Annual cellphone upgrades are often minimal, and the bounce from the Pixel 7 to Pixel 8 is not any exception. Google’s new entry-level Pixel cellphone has a contemporary processor, extra AI tips to assist with picture edits, macro pictures mode and a barely improved digicam. Taken collectively, these adjustments underscore Google’s elevated give attention to synthetic intelligence, additional signaling the expertise will play an enormous position in future Pixel units.But should you’re simply searching for a dependable new cellphone with a medium-sized display screen and a very good digicam, you might be questioning if it is price shopping for the $699 Pixel 8 or final yr’s Pixel 7, which is $100 cheaper at $599. The reply is hard. Although I cherished the Pixel 7 after I reviewed it final yr, there are higher decisions in Google’s lineup.The pricier Pixel 8 might not be very completely different from the Pixel 7, however Google guarantees software program updates for seven years. That’s an enormous deal as a result of it means the Pixel 8 should not really feel outdated till 2030 since it can proceed to obtain new Android model updates, safety updates and particular Pixel updates that Google calls “feature drops” till then. If you are already spending lots of of {dollars} on a brand new cellphone, it is a good suggestion to spend money on the one that can last more. But should you’re wanting to avoid wasting money, go for the $499 Pixel 7A as a substitute of the Pixel 7. It has loads in widespread with the Pixel 7 by providing the identical processor and an identical digicam, however for $100 much less.Here’s a better have a look at how the Pixel 8 compares to the Pixel 7. Watch this: Review: We Tested the Google Pixel 8 and Its AI Features
10:48 Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 7: Design, show and software program The Pixel 8 James Martin/CNETThe Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 feel and appear related, with every that includes a shiny again end and a matte aluminum body with a bar-shaped digicam module that runs horizontally throughout the machine. But the Pixel 8 has flatter edges and weighs much less, which together with its extra compact measurement make it simpler to carry and use with one hand. The Pixel 7 is obtainable in lemongrass (yellow), snow (white) and obsidian (black) coloration choices, whereas the newer Pixel 8 is available in hazel (grey), obsidian (black) and rose (pink) decisions. Both units are rated for IP68 mud and water resistance, which suggests they need to be dust-tight and in a position to stand up to some water immersion.Where the Pixel 8 and Pixel 7 begin to differ is of their screens. The Pixel 8 has a 6.2-inch show, so it is barely smaller than the 6.3-inch Pixel 7. The Pixel 8’s dimensions are additionally bodily smaller than the Pixel 7’s, making it a extra ideally suited alternative for these looking for a petite cellphone.The Pixel 8’s display screen can also be brighter since it may well peak at 2,000 nits of brightness in comparison with the Pixel 7’s 1,400 nits. In addition, the Pixel 8 can increase its refresh charge as much as 120Hz in comparison with the Pixel 7’s 90Hz show, though the distinction might not be noticeable and relies on what you are doing in your cellphone. The Pixel 7 pictured subsequent to the Pixel Watch Andrew Lanxon/CNETBoth telephones run on Android 14, the latest model of Google’s cellular working system. The Pixel 8 comes preloaded with Android 14, and it is obtainable for the Pixel 7 as an improve. But as talked about above, the Pixel 8 will get seven years of recent Android variations, new Pixel options and safety updates. If you desire a cellphone you possibly can maintain onto for years to return, the Pixel 8 is the higher alternative. The Pixel 7 will solely obtain new Android updates for 3 years following its launch, that means it’s going to cease getting new variations of Android after October 2025. That alone offers the Pixel 8 an enormous edge over the Pixel 7. While the software program expertise is essentially the identical, the Pixel 8 has some new AI-powered options — lots of that are photography-related. The Pixel 8’s Google Assistant is smarter and might summarize net pages. It additionally sounds extra pure when screening incoming calls in your behalf. Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 7: CameraOn paper, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 have related digicam techniques. They every have a 50-megapixel principal digicam and a 12-megapixel extremely broad digicam, however the Pixel 8 additionally has a macro pictures mode and a more recent sensor that is extra delicate to gentle. The distinction is noticeable; images taken with the Pixel 8’s principal digicam usually regarded a bit brighter than these shot on the Pixel 7. And some photographs regarded extra colourful too.In the pictures of my colleague Bridget Carey beneath, which I shot utilizing Night Mode in a dimly lit room within the CNET workplaces, the Pixel 8 did a greater job at capturing the purple lighting extra precisely. However, her face does look a bit noisy within the Pixel 8’s picture. Pixel 8 A photograph of CNET’s Bridget Carey taken on the Pixel 8. