By admin
The Google Pixel 7 Professional was smartphone general. It packed in every little thing an informal smartphone consumer would anticipate from an Android smartphone together with, the now commonplace, well timed software program updates. But it surely got here up brief in just a few areas like battery life, charging and had its fair proportion of heating points and camera-related bugs as nicely. With the brand new Pixel 8 Professional, there is a brand-new design, loads of AI-enabled options and even a brand new processor. Preserving this in thoughts, one would naturally anticipate Google to have labored on some if not the entire shortcomings of its predecessor. However that is not precisely the case with Google’s latest Pixel flagship.
Google Pixel 8 Professional worth in India
In contrast to final 12 months, Google’s Pixel 8 Professional lastly gives the next storage possibility in India. After years of complaining about providing a measly 128GB of storage with its base fashions, Google lastly determined so as to add a brand new storage tier in India with the introduction of a 256GB variant. I obtained the 128GB storage variant for overview which is priced at Rs. 1,06,999 in India, whereas the 256GB variant is offered at Rs. 1,13,999.
As talked about in my first impressions, each the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Professional, are Google’s costliest Pixel smartphones to launch in India. Merely put, the brand new top-end Pixel 8 Professional has obtained a worth hike of Rs. 22,000, which immediately places it out of attain of a number of potential patrons. After which it’s a must to needless to say even at Rs. 1,06,999, you might be nonetheless getting simply 128GB of inner storage and no free cloud storage entry both.
Certainly, Google has its palms full with regards to convincing its present Pixel customers to improve to the most recent mannequin this 12 months. And it is in all probability one of many the explanation why you might be studying this overview.
Google Pixel 8 Professional Assessment: Design
Google’s Pixel 8 Professional has seen extra adjustments than the usual Pixel 8 (Assessment) this 12 months. Principally, Google’s engineers removed some pointless stuff and made some refinements to the Pixel 7 Professional’s design. Preserving in thoughts its flat show, and general flatter profile it qualifies as a brand new design. However it’s an overhaul of kinds as the brand new Pixel 8 Professional nonetheless seems distinctly Pixel. That is primarily all the way down to its sharper, visor-like digital camera module on the again which is as chunky as final 12 months’s mannequin.
The visor-like digital camera module nonetheless will get scratched simply, identical to the Pixel 7 Professional
The digital camera module’s edges are fairly sharp not like final 12 months’s mannequin, however I am glad Google retained its chunky protruding look as a result of it makes it simpler to carry on to the telephone’s reasonably slippery matte-finished physique by resting my index finger under it for help.
The matte-finished rear glass panel is a primary for Google’s Pixel vary and its general rounded look and curves do remind me of the unique Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones. As slippery because the rear panel is, it is wonderful with regards to resisting fingerprints. At 213g the telephone doesn’t really feel too heavy or too mild. This mixed with the soft-finished glass again lends the system a really premium and opulent really feel.
Google’s Pixel 8 Professional positively seems to be the half for a premium smartphone
Google additionally gives an IP68 ranking which is identical as on final 12 months’s mannequin. Construct high quality is kind of stable and I am glad Google lastly removed the curved edge show which appeared pointless on a Pixel, on condition that it by no means had any added software program options like on Samsung’s smartphones.
Google Pixel 8 Professional Assessment: Specs and software program
This 12 months’s Pixel 8 Professional brings one other new chipset referred to as the Tensor G3. It is constructed utilizing the 4nm manufacturing course of, which along with its new nona-core structure ought to in idea translate to raised efficiency and effectivity. Nevertheless, Google is extra targeted on its AI capabilities and that is the place it’s anticipated to shine. 12GB RAM is commonplace and the telephone gives as much as 256GB of storage this 12 months with no expandable storage and no extra SIM card slot. Nevertheless, one can use the eSIM performance to make use of two numbers on the identical system.
When it comes to connectivity, the Pixel 8 Professional gives an upgraded WiFi 7 expertise, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, a USB-C port, ultra-wideband (UWB) help and help for a number of international positioning programs.
