Google Pixel 8 Pro review: The best of Google. Even more pro

4 December 2023

woman holding and tapping the Google Pixel 8 Pro

Image credit: Google

A premium addition to the Google Pixel Series, the Google Pixel 8 Pro is a future-proof everyday phone, designed to make your daily phone activities easy while also meeting powerful performance demands.

Touted as the “best of Google”, the Google Pixel 8 Pro combines everything we know and love about the Pixel Series with new and improved AI features and security updates, making it one of the most advanced phones leading the market today.

On the fence about purchasing the Google Pixel 8 Pro for yourself? Check out our review below and find out everything you need to know about the new phone before making your call.

woman using the Google Pixel 8 Pro at work

Image credit: Google

Google Pixel 8 Pro: Stand-out features

Google Tensor G3 chipset – Pixel’s most powerful chip yet
6.7” Super Actua display
3G/4G/5G/VOLTE network compatibility
5,050 mAh battery¹, 24+ hour battery with fast charging²
Triple rear camera system: wide lens, ultrawide lens³, telephoto lens

The Google Pixel 8 Pro is the ultimate phone leading all aspects of mobile technology in the Pixel Series. From its powerful G3 chipset to its bright Super Actua display, the Pixel 8 Pro utilises all of Google’s latest innovations to deliver impeccable performance along with future-proof generative AI features. The Google Pixel 8 Pro also has a few of our favourite phone functions, including under-display Fingerprint Unlock, Face Unlock, dual SIM (including eSIM), and 5G network connectivity⁴.

Google Pixel 8 Pro vs. Pixel 8 comparison

Google Pixel 8 Pro

Display: Super Actua display (1344 x 2992) LTPO OLED at 489 PPI
Size: 6.7” (170mm) display⁵
Dimensions: 162.6mm (h) x 76.5mm (w) x 8.8mm (d)
Processor: Google Tensor G3
Battery: Typical 5050mAh¹
Camera hardware: 10.5 MP front camera, 50 MP rear wide lens and 48 MP rear ultrawide lens with upgraded autofocus

Google Pixel 8

Display: Actua display (1080 x 2400) OLED at 428 PPI
Size: 6.2” (157mm) display⁵
Dimensions: 150.5mm (h) x 70.8mm (w) x 8.9mm (d)
Processor: Google Tensor G3
Battery: Typical 4,575mAh¹
Camera hardware: 10.5 MP front camera, 50 MP rear wide lens and 48 MP rear ultrawide lens with upgraded autofocus

Sporting upgrades from the Pixel 8, the Pro is not only bigger in size but also has larger battery capacity and higher quality display. Taking Google’s signature Actua display to the next level, the Super Actua display has up to 2,400 nits of peak brightness, making the screen easy to view even in direct sunlight. The new Pixel 8 Pro’s 6.7-inch display⁷ is also significantly larger than the regular Pixel 8, making everything sharp and crystal clear, perfect for streaming entertainment and mobile gaming.

Both the Pixel 8 Pro and the Pixel 8 use Google’s latest processor – Google Tensor G3 – to help  run the devices to their full capabilities. Custom-designed with Google AI for cutting-edge photo and video features and smart ways to help throughout the day as well as supporting the Titan M2 security chip, for security you can depend on. The Google Tensor G3 is a game-changer for the Pixel Series.

Furthermore, Pixel 8 Pro features Pixel’s best camera yet⁶. With this pro-level camera, capture low-light photos, sharper selfies and enable Pro controls for advanced camera settings and full-resolution photography³.

Google Pixel 8 Pro: Price

You can purchase the Google Pixel 8 Pro with Optus while on a monthly payment plan.

You can also buy the Google Pixel 8 Pro outright with Optus via the “Chat with us” option.

Google Pixel 8 Pro review: Display

Google Pixel 8 Pro front and back in Bay

Image Credit: Google

At 6.7-inches, Google Pixel 8 Pro display is one of the biggest plus points of the phone, featuring a new and improved Super Actua display. As Google’s brightest display yet, the Super Actua technology means you can take photos and browse on your Pixel 8 Pro phone comfortably, even in direct sunlight.

