Google Pixel 8 Pro

A big phone ready for a long-term commitment

The Pixel 8 Pro is Google’s largest phone, though it comes in a body that is a little slimmer and shorter than before. All without affecting the 6.7-inch OLED display with its 2922 x 1344 resolution and 1-120Hz variable refresh rate. It’s also the brightest screen ever on any Pixel to date at 1600 nits brightness, and a peak of 2400 nits. Improved fingerprint sensor responsiveness quickens the process of getting past the lock screen, and Face Unlock will now work on third-party apps as well.

Google’s Tensor G3 processor is built to handle anything you need to do on the Pixel 8 Pro, including driving the artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning features that help make using this phone more convenient and intuitive. You will see that in various features for the camera, as well as tools like Magic Editor and Magic Eraser within Google Photos—both of which are free to use on this device—and unique call settings like Call Screen and Hold for Me.

Google is committing to seven years of Android and security updates, which include Feature Drops, new features the company adds to its devices every year. This means the Pixel 8 Pro will be capable of updating to Android 20 when it launches in 2030.

What the Pixel 8 Pro has that the Pixel 8 doesn’t

What does going Pro get you? For one, this is the bigger phone, so if you want a larger screen, you’ve checked off one box. You also get a little better protection with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the screen, along with higher resolution and peak brightness. Not to mention the adaptive refresh rate ranges from 1-120Hz, reducing it every time the screen is static and rising when necessary to ensure smooth navigation and video playback.

The Pixel 8 Pro has a unique temperature sensor within a new app called Thermometer. Point the phone at any object and it will take a temperature reading—something you can’t do with the Pixel 8. A bigger phone also means a bigger battery with more capacity to stay on just a little longer. Plus, there is 12GB of RAM in this phone compared to the 8GB in the other Pixel 8, ensuring a smoother experience when multitasking.

There are also exclusive camera features in the Pixel 8 Pro. These include a new Pro mode with manual controls for shutter speed, ISO and manual focus, as well as the ability to shoot photos at the main image sensor’s full 50-megapixel resolution. The phone also has a 48-megapixel telephoto lens not available in the regular Pixel 8, which also enables a 30x Super Res Zoom simply not possible in the 8 Pro’s smaller sibling.

Each phone comes with different colour options. Both come in Obsidian black, while the Pixel 8 Pro also comes in Porcelain (white) and Bay (blue), and the Pixel 8 has Hazel and Rose variants.  

A camera that distributes power more evenly for ultimate images

The Pixel 8 Pro takes a pedigree for excellent mobile photography and expands on it in various ways to empower you to capture incredible images. The 50-megapixel main image sensor is now capable of shooting photos at full resolution, and this phone takes things to new heights with increased user input. That includes Pro mode for the ultimate in control over composition for the best still photos.

Dual 48-megapixel sensors for the ultra-wide and telephoto lenses offer a greater variety when you need to squeeze more in the frame, or get closer without moving closer. The telephoto lens comes with 5x optical zoom and improved 30x Super Res Zoom to capture a subject or scene without sacrificing too much in quality. At all times, you can adjust the white balance, highlights and shadows to find the right look.

There are no shortage of modes to choose from in the Pixel 8 Pro’s camera: Night Sight, Action Pan, Long Exposure, Panorama, Portrait, Macro Focus, Top Shot and Astrophotography. On top of that, you have AI-assisted settings that can help, like Best Take, Real Tone, Frequent Faces, Ultra HDR, Photo Unblur and Magic Eraser. Magic Editor is a new non-destructive editing tool that lets you choose to edit a specific part of an image without affecting the rest of the shot.

Shooting video on the Pixel 8 Pro will also feel like a boost courtesy of new AI-based features coming to the phone. They include Video Boost and Night Sight Video, along with Audio Magic Eraser to remove sounds you don’t want in your clip. Improved stabilization will make it easier to record video without a gimbal or tripod, while Cinematic Blur and Cinematic Pan add a taste of Hollywood to every shot.