Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 8 Pro: What are the biggest differences?

October 4, 2023

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Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 8 Pro: What are the biggest differences?

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?

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 8
Credit: 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 8
Credit: 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 8
Credit: Google

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.

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 8
Credit: 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:

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:

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 Pro
Credit: 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.

Topics
Google
Smartphones

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