The Pixel 8 Professional’s (proper) design shares some similarities with the older Pixel 7 Professional (left)
Aside from the standard digital camera array, there’s additionally a brand new thermometer which can be utilized to verify the floor temperature of varied supplies. Google will probably be including help for checking physique temperature quickly, which might make it helpful if it seems to be correct.
The telephone has a 5,050mAh battery and helps 30W wired charging and 23W wi-fi charging. Nevertheless, the field contents do not embrace a supported charging adapter.
Going with the AI pattern, Google introduces its new AI wallpaper function which is unique to this 12 months’s Pixel 8 and eight Professional gadgets. It wants an web connection to work however chomps out some actually distinctive and fascinating wallpapers utilizing its AI bits. The remainder of Android 14 feels and seems much like what’s out there on a Pixel 7 Professional.
Different new smarts which might be out there on the Pixel 8 Professional embrace the flexibility to learn aloud internet pages or articles from an online browser. Google Assistant may even translate an online web page earlier than studying it aloud which can also be helpful. The operation is correctly hands-free on the Pixel 8 Professional (I couldn’t get the function to work efficiently on a Pixel 7 Professional), which is beneficial in case your palms are busy.
The AI Wallpaper function is a enjoyable method to pattern the ability of AI and create some distinctive wallpapers within the course of
The Pixel 8 Professional’s AI modifying instruments, which can be found in its Pictures app are jaw-droppingly spectacular by way of functionality. Whereas the older Magic Eraser has gotten significantly better over time, the newly marketed instruments nonetheless want a little bit of polish by way of output.
The brand new Magic Editor software enables you to actually reposition folks and objects in {a photograph} (which needs to be uploaded to the cloud). The AI fashions certain are spectacular! At instances it will possibly get actually exhausting to inform if a picture has been edited in any respect. Nevertheless, pixel-peeping into these images often reveals some clues. Magic Editor is not good and may get polished with future updates, however it’s a very highly effective software nonetheless.
The identical will be mentioned concerning the new Greatest Take function which requires a sequence of images of the identical setting so as to work. Should you occur to have sufficient images of the identical folks in the identical setting, then it is reasonably exhausting to inform if a picture has been edited.
Audio Magic Eraser is one other AI-enabled software, which may impressively perceive the sounds in a video. As soon as activated, it listens to the clip and rapidly identifies the totally different sounds after which categorises them (speech, nature, wind, noise and so on.) letting one regulate the degrees to bump up the amount of the sounds they want to hear (speech, nature) over those that they wish to quieten (noise, wind). Whereas I didn’t discover the outcomes all that spectacular, it’s fascinating to see how the AI mannequin identifies the totally different sounds in any given video.
The Audio Magic Eraser software within the Pictures app is beneficial for eradicating or lowering undesirable sounds in a recorded video
As controversial as these picture modifying options are, I can see a whole lot of Pixel 8 and eight Professional customers serving to many who aren’t in a position to snap handsome images. Furthermore, Pixel 8 Professional customers could look like wizards to aged folks who often do not find yourself composing a trip picture proper, and sometimes request the unimaginable, like shifting the Eiffel Tower a bit to the precise. Surprisingly, all of that and extra is now attainable utilizing easy drag-and-drop instruments.
As spectacular because the Pixel 8 Professional’s images and modifying capabilities are this 12 months, I nonetheless confronted the identical digital camera bug as on final 12 months’s fashions. The Night time Sight bug triggers when taking pictures back-to-back images from the digital camera app’s night time mode when transitioning from 1X to 2X. As soon as triggered, all images captured thereafter don’t get saved within the telephone, leaving one with a digital camera that may allow you to click on images however not save them. The one method to get the digital camera to begin storing snapped images once more is to restart the telephone or anticipate the digital camera app to crash.
For lengthy, Pixel smartphones have at all times been the primary gadgets to obtain Android software program updates and Google has by some means managed to one-up itself on this space with the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional. Google claims that it’s going to present as much as 7 years of software program updates which incorporates its quarterly Function Drops (that carry new options) and safety updates. Including to this dedication Google additionally defined that it’s going to fill up on spares for these two smartphones as nicely, in case your smartphone will get broken or stops functioning over the following 7 years. Certainly such commitments will attraction to those that do not improve their gadgets ceaselessly, however changing your smartphone much less ceaselessly works nicely for the atmosphere because it additionally reduces e-waste.
