Is the Google Pixel 8 Pro worth it after 6 Months? How good is the camera system? Does Video Boost really work? What exclusive features did it get that are now coming to other phones, and does that make it feel a bit less like a Google-exclusive phone?
We’ll also cover the phone’s battery life, display, temperature sensor, the new magic editor, other photo features like Best Take and Audio Magic Eraser, the experience of replacing the Google Assistant with Google’s Gemni AI, the phone's build quality, Google’s new case and then the downsides we’ve run into with it and our overall recommendation on who we think the Pixel 8 Pro is for.
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🕰️Timestamps:
0:00 - Display, Materials and cases
0:50 - Temperature sensor
1:32 - Camera system
2:58 - Video Boost
3:48 - Magic Editor
4:12 - Pixel Call Assist
4:50 - Pixel Software experience
5:48 - Best Take
6:47 - Audio Magic Eraser
7:04 - Replace Google Assistant with AI
7:46 - Battery life and performance
8:22 - Downsides
8:59 - Recommendation
📜 Disclosures 📃
Any music used is licensed from artlist.io: artlist.io/referral/1878516/Josh
The Pixel 8 Pro and S24 Ultra were purchased by 6 Months Later. The Pixel 4XL was provided to the channel to Google back in 2019 when 6 Months Later was a part of a program at Google that provided us with free products. Our partnership with Google ended in 2022. This video has no sponsor.
Any Amazon links we provide in our descriptions are in conjunction with our Amazon partnership. The channel receives a small percentage of revenue from any sales generated by viewers clicking the links.
#Google
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🛒 Product Links (Affiliate Links): 👉Pixel 8 Pro: amzn.to/3WiTXKW 👉Samsung S24 Ultra: amzn.to/4awpayt 👉 View all of our recommended products: www.amazon.com/shop/6monthslaterreviews 🔗 Related Video links: 👉 Pixel 8 Pro vs. Samsung S24 Ultra: kzhead.info/sun/oth6gamyo3Saeas/bejne.html 👉 Smartphone videos playlist: kzhead.info/channel/PL2XWjlJjGp3uYrPBrB-Z88k8rW4LcwhVY.html 👉 Google videos playlist: kzhead.info/sun/d6hyfsWpgZGLdH0/bejne.html Link to website with Video Boost Examples: 6-months-later.com/2024/04/pixel-8-pro-review-6-months-later/ ❤ Follow Josh: 👉 Threads: www.threads.net/@joshteder 👉 Reddit: www.reddit.com/user/joshteder/ 👉 Instagram: instagram.com/joshteder/ 👉 Mastodon: mastodon.social/@joshteder 👉 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/joshteder/ 💻 Get Deal Alerts and Ask Josh Questions! Plus a Recap of Everything We Publish Each Month 👉 Sign up for our free monthly newsletter: 6monthslater.substack.com/?showWelcome=true
I'll never complain about an extra sensor especially if (by what I know) nothing is being sacrificed for it. I think all phones should still have: the headphone jack, the IR blaster and the camera shutter (button).
I enjoy using the pixel 8 pro more than the s24u. Typing experience is on another level and the pixel ui is so smooth and fast compared to one ui. Only thing I miss from the s24u is the customization from good lock.
What about battery? Can you share battery experience?
I have both, and to be fair, S24U is so damn smooth as well. Battery is on another level. With that said, PixelUI just feels a lot more coherent than OneUI. I haven't touched my S24U for a long while.
@@SahilJobanputra they both have great battery life. BUT SG24U has like 2 extra hours of battery left.
I’m probably going to trade in my iPhone and go back to the pixel 8 pro mostly because I miss the Exclusive features and I enjoy the design of the phone way more than any Samsung phone ever.
Gemini is currently undercooked and I hated the fact that my Pixel was pushing for me to change to it. Turned it off as I had the same bad experience. It doesn't do more than half of the things I use the assistant for. Especially making calls. It would ask me to unlock the phone all the time when the Assistant just does it... And playing music is also a nightmare.
