by James, Team Mozillion.
Is the Pro model worth the extra cash?
The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are two of the best Android phones around, but the Pro will cost you a bit more and is Google’s flagship model that goes up against the likes of the Samsung S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro.
Is the Pro and its extra features worth the extra money, and what are the key differences between the two models? Let’s dig in and find out.
Build & Design | Google Pixel 8 vs 8 Pixel Pro
The design of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro is very similar. There’s the familiar camera strip across the back of the phone for both models, a punch hole selfie camera on the fronts and the frames are made from aluminium with glass backs.
Both models are rated IP68 for dust and water resistance. The glass on the back of the 8 is Gorilla Glass Victus, while the 8 Pro uses slightly tougher Gorilla Glass Victus 2. Let’s be honest though, you don’t really want to be drop testing either phone.
There are different colours available depending on whether you go with the 8 or the 8 Pro. The Pixel 8 is available in Hazel (greenish), Obsidian (black) and Rose (pink). The Pixel 8 Pro is available in Porcelain (white), Obsidian (black) and Bay (blue).
The camera strip across the back of the phone is similar in design for both models, but the Pixel 8’s is matte, while the Pixel 8 Pro’s is glossy.
You get some extra cameras on the Pixel 8 Pro which we’ll get into later and there is also a temperature sensor on that model which you don’t get on the Pixel 8.
The Pixel 8 weighs in at 187g and the Pixel 8 Pro is slightly heavier at 213g. Dimensions-wise, the 8 is smaller at 150.5mm x 70.8 x 8.9. The Pixel 8 Pro is 162.6mm x 76.5 x 8.8.
Display | Google Pixel 8 vs 8 Pixel Pro
With its smaller overall dimensions, the Pixel 8 has a smaller screen than the 8 Pro. The Pixel 8 has a 6.2 inch 1080 x 2400 OLED display, a 120Hz refresh rate (nice and smooth) and a peak brightness of 2,000 nits. The Pixel 8 Pro upgrades these specs with a 6.7 inch 1344 x 2992 OLED display, with a peak brightness of 2,400 nits – and the 120Hz refresh rate.
Although both phones have the 120Hz refresh rate for super smooth scrolling, the Pixel 8 Pro is more advanced as can drop to as low as 1Hz if needed which helps to conserve battery life. The Pixel 8 can only drop as low as 60Hz so it’ll be using a bit more battery juice even when not needed.
The big display on the Pro is one of the main standout features versus the standard Pixel 8. It’s this feature that helps the 8 Pro flagship model compete with the likes of the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro.
Cameras & Video | Google Pixel 8 vs 8 Pixel Pro
The main camera on both the Google Pixel 8 Pro and the Pixel 8 are identical at 50 megapixels. On the Pixel 8 you also get a 12MP ultra-wide camera, while the Pixel 8 Pro features the addition of a 48MP ultra-wide camera and a 48MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom.
Round the front, both phones have a 10.5MP selfie camera and both can shoot video up to 4K at 60 fps (frames per second).
The extra cameras and more megapixels make the Pixel 8 Pro the more obvious choice for those that want the best camera possible from their Pixel phone – simply put, it can take better photos in a wider range of settings and environments. It also features a pro mode setting which lets you play around with some of the camera’s more advanced features.
Video Boost is another feature exclusive to the Pro model – this helps to improve how your videos look.
The Pixel 8 is still a great camera but the 8 Pro is more advanced so this will be something keen photographers should consider.
Processor & Performance | Google Pixel 8 vs 8 Pixel Pro
Both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are powered by Google’s Tensor G3 chip so overall performance of both phones is pretty similar. Where the 8 Pro beats the 8 though is RAM, with the Pro model having 16GB of RAM compared to the 8’s 8GB. What this means is that the 8 Pro is better at multi-tasking across multiple apps and can handle a few more tasks at once – handy if you’re doing lots of video editing, image processing or running games.
The processor is impressive on both phones but isn’t as powerful as what you’ll find in the Samsung S24 Ultra or iPhone 15 Pro – but that’s also reflected in the lower price of these Pixel range when compared to the Samsung and Apple flagships.
Battery | Google Pixel 8 vs 8 Pixel Pro
Both phones are going to last you at least a day with normal use, and you may get even more out of them if you use them in power saving mode.
The Pixel 8 has a 4,575mAh battery and the 8 Pro has a larger 5,050mAh. You’d think this may mean more battery life, but note that the Pixel 8 Pro has a larger, brighter display that it needs to power.
The Pixel 8 Pro benefits from faster charging compared to the standard 8, with the Pro capable of charging at 30w (with a compatible fast charger) compared to 27w on the 8.
Wireless charging is 23w on the 8 Pro and 18w on the 8 if you use the Google Pixel Stand – without that, both will charge wirelessly at 12w.
Verdict | Google Pixel 8 vs 8 Pixel Pro
So, lots of similarities alongside some key differences. The Google Pixel 8 Pro is overall a better, more powerful phone with the standout big differences being the larger, brighter display, the extra RAM and the more advanced camera set up.
If you want the very best camera Google has to offer and a large display, then the Pixel 8 Pro is the one to go for – if your budget allows.
However, the Google Pixel 8 is a solid performer and we’ve been really impressed with it as one of the best all-round Android phones currently on the market.
Both models are available on Mozillion new or refurbished, and you can sell your old phone on there too.