job of weeding out spam calls. The new chip also improves Clear Calling, which delivers high-definition phone calls even if you're in a noisy area.

Google is also offering free Google One VPN, end-to-end security, and seven years of OS updates for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.

Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 8 Pro: Battery

The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, according to Google, reportedly last 24 hours, according to a mixed usage profile of talk, data, standby, and more. I’m not sure I believe that claim, so we’ll have to put both phones to the test ourselves.

For more face-offs, check out the Pixel 8 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro and the Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 7.

TopicsGoogle