Maybe this is just Google's way of telling us we don't actually want a true AI assistant yet 😂. Thx for the comment, glad I wasn't the only one who thought this - Josh
@@6MonthsLater You two are not alone! I have given Gemini a try twice now over the last two months and always switched back to assistant within 24 hours.
I guess Google forgot what an AI was actually supposed to do. An assistant.
Yeah, I disabled the Gemini, it's trash, because asked me to unlock my phone to do anything
Gemini is useless, AI is for lazy people smh
I love my Pixel 8 Pro and the simplicity it offers. Also, the price the look and the overall experience I have with this phone. I had the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and it was overkill overloaded with stuff. I’m never going to use and the price was not worth it.
I currently own a Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. It will be 4 years this August since I purchased it. To this day it still has no lag and it does everything I want it to do. However, I've been having trouble with the video camera focus. Anyway, I thought it was time to get a new phone. I wanted the 24 Ultra, but with no trade in T-Mobile wanted close to $600 down for my target of $20 a month payment. The 8 Pro was my second choice. T-Mobile wanted $400 down. I was like "No way" so, with no money down I purchased an unlocked phone from Google. It should arrive on Thursday. My payments are $24 a month. Gr8 review. 📱 🇺🇸
Ahh nice, loved my Note 20 Ultra ❤! Currently own the S23 Ultra and despite I love the S23 Ultra, my next phone will be the Google Pixel 8 Pro or Google Pixel 9 Pro (XL). 😊 I hope the Google Pixel 8 Pro would serve you well! What is your general opinion about the Note 20 Ultra?
@@Armando.Krijnen It's the best phone I ever had. So much so that I didn't want to trade it in. I'm keeping the phone and I'll still be using it every day in my house. By the way, T-MOBILE offered me $200 for it.
@@WestCoastChicano I also kept my Note 20 Ultra, still use it for gaming etcetera (Also the back is a little bit cracked, but even without the cracks I would have kept it)
Thanks for the info on the pets for the best take feature. I didn't know that.
totally. Amazing phone.
I love the detail you share on your video. keep it up man. Just recently subscribe your channel. continue provide useful information. thumbs up bro.
Thanks for the sub!
@@6MonthsLaterA curious question: Are there people over eighty years of age who are very elderly people who own and will use modern smart phones?
I've been using for 5 months, great phone. I wouldnt use googles official case. There are other better cases that protect the camera area.
Ive had ny pixel 8 pro for about 5 months and i think its perfect i will be keeping it for at least 3-4 years
💯 agree with your comment and will also be keeping my phone around 3 to 4 years too. All it should need is maybe a new battery at some point
@@80skid83yep as long as it does what i need it to do which is social media calls and texting im good .
The typing experience is something not many reviews seem to discuss. I've had Moto, Samsung, iPhone and none of them compare to the ease of typing on the Pixel. The iPhone keyboard I found to be particularly abysmal.
My last 3 Samsungs have gotten progressively worse in this area. My latest one is an S21. The predictive text is infuriating at times. I think I'll be getting the Pixel8 this weekend.
I recommend also, for people that like the Pixel clean UI, to try the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra or 50 Pro. Basically the some UI, with great hardware, materials and killer gestures (the best ones). They're collaborating with Pantone for the screen and skin tones in the camera, and could even access some (all?) Google Photos software options.
I want to love Pixels and I really do like both my 6a and 7a but its difficult to justify the shortcomings of the Tensor chip. Doesn't help that first party support and some AI features are lacking in other regions (SEA for me). Google needs to step up where other brands are slowly but surely catching up. They need to treat its Pixel users less like beta testers and more like regular consumers...
Half of the AI features won't work if you live in the UK/EU sadly. No Gemini app/integration, new call screening or body temperature function here.
While I'm still on the Pixel 7 Pro version, doesn't seem like the 8 Pro is worth the upgrade and I will await the 9 Pro release later this year. Until then, it will be my 7 Pro and my new tech toy, the OnePlus 12 😁
Ive used the 7 pro as well for a year :D got myself a oneplus 12 when it aired and now picked up a pixel 8 pro last weekend lol missed it too much
@@VitiateTheImmortal Oh, so you don't like the OnePlus 12? What's your main driver out of the 2?
