Google's Pixel 8 offers reliable performance and design improvements, along with a focus on future advancements.

Google's latest smartphone, the Pixel 8, is set to be shipped tomorrow. Despite the details of this year's update being leaked well before the official announcement, understanding the phone's specifications on paper is quite different from experiencing its usage and ownership. Having used both the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro for a week (more details on the Pro version in Brian's review), I can confidently say that Google has created an impressive entry-level flagship for Android enthusiasts.

For the first time in recent history, Google has chosen to decrease the screen size of one of its flagship devices compared to the previous year's model. The Pixel 8 features a 6.2-inch OLED, slightly smaller than the Pixel 7's 6.3-inch screen. However, it maintains the same resolution of 1080 x 2400, providing a slight advantage in pixel density. The physical dimensions of the Pixel 8 are also smaller, measuring 5.9" x 2.8" x 0.4" and weighing 187 grams.

The Pixel 8 is powered by Google's new Tensor G3 custom chipset, which is also used in the Pro model, and comes with 8GB of RAM. It features an under-display fingerprint sensor, an enhanced face unlock feature, a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port with improved 27W wired charging, increased 18W wireless charging, and Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, and mmWave plus Sub 6GHz 5G support in markets where available.


The front camera has been upgraded to a 10.5-megapixel, 95-degree model, while the back features a new 50-megapixel wide and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera (which has a wider, 125.8-degree field-of-view compared to the Pixel 7).

The onboard battery is a larger 4,575 mAh unit, offering an improvement in capacity over last year's model. However, Google still promises the same "all-day" battery life as previous versions, with up to 72 hours of usage if the battery saver mode is activated.

The Pixel 8 bears a resemblance to the Pixel 8 Pro, but with some design modifications that enhance its appeal. The screen no longer curves at the edges, providing a better viewing experience, and the phone's corners are more rounded, adding to its aesthetic appeal. The rounded sides are comfortable to hold, and the matte finish on the aluminum edges contrasts well with the glossy glass back. However, the gloss black version I tested was prone to fingerprint smudges.


Despite the minimal size difference between the Pixel 7 and 8, the change feels more significant in actual use. This is likely due to the more pronounced rounding of the phone's corners, giving it a slimmer and less harsh appearance. The Pixel 8 feels like the perfect size for my hands, more so than the iPhone 15 Pro Max (my personal phone) or the Pixel 8 Pro, both of which feel oversized.

Google has retained the camera bump arrangement from previous Pixel models, placing the lenses horizontally next to each other in a camera bridge that spans the entire width of the phone. This design choice is effective in preventing the phone from rocking when placed flat on its back and provides a unique visual feature associated with Google's phones.

One feature I wish Google had incorporated is Qi 2.0, the new standard for Qi wireless charging that includes a MagSafe-compatible magnetic attachment element. This would have made the Pixel 8 compatible with a wide range of magnetic iPhone accessories.

In conclusion, the Google Pixel 8 is...