Google’s Pixel 8 Pro Has Some Big Problems: Our Review in Progress

Andrew Lanxon/CNETThere are huge issues with the Google Pixel 8 Pro. With disappointing digital camera efficiency, lacking options and irritating quirks, Google’s new flagship feels half-baked at finest and it is actually not able to hit cabinets on Oct. 12. CNET editors have spent the previous few days testing a number of fashions of the 8 Pro within the UK and US, and we have been bowled over by what we have discovered. The greatest points are with the digital camera, which in some high-contrast conditions produced weird artifacts that damage the picture. The telephone’s DNG uncooked photographs — which usually would come with all the element that the Pixel 8 Pro’s cameras can shoot — have been at first incompatible with any uncooked editors (together with Lightroom on the machine and Photoshop on desktop). This was mounted with a last-minute replace from Google that applies solely to new photographs taken (our early DNG checks are successfully lifeless). But DNG recordsdata stay fuzzy and noisy, past what we might count on from any uncooked file. The Pixel 8 (proper) and the Pixel 8 Pro (left). Andrew Lanxon/CNETKey new options such because the night time time video optimization aren’t obtainable at launch. New AI instruments together with the up to date Call Screen and article summarizing can be found within the US however not within the UK, the place I’m testing. Both options are mentioned at extra size in CNET’s Pixel 8 evaluation.It’s uncommon to see such evident issues from a significant producer so near the machine happening sale and it is disappointing to see it on a telephone we had such excessive hopes for. Both the Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro acquired CNET Editors’ Choice awards for his or her efficiency, neither of which suffered from these early issues, however proper now we do not suggest shopping for the Pixel 8 Pro till Google has addressed these points.It’s seemingly that most of the issues we have discovered may be resolved with software program updates, and Google has stated {that a} digital camera replace that might assist a few of the points we have discovered will arrive in “a couple of weeks.”But right here at CNET, we have determined that we’d like extra time to completely perceive the depth of the problems and we have opted to carry off on giving the Pixel 8 Pro a definitive rated verdict. Below you may discover my early evaluation of the telephone with my opinions on the design, show, processor and battery, knowledgeable by a number of editors’ testing.  Andrew Lanxon/CNETWe’ll be updating this evaluation over the approaching days and retesting components of the telephone (particularly the digital camera) as Google pushes out its software program replace. We wish to notice that we have not discovered any of those points testing the common Pixel 8.What does this imply for you? Well, in the event you’re sitting clutching your bank card trying to purchase the Pixel 8 Pro, we might advise you to attend. Keep your eye on this evaluation because it develops and watch for our last verdict.6 days with the Pixel 8 ProThe Pixel 8 Pro is the newest flagship from Google that packs a number of refinements over its predecessor together with a brand new processor, cameras and extra AI expertise. I cherished the older Pixel 7 Pro and believed it was top-of-the-line Android telephones cash may purchase. The 8 Pro has so much to dwell as much as.Putting apart the digital camera issues I’ve skilled, the Pixel 8 Pro has loads going for it, from its stable gaming efficiency, its first rate battery life and its slick Android 14 interface. But crucial change is that Google is committing to seven years of software program updates for the telephone, an enormous enhance over what it beforehand provided and much more over most different Android producers. It means this factor will nonetheless be going robust in 2030. There’s so much I like in regards to the telephone and whereas I’ve had some success with the digital camera, the problems it faces must be resolved earlier than we may contemplate recommending anybody purchase it.  The vibrant show makes video games like Real Racing 3 look nice. Andrew Lanxon/CNETDesign and displayPhysically, it is clear to see the Pixel 8 Pro’s household resemblance to its predecessors, with the massive digital camera bar throughout the again. It’s not an enormous design departure from final 12 months’s mannequin, however that rear glass panel is now frosted somewhat than shiny, which supplies it a softer really feel to carry whereas making it rather less susceptible to fingerprints. I do not assume it seems fairly as premium or stylish because the Pixel 7 Pro’s sage and gold design, no less than not within the plain black variant I’ve been given to check.The digital camera bar stands out a great distance — round 4 millimeters the truth is, which is much more than on the 7 Pro. The 8 Pro is comfy to carry, however I do generally discover it catches when I’m attempting to slip it into my denims pocket. I’m nitpicking right here, but it surely’s a kind of issues that might develop into extra annoying over time. With a case connected that reduces the peak distinction between the physique and the bar, the issue goes away.  