I have both pixel 8 pro and S24 Ultra, and although i always prefered my pixels this time around theres no way selling my s24 ultra. I like literally everything about it, but most, stability, i can update without a fear that it will crash, hang, add bugs and so on. The battery lide is way better on s24 ultra, video quality is way better also, portrait mode has 4 different focal lengths, night photography/videography are better also and the selfie camera. Anyways its literally better in 80% of ways.
1 thing i dislike about s24u is the form factor. Too boxy, sharp edges, and not as comfortable in hand vs Pixel8 pro.
I'm on the Pixel 7 and I was hoping that Gemini and Google Assistant would work together and hand off the tasks to each other. Just like how you demonstrated, Gemini is smart enough to understand you are asking it to perform a function but does not have the capability to do so. So just like you, I just want to play music, start a timer, or open up Lens but could not do with Gemini. Maybe we should just have Assistant as the interface for Gemini, or have Gemini work in the background for Assistant. Also, HDR is written as "HRD" at 0:31.
Whoops! Thx for pointing out that mistake.
SOMEONE FINALLY NOTICED THE WHITE BALANCE! The first thing I noticed with 8 Pro from the 7 Pro was exactly that
Great review the Samsung stuff is most likely because the tensor chips are made in collaboration with Samsung
but the problem with pixel still not working 5G globally only few countries only available. When will that be available globally?
Called me old fashioned, but how the f**k does one justify these flagship premium phone prices when their performance does blow away the mid range competition.
I think the temp sensor should be a must in all phones now. Google made a great desicion.
Fully agree with everything
I used to be a hardcore nexus user then got the first few Google pixels and switched to oneplus and now back with the 8 pro but this whole Google giving away features that they made seem like only possible on the tensor chip was a slap to the face after paying over $1200 for the 256gb version. Also the software hasn't been as great as i remember it being in previous pixel phones I have some very annoying bugs like the pill navigation bar moving to the side of the screen instead of sticking to the bottom and sometimes my app drawer staying on the screen and freezing my phone for a few seconds. I wish googles tensor chip was stronger like the snapdragons the gaming experience hasn't been the best even the previous oneplus phone I had was better in gaming performance. I kind of regret this purchase not going to lie.
I am a pixel 6 Pro shooter and I have a friend who has the Samsung 24. The Pixel's default camera image quality is so far superior (natural) I would never consider the Samsung. If you want to play around with Pro settings then it might not matter as much.
I have the s24 ultra and you are correct. It's the worst camera I've seen in a phone in a long time. I'm not sure how no reviewers are talking about this. My s22 ultra kills the s24 ultra camera by a mile.
No samsung is better
@@AM-dn1iqsure fanboy
@@prakharlal9909 samsung is king
@@prakharlal9909 samsung is most customisation
Do we need temperature sensor? NO What do we need? A HEADPHONE JACK
Pixel ❤
Has anyone been having network issues with your Pixel? Like dropped calls or not getting texts?
Hi 👋🏻, yeah while on Verizons network I get texts from iPhone users at home delayed as well as sending it. Only while on WiFi and to iPhone numbers
Yeah, some of my texts or delayed
@@ludovicdesgroseilliers I wonder if it has anything to do with the Google Texting app?
@@mikehawk7307 maybe, but i came from a oneplus 8 pro and never had this type of issues
Yep very slow network response compared with the s24u I had the T-Mobile version after a week I returned it
I just got the phone and I really love it but so far the overheating has been an issue. I've only had it for 3 days and people are saying to give it a couple more days. If it doesn't get fixed by day 10 I will have to return it. Sadly. Other than that I really like this phone
Mine gave such a bad experience I ended up returning it. It would close apps running in the background, but it would make them disappear completely from the recents tab for some reason, never got fixed and my s24 ultra and iPhone 15 pro max don't do this
Are you a drug dealer?