The Super Actua display is known for delivering “real world clarity” and achieving up to 1,600 nits with HDR, and 2,400 nits at peak brightness. Combined with OLED technology, the display supports a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and brings life to over 16 million colours. It makes watching videos and playing games a visually engaging time, with the adaptive brightness setting making it even easier to use the phone indoors and outdoors.

Google Pixel 8 Pro review: Physical design

Sporting a polished aluminum frame and smooth, matte back glass, the Google Pixel 8 Pro is a top contender for 2023’s most well-designed phones. The phone is available in three beautiful and classic colour variants – Bay (a pastel blue), Obsidian, and Porcelain. The matte back glass is completely fingerprint-proof and the aluminium frame is easy to grip, although slightly prone to smudge marks.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro also has a new temperature sensor on the back of the phone that allows you to scan and determine an object’s temperature. Whether it’s the milk in your baby’s bottle or the water to cook your pasta, the Pixel 8 Pro can help you ensure that things are the right temperature. You can even pair your Pixel 8 Pro’s temperature app with a Fitbit for accessibility.

Google Pixel 8 Pro review: Cameras

Arguably the most impressive features Google Pixel 8 Pro possess are the cameras. A premium combination of industry-leading phone cameras and innovative AI technology, Pixel 8 Pro rear cameras take mobile photography to the next level. With improvements not only in photo-taking but also video-recording, Pixel 8 Pro cameras are designed to help you capture all the moments you want remembered forever.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro features a 50MP Octa PD wide camera, 48MP Quad PD ultrawide camera, and a 48 MP Quad PD telephoto camera, each easy to use and automatic with the swipe of different modes in the camera app. With Super Res Zoom, you can zoom up to 30 times, with prompts on better positioning and focus to make taking photos from a distance that much easier.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro’s incredible zoom quality can be seen below:

Image Credit: Google
Left = Without Super Res Zoom, Right = using Super Res Zoom

The Google Pixel 8 Pro has Night Sight, Long Exposure, Portrait, Panorama, and Action Pan modes readily available upon opening the camera app, making taking photos a piece of cake even while moving. Another much-appreciated feature of the Google cameras is also the adjustable settings on the bottom left screen of the camera app, where you can set timers, turn off or on autofocus, and change the image ratio to your liking.

man taking a landscape photo with the Google Pixel 8 Pro

Image Credit: Google

Perhaps the most noteworthy features of the new Pixel 8 Pro cameras is their compatibility with Google’s new innovative AI photo and video-editing tools, designed to make photography simple and personalised. Some of the new tools include the:

Magic Editor: lets you cut and move subjects in a photo⁸
Audio Magic Eraser: to remove background noises in audio clips (perfect for vlogs)⁹
Best Take: combines similar photos into one fantastic picture where everyone looks their best¹⁰
Face Unblur: unblurs faces and expressions that may appear unclear due to movement¹¹

Image Credit: Google
Left = Before Best Take. Right = After Best Take has been applied.

These correcting tools are all about making slight enhancements to photos and videos, while also making the editing process a less intimidating venture. No matter if you’re a parent capturing your child’s first moments or a vlogger taking short clips of daily life, the Google Pixel 8 Pro cameras can support your photography interests to the max.

Google Pixel 8 Pro review: Performance and processor

Just like the Google Pixel 8, the Pro uses Google’s newest chipset – the Tensor G3 – to bring the power of transformative AI into a high-performance, everyday phone. The chipset pushes the boundaries of on-device machine learning and focuses on future-proofing devices while still running efficiently.

The Google Tensor G3’s key upgrades are in its photo and video processing. Optimising the camera pipeline, the chip uses a machine-learning algorithm to process photos and videos and improve colour, contrast, and dynamic range so that you can capture everything and anything in the finest detail.