The blue mannequin seems much more vibrant than the black mannequin. Andrew Lanxon/CNETThe body is made partly from recycled aluminum (identical to in older Pixel telephones) and the telephone is IP68 rated for water-resistance, which is able to preserve it secure from spilled drinks or when taking calls within the rain. The 6.7-inch show is identical measurement as on the Pixel 7 Pro. It’s shiny and vibrant and simply does justice to no matter colourful YouTube or Netflix video you need to watch on the bus. Temperature sensorOne little tweak on the again is a small circle subsequent to the digital camera flash that homes a model new function: a temperature sensor. It permits the telephone to present temperature readings from objects or surfaces. It’s simple sufficient to do, simply fireplace up the temperature app and maintain the telephone about 5 centimeters out of your object, as if you are taking a close-up picture. Tap the display screen and it will provide you with a readout on how scorching that object is. The temperature sensor works effectively, however is it genuinely helpful? Time will inform. Andrew Lanxon/CNETThe concept is that you should use it to check the temperature of drinks earlier than you’re taking an enormous gulp, or to be sure that piece of peach pie is not hotter than the solar earlier than you shovel it into your face and burn your mouth to cinders. It works effectively in my testing to date, with it pretty precisely exhibiting the rise in temperature on my kettle as I boiled water for a cup of tea. And whereas I can think about it generally being useful — mother and father may use it to examine the temperature of a child’s bottle, for instance — I believe its real-world software is restricted. It seems like a function that is been shoehorned in to behave as a differentiator from the competitors. Heck, it could possibly’t even take your physique temperature, although Google is searching for clearance from the US FDA to make use of it for that objective. And positive, the Pixel 8 Pro now has a function that the iPhone 15 would not, however is it actually a function you care about? I’m undecided that I do. Processor and Android 14The Pixel 8 Pro comes with Google’s newest home made processor, the Tensor G3, however we won’t but let you know the way it performs. At the time of writing I’m unable to put in any form of benchmarking apps to straight evaluate it to its rivals, however anecdotally it looks as if a succesful chip. Navigation across the Android 14 interface is swift: Apps open with none delays and multitasking between open apps is a breeze. Graphically demanding video games like Genshin Impact, PUBG and Real Racing 3 all play with buttery-smooth body charges at most graphics settings. I’ve but to search out something that actually slows the telephone down. The Tensor G3 chipset additionally allows AI options, however their high quality is uneven, with some taking so lengthy to course of that I merely did not hassle (extra on these beneath). Android 14 is the newest model of Google’s software program. Andrew Lanxon/CNETThe huge development we are able to affirm is longevity. Google dedicated to offering seven years of software program and safety updates to the Pixel 8 sequence, which is an enormous enchancment over the 4 years it beforehand provided. By comparability, Samsung presents 4 years of software program and 5 of safety updates. Longer safety assist instances are an enormous manner of decreasing the environmental impression of telephones, because the {hardware} on older fashions is usually nonetheless working advantageous, but it surely’s merely not secure to maintain utilizing gadgets with outdated software program. Google’s software program dedication means the Pixel 8 Pro ought to nonetheless be going robust in 2030, which is the longest of any main Android producer and solely actually rivaled by Fairphone, which presents eight years of safety updates on its newest Fairphone 5. It’s good to see Google extending its assist interval and I hope it encourages extra producers to do the identical.The Pixel 8 Pro launches with Android 14 which itself is not that totally different from Android 13, with a near-identical visible look that features numerous methods to customise components of the interface. Google has sprinkled in some further AI options all through although, together with a brand new generative AI wallpaper creator.  The AI wallpaper creator is enjoyable to play with. Andrew Lanxon/CNETThe device lets you choose from quite a lot of prompts, together with object phrases corresponding to “bicycle” or “lighthouse,” texture phrases like “wood” or “bamboo” and numerous colour and artwork fashion phrases to create a novel backdrop. It’s enjoyable to play with and I’ve loved experimenting with totally different immediate mixtures to search out photographs I like. I do not at all times love the outcomes — generally the AI hasn’t completed an awesome job — and solely having the ability to select from a set of predefined prompts means it is not open to the form of wild infinite customization you may count on from generative AI. Google has woven in AI options elsewhere into the telephone, together with name screening, the flexibility to summarize articles in net pages (each of that are unique to the US at launch) and higher speech-to-text and translation instruments. But it is also used for picture modifying, with AI instruments letting you selectively edit the sky in a panorama picture, make objects or folks greater or smaller within the body or take away them fully. The outcomes do not at all times look nice — no less than to not my eye as knowledgeable photographer — however they are often enjoyable methods of tweaking extra informal snaps. We’re going to want an even bigger boat. Andrew Lanxon/CNET And with the magic of AI, right here we’re.  