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETPixel 7 A photograph of Bridget taken on the Pixel 7 Lisa Eadicicco/CNETWhile images usually regarded the identical between each telephones, the Pixel 8’s photos typically regarded barely extra colourful. Take a have a look at the images of the fish market in Wegmans beneath, and you may discover the reddish coloration within the fish’s scales seems to be a bit bolder, particularly within the tail.Pixel 8 A photograph of fish at a market taken on the Pixel 8 Lisa Eadicicco/CNETPixel 7 A photograph of fish at a market taken on the Pixel 7. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETMacro mode additionally makes it simpler to seize closeup particulars on the Pixel 8. The picture of a man-made flower beneath was taken on the Pixel 8 in macro mode, and beneath it you possibly can see the identical picture with out macro mode taken on the Pixel 7.Pixel 8 Macro mode on the Pixel 8. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETPixel 7 The Pixel 7 would not have macro mode. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETMy colleague Patrick Holland, who reviewed the Pixel 8, additionally stated images regarded usually related between each units. However, he did discover extra shadow element within the Pixel 8’s images when wanting intently, which you’ll see in his assessment. The larger distinction between the 2 telephones comes all the way down to their picture enhancing options. The Pixel 8 has a handful of recent AI-powered enhancing instruments that are not obtainable on the Pixel 7, like Best Take and the Magic Editor. The former permits you to change an individual’s expression in a gaggle picture after you’ve got taken a bunch of photographs, whereas the latter makes it doable to maneuver and resize folks and pets in photos. Best Take is supposed for moments when you possibly can’t get everybody smiling or conserving their eyes open in a gaggle picture on the identical time. While it really works impressively properly and I can see the enchantment behind it, Best Take additionally feels a bit inauthentic to me. It’s straightforward sufficient to disregard this characteristic should you do not need to use it, however it would not really feel as sensible as beforehand launched picture enhancing instruments just like the Magic Eraser and Face Unblur. The picture beneath was edited with Best Take. CNET’s Jessica Fierro (left) and Abrar Al-Heeti (proper) weren’t smiling within the unique picture. This picture by no means occurred because it seems. CNET’s Patrick Holland used Best Take to combine and match Jessica’s and Abrar’s expressions. Patrick Holland/CNETMy opinion on the Magic Editor is essentially the identical, though I’m certain some folks could have enjoyable customizing their photos and discovering artistic use circumstances for it. With the Magic Editor, you possibly can resize folks, delete sure objects and transfer folks and pets. Patrick has an excellent instance of the Magic Editor at work in his assessment. After capturing a photograph of two of our CNET colleagues leaping off of a large rock, he used the Magic Editor to take away the rock fully, making it seem like they have been simply leaping within the air actually excessive. However, these edits aren’t as clean as Best Take; you possibly can clearly inform the picture was altered. As my colleague Sareena Dayaram factors out, instruments just like the Magic Editor additionally increase questions concerning the authenticity of the images we snap on our telephones and doubtlessly share on social media. CNET’s Patrick Holland used the Pixel 8’s new Magic Editor software to take away a big rock from the bottom on this picture. Can you inform the place it was? Patrick Holland/CNETWhile the Pixel 7 would not have these new options, it does produce other useful enhancing choices like Face Unblur, Photo Unblur and the Magic Eraser. Overall, the cameras on each telephones are related sufficient, though the Pixel 8’s usually seems like a small step up.Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 7: Performance and batteryThe Pixel 8 runs on Google’s latest processor, the Tensor G3, whereas the previous-generation Tensor G2 powers the Pixel 7. Both telephones are responsive sufficient when scrolling across the working system, swiping by social media posts, launching apps and the digicam and enjoying video games. The new chip’s advantages actually kick in relating to these AI-powered options talked about earlier.I additionally ran two benchmarks on every cellphone: one for testing basic efficiency in on a regular basis use (Geekbench 6) and one other for measuring graphics energy (3DMark Wild Life Extreme). In each checks, the Pixel 8 scored greater, particularly on 3DMark Wild Life Extreme, as you possibly can see within the desk beneath.Geekbench 6 Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 7 Geekbench 6 (single core) 1,605 1,481Geekbench 6 (multicore) 4,134 3,971 Note: Higher scores are higher
3DMark Wild Life Extreme 3DMark Wild Life Extreme 2,381 1,711 Note: Higher scores are higher.
