Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Google ’s Pixel phones have depart from an oddment to a smartphone marketplace mainstay . Where once we think the Pixel would go the means of the Nexus lineage or any one of a turn of task Google hasprematurely bolt down off , the Pixel range has gone from lastingness to military strength , and now they seem as common asSamsung Galaxy phonesandiPhones .
fundamental to the Pixel ’s achiever is the lastingness of the photographic camera organisation . The combination of Google ’s software with some solid hardware has led to the Pixel becoming one of the better smartphone photographic camera organization around . That ’s culminated in theGoogle Pixel 8 , which is an fantabulous smartphone . That said , you should n’t buy one . Here ’s why .
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
The Tensor G3 processor isn’t great
The Pixel 8 family the third generation of Google ’s in - house processor , theTensor G3 , and while it ’s a definite melioration over previous versions of the chip , it pale in comparison to those made by more experienced manufacturers .
It ’s a powerful chip and deserves to be called a flagship chip — but Google has n’t closed the distance between the Tensor and tantamount chips from Snapdragon and MediaTek . The power is there , but it ’s cramp by a number of issues that continue to view as it back . Temperature contemporaries is a bragging one of those , and while the G3 keeps cooler than late Tensor chip , it still stick hot when it ’s under heavy onus , such as during gaming Roger Sessions . In comparison , theSnapdragon 8 Gen 3doesn’t suffer from this and is capable of keeping up with the most demanding game without heating up anywhere about as much .
It ’s also bonny to admit the Tensor G3 is a less brawny chip than its competitors , lark down in the mouth clock speeds than the last multiplication Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 . Granted , it ’s not something you ’re going to notice in day - to - day use , and possibly not even during gambling sessions . But if you ’re paying for a flagship sound , you expect ironware that can go toe - to - toe with the alternatives . The Tensor G3 does n’t really offer that , and it ’s something to keep in mind .
The Tensor chip also feeds into a different problem with the earphone : the bombardment life history .
Battery life and charging
One of the legacy problem with the Pixel range has been battery life , and it ’s not a trouble the new Tensor processor has been able to prepare . It ’s another arena where the Tensor G3 and Pixel 8 have improve over previous year , but it ’s still not where we ’d like it to be .
The Pixel 8 has a relatively small 4,575mAh battery , and it does mean the phone limps along with a one - day shelling liveliness . But you know what ? This isfine . It’sOK.you could live with it . But we ’d be lying if we said it was up to the measure of the rivalry . TheSamsung Galaxy S24,Galaxy S24 Plus , andOnePlus 12all variation two - 24-hour interval bombardment lives , and that variety of longevity is speedily becoming the standard . Once again , the Pixel 8 does n’t cut the mustard and ca n’t place upright up to the contest .
Even worse , the charging speeds do n’t make up for it . The Pixel 8 top out at 27W , which is admittedly fast than the Galaxy S24 ’s 25W and equal to theiPhone 15 Pro‘s charging focal ratio . But it ’s left behind by the S24 Plus ’s 45W charging and depend like it ’s endure still when compared to the OnePlus 12 ’s 80W charge .
Like the public presentation above , this is n’t all uncollectible . The Pixel 8 is n’t irksome to recharge , and the daytime - foresightful battery life history is n’t terrible by any substance — but there are significantly in effect options out there .
You want a more versatile camera system
TheGoogle Pixel 8 ’s photographic camera is incredible . Exceptional , even . The master lens is one of the best pieces of camera technical school on the entire smartphone market , and it ’s rarified it ’ll take a picture you ’ll dislike . But speculation further than the main lens , and your option are n’t as good .
accompany the Pixel 8 ’s chief lens is a 12 - megapixel ultrawide lens that just is n’t up to the same banner . While Google has done a good problem balancing the colors so it matches the master lens well enough , the relatively low megapixel count hampers ultrawide shots significantly . Zoom in at all , and you ’ll see a lack of detail — a trouble thePixel 8 Pro‘s superior 48MP ultrawide genus Lens does not suffer from .
The lack of a telephoto lens also hurts versatility . Youcanzoom with the main lens , thanks to the in high spirits megapixel count , but it ’s difficult for even this excellent lens to truly replace a dedicated telephoto zoom . As a result , you have a truly unbelievable camerawhen you stick to just the chief lens . It ’s not a specially versatile organization and not really recommended if you wish to try out with your smartphone camera — or just like to take wide - angle or zoom shots .
There are lots of great Pixel 8 alternatives
One big reasonableness not to buy it is because there are a cluster of phones to grease one’s palms rather of the Google Pixel 8 . Some , like the Google Pixel 8 Pro , are just flat - out beneficial versions of the same earpiece . Others , like the Samsung Galaxy S24 , are serious in some way but worse in others . Samsung ’s Galaxy devices have recently had much good performance , thanks to the late Snapdragon chip and much stiff batteries , but they do n’t quite match the stellar performance of the Pixel 8 ’s camera .
you could also go on a hothead and hairsbreadth - raising odyssey with the lunatic that is the OnePlus 12 . OnePlus ’ a la mode flagship telephone isbonkerspowerful , with good cameras , and a truly unbelievable 80W fast charging ram in for seemingly no reason at all . Or , if you want a headphone that ’s likewise close to the developers of the phone ’s software program , you could corrupt an iPhone . Heck , if you just desire to relieve some money , then you could grease one’s palms theGoogle Pixel 8a .
In unforesightful , there are plenty of Pisces in the sea , and a number of those fish probably are n’t using the Pixel 8 . Listen to those fish and see what else there is out there . Ourbest smartphoneslist is a great berth to start looking , and so is our list of thebest phones you should buy instead of the Pixel 8 .
The Google Pixel 9 is coming soon
But really , this is the biggest reason not to corrupt the Pixel 8 : TheGoogle Pixel 9is likely just around the corner . Google has an consequence hold for August 13 , and it ’s more than likely where we ’ll be introduced to four new Pixel equipment .
Yes , four . Google is rumour to be taking a grownup page out of Samsung ’s and Apple ’s books and introducing a whole new framework . Whispers and leaks say we ’ll be looking at not just the Google Pixel 9 and 9 Pro but also the Pixel 9 Pro XL . And if shut down phones are more your matter , we ’ll also in all likelihood see the Pixel 9 Pro crimp — the phone we antecedently called thePixel Fold 2 .
The Pixel 9 looks to be getting a openhanded plan refresh , with flat sides and slimmed - down screen bezel . The camera visor on the back is round now , but there ’s been little Bible on what form of lenses Google will be looking to fill them with . The renders do seem to show the stock Pixel 9 will still only have two lenses , so the chance of an ultrawide and telephoto on the flagship are pretty low-pitched . The Tensor G4 mainframe is also expected to debut with these three sound , and rumour say it will have improve caloric direction — hopefully finish those overheating take for good .
It ’s never a expert idea to purchase a phone when a successor is almost out , and it ’s always a good reason to sit and wait . Even if the Pixel 9 does n’t be adrift your gravy holder , you ’ll havePixel 8 discountsto look ahead to . Now is by all odds not the time to buy a Google Pixel 8 ; wait and see what August brings .
