Google Pixel 8 review: A whole new level of helpful

An innovative blend of software upgrades and generative AI, the new Google Pixel 8 pulls out all the stops. The Pixel 8 review takes a closer look at Pixel’s latest flagship featuring the most advanced chip and seven years' worth of security upgrades³. The Google Pixel 8 looks like a handset that’s designed to be a “whole new level of helpful”. But how exactly does the Google Pixel 8 compare to its predecessors and are its new features as impressive as they seem?

Discover everything you need to know about the new Google Pixel 8 with our review. Decide whether it’s worth the phone upgrade for yourself as we break down all of the Google Pixel 8’s key features, from its new chipset to its rear cameras, and battery¹.

Google Pixel 8: Stand-out features

• Google Tensor G3 chipset - Google’s most advanced processor yet
• 50MP Octa PD wide + 12MP UW rear cameras
• 6.2-inch Actua display
• 3G/4G/5G/VOLTE network compatibility
• 150.5 height x 70.8 width x 8.9 depth (mm) sizing dimensions
• Minimum 4485 mAh, typical 4575 mAh battery²

Google Pixel 8 brings together all our favourite classic Pixel features with new highly-anticipated upgrades in the display, processor, and cameras. Sporting the new Google Tensor G3 and Actua display, the Google Pixel 8 uses Google’s latest custom technology as well as much-loved returning features such as 5G network compatibility, eSIM, and secure Face Unlock.

There are a few important differences between Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 7. In addition to being a little smaller in size, Google Pixel 8 has a slightly different display as well as improvements to its processor and battery.

Now with a unique Actua display, Pixel 8 is 42% brighter than the Pixel 7 display, meaning you no longer need to squint at your phone while in the bright sunlight. Pixel 8 also has a new, upgraded processor which improves in both CPU performance and gaming performance. The battery life of Google Pixel 8 has also increased slightly – although both typically support a full days’ use. Similar to Pixel 7, you are able to switch on Extreme Battery Saver - for power when you need it most - where the battery can last up to 72 hours¹.

With Optus, you can purchase the Google Pixel 8 128GB on a payment term, along with a mobile data plan of your choosing. 

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

One of the biggest differences between Google Pixel 8 and its predecessors is its new Actua display. The Actua display is a great answer to Australia's bright UV rays, aiming to maintain brightness even in the harsh Asutralian sun. Gone are the days of squinting and turning up the brightness on your phone manually, there’s little to no need for adjustment while using the Google Pixel 8 in the sun.

At a convenient size of 6.2”, the touch display also sports a refresh rate running between 60Hz and 120Hz⁶ (you can adjust the refresh rate in Settings yourself). This means you can count on the phone to deliver vivid colours in rich detail, whether you’re simply streaming videos or playing mobile games.

Despite being the “regular” model of the two new Google Pixel 8 series phones, Google Pixel 8 still looks and feels premium. The slightly revised design now has Google Pixel 8 looking rounder than its predecessors, with a satin finished contoured edges blending into the camera bar, and glossy back glass, ranged in a variety of stylish colours, including Obsidian, Rose and Hazel (a unique pastel grey, slightly tinged with green in certain lightings).

Size-wise, Google Pixel 8 is the perfect pocket-friendly phone – slightly smaller than Google  Pixel 7 with a display large enough to watch all your YouTube videos in peace. The slightly elongated phone actually makes for great YouTube Shorts scrolling, although you might have to bear with some black bars while watching and streaming videos horizontally. 

As for games, Google Pixel 8 is a great size for casual mobile puzzle gaming – more than big  enough for games like Candy Crush, Cut The Rope, and Grindstone. Where Google Pixel 8’s display size might fall off is immersive RPG games like Genshin Impact or tower defence games like Kingdom Rush which call for accurate on-screen tapping. 

Another physical design feature of note on Google Pixel 8 is the camera bar. It juts out about  half a centimetre from the back of the phone, meaning your phone will always be angled up and  may be prone to slipping (when caseless) when you place it on a surface screen-up. You may also  need to be mindful of the camera bar when slipping it into your pockets or bags as it may get  caught on something or scratched.

Google Pixel 8 has two top-notch rear cameras and a front (selfie) camera designed to meet all casual photography needs. Delivering vivid colours and capturing the grainiest of details even while in motion, the new Pixel 8 cameras sport improved hardware as well as editing technology available on the Google Photos app. The cameras can be paired with Google’s latest AI photo features, can drastically improve your photo taking and editing experience (more on that below).

When it comes to the rear cameras, the flagship 50MP (megapixel) main camera on the Pixel 8 is an improvement on the Pixel 7 series’, with 21% more light sensitivity, faster auto-focus, and a new Macro Focus contrast feature. The Google Pixel 8 also features a 12MP Ultra-Wide camera with a bigger field view of 125.8° than the Pixel 7’s 114°⁷.