@@conorm2524 TF
another problem with 8 pro is Sharing Hotspot wifi on 2,4 GHz, it's not working you have to switch to 6G for it to work and it's not compatible with old devices
My Pixel 3 still going strong
If anyone has a work around for the white balance post it please
Agree that front camera is still a weak spot for pixel, details lags behind competition. Wish for better efficiency from future pixels
A good phone really gimped by the performance and battery efficiency, changed to S24 ultra for the battery alone. Also the camera is incosistent, sometimes it's the best picture i have ever seen on a phone sometimes i would be shamed as having an "Android phone" by iPhone users
Pretty sure the thermal sensor has something to do with the camera performance. They must be covering something. Who else is dumb enough to a temp sensor to a phobe
I just got one yesterday. for my Mom. I'll stick to my Fold 5.
A câmera deste telefone é soberba. Eu posso encostar a minha mão à câmera e não desfoca. Não conheço outra igual.
only 1 - 2 hours screen time... wtf that's dire
I just made huge eyes when hearing that. That‘s literally terrible stats
I’ve tried to use phones less for consuming media. I switched to e ink tablets for reading. Deleted all social media off my phone. And I don’t read in bed, so my screen time has gone down significantly these past few years. - Josh
@@6MonthsLater I meant in terms of battery life, not your life choices 😅
Yup it's not the average use case in this day and age. Probably don't need a flagship if you are using it that little. You may as well not mention the battery as it says nothing about the battery life.. I assume he has juice left after that 1-2 hours lol. Mine can "reliably get at least 3-5hours and up to 8 apparently. It just has random days where battery drains super fast where I'm at 50% by lunch. So weird. I've had to turn off key features like AOD and 5g to get my current SOT.
The base model Pixel 8 is worth every dime ❤
Post-covid, i think a temperature sensor is a pretty good idea lol
Only 35% battery at the end of the day with only 1-2 hours screen on time? How was it that bad?
Imagine if he played games on the thing lol
Djeez, i would need to charge it twice a day… No i’m no gamer at all. Just a heavy user 🙈
Turn off 5G
@@thomasward00 buy a flagship but turn off some features to make it trough a day. Shouldn’t be needed.
@@rubendemarez3281 even that doesn't stop battery drain
Clean UI, good performance (I'm not a gamer), amazing cameras, great screen, 7 years of OS updates and you can find it for $700 brand new. Thats a killer package imho. Samsung is trying to compete with iPhone with those prices and I think its just not worth it.
I would like one, but Google can't manage to sell their phones globally. So I have a S24 Ultra instead.
I have a s23 and i dont think ill go back to samsung. I dont enjoy Samsungs UI. Its messy. So much bloat ware.
personly i like that google is experimenting with gimmicks like a thermometer, as it shows that they trying to innovate
Cheaper and does all the same thing the more expensive phone does. Plus I have crap load of Google stock so I might of well help the sales even its just 1 phone.......
I have pixel 8 and I think it is worth it🎉
Nothing bothers me more than phones taking away features with further versions
If google add snapdragon soc for pixels i will be a new pixel user
1-2 hr SOT is a really light user.... Lasting all day isn't much of an achievement.
Yes, it's worth it 👍
#TeamPixel
This is actually a bad take and the reason is exactly what you stated - you don't have kids. I think pixo 8 pro is probably one of the best phones for families or parents. I'm not a Google pixel fan boy by any means (I hate the pixel quality control. When I first got my pixel 8 pro the screen was broken out of the box). I think the value of the pixel 8 pro is its user friendliness, photo taking and the most underrated function which is the temperature sensor. I have two kids, so I use it very often and it is very accurate. I don't play games so I don't need the latest chip that Snapdragon offers.
How's the shutter speed of the camera. It is very important for clicking pics of kids who won't simply stay still 😅
They have a phot unblur feature that works pretty well for those scenarios. But you can also set in manually with the pro photo tools.
Best take doesn't work well and neither does magic eraser. Audi magic eraser is pretty good in my opinion. Hands down Gemini is crap but it does open apps like KZhead music but doesn't do anything productive like play music
It's more of a snapchat weakness than a camera weakness.
It’s just not a high end device… The 15 pro or s24+ are both way better high end devices…
They're also about $400 more as well.
