Android (and iPhone) users, is it time to change your phone? We got our hands on the Google Pixel 8 Pro, and here’s what we think of it.
Do you know those TikTok ads asking if you plan to switch to the iPhone? That’s not me. When it comes to tech, I’m like a dog – a good boy who remains loyal to an item until it has overstayed its welcome. I’ve been using the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G for the past two years, and I don’t plan to change my phone anytime soon. However, when the opportunity to review the Google Pixel 8 Pro came a-knockin’, I immediately said yes. Who in their right mind would pass up the chance to test out the latest tech gadget?
Say hello to the latest Google Pixel smartphone
First things first, let’s talk about tech specs. The phone boasts a full-screen 6.7-inch display, battery life that can last three days maximum, and storage space that can go up to 512GB. Of course, the piece de resistance is its 50mp rear camera with ultra-wide lenses that capture high-quality photos and videos even in low-light conditions.
When I received the Pixel 8 Pro, I was immediately amazed. Holding the device felt good: it had a fine grip and fit comfortably in my hands. I didn’t have to worry about the phone slipping from my grasp at any random moment. I wasn’t crazy about the back cameras, which were jutting out; but they became less noticeable after slipping the phone case on.
I must say the Super Actua display truly deserved its hype. I can’t get over how crystal clear it was under any lighting – even in direct sunlight. Images pop in clarity and colour when I turn the screen on. I felt like I just had an eye test, corrected my vision, and could see things distinctly again.
The biggest deal that’ll sway you towards the Pixel 8 Pro
The main camera was no joke. Now, I’m no photographer, but despite my basic skills, every image I snapped turned out stunning. The camera captured everything in high-definition, down to the background details you probably don’t pay much attention to. The resulting images were like an adrenaline rush – it made me want to take photos constantly, just to see how they’d turn out.
Case in point: check out the top photo, which was taken on the Google Pixel 8 Pro. No adjustments were made before or after it was taken. See the vibrant colours in the background! Take a look at how crisp the cat and the tile lines in the foreground are. I literally gasped when I opened the image on my laptop.
Compare the first photo to the image above. Notice any differences? This picture looks like it was taken with a soft-focus lens. The composition is lacklustre and the overall image appears slightly muted in colour. It’s not hyperbole to say that I seriously contemplated ditching my Samsung device in favour of the Google Pixel 8 Pro. If you’re still unconvinced, here’s another photo that might swing your vote.
Again, notice how dynamic the photo turned out: shift your attention to the food and glean how clear everything is. Looking at the photo transported me back to the night market in Johor Bahru, where I took the picture. Safe to say, the Pixel 8 Pro’s camera is truly in a league of its own. However, that’s not the only feature that makes it a serious smartphone contender.
Other features that are worth their salt
As a writer, there are times when I have to conduct in-person interviews and gather soundbites for my articles. The voice recording feature is such a godsend that I want to shout it out from the rooftops. I used it during my aura reading experience and it transcribed the whole session breezily. No more having to replay the same section multiple times just to figure out what was said!
The Magic Eraser function also has my heart. Picture this: someone has taken an awesome shot of you, but unfortunately, there’s distracting stuff in the background like crowds, birds in the air, and an unsightly rubbish bin. Here’s where this tool comes in handy. All you have to do is circle or brush the items you want to remove, and with one click, they’re all gone. The bigger, trickier things may require more finesse, but the Magic Eraser does its job splendidly overall.
I’m a stickler when it comes to phone security, which is why I didn’t activate the facial recognition functionality on my mobile phone. However, the Google Pixel 8 Pro’s Face Unlock feature changed my mind. It detected my face promptly – even faster than my Samsung device. Unfortunately, it gets a little difficult under low-lighting conditions. Regardless, that shouldn’t detract from its positives.
The above features performed exceptionally well due to Google’s integration of AI into the Pixel 8 Pro. If this is the future of smartphones, fingers crossed that other brands follow suit because I (mostly) loved what I experienced.
Is the Google Pixel 8 Pro the best phone right now?
Our review time together may have been short and sweet, but it still exposed some drawbacks that reaffirmed my decision not to switch to the Google Pixel 8 Pro. Firstly, the swipe navigation gestures can be fiddly. I’d like to think it’s because I’m so used to my current phone’s setup that it takes some time to get used to. That said, this is a minor issue that I reckon users will overcome with repeated usage.
Even though I raved about the camera, it didn’t always produce stellar results. Most of the photos taken during my yuan yang experiment were through this phone, and some snaps turned out dim and lifeless. Sure, I admit my skills are basic, and in certain situations, the lighting was less than ideal, but I was expecting more from the camera, too.
The temperature sensor located on the back of the Pixel 8 Pro was also a miss for me. It felt like an arbitrary placement, and most of the time, it didn’t seem to register accurate readings – for some reason, it couldn’t read my body temperature. Google will need to sell this baffling function if it insists on keeping the sensor or cut losses and remove it for future designs.
All things considered, Google’s latest smartphone is a good gadget. If you’re on the verge of changing phones, this can be part of your consideration list. As for me? I’ll wait on the sidelines until the tech behemoth has refined its Pixel series into the great mobile device it’s meant to be.