This premium combination of cameras makes for sharper, more colourful low-light photos on the Pixel 8, as well as quick photo-taking with a macro focus that’s been brought outside the Pro series for the first time. The HDR+ on the Pixel cameras also automatically adjust for colour and brightness, using Real Tone to accurately capture different skin tones in all sorts of lighting.

While having a go at the camera myself, I found it intuitive and easy to use, with separate photo modes all explained with brief guides on how and when best to use them. The rear cameras also have autofocus enabled even when zooming 8 times further, which I imagine will be mighty helpful for students at lectures and concert-goers in nosebleed seats.

Google Pixel 8 has the basic Portrait, Night Sight, and Panorama modes as well as Long Exposure and Action Pan which are designed for taking pictures of subjects in motion. It makes for great on-the-fly photography, and you can simply scroll to the modes on the left when you open up the camera app. Not only are the cameras impressive from a technical point of view, but they also support new AI processing and editing features that can help you reimagine your photos and videos.

From the Magic Editor that lets you enhance lighting8 or alter subjects to Audio Magic Eraser that allows you to reduce all unwanted noise in your videos9, these features are two of a few new tools that help improve the photography experience. The new AI tools are a welcome bonus, especially for amateur photographers who want to fix things up, after the fact.

With the Action Pan camera mode, Face Unblur photo feature10, and automatically adjusted shutter speed, Google Pixel 8 is perfect for capturing subjects in motion and maintaining sharpness in any photo. These new added features mean you can rely on Google Pixel 8 to take photos of anything, any time, and everywhere.

All in all, it seems the Google Pixel 8 cameras have seen improvements not only in hardware but with their editing and enhancement features as well. They’re great for day-to-day photography, capturing genuine moments not only in extreme detail but also offering impressive editing features for those small tweaks and enhancements.

Google 8 Pixel uses Google Tensor G3 which brings the latest AI tech into the new phone. While not making drastic headline improvements in raw performance, the third generation Google chipset makes for better AI applications and image processing.

With Google’s announcement of new generative AI features available withGoogle Pixel 8 cameras, it’s no wonder that the new Google Pixel 8 processor is built for just that. Featuring an improved digital signal processor (DSP) designed for better image and video processing than Google Tensor G2, Google Tensor G3 optimises the camera pipeline to produce great quality photos that can be tinkered to your liking. In fact, it’s with the help of Google Tensor G3 that Google Pixel 8 has new ultra-HDR image support that lets you capture the whole photo-taking process super vividly and clearly.

The new Google Tensor G3 processor is also capable for mobile gaming, although be aware that the added stress to the processor may make the phone slightly warm to hold. I tried playing Black Desert Mobile on Google Pixel 8 and noticed the game took a lot from the phone. After about 30 minutes or so, I found the phone warmer than before.  Google Tensor G3 also isn’t nearly as powerful as dedicated gaming phone GPUs, which means you might not be able to play demanding games on the highest graphics setting to peak performance. Really, the benefits of the new Google Tensor G3 lie in its AI and image processing qualities.

Google Pixel 8 proudly claims to have an adaptive battery that can last over 24 hours¹, and while testing the device, it certainly seems so. Despite never powering the device off, the phone stayed full functioning the whole day, only dropping to 30% after an entire day's use. Featuring a typical battery capactiy of 4575mAh (minimum 4485mAh)², and fast-charging compatible with Google 30W USB-C, the Google Pixel 8 is top of the line when it comes to battery.

From browsing the internet to watching YouTube Shorts videos to playing a few mobile puzzle games, it seems Google Pixel 8 can capably support daily online activity without running out of battery in a few hours. Depending on what kind of activities you may want to use the phone for (e.g. less demanding internet browsing), it may even last up to 72 hours when you switch to Extreme Battery Saver¹.

Games which require high-quality graphics and real-time internet connection may eat up your battery quicker than you think. Depending on how long you game for, you may also feel your phone heating up. You might need to consider Google Pixel 8 Pro if you’re intending to use the phone for competitive mobile gaming.

Overall, Google Pixel 8 is a top-of-the-line phone with clear tech improvements compared to last year’s Pixel. The new processor aims to be as future-proof as possible, supporting Google’s new generative AI photo-processing features while maintaining high performance for daily activity and casual gaming.

The Actua display is also extremely fitting for the Australian sun, and the battery life is perfect for everyday use. A capable everyday phone with stellar camera functions and helpful features, Google Pixel 8 is a great option to consider if you’re planning on purchasing a premium phone for long-term use.

Buy the Pixel 8 from Optus today.