Google Pixel 8 & 8 Pro hands-on review

13 October 2023


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  • E
  • Eric Von Teufel
  • Ib8
  • 17 Oct 2023

Just got mine today. It's fast, sleek, and very disappointing. I was told during a chat session with Google that it would have Desktop mode. It does not. That's a deal killer from me I've had several Samsungs and LGs with Desktop mode and they are a way of life for those that know how to use them. Phones with Desktop mode are a mini pc that fits in your pocket and lets you go anywere hand hook up to a big screen and a keyboard. Too bad Google just cannot bring itself to create a top tier phone. The rest of the phone is damn cool, but it doesn't matter. I cannot use it. It's going back until they have Desktop mode.

    • A
    • AJ
    • vxL
    • 17 Oct 2023

    Phone looks great.

    But gets hot when used for a while..!!

      I wish I could see these beauties on TSMC chips and repairability like Samsung

        Shamrock Sean, 16 Oct 2023But it does perform well why do people keep saying such rub... moreYou have to try it in real life to see how it goes... I'm about to buy one if the price drops for Black Friday and maybe I'll receive it in the first week of December

          Too bad these are only released in select markets, unlike the iPhone and Samsung Galaxies.

            • N
            • NC
            • raN
            • 16 Oct 2023

            Tanase Adrian, 15 Oct 2023that is utter rubbiosh, i watched a ton of reviews on youtu... moreYou can check this reddit post for the issue.
            https://www.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/176uo6e/scrolling_in_pixel_8_pro_is_very_jittery/

            Reviewers only show the good parts. And they had review units, not consumer devices.

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • 58Z
              • 16 Oct 2023

              It floors me the new Tensor is still a tepid midranger after the previous two should have taught Google something - without aiming for the top of the chart, can't they get us a better deal than this somehow?

                Anonymous, 15 Oct 2023This has nothing to do with fanboys of other phones trollin... moreBut it does perform well why do people keep saying such rubbish?? Mine is fast and smooth

                  Mr. Anonymous, 16 Oct 2023Pixels never excelled in benchmarks, but I'm surprised... moreMine is smooth what you on about??

                    GSM Arena what are you on about?? My Pixel 8 Pro is fast and smooth in operation

                      • ?
                      • Anonymous
                      • 8N3
                      • 16 Oct 2023

                      notafanboy, 16 Oct 2023The 0p} Anonymous guy is obsessed with semantics. Sad indiv... moreYou and other for unknown reason cannot accept these phones do not have zoom lens ..
                      It is fact, not my opinion.

                      K Zoom has zoom system, S23 Ultra does not. Sony 1 v has zoom , Sony 1 ii does not.

                      Does not matter if they do not have it to save money or lack of capacity to make such thing.
                      Fixed FL is not zoom.

                        Anon, 16 Oct 2023You're getting stuck on words here. It's a lens ... moreThe 0p} Anonymous guy is obsessed with semantics. Sad individual. Just ignore him.

                          Ravenowl, 15 Oct 2023To me it seems like other brands have been starting to roll... moreIt's you against reality

                          https://youtu.be/VLIAbhkKmj8?si=lL6lGVRxcqCVPnSW

                            • A
                            • Anon
                            • jJK
                            • 16 Oct 2023

                            Anonymous, 15 Oct 2023It does not. It is prime lens, not zoom. You're getting stuck on words here. It's a lens fixed at a 5x zoom compared to the main lens. You and the OP are trying to say the same thing.

                              • ?
                              • Anonymous
                              • 0p}
                              • 16 Oct 2023

                              Anonymous, 15 Oct 2023https://youtu.be/hmQHgWNAg24?si=QUENU3yP4o8S-LW0 it doesWhat is the definition of zoom lens?
                              If you read, you can see fixed is not zoom.
                              Accept.

                                • o
                                • ogdoade
                                • ywE
                                • 16 Oct 2023

                                I have my Pixel 8 Pro since saturday and it works really well. I upgraded from my OnePlus 9 Pro and I only miss some OxygenOS / ColorOS shortcuts and customizations. The Tensor G3 is faster than the Snapdragon 888 in my old OP 9 Pro, so I don't care how fast the Tensor G3 is compared to a SD 8 Gen 2, because the SD 888 was fast enough for my taste. Overall I am very happy with my Pixel 8 Pro. I don't game on the device, only productive work. Phone runs smooth. I can't complain. And I don't care about benchmarks.

                                  • K
                                  • Karim
                                  • HIw
                                  • 16 Oct 2023

                                  Where's the s23 fe review? Pls compare it to the a54 too. And maybe the Xiaomi 13t and Pixel 8 as well

                                    Pixels never excelled in benchmarks, but I'm surprised that even perceived smoothness is not there with pixel 8 series, perhaps a few updates will fix this issue, although I agree that this should've been fixed before the release.
                                    The pixel 7 that we have at home for the past 9 months feels very fast and smooth in day to day operations.

                                      • ?
                                      • Anonymous
                                      • ap8
                                      • 15 Oct 2023

                                      Anonymous, 15 Oct 2023It does not. It is prime lens, not zoom. https://youtu.be/hmQHgWNAg24?si=QUENU3yP4o8S-LW0 it does

                                        • ?
                                        • Anonymous
                                        • 0p}
                                        • 15 Oct 2023

                                        Johnpraise, 15 Oct 2023iPhone 15 pro max have a dedicated 5x zoom lens It does not.
                                        It is prime lens, not zoom.

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