Google Pixel 8 Professional Assessment: Efficiency
As for the Pixel 8 Professional’s 6.7-inch QHD+ OLED show, it really works nicely underneath brilliant daylight and reveals pretty correct colors when set to the Pure color mode. Its 120Hz dynamic refresh fee, which may drop to 1Hz when not getting used, additionally works as anticipated.
Similar to final 12 months, battery statistics aren’t all that nice as I typically discovered me reaching out for the charger by the tip of a piece day with about 20 % left round 7:00 PM, after unplugging the telephone at round 8:00 AM. If you find yourself utilizing the digital camera and edit a number of photographs anticipate the battery ranges to drop even sooner. In our video loop battery take a look at, the Pixel 8 Professional managed to final for 14 hours and quarter-hour, which is barely higher than the Pixel 7 Professional, however not nice in comparison with what most smartphones on this phase are able to. Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Extremely which at present retails a further Rs. 20,000 managed to final 21 hours and seven minutes in the identical take a look at.
The Pixel 8 Professional (proper) has a flat show in comparison with the older Pixel 7 Professional (left)
On the Pixel 8 Professional, most informal and high-end Video games run simply superb at default settings. However the telephone clearly is not as highly effective when in comparison with its Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered counterparts so do not anticipate flawless body charges when enjoying graphics-intensive titles like Genshin Impression or fast-paced Video games like Name of Obligation: Cellular.
The telephone does heat up after enjoying just a few Name of Obligation tournaments on Extremely settings, however it doesn’t get abnormally sizzling and that is primarily all the way down to CPU throttling. Nevertheless, one can anticipate loads of body drops throughout gameplay because the Tensor G3 is not actually designed for operating demanding titles at the very best settings. Ray-tracing, whereas being comparatively new, can also be not supported. I additionally discovered the contact sampling to be a bit sluggish when enjoying fast-paced FPS Video games.
The Tensor G3 contained in the Google Pixel 8 Professional managed barely inferior scores in comparison with most smartphones on this phase and had been far under what Apple’s newest iPhone 15 Professional Max is able to. The Pixel 8 Professional scored 10,38,343 factors in AnTuTu and managed scores of 1,629 and three,274 in Geekbench’s single and multi-core checks. To provide you an thought about the place Google’s Pixel 8 Professional stands, the lower-priced OnePlus 11 5G (QHD+ show) which we reviewed earlier this 12 months scored 11,89,556 factors and Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 5 (FHD+ show) managed a rating of 12,87,359 whereas the iPhone 15 Professional Max managed a cushty lead scoring 16,61,205 factors in our overview.
Google sticking with its personal Tensor design for its processor does have its downsides as they’ve but to determine higher methods to deal with all of the processing that occurs after snapping {a photograph}. Similar to the Pixel 7 Professional, the Pixel 8 Professional struggles when taking pictures Portrait mode images and can cease capturing images (or disable the shutter button) when the picture buffer is full after clicking round 7-8 portrait mode images in fast succession. It does this to complete processing them within the background and can let one snap extra images solely as soon as it is carried out processing those which have already been captured. Whereas this doesn’t look like a giant drawback, I did find yourself lacking a number of moments whereas snapping images of my child. Capturing RAW images additionally takes some time to course of, in comparison with the iPhone 15 Professional Max which is nearly immediate.
The Pixel 8 Professional identical to the Pixel 7 Professional runs a bit sizzling outside when linked to 5G networks
For a telephone that is extra targeted and identified for its images options, it is unhappy to see that the most recent Tensor G3 SoC is not able to dealing with the fundamentals. Google actually has to work on the Tensor G3’s imaging pipeline or go together with a separate imaging chip solely for dealing with all of its digital camera necessities as the present Tensor G3 processor clearly is not up for the job.