Andrew Lanxon/CNETI discovered that it took between 13 and 18 seconds for the AI to make every edit, which felt like a frustratingly very long time to attend. It stays to be seen whether or not that is right down to the processor efficiency or if it is a software program concern that might be remedied. In my time with the telephone, I discovered these delays lengthy sufficient to place me off desirous to mess around additional. On the Pixel 8, nevertheless, these edits usually took round 5 seconds.There’s additionally a brand new device referred to as Best Take, which takes a burst of photographs and blends them into one shot the place everybody ought to look their finest by robotically choosing the very best faces of a bunch of topics. I’ve not discovered this handy in my time with the telephone. It requires no less than six totally different photographs of a bunch of individuals for the AI to select from and I usually simply take one or two of my buddies, which is not sufficient. To make use of it, I’d need to be taught to begin utilizing burst mode extra usually when taking group photographs, which seems like I’m having to create an issue for this function to unravel. Then once more, my colleague Patrick Holland loved placing the function to make use of in his evaluation of the smaller Pixel 8. Patrick discovered it labored effectively in his photographs, with a largely seamless substitute of individuals’s faces within the last picture. Your expertise with it could fluctuate relying on how you utilize your telephone’s digital camera, so take my opinion right here with a grain of salt.  Like the Pixel 7 Pro, the Pixel 8 Pro’s cameras are all organized throughout the rear digital camera bar. Andrew Lanxon/CNETCameraSpeaking of the digital camera although, the triple rear-camera setup has had some updates, together with wider apertures on each the primary and telephoto lenses and better decision for the ultrawide lens. But it is the digital camera that is been most problematic for us in our testing to date. Several of our take a look at photographs with excessive distinction scenes present bizarre-looking picture noise and artifacts within the shadowy areas, together with extraordinarily aggressive software program smoothing on areas that ought to preserve element. I’ve discovered related points in night time mode images, too. Taken with the primary digital camera in a usually well-lit room, this picture suffers from some critically bizarre artifacts. Andrew Lanxon/CNET Zooming in makes it apparent to see the problems, with each overzealous element smoothing and peculiar noise issues changing into obvious. Andrew Lanxon/CNET This high-contrast scene from the primary digital camera would not look too dangerous at first. Stephen Shankland/CNET But no matter’s happening over right here is simply… bizarre. Stephen Shankland/CNETWhile it could possibly shoot DNG uncooked recordsdata as I discussed earlier, these come out worse, with extra picture noise and a bizarre muddiness to the scene that may’t be corrected in publish. Shooting within the new high-resolution 50-megapixel mode made issues even worse. Taking high-res photographs concerned a 1- to 2-second pause with a “hold still” warning on display screen, which made taking the photographs really feel sluggish and irritating. Google pushed out some huge updates to the digital camera software program throughout our testing interval, but it surely’s clear that one thing continues to be incorrect. As the cameras are such an necessary issue of any flagship telephone, we’re eager to see an answer right here and we’ll proceed testing over the approaching days and weeks. It’s not all dangerous, although. Some photographs taken with the huge, ultrawide or 5x zoom lens have come out completely effectively in good lighting and I’ve loved utilizing the lengthy publicity mode so as to add some ethereal blurred motion results to some images.  This out of doors scene seems good. Andrew Lanxon/CNET While this lengthy publicity impact has added a enjoyable dreaminess to this practice station scene. Andrew Lanxon/CNETThe Pixel 7 Pro had an excellent digital camera that was able to taking wonderful photographs with any of its lenses. I do not know why Google is struggling to get the Pixel 8 Pro working because it ought to, but it surely’s clear that fixes are required.Battery Stuffed contained in the Pixel 8 Pro is a 5,050-mAh battery, which put in an honest efficiency on our numerous battery drain checks. After 1 hour of streaming a YouTube video at max brightness the telephone had dropped from full to 97% remaining, which is sweet. After the third hour it had dropped to 84% which is beneath what we have seen from the iPhone 15 sequence, however according to the Galaxy S23.  We’ll be doing much more testing with the Pixel 8 Pro over the approaching days. Andrew Lanxon/CNETIt’s a demanding take a look at and in on a regular basis use you should not wrestle to get by way of an entire day of combined use. Just keep away from spending hours streaming video or taking part in demanding video games if you wish to have juice left to name a cab residence after your night time in town. As with most telephones, although, you may nearly actually need to give it a full cost while you go to mattress every night time. Should you purchase the Pixel 8 Pro?The points we have discovered on a number of fashions of the Pixel 8 Pro counsel that there are software program points with the telephone that are not merely restricted to 1 dud unit. And whereas we count on Google to shortly roll out fixes to deal with these, the actual fact stays that proper now, Google desires $1,000 for a telephone that has main issues.  The Pixel 8 Pro’s greatest competitors would be the iPhone 15 Pro. We’re trying ahead to seeing how they stack up. Andrew Lanxon/CNETCNET’s recommendation is to carry on to your cash and examine again with us within the coming days as we proceed to check the 8 Pro and the updates it will seemingly obtain.