Customer Ratings & Reviews

Battery life is too short. My wife had a 4G phone and needed an upgrade, but we didn't want to spend over $1,000 for a phone. We thought we tried Google Pixel with AI, so we bought Pixel 8 and though love the AI, the battery life needs improvement.

The Pixel 8 (and 8 Pro) are Google’s latest generation of the Pixel phone lineup. The Pixel 8 series offers Google’s latest iteration of Tensor, G3. Tensor G3 is increasingly focused on providing the best performance in the areas of AI while also being increasingly efficient and secure. Paired to a new main image sensor for the camera, a revised design, and brighter than ever screens, does this make a substantial difference over the predecessors? Let’s find out! Design: The Pixel 8 is very much an incremental change in design over the previous two versions of the phone. This time around the outside takes a little more rounded approach in the corners while bringing the screen out slightly more to the edges of the device. This means the screen takes up marginally more of the entire footprint of the device despite “technically” being every so slightly smaller than last year. New colors are also available which bring new life to the device. I am testing out one of the regulars, black, which isn’t a bad thing but it’s certainly not one of the brightest available. Screen: The Pixel 8 features a 6.2-inch “Actua Display” with a 60-120hz OLED panel with FHD+ resolution stretching 1080 x 2400 pixels. This comes with a 20:9 aspect ratio, 428ppi pixel density, and an 85.5% screen-to-body ratio. The biggest difference for this year is what the “Actua Display” has to offer. This display can provide up to 1400 nits (HDR) and up to 2000 nits (peak brightness), which is substantially brighter than last year and even more than the Pixel 6. Heck, this is one of the brightest displays on any smartphone currently. It also supports HDR10 and always-on display. The glass on the front (and back) is the same Corning Gorilla Glass Victus which has been used for the last several years and has good durability from personal experience. The performance of the display is quite impressive. In comparison to the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7, the Pixel 8 gets noticeable brighter (which is great in the sun) and the colors are very vivid. With the ever so slightly smaller display over the former two phones, it means the PPI (resolution) is ever so slightly better, but it is not noticeable quite honestly. It would be nice to see a QHD display on both versions of the phone, but I understand this is one of the differences between P8 and P8 Pro. Android 14/Updates: The Pixel 8 launches with Android 14 which is the latest version of Android. This version of Android has already been released to other versions of Pixel as well. For the Pixel 8, it includes some exclusive camera features (Which may come to other Pixel phones down the road). The big announcement Google made with Pixel 8 is the support for at least 7 years of software/feature updates. This blows anything they have done in the past out of the water and is the longest pledged support for any smartphone maker currently. If you’re looking for software support for many years, this is likely the phone you’ll want to consider. Now whether the hardware holds up for that long, it remains to be seen. Some of the exclusive camera features include Best Take, Audio Magic Eraser, Magic Editor, Ultra HDR, and Astrophotography. Battery Life: When it comes to the battery size vs some of the recent Pixel’s, this one in the P8 is slightly larger. From my real-world experience, I don’t see any major difference from the prior generations and the Tensor G3. One should expect one full day of usage without issues. For screen one time this means roughly 4-5 hours for me. I would like to see better stand by time with Google’s phones as some of the competition does this better but if you’re coming from a prior generation Pixel, this should be similar. Cameras: The main camera on the Pixel 8 is a new 50MP Octa PD (f/1.68) sensor that does Pixel binning to a 12.5MP image. The Ultra Wide camera is 12MP (f/2.2) sensor with autofocus and a FOV of 125.8 degrees which is slightly wider than before. The front camera is new also at 10.5MP (f/2.2) with a 95-degree FOV. The new main sensor provides great colors with a high-quality image. Pixel phones have always had some of the best photos with much of this due to the post processing that Google does through AI. The Pixel 8 takes extremely high-quality photos and videos are slightly better as well, which is great to see. Performance: The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro feature Tensor G3 which is designed by Google. Tensor G3 promises better performance with AI-related tasks and slightly improved performance in all other areas. Compared to G2, you can really see certain improvements while others are marginal. When it comes to processing times for photos, magic eraser, or even using Google voice functions they are all very snappy. Every Pixel uses LPDDR5X RAM which is the latest available and UFS 3.1 storage. I would really like to have seen 256GB standard but with the cloud storage available it isn’t a huge deal but moving forward I hope they implement this change as software updates could easily eat into available storage on device (over 7+ years). I haven’t noticed any real hiccups in performance from multitasking to using the AI features in camera to other daily tasks such as texting or light gaming. Battery life could always be made better under idle conditions (overnight) but this remains average at best. Outside of AI related tasks (done on specific chipset within processor) it seems like more of an incremental change vs G2. Overall: The Pixel 8 has been a pleasure to use, like Pixel 7. It is clearly Google’s best foot forward in what they have to offer within an affordable price point. With incremental changes year over year, this can clearly be seen when compared to phones of the past. The cameras (and camera software) remain best in class, the build quality is great, screen is bright and colorful, and the price is competitive (Despite an increase). With the standard Pixel and Pro models remaining $300 apart, I can see a small use case to opt for the larger version with a more advanced camera system and larger/higher resolution screen but for most buyers the standard Pixel is the best way to go. I would highly recommend the Pixel lineup to anyone looking for the best Android experience available.

