Google Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro: What's the difference and which should you buy?

Google only releases a handful of phones every year, making their flagship Android phones all the more special. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro represent the best combination of hardware and software specifications from Google in 2023. But what is the difference between the regular Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro? Are there meaningful reasons to prefer one over the other? Let’s explore these questions in this comparison of Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro!

Google Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro: Specs

The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are two distinct smartphones with more differences than similarities.

Starting with the display, the Pixel 8 Pro has a larger and better display than the vanilla Pixel 8. The Pixel 8 gets a 6.2-inch OLED display with a 2,400 x 1,080 resolution and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz.

However, this is not an LTPO display, like the 6.7-inch OLED display with a 2,992 x 1,344 resolution on the Pixel 8 Pro. As a result, the Pixel 8 Pro can refresh variably between 1-120Hz, while the Pixel 8 can only do fixed steps of 60Hz and 120Hz. Surprisingly, both phones have a flat display.

The Pixel 8 Pro’s display is also brighter at 2,400 nits peak brightness, compared to the 2,000 nits peak brightness of the Pixel 8’s display. You also get Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back of the Pro, compared to the first-gen Gorilla Glass Victus on either side of the regular 8.

Both the phones are powered by the Google Tensor G3 SoC. While you get 8GB LPDDR5X RAM on the Pixel 8, the Pro gets 12GB LPDDR5X RAM. The Pixel 8 comes in 128GB and 256GB UFS 3.1 storage variants, while the Pixel 8 Pro comes in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB UFS 3.1 storage variants.

Two other notable differences are the presence of a temperature sensor and UWB tech on the Pixel 8 Pro. With the temperature sensor present on the rear near the cameras, the Pixel 8 Pro can measure the temperature of humans and other objects around you. The UWB tech enables precise location on the device. However, despite its presence on several Pixel devices so far, Google hasn’t used this tech much outside of remote unlocking some car models.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro was initially the only one of the two phones that supported Gemini Nano, but Google has since rolled out its mobile on-device AI model to the smaller device.

Both phones also come with an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. However, the Pixel 8 is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and back, while the Pixel 8 Pro upgrades the spec to Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for the front and back glass.

Both phones feature the Titan M2 security chip and have under-display fingerprint sensors. They also support Class 3 Face Unlock, which enables authentication into apps and payments. Other common specs include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC support. The USB-C port on both phones is also USB 3.2, unlike the situation in the iPhone 15 series.

On the software side, Google treats the phones as equals. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro launch with Android 14 out of the box. Google also promises an unparalleled seven years of updates for the OS platform, Pixel (Feature) Drops, and security patches for both phones. Remember that some features that rely on hardware (like the temperature sensor or the UWB chip) are unlikely to be made available to the Pixel 8 through software updates.

Google Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro: Size comparison

Google has usually maintained two different size tiers, and the company has continued the trend with the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. The Pixel 8 is the smaller phone, with dimensions of 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9mm and a weight of 187g. If you prefer smaller phones, the Pixel 8, with its 6.2-inch display-diagonal, is the phone to get.

The Pixel 8 Pro is fairly larger in length and breadth and almost the same in thickness. The phone’s dimensions are 162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8mm, while it weighs 213g. The display diagonal on the Pixel 8 Pro is a healthy 6.7-inch, so you get more screen real estate with the bigger size.

Beyond the size, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro follow a familiar design. The Pixel 8 has a glossy look on the back, while the Pixel 8 Pro has a matte effect. You can make out the Pixel 8 Pro from the Pixel 8 by spotting the third rear camera in the camera visor.

Google Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro: Camera

The secondary cameras are the big point of divergence between the two phones. Both camera phones have the same primary rear shooter and front camera; the ultrawide angle rear camera is different, while the Pro has an extra telephoto sensor that the regular Pixel 8 lacks.

Starting with the primary rear camera, both phones have a 50MP camera with an f/1.68 aperture and OIS. Pixel cameras have usually been excellent despite modest hardware, and we have no doubts about these phones being capable shooters.

Google Pixel 8 primary camera samples

Google Pixel 8 Pro primary camera samples

For the ultrawide camera, the Pixel 8 gets a 12MP camera with an f/2.2 aperture and a 125.8-degree FoV. The Pixel 8 Pro, on the other hand, gets a 48MP ultrawide camera with an f/1.95 aperture and a 125.5 degree FoV. Both phones get autofocus on the ultrawide camera, which enables macro mode capabilities.

