Google Pixel 7 vs Pixel 8: Should you upgrade?

Google launched a radical new design back with the Pixel 6, and it seems to have stuck. Features like the camera bar and Tensor chip have become the Pixel’s calling cards, and Google has had two whole generations to refine its hardware. As such, you might be tempted to upgrade to the Pixel 8 series. But what if you have the Pixel 7? Well, let’s dig into all things Google Pixel 7 vs Pixel 8 to see if it’s worth spending the money.

Google Pixel 7 vs Pixel 8: Specs

On paper, the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 don’t seem too far apart. They’re almost the same size, close in weight, and sport generally the same design. However, once you look closer, you’ll realize the new model picks up a few key upgrades under the hood. For starters, it jumps from the Tensor G2 to the brand-new Tensor G3, swapping a 5nm process for a 4nm one and rearranging its core setup. The RAM and storage have stayed put, starting at 8GB and 128GB, with an optional upgrade to 256GB for the latter.

On top of the upgraded chipset, the Pixel 8 ships with Android 14 onboard instead of the Pixel 7’s Android 13 software. Yes, Android 14 has since rolled out for the older Pixel, but the new model has one thing that its predecessor can’t match: Android’s best software commitment. The Pixel 8 (and the Pixel 8 Pro) are slated for a whopping seven years of Android and security patches, which easily beats both older Samsung phones and older Pixel devices. The Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Fold 6, and Galaxy Z Flip 6 are the only other mobiles to offer such lengthy support.

Google’s Pixel 8 also comes with some upgrades to its display, which has shrunk from 6.32 inches to an even 6.2 inches. It now packs a smooth 60-120Hz refresh rate and a significant boost to its brightness. The Pixel 8 can push 1,400 nits in high-brightness mode and 2,000 nits at its peak, whereas the Pixel 7 hits 1,000 and 1,400 nits with its 90Hz panel, respectively.

Outside of the upgraded panel, Google hasn’t changed many of its materials for the latest Pixel series. The Pixel 8 still uses a combination of Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and back with a recycled aluminum frame. Like its predecessor, the Pixel 8 packs an IP68 rating against both water and dust and still has a SIM tray for a single nano-SIM. If you want dual-SIM support, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 support eSIM for additional profiles.

Google Pixel 7 vs Pixel 8: Size comparison

As you might expect, given the slightly smaller display, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 have a few millimeters of difference between them. It’s not a huge change — about 3mm of width and 5mm of height — but the Pixel 8’s rounded corners help to accentuate the new size. It feels smaller out of the box, and the smoother corners melt just a little bit better into the palm of your hand. You might notice the Pixel 8’s weight loss a bit more, having dropped 10 grams from 197 to 187.

There’s not much to dig into regarding sizing, with the smaller display standing as the main difference. However, the Pixel 8 appears to have slightly slimmer, now even bezels around all four sides. This is a nice change from the Pixel 7, which had a slightly thicker chin across the bottom edge. Both phones still have punch hole selfie cameras.

Google Pixel 7 vs Pixel 8: Camera

At this point, the camera bar has become nearly as iconic as Google’s Pixel cameras themselves. Well, that’s an exaggeration, but not too much of one. The introduction of the camera bar came with significant camera improvements back on the Pixel 6, and it’s a design that stands apart from all other Androids on the market.

Google didn’t reinvent the wheel for its Pixel 8, though it made some minor tweaks to set the phone apart from its predecessor. You still get a 50MP primary camera and a 12MP ultrawide sensor, but the main lens now has a wider aperture for better low-light performance, and the ultrawide option has a wider field of view, allowing you to fit 126 degrees of the scene into your photos. Google tweaked its selfie camera, scooting from 10.8MP to 10.5 and swapping from a 21mm equivalent to a wider 20mm focal length.

We were pretty pleased with the results we saw from the Pixel 7 during our initial review period, and the upgrade to the Tensor G3 should push the Pixel 8 even further. During its keynote, Google announced a few new camera features, including Audio Magic Eraser and Best Take, which rely on clever processing tricks to improve photos and videos. Audio Magic Eraser can pick out and eliminate background noises from your videos, while Best Take lets you swap out faces in a group photo for the perfect result. Of course, we’ll have to wait until we can test the features to determine how well they work. Google also announced Magic Editor, which takes Magic Eraser a step (or two) further, allowing you to edit and generate elements of your image that didn’t exist before.

Unfortunately, the cameras are one area where Google has begun to establish a separate standard for its Pro models. Where the Pixel 8 Pro picked up in-depth options like manual ISO and aperture controls, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 7 are still limited to pressing the shutter button and trusting Google to do the rest. Maybe we’ll see this option trickle to the base model someday, but it seems like one way to differentiate the premium version from the standard Pixel offering.

Google Pixel 7 vs Pixel 8: Battery life and charging

Despite offering a smaller footprint, just about every part of the Pixel 8’s battery and charging setup is bigger and better. Google found a way to expand the battery, jumping from 4,355mAh on the Pixel 7 to 4,575mAh on the Pixel 8. Mix in the updated chipset, and the new model should be able to keep the lights on for longer than its predecessor. As for the wired charging, the Pixel 8 supports up to 27W speeds compared to the Pixel 7’s 21W rate. Of course, Google recommends using its own 30W charger for the best results, but any USB PD PPS-enabled block should do.

Google’s advertised charging speeds broadly translate into real-world results. The Pixel 8 charges faster than its predecessor, cutting up to 20 minutes off a full charge time when using Google’s recommended brick. Battery life is also great, outlasting the Galaxy S24 in several benchmarks, from camera use to Zoom calls.

Google’s in-house Pixel Stand is your best bet if you prefer wireless charging. The Pixel 8 is capable of up to 18W wireless speeds on Google’s pad, while it’s capped at 12W for others.

Google Pixel 7 vs Pixel 8: Price and availability

The day has finally come. Google has had to give up some of its value proposition to keep the Pixel 8 moving forward. All the upgrades mentioned above have come with a $100 price increase, taking the smaller flagship from a no-brainer $599 to a slightly more competitive $699. While it’s more expensive, the Pixel 8 remains one of the best-value devices on the market, still undercutting rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S24 and iPhone 15 by at least $100. The phone started shipping on October 11.

Google is also taking a slightly different approach to its color options with the Pixel 8. Where the Pixel 7 came in Snow, Obsidian, and Lemongrass (which was a light yellow), the Pixel 8 ditches a classic white option altogether. It’s still available in Obsidian, but the Pixel 8 now sports the Hazel finish we saw on the Pixel 7 Pro and a Rose color that harkens back to the heights of the Rose Gold craze.

Google Pixel 7 vs Pixel 8: Should you upgrade?

Ultimately, while the Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 are alike in many ways, the newer phone has enough upgrades to swing us in its favor. Yes, it’s $100 more expensive, but it comes with the more performant Tensor G3 chipset under the hood and a whopping seven years of updates to match. That means you might be spreading out the cost of your device much longer — provided you aren’t tempted to upgrade again next year. The Pixel 8 has similar cameras to the previous Pixel 7, though, once again, the Tensor G3 is the x-factor for additions like Best Take and Audio Magic Eraser. Other improvements like a larger battery, faster wired charging, and a brighter display help to swing the pendulum even further in the Pixel 8’s favor.

That’s our take on the Google Pixel 7 vs Pixel 8, but what do you think? Would you rather buy the Pixel 8 or stick with the trusty Pixel 7? Let us know in the poll below, and then check out the best prices.

Google Pixel 7 vs Pixel 8: FAQ