Even with every day utilization, one thing so simple as scrolling via internet pages and social media apps (even YouTube) can get jittery at instances. Scrolling is jittery when utilizing each native and third-party apps and that is one thing many customers have complained about on Reddit as nicely. Google took its personal candy time to aim to resolve its Pixel 7 Professional’s scrolling points, however these have but to be resolved efficiently.
The telephone nonetheless will get sizzling when utilizing the digital camera app, particularly when taking pictures extra difficult digital camera modes like Portrait and Night time mode. The telephone additionally will get fairly sizzling outside when linked to 5G networks. Google nonetheless doesn’t supply any cooling resolution (other than CPU throttling) with its Pixel telephones, which retains them operating heat more often than not when used outside. Many Chinese language smartphone manufacturers have adopted vapour chamber cooling to keep up efficiency ranges whereas performing power-intensive duties. This 12 months’s Samsung Galaxy S23 additionally utilised the identical, making it run rather a lot cooler in comparison with its predecessor. So, it is actually a thriller why Google refuses to incorporate the identical in its flagship Pixel smartphones.
The brand new and safe Face Unlock function works as rapidly as Apple’s Face ID authentication, nonetheless, it solely works nicely (or rapidly) in good lighting. Dimly lit settings will see the digital camera struggling to recognise faces, which is once I needed to revert to the great outdated fingerprint scanner, which fortunately labored as anticipated.
Google Pixel 8 Professional Assessment: Cameras
This 12 months’s Pixel 8 Professional comes with a number of enhancements within the digital camera division as nicely. Key amongst these is the brand new 48-megapixel ultra-wide-angle digital camera which replaces the 12-megapixel digital camera on the earlier mannequin. There is a new brighter 50-megapixel main digital camera as nicely however I anticipate minor enhancements (if any) with this one. All the pieces else other than the brand new Tensor G3 stays the identical, which isn’t a foul deal because the earlier Pixel 7 Professional was not dangerous at imaging to start with.
The digital camera modes have been revamped on the Pixel 8 Professional. The Pixel 8 Professional specifically this 12 months will get a particular professional mode referred to as Professional Controls, which brings superior digital camera controls for smartphone digital camera fanatics preferring to tweak issues a bit earlier than taking pictures or whereas recording.
Professional Controls is splendidly designed with practicality and ease in thoughts, making it straightforward to make use of and perceive
To be clear, the Pixel 8 Professional’s Professional Controls mode shouldn’t be as superior because the Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely’s digital camera app which additionally gives varied controls for video. The Pixel 8 Professional’s Professional controls appear much more user-friendly (designed for the typical Joe), and fairly sensible on the similar time, simply making it rather a lot higher by way of functionality and management when taking pictures video, even when in comparison with an iPhone 15 Professional Max, I reviewed earlier.
In contrast to the Pixel 7 Professional the place one will get entry to brightness, shadow and white stability sliders within the viewfinder when taking pictures, the Pixel 8 Professional hides all of its Professional controls underneath a settings button positioned on the prime proper nook. Tapping on it provides one entry to superior controls like Night time Sight length, brightness, shadow, white stability, focus, shutter pace and ISO as nicely. I significantly appreciated the main focus management because it highlights the at present targeted space in pink due to a spotlight peaking function like on an actual digital camera.
Tapping on the standard gear icon on the backside now opens a complete menu with a particular Professional tab through which one can choose the decision (binned or full body), output kind (RAW/JPEG) and a really helpful Lens Choice selector, which helps you to select between Auto or Guide. Selecting Auto mainly will get you your complete zoom vary which additionally consists of the digital ranges between the native focal lengths (0.5X, 1X and 5X).
The handbook will get you entry to simply the native focal lengths, which switches off the digital camera’s automated lens choice. That is helpful to keep away from utilizing the fallacious digital camera (which the smartphone robotically selects relying on the space of the item/topic from the lens. This typically results in digitally cropped and scaled images. So, in case your topic is just too shut for the 5X telephoto digital camera, it simply will not focus, letting you understand that it’s worthwhile to preserve a larger distance to get the right shot.