3DMark Frames Per Second Frames Per Second 14.3 10.3 Note: Higher scores are higher.
Both telephones supply roughly the identical battery life, despite the fact that the Pixel 8 has a barely greater battery capability. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 7 can every final for round a day on a single cost, and so they carried out very equally throughout CNET’s three-hour battery take a look at. During this take a look at, we stream a YouTube video with the display screen brightness turned as much as its most stage for 3 hours and word the battery share at every hour. Despite its brighter display screen, the Pixel 8 delivered outcomes that just about matched these of the Pixel 7.Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 7 Battery Test Pixel 8Pixel 71 Hour 95%95%2 Hours 88%88%3 Hours 79%81% Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 7: Which do you have to select? The Pixel 7 (left) and Pixel 8 (proper) Lisa Eadicicco/CNETThe Pixel 8 is a greater funding total for the easy cause that it’s going to last more. Its modest digicam and show enhancements are a step up, and the Pixel 8’s new AI options make it a bit smarter and subsequently extra handy to make use of than the Pixel 7. But it is actually the lengthy software program help that makes the Pixel 8 the higher alternative. However, I’d solely advocate upgrading should you’re coming from an older machine just like the Pixel 5 or earlier. Google Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 7 Google Pixel 8Google Pixel 7Display measurement, tech, decision, refresh charge, brightness 6.2-inch OLED; 2,400×1,080 pixels; 60-120Hz adaptive refresh rate6.3-inch OLED, FHD+ (1080 x 2400 pixels) , 90HzPixel density 428 ppi416 ppiDimensions (inches) 5.9 x 2.8 x 0.4 in6.13 x 2.88 x 0.34 mmDimensions (millimeters) 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9 mm155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7 mmWeight (grams, ounces) 187 g (6.6 oz)197 g (6.9 oz)Mobile software program (at launch) Android 14Android 13Digital camera 50-megapixel (broad), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)50-megapixel (broad), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), Front-facing digicam 10.5-megapixel10.8-megapixelVideo seize 4K4KProcessor Google Tensor G3Google Tensor G2Storage and RAM 8GB + 128GB, 256GB8GB + 128GB, 256 GB,Expandable storage NoneNoneBattery 4,575 mAh4,355 mAh Fingerprint sensor Under showUnder displayConnector USB-CUSB-CHeadphone jack NoneNoneSpecial options 5G (Sub 6, mmWave); VPN by Google One; 7 years of OS, safety and Feature Drop updates; front-facing digicam has autofocus; 13W Qi wi-fi charging; 30W wired charging; USB-3.2 speeds by way of USB-C; IP68 mud and water resistance; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on entrance and back5G, Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, Real Tone, Face Unblur, Long Exposure Mode, Action Pan; Hold For Me, Wait Times, Direct My Call Live TranslateUS value off-contract $699 (128GB)$600UK value £575 (128GB)£599Australia value AU$1,100 (128GB)AU$999
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