Design and Build

The Google Pixel 8 comes in a more compact and fine design with an aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and back, and a satin glass finish. The measurements are 5.9 x 2.8 x 0.35 inches (150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9 mm) and the phone weighs 6.6 oz (187g) which means it is compatible for one-hand usage. The phone has three colors namely Obsidian, Hazel, and Rose, and it has a built-in fingerprint sensor and facial recognition technology. The phone has a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port for data connection and eSIM and nano-SIM types for cellular services. The device lies within IP68 standard that confirms the device's durability, although the shiny frame can retain smudges dynamically.

• Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus
• IP68 rating (water and dust resistance up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes)
• Under-display fingerprint sensor, face unlock
• USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port
• Physical nano-SIM + eSIM

Pixel 8 Display

The Pixel 8 features a 6.2-inch True FHD+ OLED panel with 1080 x 2400 pixels resolution (428 PPI), HDR10+ certification, and a 60-120Hz Adaptive refresh rate. With a maximum value of 2000 nits, the display is visible in daylight but less bright than the 2400 nits of the Pixel 8 Pro. The screen is energy-hungry due to the absence of LTPO. Although Gorilla Glass Victus comes with standard protection, the panel is not as clear as the display of the premium model.

• 6.2-inch OLED (Actua)
• 1080 x 2400 resolution, 428 PPI
• HDR10+ support
• 2000 nits (peak)
• Gorilla Glass Victus protection
• 60–120Hz refresh rate

Performance and Software

The Pixel 8 has been given the power of Google Tensor G3, a 4nm chip carrying a 9-core CPU, Immortalis-G715 GPU, and Titan M2 security chip altogether with the 8GB LPDDR5X RAM. Storage is available in 128GB ($699) and 256GB ($759) versions, both of which are non-expandable. The device is preinstalled with Android 14 (with an option of being upgraded to Android 15) which will be valid for another 7 years of the usage period so that the user will receive updates until 2030. The phone is efficient in terms of removing a lot of object materials by using AI technology. The problem is that the GPU slows down AI projects instead of gaming.

• Google Tensor G3 chip with 9-core CPU, Immortalis-G715 GPU, Titan M2
• 8GB LPDDR5X RAM
• Storage: 128GB, 256GB
• Android 14 (7 years of updates)
• Optimized for AI and photography

The Tensor G3 is efficient for daily tasks and AI, but 8GB RAM feels limiting for multitasking. Some users report network issues, echoing complaints from prior Pixels. The long update promise is a major strength.

Camera System

The main camera of the Pixel 8 consists of two parts: 50MP main lens (f/1.68, 25mm, OIS) and 12MP ultra-wide-angle (f/2.2, 126° FOV). The 10.5MP front shooter (f/2.2) does not come with autofocus. Google’s computational photography including Night Sight and Magic Eraser is the best at it, but the lack of optical zoom from a telephoto lens means that the device is not as effective. Video performance is high but not at the top.

• Rear: 50MP Main (25mm, f/1.68, OIS), 12MP Ultra-wide (f/2.2, 126° FOV)
• Front: 10.5MP (f/2.2)
• Video: 4K 60 fps
• Modes: Night Sight, Magic Eraser, Best Take
• LED flash

Battery and Charging

The Pixel 8 possesses a battery of 4575mAh, which can keep the phone running for at least 12 hours of video streaming and around 10-12 hours of normal usage. It makes use of a 27W wired charger (half battery in 30 minutes) and 18W wireless charger via Pixel Stand 2 (Qi 12W). However, there is no charger accompanying the purchase of the phone. The battery can last a while but not as long as its rivals with larger-combination and the charging speeds of non-rivals. competitors are slow.

• 4575mAh battery
• Up to 12 hours video playback, ~10–12 hours real-world
• 27W wired charging (50% in 30 min)
• 18W wireless charging (Pixel Stand 2), 12W Qi
• No charger included (USB-C cable only)

Connectivity

The Pixel 8 supports 5G (sub-6GHz, mmWave in select models), Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), and Bluetooth 5.3. It includes nano-SIM and eSIM but lacks UWB and satellite connectivity. GPS supports GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS. Network reception issues persist for some users, a known drawback of the Exynos modem.

• 5G modem (sub-6GHz, mmWave in select models)
• Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
• Bluetooth 5.3
• Physical nano-SIM + eSIM
• No UWB chip
• No satellite connectivity
• GPS: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS

Pricing and Availability

Pre-orders of the Pixel 8, which comes with 128GB of space priced at 699and759 for 256GB, started on October 4, 2023, while sales kick off on October 12, 2023, through the Google Store, other carriers, and retailers such as Amazon. With discounts commonly slashing the 128GB model to around 400−400−500, its value is notably enhanced. The first argument over the $100 price increase from the Pixel 7 was over its size being too compact and easy to hold, but its AI features help make it a contender.