After having an iPhone for 10 years and having an Android before that I wanted to give Android another go and the Pixel 8 looked really good. It crashed and bricked after only a week. Got a replacement but was extremely disappointed and almost regretted trading in my iPhone for this. Will see how long it lasts after the week is over.

The phone has a 5 star but the service from the store I went has 3 stars

ok phone, MAJOR software Reliablity issues. Constant Crashes needing a full restart

Sub par battery performance and issues with some apps, mainly the camera. I was unable to share or access photos without the app freezing. This is not something to tolerate from a flagship. Also, the finger print unlock did not work with a screen protector. I really wanted to keep this phone.

After a month all I can say is it reminds me of a $99 budget Motorola. A slight ding cracked rhe battery cover. It's heavy and the screen specs 6.2in seems like a 5 .9 in screen. The OS is gl

Ok phone. Has had some issues since getting it though.

Average performance with mediocre battery life. Not much happy.

BestBuy charges a restocking fee, while others, like Amazon, do not charge any stocking fees. The returned non-activated phone and the untouched phone still get charged. If I had known this, I could have refrained and decided to buy from another place. The Restocking Fee clause is mentioned too low on the page that one will only review it after final ordering. Lastly, customer service is also going down.

I am not one to leave a negative review, however the reliability of this Pixel 8 phone after a year and 4 months is so poor, I had to tell the masses. I've had constant freezing and restarting and today the phone bricked after a scheduled update. DO NOT RECOMMEND.

I got this mobile and omg it gave me the worst experience in my life after getting a brand new mobile. CAMERA SUCKSSSSSS. Reason - Cam wasn't working and pixel is known for their camera quality and all

Unboxing the Pixel 8 you will find the phone, a 38” USB-C to USB-C cord, a USB-A to USB-C adapter, a SIM pin, and some documentation. Looking at the phone itself, the frame is metal and finished in matte black and features softer, rounder corners than both the Pixel 7 and 6 before it. The front and back of the device are both Gorilla Glass Victus 2, making it very durable. The front is mostly flat which should make fitting glass screen protectors fairly easy. At the top, just between the screen and the frame, is an ultra-narrow ear slit and just below that is a cutout for the single front-facing shooter. The back of the Pixel 8 features a satin finish which is very good at hiding fingerprints. On the back you’ll also find the distinctive camera bar. Like the Pixel 7 before it, the camera bar is all metal that extends from the main body frame with cut-outs for the dual cameras and flash (as compared to the 6’s all glass camera bar). On the bottom, flanking the USB-C port, are 2 downward firing speakers. The right side features the power button and volume rocker while the left side is home to the single nano SIM tray. The overall design is both attractive and functional. Being the smallest of this generation of Pixel devices measuring only 5.93” tall, the phone fits well in the hand. The power and volume rockers are placed well and the camera bar keeps the phone from rocking when set down on its back. Construction seems top notch with excellent fit and finish and no noticeable flex in the body. Once powered on, you’re greeted by the beautiful 6.2 inch OLED display. The 2400x1080 resolution offers super crisp images with no perceptible pixels. The 120Hz refresh rate delivers ultra smooth scrolling and gaming. Colors are rich and vibrant and blacks are deep and dark. The screen offers excellent brightness at 2000 nits, making it very viewable, even in broad daylight. The Pixel 8’s speakers have been satisfactory. Playing games or watching videos, the Pixel employs the ear slit as well as the lower downward firing speakers to give a stereo effect. The configuration offers plenty of volume and clarity. Like other phones setup like this, the lower speakers do tend to get covered by your hand when holding the phone in a landscape orientation. Calls on both the handset and speakerphone have plenty of volume and clarity. Battery life has been very good. Typical usage for me includes calls, texts, emails, web surfing, media playback, activity tracking, some casual gaming, and managing smart home items (i.e. robot vacuum, video doorbell, smart outlets, and Google Nest security camera). Through all of this, the battery has lasted a full day with some left over without need for midday top-ups. Wired and wireless charging rates are fast, with a max of 30w depending on your source. Also, the phone allows for battery sharing, which is a nice touch. As with past Pixel phones, the cameras are very, very good. The Camera app launches very quickly with a double-tap of the Power button. There are plenty of modes available including the familiar Portrait and Night Sight but the photo tools have been beefed up to include features such as ‘Best Take’ and ‘Magic Editor’. When combining the strong hardware with Google’s software tools, photos are regularly stunning with great detail and vivid color. Especially surprising to me was the macro ability which allows for incredibly tight focus with excellent detail. Covering a few other features: Bluetooth has been updated to version 5.3 which should result in better battery life when using compatible devices. NFC for contactless payments has been quick and effective. The in-display fingerprint reader has worked quickly and reliably. Its placed well on the front so your thumb can reach it naturally. A couple of other random observations: There is no headphone port, no expandable memory, and video over the USB-C (DisplayPort) is not officially supported (there are articles available that suggest the hardware is capable of this but that its currently disabled in the OS). The Pixel 8 ships with Google’s latest and greatest Android 14. Boot times have been super fast. Voice recognition and transcription has been incredibly accurate. The new Share menu and Lock Screen customization are nice upgrades. 3-button navigation is, thankfully, still available (for those of us old fogeys who don’t like gestures). One final observation: Google has promised 7 years of OS updates for the Pixel 8, which, if it happens, would be an industry first and best policy that could make the phone very long lived. But, to be honest, that’s a big “if” when taking into account Google’s history of program cancellations, such as the discontinuation of the ‘Pixel Pass’ program. Only time will tell. All things considered, the Pixel 8 is the best Pixel ever made, improving incrementally over its predecessors in exactly all the ways it needed to. Its both a worthy upgrade to existing Pixel users or an excellent jumping off point if you’re looking to switch from another brand.

