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But how does it compare to its immediate predecessor, thePixel 7?
Is it the usual incremental year-on-year improvement, or has Google made a breakthrough with its 2023 flagship?
The Google Pixel 7, original Pixel Watch and Pixel Buds Pro
Lets indulge this high-class family feud.
There are some interesting points of difference to be gleaned, as well as some telling similarities.
Its only when you look a little closer that the subtle differences start to add up.
Google has developed a distinct design language over the past three iterations of its Pixel line.
Both of these phones have that signature width-spanning camera bar, which melds into a rounded aluminum side frame.
It makes the newer phone feel softer and more approachable.
The Google Pixel 7, original Pixel Watch and Pixel Buds Pro
The Pixel 8 is also better for one-handed use, and thats because its smaller than the Pixel 7.
Googles latest is about 5mm shorter and 1.5mm narrower, and it weighs a whole 10g less.
The Pixel 7 is thinner, but only by 0.2mm.
Pixel 8
One byproduct (or possibly cause) of this shrinking process is a smaller display.
While the Pixel 7 gave you a 6.3-inch screen, the Pixel 8 gives you a 6.2-inch panel.
Its a flagship-level spec after the Pixel 7s halfway house 90Hz refresh rate.
Pixel 7
The Pixel 7 can only manage 1,400 nits.
Both back this spec up with a 1/2.9-inch 12MP ultra-wide too.
Of course, hardware has never been the key factor in making Pixel phones take such great pictures.
Pixel 8
But with the Pixel 8, you dont need to wait.
There isnt an awful lot in it, though.
In both instances, Googles focus is on AI smarts rather than CPU or GPU horsepower.
Pixel 8
Both phones support real-time video transcription and translation, as well as those clever Magic Eraser camera tricks.
There is one important distinguishing factor here though legacy support.
The Pixel 7 has only been promised updates until 2025.
Pixel 7
Remember, though, that it also has to drive a brighter and more fluid display.
Still, better is better, and the Pixel 8 clearly beats the Pixel 7 point by point.
Googles seven-year software guarantee is a further bonus for the Pixel 8.
(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
Where things get interesting is when you consider the matter of value.
If money is no object, the Pixel 8 wins comfortably.
But the Pixel 7 remains a compelling option and one of thebest Pixel phonesif you cant spare the pennies.
Natural bokeh and colors add authenticity to the Pixel 7’s camera(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
Testing the Pixel 7’s zoom range, starting with the ultrawide…(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
…then the main sensor…(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
…2x zoom…(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
…and the phone’s maximum 8x magnification(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
By default the selfie camera crops in, but this ultrawide mode will let you get more people in-frame(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
Portrait mode on the selfie camera demonstrates impressive edge detection(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
Low-light selfies, lit only by moonlight are… iffy(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
A standard low light shot that captures twice as fast as it would on the Pixel 6(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
And here’s the Pixel 7’s astrophotography mode, which produces a similar shot but with finer detail(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
Long exposure mode off(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
Long exposure mode on(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
Action Pan off(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
Action Pan on(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
Action Pan on + the Pixel 7’s new Photo Unblur feature at work(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
A frame from test video footage using the new Cinematic Blur feature(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
The artificial bokeh in video like this wanders around frame by frame. The above image was taken only four frames from the previous(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
Google Pixel 8 camera samples(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Pixel 8
Pixel 7
Pixel 8
Pixel 8
