Google Pixel 8 Pro review

26 October 2023


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I can see that Pixel 8 Pro's telephoto lens suffers from significant softness towards the bottom left corner of the frame, and 50MP samples from both GSMArena and DPReview confirm my suspicion.

The full-res samples from the main camera do look very nice though, another evidence that a 50MP Quad Bayer sensor, when utilised properly, could capture far more details than any 12MP Bayer sensor would.

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • gDf
    • 27 Oct 2023

    Anonymous, 27 Oct 2023But I currently don't believe in the dual pixel 100 me... moreThough, in certain 50 megapixel 2x sample images there are strange artifacts. So I don't know what is really going on. Maybe they use machine learning for the 50 megapixel 2x images.

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      • Anonymous
      • gDf
      • 27 Oct 2023

      Anonymous, 27 Oct 2023I want to add that Google's sensor actually has 100 me... moreBut I currently don't believe in the dual pixel 100 megapixel theory and my guess is that Google uses the additional processing time in the 50 megapixel mode for more complicated (but better) demosaicing algorithms at 2x (because it only needs to process 12 megapixel files at 2x).

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        • Anonymous
        • gDf
        • 27 Oct 2023

        Anonymous, 27 Oct 2023"For whatever reason, the Pixel 8 Pro also allows you ... moreI want to add that Google's sensor actually has 100 megapixels because it is a 50 megapixel Dual Pixel sensor. Samsung even advertises that 100 megapixel photos are possible with the GN1. Though, actually, a full resolution dual pixel photo shouldn't really give you more detail due to the microlenses. That's why 12 megapixel dual pixel cameras (one microlens above two subpixels, only 12 million microlenses) don't give you 24 megapixel photos even though they could. But... It is strange that there are Quad Pixel autofocus sensors (one microlens above four subpixels) that can output full resolution photos that offer more detail indeed.

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          • Anonymous
          • gDf
          • 27 Oct 2023

          "For whatever reason, the Pixel 8 Pro also allows you to save 50MP shots at 2x. These have a distinctly upscaled look"
          Interestingly, the 50 megapixel 2x setting seems to give you slightly more detail from objects than the 12 megapixel 2x setting even though it seems that they don't use the periscope camera for the 50 megapixel 2x setting. There are also fewer Quad Bayer artifacts.

            this phone with the gen3 out of the beast of 2024

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • AVw
              • 27 Oct 2023

              JoXim, 26 Oct 2023Why not Edge 40 Pro as an alternative? I have one and it&#... moreWhile Motorola has terrible support, at 650 euro here I agree that the 40 Pro 256/12 is a solid pick.

              But I wish it didn't have that terribly agressive curved screen.

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                • Anonymous
                • 7@f
                • 27 Oct 2023

                ashrobb, 27 Oct 2023Well, again as iPhone 15 Pro, it has very good onscreen res... moreFully agree, I remember how when I had a 13 Pro it easily outlasted a S22U battery life and even base S23 most of the time.

                While both have better scores than the iphone.

                (However in light performance mode the base S23 is a beast, it did outlast that 13 Pro I had before in light performance mode)

                  JakeJ, 27 Oct 2023Thanks. Did you try and take photos with it? When I took ... moreYes the lag was present.

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                    • JakeJ
                    • 84G
                    • 27 Oct 2023

                    skoda9635, 26 Oct 2023I own Pixel 6 Pro. I charge it with all the USB-C cables I ... moreThanks. Did you try and take photos with it?
                    When I took pictures the lag from pressibg the shutter to the image was taken was bout 1 second. Therefore the app was kinda useless.

                      Well, again as iPhone 15 Pro, it has very good onscreen results but the final score is somewhat bad due to how your formula is calculated with Call Times and Standby. Eagerly waiting for you guys to revamp the battery tests, as some of your staff have posted. Many phones that are considered to have "bad battery" due to your scoring system are actually pretty good.
                      Awful stuff not allowing the telephoto to take portraits, but well... At least the 2x are decent

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                        • panhz
                        • mvD
                        • 26 Oct 2023

                        Are you seeing the same samples from the iphone's videos that you're showing as? Both 15 pro and 15 pro max look trash compared to pixel 8 and galaxy 23 ultra.
                        As someone else mentioned, you rarely consider the motorola as an alternative. This is contradicting your own results. I still value your tedious work but it looks like you fall short when it comes to reaching conclusions.

                          This phone would have so much potential if it wasn’t for the crap battery and tensor, stubborn Google.

                          Meanwhile snap gen 3 in the following months with AI features as well, pointless to buy this phone and it’s already getting price drops

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                            • Anonymous
                            • nCH
                            • 26 Oct 2023

                            Jman, 26 Oct 2023Brightness doesn't matter so much, it's more abou... moreUnfortunately that higher brightness still not as bright as iPhone 15 pro max even under the sun.

                              Screen brightness is very impressive here compared to other Android flagships. The manual brightness is around double some other Android flagships

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                                • JoXim
                                • Li}
                                • 26 Oct 2023

                                Why not Edge 40 Pro as an alternative?
                                I have one and it's a great phone.
                                Better in almost everything except camera and display.
                                And not by much.

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                                  • Jman
                                  • pLd
                                  • 26 Oct 2023

                                  Anonymous, 26 Oct 2023LTPO only goes below 30Hz when it displays photos and scree... moreThanks, that's good to know.

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                                    • Anonymous
                                    • 0p}
                                    • 26 Oct 2023

                                    Jman, 26 Oct 2023Brightness doesn't matter so much, it's more abou... moreLTPO only goes below 30Hz when it displays photos and screen is not being touched.

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

                                      Anton., 26 Oct 2023Although I am a fan of stock Android, I prefer the new Xiao... moreMi series is barely sold outside China ( amount sold).
                                      In China people want ansroid skins that are copy of iOS ,nobody wants stock .

                                        newflesh, 26 Oct 2023One day Pixels will have a good battery life... One day Instead of looking at total endurance (which is influenced by standby time) look at on screen test like browsing is 16hr and video test is 19H, not sd 8 gen 2 level but that can compete or even surpass sd 8+ gen 1 phones like Poco F5 pro, Huawei P60 pro, Oneplus 10T etc the only 8+ phone I saw which has superior score is nothing phone 2.

                                        If you compare it to pixel 7 there is significant increase like browsing went from 12H to 16H and video playback from 17 to 19H.

                                        They need to work on their standby though.

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