What to know
- Both Google Pixel 8 Pro and Google Pixel 8 are solid phones that run on Tensor G3 chip but score some differences.
- Pixel 8 Pro comes at a higher price but with added features like an extra telephoto camera lens, the new Video Boost feature, a bigger battery, and a larger display.
- If you want to utilize most of the AI-enhanced features on a budget, the Pixel 8, starting at $699, is for you.
- If you want the full roster of AI features and the complete Pixel experience, then the Pixel 8 Pro, starting from $999, is the way to go.
Google has launched the Google Pixel 8 Pro and Google Pixel 8 with an array of features, many of which are AI-augmented. But with a difference of $300 between the two flagship phones, it might be a hard choice to invest in the right one. So today, let us break down every feature that both phones have in common, and those that they don’t. The article will take you through comparisons based on AI features, display, form factor, hardware, camera, battery, and miscellaneous features. Hopefully, you will have a clear picture of what you want by the end!
Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro: All you need to know
We have looked into all Pixel 8 Pro features in detail, which you can check out right here: Google Pixel 8 Pro Features That Are a ‘FIRST’ for Smartphones
1. AI Features
Let’s address the elephant in the room, the crème de la crème, the main point of discussion since before the Pixel launch event. Google has brought in a load of AI-enhanced features that no other smartphone has seen before.
First, let’s see which of these features are shared by both phones.
- Audio Magic Eraser: You know those annoying background noises in your videos? Well, you can now get rid of them with AI assistance and adjustable sliders. No more howling winds in your beach vlogs!
- Best Take: This one’s a hit, especially if you’ve got kids or friends who like making funny faces. You can take faces from different photos and put them together in one picture. The AI recognizes the faces present, and then gives you thumbnail options of the people’s faces from other photos. With one tap, you can tune your photos however you like.
- Real Tone: With this feature, the AI can recognize faces better in various lighting situations, making your facial recognition more accurate. Plus, it knows how to balance colors in photos, so everyone’s skin tones are complimented perfectly.
Now for the AI features present only in the Pixel 8 Pro.
- Video Boost: This is a big new feature that’s available only on the Pixel 8 Pro. What Video Boost does is every time you record a 4K video, it runs it through the Google Cloud servers and HDR+ image pipeline, giving a ‘high quality’ version of the video. So basically, any video you take, the cloud servers enhance and store in Google Photos.
Related: Google Pixel 8 Pro Features That Are a ‘FIRST’ for Smartphones
2. Display
Google Pixel 8 Pro:
- The Pixel 8 Pro comes with a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display.
- It has a pixel density of 1,384 x 2,992 pixels, and supports a refresh rate range of 1Hz to 120Hz. This means that the phone will dynamically reduce the refresh rate when the phone isn’t in use, making the battery last much longer.
- It also has a peak brightness of 2,400 nits.
- Lastly, it comes with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which is a solid option for screen durability.
Google Pixel 8:
- The Pixel 8 has a 6.2-inch OLED display, which is noticeably smaller than its pricier counterpart.
- The pixel density here is also lesser, at 1,080 x 2,400. But that shouldn’t deter you, as the display quality is still super crisp.
- The refresh rate range is from 60Hz to 120Hz, so it doesn’t have the superior battery saving option.
- Peak brightness caps out at 2,000 nits, which is still pretty bright outdoors.
- As for durability, it is equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, a cheaper yet reliable version.
Related: What Is the Difference Between Super Actua Display and Super AMOLED Display? All You Need to Know
3. Hardware
- The Pixel 8 Pro is the clear winner when it comes to RAM and storage. It comes with 12GB of RAM, and offers up to a whopping 1TB storage capacity.
- The Pixel 8, on the other hand, has 8GB RAM and can only go up to 256 GB storage, which is quite the difference.
4. Camera
- Both phones are equipped with the same 50 megapixel wide camera, which comes with an ƒ/1.68 aperture and 82-degree field of view.
- The major difference can be seen when you compare the ultrawide lenses. The Pixel 8 comes with a 12MP ultrawide lens with autofocus, ƒ/2.2 aperture, and a 125.8-degree field of view
- The Pixel 8 Pro, on the other hand, boasts a 48MP ultrawide lens with autofocus, ƒ/1.95 aperture, and a 125.5-degree field of view.
- The Pixel 8 Pro comes with an additional telephoto camera, which is optimized to produce the best zoomed-in photos, as well as portraits.
- Both phones share the same 10.5-megapixel selfie camera that comes with a 1.22 μm pixel width, a 95-degree FOV, and an ƒ/2.2 aperture.
- So for photography enthusiasts, the Pixel 8 Pro is absolutely essential. The Pixel 8’s camera is not half bad, but the telephoto camera actually does make a difference.
Related: Google Pixel Watch 2 Sensors Explained: 2 New Sensors and The Improved Heart Sensor
5. Battery
- The Pixel 8 comes with a 4,355mAh battery.
- The Pixel 8 Pro has a larger 4,950mAh battery.
Google claims that the battery on both devices, with mixed usage, can last up to 24 hours. But take it with a pinch of salt, as this hasn’t been confirmed by external tests yet.
6. Miscellaneous
- Temperature Sensor: The Pixel 8 Pro comes with a built-in temperature sensor, placed right under the flash of the rear camera. This feature, which isn’t available in the Pixel 8, lets you scan various objects to find their temperatures. Google confirmed that it can be integrated with your Fitbit device to monitor your own temperature as well.
- The price difference, of course, is a major factor in your decision-making process. So let us reiterate: the Google Pixel 8 starts from $699, and the Google Pixel 8 Pro starts from $999.
Quick Spec Comparison
| Google Pixel 8 | Google Pixel 8 Pro | |
| Price | $699 | $999 |
| Display | 6.2 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Resolution | 2,400 x 1,080 pixels, 20:9 ratio, 424 PPI | 3,120 x 1,440 pixels, 20:9 ratio, 513 PPI |
| Rear camera | 50MP main + 12MP ultrawide | 50MP main + 64MP ultrawide + 48MP telephoto |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB |
| RAM/Storage | 8GB/12GB with 128GB/256GB | 12GB/16GB with 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB |
| Battery | 4,355mAh | 4,950mAh |
| Water and dust resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
Check out the link below to buy the Google Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro.
And that wraps up our comparison of the Google Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro! Which one are you going to go with? For more on everything tech, stay tuned to Nerds Chalk!
