Google Pixel 8 Pro – Although convincing in the test, it is not a smartphone for everyone

In the test, the Google Pixel 8 Pro impresses with its well-rounded overall concept. The 6.7-inch LTPO-OLED display offers a high pixel density, a refresh rate between 1 and 120 Hz, and a very high brightness. Unfortunately, it also showed itself in the test as not particularly easy on the eyes for some sensitive users, since it doesn’t include high-frequency PWM dimming, but the frequencies we measured are fairly low.

It comes with the brand-new Android 14 with seven years of guaranteed updates, so that even Android 21 will still be installed on the Google smartphone. Although the inhouse Tensor G3 processor is fast, we encounter the second “but” here, since the Google SoC is significantly slower than the processors used by the competitors, even if those don’t include the models with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 yet. Many of the AI functions are also outsourced to the cloud, even some of those that other manufacturers run directly on the smartphone.

Another highlight are the cameras, and even the quality of the additional lenses is at a high level. You really get a high-quality overall camera package here, starting from macro recordings up to a powerful zoom. A minor downside: Even though the image stabilization is very good at longer focus lengths, it then limps behind the Live View. And when recording videos, there could have been more options in the frame rates. There is no 21:9 mode at all.

The Pixel 8 Pro uses USB 3.2, but it is only the slower version with a maximum of 5 Gbit/s, which doesn’t turn out particularly fast for this kind of connection in our copy test. The Google smartphone also doesn’t offer wired display output.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro is worth a recommendation for sure. But those who belong to the group of users that is sensitive to display flickering should better choose a model that uses high-frequency PWM dimming, such as the Honor Magic5 Pro. For those who value video functionalities, there is hardly any way around the iPhone 15 Pro (Max).

You can get the Pixel 8 Pro for example from Amazon.

As a child I was fascinated by my Commodore 16, and this sparked my enthusiasm for computers. Using my first modem, I surfed the BTX videotext system and later the World Wide Web. I have always been captivated by the latest technologies, and this is especially true for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. I’ve been part of the Notebookcheck team since 2013 and have also on occasion written for Notebookinfo.de, and I’m looking forward to testing new innovations for our readers. I like to spend my spare time indulging in photography and barbecues and being with my family.

Having worked as a programmer for 20 years (medical devices, AI, data management systems), I’ve been following the computer scene for many years and especially enjoy finding out about new technology advances. Originally from Germany but living in the US, I’ve been working as a translator more recently, with Notebookcheck allowing me to combine my interest in new devices and translation. Other interests include Buddhism, spending time in Tibetan monasteries, and translating ancient Tibetan texts.