Google Pixel 5 vs Pixel 8: Do you have to improve?

The Pixel 8 collection arrived in late 2023 bringing an improved SoC, a brand new digital camera sensor, and extra. For these hanging on to the now three-year-old Pixel 5, is it time to lastly improve? We take a more in-depth look on this Google Pixel 5 vs Pixel 8 comparability.

Editor’s word: This text was first revealed on October 10, 2023. The put up was most lately up to date on August 29, 2024 in  order to mirror the very fact the Pixel 9 collection has since launched, in addition to replace a couple of different particulars which have modified since this versus initially debuted.

The Pixel 5 was powered by a modest Snapdragon 765G SoC with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and only a single storage dimension of 128GB. It additionally had a a lot smaller show than fashionable Pixels, at simply 6 inches.

Though Google nonetheless sticks to extra modest CPUs in comparison with a few of its rivals, the Tensor G3 is a large improve over the 765G. Simply don’t anticipate it to be fairly as speedy as comparable chips from Qualcomm, and even newer chips from Google just like the Tensor G4.

The Tensor G3 has the replace ARM CPUs, an upgraded GPU, a brand new imaging DSP, a brand new ISP, and a next-gen TPU. In layman’s phrases, all these new enhancements enable it to have a number of the most spectacular picture processing, machine studying, and AI capabilities on the planet.

Whereas the Pixel 8 nonetheless simply has 8GB of RAM, it’s now utilizing LPDDR5X RAM. It additionally has a 256GB storage possibility, alongside a base 128GB mannequin. The Pixel 8 show can also be improved. Not solely is it a bit greater at 6.2 inches, but it surely additionally has a 60-120Hz variable refresh charge and a peak brightness of two,000 nits.

The remainder of the core variations come right down to the battery dimension, charging speeds, and the digital camera. We’ll discuss a bit extra about that later,  however first, let’s focus on software program. The Pixel 5 shipped with Android 11 and is now reaching the tip of its replace cycle. Android 14 is the final OS improve the Pixel 5 will obtain, and even safety updates are anticipated to finish with this replace.

The Pixel 8 not solely comes with Android 14 out of the field, however Google has introduced a powerful replace coverage of seven years of OS updates, safety patches, and have drops.

The Pixel 5 and Pixel 8 couldn’t be much less alike. On the entrance, you’ll discover the Pixel 5 has a round cut-out for the digital camera within the higher left nook, whereas the Pixel 8 facilities its notch. The rear sees much more dramatic variations.

The Pixel 5 had a fingerprint scanner within the heart of its rear and a sq. digital camera bump within the upper-left nook.  It wasn’t an unsightly design, but it surely was fairly boring. That is in sharp distinction to the Pixel 8, which continues the brand new design language first launched with the Pixel 6. The all-glass rear is split into two elements, with a metallic digital camera bar towards the highest. Contained in the digital camera bar, you’ll discover a pill-shaped cut-out for the digital camera, and the flash is positioned on the correct.

The Pixel 5 can also be the smaller of the 2, coming in at 144.7 x 70 with a thickness of 8mm. The Pixel 8 is a bit greater at 150.5 x 70.8 and with a thickness of 8.9mm. Regardless of its bigger footprint, it’s really a a lot smaller cellphone than its instant predecessor, the Pixel 7. In our Pixel 8 hands-on protection, we felt the Pixel 8 hit the candy spot because it was neither too large nor too small.

The Google Pixel collection has at all times had a popularity for digital camera excellence. The Pixel 5 utilized the identical 12MP essential sensor that Google had used because the authentic Pixel, although it additionally packed a 16MP vast sensor with .6x zoom. The {hardware} wasn’t the very best on the time, however Google’s digital camera software program and algorithms allowed it to maintain up moderately with different 2020 flagships.

Since then, Google has significantly improved its digital camera sport once more. A big a part of that is due to the machine studying and AI tips enabled by the Tensor SoC. The precise {hardware} has additionally improved over time. The Pixel 8 has a 50MP essential sensor with an aperture of ƒ/1.68, backed by a secondary 12MP ultra-wide digital camera with 1.25μm pixel width, ƒ/2.2 aperture, and a 125.8-degree FoV.

In our full Pixel 8 overview we discovered the digital camera expertise to be a pleasant improve from the Pixel 7, which suggests it’s going to really feel like a large enchancment for these coming from a Pixel 5.

The Pixel 5 has a comparatively small battery at 4,080mAh, however don’t let this idiot you. Due to its much less demanding chipset, the cellphone may simply make it by a full day’s use. Sadly, charging it was a comparatively sluggish expertise because it solely supported 18W wired charging and 12W wi-fi.

The Pixel 8 has a bigger 4,575mAh battery. You would possibly assume this implies it might even make it right into a second day with average use. Based mostly on our testing, that’s sadly not the case. You possibly can anticipate a full day’s use however nothing over that.

The excellent news is charging has improved a bit within the final three years. The Pixel 8 has a 27W wired charging and as much as 18W wi-fi.

The Pixel 5 initially retailed for $699, though it’s now not out there to buy anymore. The Pixel 8 additionally is available in at $699 for the bottom mannequin, whereas the 256GB variant will set you again $759. Fortunately you’ll find it on sale for considerably much less frequently now that the Pixel 9 collection is right here.

The Pixel 5 was a superb cellphone throughout its heyday but it surely’s now reached some extent the place it has restricted help at greatest. The Pixel 8 is the proper possibility for Google followers trying to avoid wasting cash, supplied they will discover it for a steep low cost. In any other case, you’d seemingly be higher served shopping for the Pixel 9, simply remember the bottom mannequin is $100 greater than the Pixel 8. Don’t care in regards to the Google model and simply need a good cellphone? Think about the Galaxy S24 ($859.99 at Amazon), or the S23 FE ($599.99 at Amazon) if you would like one thing a bit extra reasonably priced.