Google Pixel 7 Pro • Unlocked vs Google Pixel 8 • Unlocked

The Google Pixel 7 Pro (released October 2022) and the Google Pixel 8 (released October 2023) are both advanced smartphones from Google, operating on the Android platform. While the Pixel 7 Pro offers a larger display and a dedicated telephoto camera, the Pixel 8 introduces a newer processor, a more compact design, and an extended software support timeline. Both devices showcase Google's focus on computational photography and a streamlined Android experience.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, several factors contribute to their expected lifespan, including software support and physical durability.

• Software Longevity: The Pixel 7 Pro was launched with a commitment to five years of security updates. The Pixel 8, being a newer model, significantly extends this, offering seven years of operating system and security updates, providing a longer period of feature enhancements and security patches.
• Repairability: The Pixel 8 generally shows improved repairability compared to its predecessor, with some assessments giving it a score of 7 out of 10, while the Pixel 7 Pro often received scores around 5.5 out of 10. Both devices feature screens that are relatively easy to replace, but battery replacement can be challenging due to strong adhesives, and the charging port is soldered to the main board, making that particular repair more complex.
• Physical Durability: Both models feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating a similar level of protection against environmental elements. The Pixel 7 Pro uses Gorilla Glass Victus, while the Pixel 8 also uses Gorilla Glass Victus for its display and back, offering robust scratch and drop resistance.

The performance of a smartphone is largely determined by its internal processing capabilities, which influence how smoothly applications run and how efficiently the device manages power.

• Processing Power: The Pixel 7 Pro is equipped with a previous-generation processor, which handles everyday tasks, multitasking, and most demanding applications with competence. The Pixel 8 features a newer generation processor, designed to offer enhanced efficiency and improved performance for more intensive tasks and advanced AI features.
• Multitasking and Storage: The Pixel 7 Pro typically comes with 12GB of RAM, which supports extensive multitasking and keeps numerous applications open in the background without significant slowdowns. The Pixel 8 generally includes 8GB of RAM. Both devices offer storage options starting from 128GB, utilizing UFS 3.1 technology for fast data access.
• Battery Behavior: The Pixel 7 Pro houses a 5000mAh battery, while the Pixel 8 has a 4575mAh battery. In real-world usage, the Pixel 7 Pro has shown varied battery performance, with some users reporting around 6 hours of screen-on time under normal conditions, but faster drain with heavy camera use. The Pixel 8, despite its smaller battery, often demonstrates improved endurance, with users typically experiencing 8-10 hours of screen-on time with mixed usage, and it is generally considered to last a full day for most users.

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both the Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 8 offer high-quality viewing experiences with distinct characteristics.

• Display Technology and Resolution: The Pixel 7 Pro features a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display with a Quad HD+ resolution (1440 x 3120 pixels), resulting in a high pixel density for sharp and detailed visuals. The Pixel 8 comes with a slightly smaller 6.2-inch OLED display, offering a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2400 pixels).
• Brightness and Clarity: The Pixel 7 Pro can reach a peak brightness of around 1500-1620 nits, providing good visibility in various lighting conditions. The Pixel 8 offers a higher peak brightness of up to 2000 nits, which can be particularly beneficial for outdoor use and HDR content viewing.
• Refresh Rate and Design: Both devices feature adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz, ensuring smooth scrolling and responsive visuals. The Pixel 7 Pro's display has curved edges, which some users appreciate for an immersive feel, while the Pixel 8 adopts a flat display, which can be preferred for reduced accidental touches and better screen protector compatibility.

Google Pixel phones are known for their camera capabilities, and both the Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 8 leverage advanced computational photography to deliver strong imaging results.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Pixel 7 Pro features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide sensor with autofocus and macro capabilities, and a 48MP telephoto lens offering 5x optical zoom and up to 30x Super Res Zoom. The Pixel 8 has a dual-camera system, comprising an upgraded 50MP main sensor with a wider aperture and a 12MP ultrawide sensor.
• Photography Performance: Both phones excel in capturing detailed and color-accurate photos in various conditions. The Pixel 7 Pro's dedicated telephoto lens provides greater flexibility for zoomed-in shots. The Pixel 8 benefits from a newer processor, which enhances image processing and introduces new AI-powered editing features. Both offer strong low-light performance and features like Real Tone for accurate skin representation.
• Video and Audio: Both devices are capable of recording video at 4K resolution at 60 frames per second. The microphone quality on both is suitable for calls and general recording, and their stereo speakers provide a good experience for media consumption.