2hrs screen on time I must be sick then 😂
A curious question: Are there people over eighty years of age who are very elderly people who own and will use modern smart phones?!?
I work at a senior center. Average age 60s-70s. Our 80 yr olds do have smart phones. Our 90 years old dont, but our 80 yr olds love their phones.
@@meghanbrooks6967 Why does an 80-year-old person have a smartphone and why does a 90-year-old not have a smartphone?!? What is the difference between them?😏
@@user-ct8zg4nb3g I’m just curious on the choice of emoji at the end 😂😂😂
Google preparing for future outbreaks
Pixel looks promising but isn't up to par with Samsung yet. Maybe 3 to 4 years and well talk
Dude enjoys looking like an orange in the iPhones
But apparently, the Ai features on Samsung will only be free until 2025
nice
..no, get the 9..
Samsung One UI. It’s not great. Pixel for those who are in this camp. I’m iPhone + Pixel . I may go all in on Pixel 9 if it’s a winner
As the inside story goes, it was a “temp” sensor meaning temporary. Someone misunderstood and built a temperature sensor.
Is you need a camera get the pixel, if you need a smartphone get a galaxy
Random but those videos aren't clickable for me. I've already watched them just sayin
Thanks for letting me know. What device were you using to access the website?
@@6MonthsLater Galaxy Tab S8+
Thx! While I don't have a Galaxy tablet, I'll double check the site on Android and my S24 Ultra. Updated the s to just use KZhead's embed code which I'm hoping fixes that issue.
Was able to replicate the issue on my Pixel tablet. So weird, didn't have it happen on other phones. Gonna just switch these videos to be hosted on KZhead and that should fix the issue.
@@6MonthsLater Sounds good, thanks. I'll let you know if it happens again
Hrs is hard not hdr 😂😂😂
I've had mine since January and i definitely enjoy using it. This will be my last Pixel though because it seems to me that Google wants out of the hardware side and just provide the software for Samsung and Apple. They keep giving away all the cool features that made having a Pixel in my pocket cool to have. I'm not a big Samsung user so i believe in September i will go back to the world of imessage and FaceTime.
Shame. Im happy to be away of that world and wont go back. Pixel is my fav phone so far
@@VitiateTheImmortal It's my personal favorite too and I will still have it just without the sim. Google just isn't giving me enough reasons anymore to use it daily.
@@VitiateTheImmortalGive it some time….you’ll come back to your senses…
. Call screening and the keyboard are recent enough for me to try to keep this device to use daily. Right now I'm thinking about returning it just because it is overheating. I'm just giving it a couple of days to settle to see if the issue still persists.
@@josevelez4726 I hope this issue gets fixed for you because it is a great device! I’m just going back to what makes my life easier and unfortunately that’s the Apple life.
ugly camera design and looks cheap and toy....not worth that price..they always had a quality problems for their products..only l like about software side...
Quality issues indeed. After 4 months my P8P developed microphone issues and people couldn't hear me on calls. Also the USB port has bad contact and keeps dropping a connection. I don't know how Google can allow pixels to have such poor quality. Went through a few Pixel 5 RMAs also, very disappointing!
Ist❤
OP 12 poops on this phone
It s so overpriced and only good as a camera. Just buy a camera for that price and stick with your phone. If the phone was not overpriced, overheating, and had with a great battery, I would say go for it, but it s not it and not future-proof
Maybe you are just pastier than you realize.
Overpriced over hyped overrated phone
Just curious, what phone or phones do you have and what is your main driver?
iPhone @@CoachD77
Actually, it's cheaper compared to a Samsung or iPhone.
@@InstaTreePipteeI’d spend the extra $200 for the iPhone. Especially seeing 1-2 hours SOT with 35% battery left, I’d kill the Pixel in half a day if that’s true.
@@superiortoall22I was very curious about Pixel so I ordered one, will get it the day after tomorrow. Will see by myself how bad the battery really is. My 3 years old 13 PM still has around 45% left after about 6 SoT. :D
Why would anyone buy this POS when a 24 ultra is a measly $100 more?