The gating of a lot of the software features and UWB are really disappointing in the non-pro 8. I’d love a smaller phone, but they really do push you to the big one if you plan on keeping it for any length of time.
Even the pre-order bonuses are only for the larger phone.
Need more places calling them out on this.
If you preorder the smaller 8 you get pixel buds pro for free.
Skipping UWB makes me wonder about Google’s commitment to their Find network.
They didn’t even mention the find network. I have my doubts they are even going to release it.
It’s apparently still under development, but …
“small”
While it’s far from the small flagship plenty of us want (a dream that’s as good as dead), compared to behemoths from companies like Samsung, I’ll happily settle for a phone series that gets a little easier to hold every year.
Or maybe they could just stop using heavy, brittle material for back covers because they look shiny.
Like the Pixel 6a which uses plastic on the back.
And doesn’t look worse for it
As if most people would ever see the back to begin with, considering most will use a case
I really don’t get why the Pixel lineup always gets this weird… hostility directed at it every release cycle. It’s like the Pixel line is always given an extra level of scrutiny, that makers like Samsung, OnePlus, or even Apple don’t get. There are reasons to give it scrutiny, especially on the software side, but some of the things thrown at the Pixel line (especially since the 6) just sometimes seems… petty. I’m not saying it’s without fault, I’m a Pixel 6 Pro owner after all and can definitely offer some criticisms. But a lot of the criticisms about the design of the models always seems like nitpicking, yet it becomes a big to do.
I just don’t get it, is it just the Google name that brings about higher expectations?
It’s just bashing Pixel gets the clicks. Expect to see sensationalized headlines and million articles to milk the release cycle for clicks.
Been using pixel phones back when they were Nexus, but it’s always bothered me that the phone that doesn’t have a desktop mode is made by the same company that makes the OS that has a desktop mode. It’s such a useful tool that I think I’m going to go back to Samsung, haven’t had one of their phones since the S4. Not sure why Google doesn’t let you use desktop experience on their phones.
Removed by mod
I’m very sad I paid for a Fold and don’t get 7 years of updates.
Bold of you to assume that that screen is gonna last 7 years.
Actions above words. Apple has demonstrated long term support for their devices and still doesn’t promise anything. So I have a hard time believing in Google’s commitment.
Hmm pretty heavy compared to my 4a, 143g vs 187g.
Even plastic-backed phones are all around this weight now. Even the smaller phones are getting heavy!
I dont get it to be honest. The plastic back on the 4a is perfectly fine. I have a cover anyway, who cares how it looks. I don’t think it’s more durable either? Why are plastic ones getting heavier though?
Probably packing more into the same space. Battery capacities have been going up and that’s weight. Phones are getting bigger too. A few mm here and there and it’s an extra 30% in volume, which also translates to more mass.
Yeah, I guess. The pixel 8 finally looks like closer to the 4a in terms of size though
So, the both have almost identical hardware? Same photo sensor? Great, anyone running graphene can get the cheaper one knowing they are not missing out on anything.
To be fair, the secondary sensors are not the same, only the main sensor.
Specifically, the 8 pro has a 5x telephoto 48mp sensor that the base model lacks, a 48MP wide angle sensor compared to 12MP on the base model, a thermometer the base model lacks, 12GB of ram vs 8 on the base model, and a slightly larger and brighter display and slightly larger battery (though the gain in battery is probably roughly offset by the increased power draw of the screen). I believe those are the only hardware difference.
And at least now the Pixel 8 has a 120 Hz screen, while the Pixel 7 only had 90 Hz
@ijeff I’ve had a few Pixels the last few years, but I think I’ll give this year’s lineup a miss and stick with my Pixel 7 Pro
I don’t why people buy multiple phones. Over the span of few years. Is it not a hassle to always set them up?
It literally takes 1h max, and the majority is done automagically. Setting them up is the least annoying part of it all…
Cause I don’t care about tweaking every little thing on the phone. I just leave 90% of the defaults on and it’s basically set up when I buy it. I just figure out where the new stuff is when I need it and it’s worked just fine for me.
I went from Nexus 5 to Samsung s7 and now s10 which is so smooth in hand. I was thinking of upgrading to s23 but it looks like an iPhone 5, edges are so sharp that I’ll pass. Eyeing on the pixel 8 now. It will be a big upgrade for me anyway so not bothered about the pro having higher specs. I simply can’t handle (literally) phones bigger than that, and actually can’t be bothered by the latest AI gimmicks. I would in fact deactivate stuff that would need to connect to a server to improve the pictures or videos I take.
Does it have wired external display connectivity? I currently have pixel7 and that might be only reason to actually upgrade.
It doesn’t. Mishaal has suggested it may just be a software block so rooting could potentially enable it.