Pixel 8 Professional additionally lets one shoot in RAW utilizing all three cameras which implies you will get high-resolution (50 or 48-megapixel) RAW photographs which will be tweaked later within the submit. As for the video, Professional Controls solely enables you to tweak white stability and publicity on this mode.
The Pixel 8 Professional and Pixel 7 Professional digital camera samples had been captured in daylight and low mild utilizing their main cameras (faucet picture to broaden)
As for picture high quality, I discovered the photographs from the first digital camera to be virtually an identical to final 12 months’s mannequin. The minor variations are primarily all the way down to the tone the place the Pixel 8 Professional chooses cooler tones in comparison with the Pixel 7 Professional’s hotter hues. The extent of element is second to none, however I typically seen that colors aren’t as correct despite the fact that the pictures regarded good. Low-light imagery is implausible, however I seen that the first digital camera tends to crush the blacks in settings with contrasted lighting.
Google Pixel 8 Professional captures some high quality 5X telephoto photographs (prime) and macro images (backside) (faucet photographs to broaden)
Pictures from the ultra-wide digital camera, which has seen essentially the most adjustments this 12 months, pack in additional element and dynamic vary when taking pictures in daylight. Colors are fairly correct as nicely. Macro images additionally got here out nice and the brand new digital camera enables you to get even nearer (as much as 2cm) to your topic.
Google Pixel 8 Professional and Pixel 7 Professional daylight and low-light digital camera samples captured utilizing their ultra-wide-angle cameras (faucet picture to broaden)
When it comes to zoom, the telephoto digital camera shoots actually spectacular images with good element. I used the 5X telephoto to seize some crisp portraits and close-ups and nicely and so they all regarded beautiful with a pure bokeh. Going past its optical limits, Google’s Tremendous Res Zoom manages high quality photographs as much as 10X (hybrid zoom) however the high quality begins to dither thereafter.
Google Pixel 8 Professional telephoto zoom digital camera samples captured in daylight (faucet picture to broaden)
Whereas it manages good picture high quality, the Pixel 8 Professional identical to the Pixel 7 Professional struggles with edge detection when in Portrait mode (faucet picture to broaden)
After managing common video high quality final 12 months, it is good to see that Google has lastly upped its online game. 4K 30fps video recorded from the first digital camera seems to be sharp, has bitrate and gives a gradual body fee. Stabilisation can also be spectacular, making it a stable improve over the Pixel 7 Professional’s video recording capabilities. Low mild footage additionally has good element with low noise. HDR footage shot on the similar decision appeared a bit saturated however showcased good distinction and element even in low mild.
Google Pixel 8 Professional Assessment: Verdict
What units the Pixel 8 Professional other than each different Pixel of the previous, is its AI capabilities. It is a path that Google has charted for its Pixel smartphones, and the Pixel 8 Professional absolutely shines on this space with the flexibility to course of a whole lot of requests and use a number of instruments with out the necessity to connect with the web or the cloud for processing. The very succesful and well-designed built-in Professional Controls can also be an space which cellular images fanatics will take pleasure in.
However the worth hike could persuade many upgraders to stay with their Pixel 7 Professional fashions this 12 months as the entire above-mentioned options (apart from a 7-year dedication for software program updates) do not actually look like must-haves on anybody’s listing.
To make issues worse, the Pixel 7 Professional at this time retails for as little as Rs. 63,999, which is not a foul deal, relying on what one is in search of in a brand new smartphone buy. Its nonetheless digital camera efficiency is much like the Pixel 8 Professional however falls behind with regards to video recording. The brand new Pixel 8 Professional could not warmth up as a lot because the Pixel 7 Professional however its battery life solely gives minor enhancements over the older mannequin.
In case you are prepared to spend upwards of Rs. 1,00,000 in India, Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Extremely (Assessment) (out there at Rs. 1,24,999 for the 256GB variant) absolutely gives higher worth, with spectacular zoom functionality, a greater and bigger show, wonderful battery life, and to an extent even Samsung’s Galaxy ecosystem of gadgets which incorporates, smartwatches, audio equipment, tablets and laptops.