The new processor is also a huge win for regular mobile gamers as it noticeably improves gaming performance (compared to the Pixel 7) while not overheating the phone.

Google Pixel 8 Pro review: Battery

The Google Pixel 8 Pro has an impressive battery life, with Google estimating the phone to last over 24 hours¹². After browsing on the phone, taking pictures, and watching YouTube videos here and there for a full day, I found the phone was still had almost 40% battery left, which is more than enough to carry on leisurely for the next day.

In contrast, when playing relatively demanding mobile games such as Genshin Impact and PUBG, I found that the battery did not last as long as I hoped, draining to 70% after a couple hours of gameplay. Nonetheless, the battery on the Google Pixel 8 Pro is more than enough for everyday use, especially if you’re just going to be browsing the internet or taking photos.

Google Pixel 8 Pro: Conclusion

The Google Pixel 8 Pro is a powerful personal phone that makes use of all of Google’s newest mobile phone technology. From the Super Actua display to the upgraded cameras⁶ with innovative AI editing tools, the Pixel 8 Pro is a considerable upgrade from the rest of the Pixel Series without a steep hike in price.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro phone is best suited for daily internet surfers, who enjoy large displays and dabble in photography here and there rather than avid mobile gamers who prioritise raw performance. Its new chipset makes it as future-proof as can be and the Pro is certainly a worthy purchase, especially if you’re looking for a long-term phone.

Buy the Pixel 8 Pro from Optus today.

Tap here to read more articles

Google Pixel 8 Pro Disclaimers

^{1. Estimate of typical capacity based on testing and expected mobile behaviour.}

^{2. For 'over 24 hours': Estimated battery life based on testing using a median Pixel user battery usage profile across a mix of talk, data, standby and the use of other features. Average battery life during testing was approximately 31 hours. Battery testing conducted on a major operator network. For 'faster than ever': Compared to earlier Pixel phones. Fast wired charging rates (up to 27 W on Pixel 8 and up to 30 W on Pixel 8 Pro) are based upon the use of the Google 30 W USB-C® Charger plugged into a wall socket. Actual results may be slower. Adaptors sold separately.}

^{3. Not available for all camera apps or modes.}

^{4. Requires a 5G data plan (sold separately). 5G service and roaming not available on all carrier networks or in all areas and may vary by country. Contact operator for details. 5G service, speed and performance depend on many factors, including operator network capabilities and signal strength. Actual results may vary. Some features are not available in all areas. Data rates may apply.}

^{5. Screen has rounded corners. When measured diagonally as a rectangle, screen is 6.2 inches (for Pixel 8) and 6.7 inches (for Pixel 8 Pro). Actual viewable area is less. Dimension may vary by configuration and manufacturing process.}

^{6. Compared to earlier Pixel phones.}

^{7. When measured diagonally as a rectangle, screen is 6.7 inches. Actual viewable area is less. Dimension may vary by configuration and manufacturing process.}

^{8. Requires the Google Photos app}

^{9. Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8: Requires Google Photos app. May not work on all audio elements.}

^{10. Requires Google Photos app. May not work on all images.}

^{11. Deblurring may not work on all photos or videos with faces.}

^{12. Estimated battery life based on testing using a median Pixel user battery usage profile across a mix of talk, data, standby and use of other features. Average battery life during testing was approximately 31 hours. Battery testing conducted on a major US carrier network.}

DISCLAIMER

Disclaimer: The commentary and review, views and opinions expressed on Well Connected are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the official position of Optus. Any prices of advertised products and services are correct as at the date of publication.

Links To Third Party Sites: Content found on Well Connected may contain links to other Web Sites (“Linked Sites”). The Linked Sites are not under our control we are not responsible for the content of any Linked Site, including without limitation any link contained in a Linked Site, or any changes or updates to a Linked Site. We are not responsible for webcasting or any other form of transmission received from any Linked Site. We are providing these links to you only as a convenience, as part of our commentary and review, and the inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement by us of the site or any association with its operators.