Faisal Ghaffar 
As compared to any other phones in the market today, the Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro highlight the fact that 2023 is the year of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It is used for optimizing performance, summarizing webpages, taking and editing photos, creating personalized wallpapers and even screening calls. All these features can be found in the Google Pixel 8.
Design and Build
Google experimented with the design of its phones for years, but now they have a clear identity. The Pixel 8 remains mostly the same, with more rounded corners being the only change. This means the camera visor is still extending across the top of the device, which makes it distinctive. The glass back of the Pixel 8 comes with a glossy finish, which means it shows fingerprint smudges. In terms of color, you can go with Hazel, Rose and Obsidian.
Gorilla Glass Victus has been used on the front and back, which means it is very durable. It is also a compact and lightweight phone, as it weighs just 187g. The aluminum sides also have the same premium feel and look, but the button placement is different. The power buttons are above the volume controls, which is not how it works on most Android phones.
Screen and Speakers
The Pixel 8 might be relatively compact, but it is not a small phone. The display is 6.2-inch in size and the 1080×2400 OLED panels are quite common. But, they still deliver vibrant and rich colors and you can enjoy plenty of detail, as all the content looks crisp and clear. The major upgrade to the display is the 120Hz refresh rate. The change is subtle, but it does make everything feel more responsive and fluid.
There is also an optical fingerprint sensor within the display that you can setup quite easily. The face unlock has also gotten an upgrade. Stereo audio is supported by the Pixel 8, with the earpiece and two downward-firing speakers emitting the sound. For a small device, the sound is quite punchy and you get decent detail and frequencies.
Specs and Performance
One of the main upgrades on the Pixel 8 is the Tensor G3 chip and the main selling point are the AI capabilities as well as performance. It comes with 8GB of RAM and this means the phone has enough power to do most tasks. Whether you use your phone for messaging, navigation, web browsing, watching videos or taking photos, the phone is smooth and fast. It will not get even noticeably warm.
In fact, it is surprising how it even handles demanding mobile games. Everything is responsive and slick because the new chip is combined with the 120Hz refresh rate. As for storage, you have options of 128GB and 256GB, which is a tad disappointing because there is no microSD support. Connectivity has gotten some upgrades, such as Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 7 and there is also 5G support.
The Verdict
The main and selfie cameras are superb on the Pixel 8, but the battery life is quite disappointing. Nonetheless, the phone is undoubtedly a good one, but it also depends on what you are looking for.
