Google Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 7: A head-to-head comparison
Google unveiled the Pixel 8 series, which includes the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, to the public in October 2023. Although Google saved the majority of the changes for the Pixel 8 Pro, the Pixel 8 does have some subtle improvements. As a result of the new Pixel 8, the price of the Pixel 7 should be reduced.
Furthermore, if you own a Pixel 7, you may be wondering whether the Pixel 8 is a worthy upgrade. We’ll compare the Google Pixel 8 vs Google Pixel 7 in this guide to help you decide whether to spend the extra cash on the new Pixel 8 or save it for the Pixel 7.
Table of Contents
👉 Google Pixel 8 vs. Google Pixel 7: Specifications
Before we proceed to compare Pixel 7 and Pixel 8, here is a rundown of the specifications of both the smartphones.
| Specs | Google Pixel 8 | Google Pixel 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.2-inch OLED with 120Hz Refresh Rate and 2000 nits peak brightness | 6.3-inch OLED with 90Hz Refresh Rate and 1400 nits peak brightness |
| Chipset | Google Tensor G3 | Google Tensor G2 |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR5X | 8GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | UFS 3.1 (128GB/256GB) | UFS 3.1 (128GB/256GB) |
| Weight | 187g (~6.6 ounces) | 197g (~6.95 ounces) |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 14 |
| Front Camera | 10.5 MP (f/2.2) | 10.8MP (f/2.2) |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP, f/1.68 Octa PD wide camera, 12MP ultra-wide camera | 50MP, f/1.85, Octa PD wide camera, 12MP ultra-wide camera |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Battery | 4575 mAh | 4355 mAh |
| Charging | 27W wired, 18W wireless (12W Qi charging) | 20W wired, 20W wireless (12W Qi charging) |
| Price | Starts at $699 | Starts at $509 |
There aren’t any huge differences on paper at least. Let’s take a closer look and see how the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 7 differ in each aspect.
👉 Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 7: Design and Display
When it comes to smartphones, the first and foremost thing that catches our eye is the design and the display. The Pixel 8 has a 6.2-inch OLED display, which is smaller compared to the 6.3-inch OLED display on the Pixel 7. However, Pixel 8 offers a 120Hz refresh rate with a peak brightness of 2,000 nits while the Pixel 7 has a 90H refresh rate with 1,400 nits of peak brightness.
Besides, you get to see a slightly rounded back design on the Pixel 8, which makes it slightly more comfortable to hold over the Pixel 7. Other than these differences, both smartphones feature the same aluminum frame with Gorilla Glass Victus protection on the front and back.
👉 Google Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 7: Performance
The Pixel 8 houses the latest cheapest from Google, the Tensor G3, which Google claims as the powerful chipset they’ve made yet with many AI capabilities. Also, the Pixel 8 has the Titan M2 chip that takes care of security on the hardware level. Speaking of AI capabilities, there are features like Clear Calling, Call Assist, Video Boost, and many more.
The Pixel 7, on the other hand, boasts the Tensor G2 chipset, which isn’t far away from Tensor G3 in terms of performance. Plus, you don’t miss out on a dedicated Titan security chip and AI capabilities such as Call Screening, Voice Transcribe, and many others. Overall, you shouldn’t expect an excellent performance output with the Google Tensor chipsets.
👉 Pixel 7 vs. Pixel 8: Cameras
The rear cameras on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 7 are the same at 50 MP main and 12 MP ultra-wide angle lenses. But the Pixel 8 has a 10.5 MP front camera while the Pixel 7 has a 10.8 MP front-facing camera. On paper, the specs might look almost the same, but it’s software where Google made most of the changes. Although the rear camera on the Pixel 8 features an f/1.68 aperture and 114-degree FoV compared to the f/1.85 aperture and 125.8-degree FoV on the Pixel 7.
The Pixel 7 comes with AI features like Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, Real Tone, and more. The Pixel 8 also includes these but adds on them with features like Best Take, Magic Editor, Audio Magic Eraser, and Zoom Enhance. The Magic Editor not only allows you to remove unwanted objects from images, but also generate them.
Currently, Google isn’t allowing these features on Google Pixel 7 or earlier models, so these are exclusive to Pixel 8. Apart from that, there aren’t many differences between these two regarding the cameras.
👉 Google Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 7: Software
Speaking of the software, the Google Pixel 8 comes with Android 14 installed, and it’s no different from what’s on the Pixel 7. However, what’s exciting with Google Pixel 8 is that it will receive 7 years of OS updates (not security updates, but OS updates). Hence, if you purchase a Pixel 8, you’ll receive Android updates till 2030.
On the contrary, the Pixel 7 doesn’t have any changes in the software update policy and will receive Android updates for four years after its release, that is 2026. Besides, most of the features that Pixel 8 receives, Pixel 7 will get them too with software updates.
👉 Google Pixel 7 vs. Pixel 8: Battery Life
The Pixel 8 has a physically larger battery capacity of 4,575 mAh compared to 4,335 mAh on the Pixel 7, which translates to longer battery life. However, the higher refresh rate and brighter display may negate Pixel 8’s capacity advantage.
Google claims that the Pixel 8 has more than 24-hour battery life which may not be entirely accurate. As a result, the Pixel 8 may offer slightly more SoT (Screen on Time) than the Pixel 7.
FAQs
Which phone should I buy, the Pixel 8 or the Pixel 7?
Choosing the right phone depends on your needs and budget. If you are looking for the best possible display, performance, and battery life, then the Pixel 8 is the better choice. You can still get a great phone with the Pixel 7 if you’re on a tight budget or are satisfied with its display and performance.
Conclusion
While the Pixel 8’s specs are similar to those of the Pixel 7, there are some subtle differences. The Pixel 8 starts at $699, while the Pixel 7 starts at $599 on the Google Store. Because the Pixel 7 is a year old, you can find it much cheaper in offline stores. So, if you’re thinking about upgrading from the Pixel 7 to the Pixel 8, we recommend against it. However, if you’re upgrading from an older Android device, the Pixel 8 is an excellent choice.
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