Google Pixel 8 ultrawide camera samples

Google Pixel 8 Pro ultrawide camera samples

The Pixel 8 Pro also has a 48MP telephoto camera with an f/2.8 aperture and OIS, enabling 5x optical zoom. The Pixel 8 entirely misses out on a telephoto sensor, though Google tries to make up for it with Super Res Zoom of up to 8x. Super Res Zoom works better on the Pixel 8 Pro as it has a telephoto sensor that helps it out for up to 30x digital zoom.

Google Pixel 8 Pro telephoto camera samples

The selfie camera on both phones is a 10.5MP shooter with an f/2.2 aperture. The only difference is that the Pixel 8’s front camera is fixed focus, while the Pixel 8 Pro’s front camera supports autofocus.

Google Pixel 8 selfie camera samples

Google Pixel 8 selfie camera samples

Another difference between the two phones is that the Pixel 8 Pro supports Pro camera controls. This makes it the first Pixel smartphone to come with manual camera controls. In addition, you can output high-resolution images, which are missing from the Pixel 8 and other older Pixel smartphones.

The Pixel 8 Pro has also received Video Boost and Night Sight Video functionality with an update. Currently, the Pixel 8 is not on track to receive these features.

Obviously, the cameras that are similar on both phones are more or less at par with each other. The Pixel 8 Pro’s telephoto lens makes it the winner, as you get a lot more versatility that you would otherwise be missing out on the regular Pixel 8. Features like Video Boost are also pretty good and give a definite edge to the Pixel 8 Pro. The Pixel 8 is still a very utilitarian camera, it’s just that the Pixel 8 Pro is better rounded.

Google Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro: Battery life and charging

Because the phones are of different sizes, they naturally have different battery capacities. The Pixel 8 has a 4,575mAh battery, while the larger Pixel 8 Pro has a 5,050mAh battery. The Pixel 8 can last through a day, while the Pixel 8 Pro can push it a bit further and last for a day and a half.

The fast charging capabilities on the devices are also slightly different. The Pixel 8 supports 27W wired fast charging through the USB-PD 3.0 PPS protocol, while the Pixel 8 Pro takes it up to 30W wired fast charging. The Pixel 8 takes about 77 minutes for a full charge, while the Pixel 8 Pro takes about 80 minutes.

Both phones support Qi wireless charging. The Pixel 8 can accept up to 18W wirelessly on the Google Pixel Stand (2nd gen), while the Pixel 8 Pro can accept up to 23W wirelessly on the same wireless charger. If you don’t have the Pixel Stand (2nd gen), your wireless charging speeds on both phones will be limited to 12W. Both phones also support reverse wireless charging for your Qi-certified accessories.

Google Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro: Price and availability

The Pixel 8 has a lower price structure than the Pixel 8 Pro, which puts the differences in hardware into perspective. The Pixel 8 starts at $699 for the 128GB variant and $759 for the 256GB variant. Pre-orders for the device got a Pixel Buds Pro for free.

On the other hand, the Pixel 8 Pro costs $999 for the 128GB variant, $1,059 for the 256GB, $1,179 for the 512GB, and $1,399 for the 1TB storage variant. Pre-orders for the device got a Pixel Watch 2 for free.

Both phones were available to pre-order from October 4, 2023, with open sales beginning on October 12, 2023. You can easily purchase both devices these days. Google has run some time-limited discounts, especially on the Pixel 8, discounting it for as much as $100.

Google Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro: Which should you buy?

Google is targeting different tiers of consumers with the specs and pricing of the Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro.

The lower $699 price tag of the Pixel 8 makes it the de-facto recommendation for most users. It has a smaller and more manageable size, an equally competent primary camera, the same software experience, and a well-rounded spec sheet. If you aren’t chasing any particular spec on the Pixel 8 Pro, you should default to the Pixel 8 as it will be a great smartphone for most people. If you are simply looking for a good flagship Pixel phone that offers a great experience, the Pixel 8 is the phone to get.

The Pixel 8 Pro is for the enthusiast. While it is not a complete spec-chaser that we often see from other OEMs (no Pixel has been a spec-beast, for that matter), it packs enough of a punch to stand its ground. For users who demand a larger screen, finer camera controls, greater camera flexibility, or simply more storage, the Pixel 8 Pro makes sense.

But you also have to spend at least $300 more on these features, which might be too steep for consumers looking for a robust value package. Some extras like the temperature sensor and UWB functionality won’t add nearly enough value to be part of your purchase decision.

Now that the Pixel 9, Pixel 9, and Pixel 9 Pro XL are available, you should likely factor in Google’s latest flagship phones when considering the Pixel 8 series

Google Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro: FAQ