A mediocre phone at best, made worse by a pink line down the right side of the screen and an off and on "deep fried"/ pixelated yellow effect to the entire display rendering the phone unusable for random stretches of the day, I've only had the phone 6 months and have heard this problem isnt uncommon...

Waited to write this review till I had a reasonable time period of use behind me. I upgraded this phone from a Pixel 4 and so far I like it. The features of the phone are top notch. The camera is great, Android 14 with no bloatware is nice, and not having to fight with other voice assistants (i.e. Bixby) is simply amazing. There's no lag when using the phone. Looking forward to near instant Android updates. The E-sim was easy enough to set up through Verizon's website without needing a representative. So that was nice as well. The haptic feedback in this phone is much better than my Pixel 4. Transferring phone info (photos, videos, apps, data in general) was a breeze. The USB-C to USB-C cable made it super simple and it took about 20 minutes. You can choose what to transfer. Exterior & comfort: The color Obsidian is special and I like it. The visor camera bump looks unique and kinda cool in my opinion. The rounded edge makes the phone comfortable to hold. However, there are some cons. 1) The bump and the glass back make it awkward to place on any flat surface. 2) The bump is a huge dust collector. 3) Although the edge of the flat screen has a bit of curve, the transition to the metal frame is not good, which means the touch of the edge areas feels a bit cheap, definitely not comparable to iPhone 15 Pro. Overall, I think the look is unique but comes with some sacrifices, and the build quality is fairly good for the price. Operating System: The OS on Pixel 8 feels more like Apple's iOS actually. It doesn't have as many customization functions as OneUI and is simpler to use. Kinda like iOS, but in a different style, well, the kinda nerdy Google style. If you like it you like it. Some special Google AI features are cool, but should not be the only reason for anyone to buy this phone in my opinion. I haven't experienced many bugs. Actually, only one when switching between bluetooth audio devices that really bothers me a bit. Overall, I like the system, and I think it is good for anyone but people who have only used iPhone before. Camera: Pixel has always been famous for its camera capabilities. I must say it is true on Pixel 8. It takes very decent photos no matter the light conditions, and the shoot experience is simple and natural. Is it as good or better as flagship phones like iPhone 15 Pro? I don't know, maybe not. But as someone who uses a dedicated camera for street photography, I think the camera on Pixel 8 is more than capable to take nice looking daily photos and capture those little moments into good memories. When it comes to video, it is also good, especially considering the price. So overall, the camera is very good. Battery life: Not much to say here since I don't bother to do any "tests" and have no numbers. But based on my feeling, it is good. Overall, I rate it as a great value compared to the latest flagship phones. If you're thinking about the latest flagship but balking at the cost, the Pixel 8 is a great alternative. Google has become a great competitor for top line phones that cost twice as much.

It's less than a year and I have a pink stripe of pixels that come out sometimes

This phone is almost useless. Hardly any service, anywhere. Using the same SIM and service that worked great in my OnePlus. Plenty of other issues as well. Forgets my thumbprint, repeatedly. WiFi calling does work great. That's the only thing that does. And of course I'm too late to return it. Never buying another Pixel again.

Received bad product again. Don’t know why keep getting used or bad products or dented products everytime we shop Best Buy. I’d shop elsewhere if your wanting for sure new product or not have to do multiple returns to get a good product

Do not care for the phone. Wish I had bought Samsung. Samsung has great customer service. Google Pixel has none.

Phone has trouble reading corner screen taps. Likes to close stuff while I'm trying to work.