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

The Google Pixel 7 Pro, released in October 2022, and the Google Pixel 8 Pro, launched in October 2023, are both flagship smartphones from Google. While they share a similar design philosophy and run on the Android operating system, the Pixel 8 Pro introduces notable advancements in its display technology, camera system, and long-term software support, building upon the foundation laid by its predecessor.

When considering the longevity of these devices, several factors come into play, including software support, physical resilience, and ease of repair.

• Software Support: The Pixel 8 Pro offers a significantly extended software lifespan, promising seven years of OS and security updates from its release, extending until October 2030. In contrast, the Pixel 7 Pro is guaranteed three years of OS updates and five years of security patches from its launch.
• Physical Durability: Both models feature an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, indicating a similar level of protection against environmental elements. The Pixel 8 Pro incorporates Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for its screen and back, a slight upgrade from the Gorilla Glass Victus on the Pixel 7 Pro, potentially offering enhanced scratch resistance. User reports for the Pixel 7 Pro indicated some concerns regarding the camera bar's susceptibility to scratches and the phone's flexibility in bend tests, which could impact long-term structural integrity.
• Repairability: Repairability scores vary, with the Pixel 7 Pro generally receiving around 5.5 out of 10, noting challenges with battery removal due to strong adhesive and the charging port being soldered to the main board. The Pixel 8 Pro's repairability scores are also in a similar range, with some sources indicating a score of 4.0 out of 10 due to similar challenges, while others suggest a moderate 5.5 or even 7 out of 10, aligning with Google's efforts to make Pixels more repairable overall.

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily operations, from launching applications to handling demanding tasks and managing battery life.

• Processing Power: The Pixel 8 Pro is equipped with a newer generation processor, which provides improved efficiency and capabilities for complex computations and AI-driven features. While both devices handle everyday applications and multitasking smoothly, the Pixel 8 Pro's updated hardware offers more headroom for future software advancements and intensive tasks.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: Both smartphones come with 12GB of RAM, ensuring capable multitasking. The Pixel 8 Pro utilizes LPDDR5X RAM, a slightly faster and more power-efficient variant compared to the LPDDR5 RAM in the Pixel 7 Pro, which can contribute to marginally snappier app loading and background process management.
• Battery Behavior: The Pixel 8 Pro features a slightly larger 5050 mAh battery compared to the Pixel 7 Pro's 5000 mAh. User experiences suggest that the Pixel 8 Pro generally offers improved all-day battery life, with some reports indicating it can last through a full day of heavy use. The Pixel 8 Pro also supports faster wired charging at 30W, up from the Pixel 7 Pro's 27W, and improved wireless charging speeds.

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both Pixel Pro models offer high-quality viewing experiences with distinct differences.

• Display Technology and Brightness: The Pixel 7 Pro features a 6.7-inch QHD+ LTPO AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 1500 nits. The Pixel 8 Pro upgrades to a 6.7-inch 'Super Actua' LTPO OLED display, which is significantly brighter, reaching up to 2400 nits peak brightness. This higher brightness on the Pixel 8 Pro translates to better outdoor visibility and a more vibrant HDR viewing experience.
• Design and Refresh Rate: A notable design change in the Pixel 8 Pro is its flat display, moving away from the slightly curved edges of the Pixel 7 Pro. Both devices offer a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate for smooth scrolling and responsiveness. However, the Pixel 8 Pro's display can dynamically adjust its refresh rate down to 1Hz, compared to the Pixel 7 Pro's minimum of 10Hz, contributing to better power efficiency.
• Resolution and Clarity: The Pixel 7 Pro has a resolution of 3120 x 1440 pixels, while the Pixel 8 Pro has a slightly lower resolution of 2992 x 1344 pixels. Despite this minor difference, both displays offer excellent clarity and sharpness for typical viewing distances.

Both Pixel Pro models are renowned for their camera capabilities, leveraging advanced computational photography, though the Pixel 8 Pro brings several hardware and software enhancements.

• Rear Camera System: Both phones feature a 50MP main camera. The Pixel 8 Pro's main sensor has a wider aperture (f/1.68 vs f/1.85 on the 7 Pro), allowing for better low-light performance. The ultrawide camera sees a significant upgrade on the Pixel 8 Pro, moving from a 12MP sensor on the 7 Pro to a 48MP sensor with a wider aperture (f/1.95 vs f/2.2) and improved macro capabilities. The 48MP telephoto lens on both offers 5x optical zoom, but the Pixel 8 Pro's telephoto lens has a wider aperture (f/2.8 vs f/3.5), enhancing its light sensitivity.
• Front Camera and Video: The Pixel 8 Pro's 10.5MP front camera now includes autofocus, a feature absent in the Pixel 7 Pro's 10.8MP fixed-focus front camera, leading to sharper selfies. Both devices support 4K video recording at various frame rates, with the Pixel 8 Pro introducing new video features and improved stabilization.
• Computational Photography and Audio: The Pixel 8 Pro introduces advanced camera software features like 'Magic Editor' and 'Best Take', which are not available on the Pixel 7 Pro. It also features 'Audio Magic Eraser' for video. While the Pixel 7 Pro's speakers are noted for being louder, the Pixel 8 Pro offers richer sound with more bass and depth.