CNET editors have spent the past few days testing multiple models of the 8 Pro in the UK and US, and we’ve been taken aback by what we’ve found. The biggest issues are with the camera, which in some high-contrast situations produced bizarre artifacts that ruin the image.
The phone’s DNG raw images — which normally would include all of the detail that the Pixel 8 Pro’s cameras can shoot — were at first incompatible with any raw editors (including Lightroom on the device and Photoshop on desktop). This was fixed with a last-minute update from Google that applies only to new images taken (our early DNG tests are effectively dead). But DNG files remain fuzzy and noisy, beyond what we’d expect from any raw file.
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It’s likely that many of the problems we’ve found can be resolved with software updates, and Google has said that a camera update that could help some of the issues we’ve found will arrive in “a couple of weeks.”
But here at CNET, we’ve decided that we need more time to fully understand the depth of the issues and we’ve opted to hold off on giving the Pixel 8 Pro a definitive rated verdict. Below you’ll find my early review of the phone with my opinions on the design, display, processor and battery, informed by multiple editors’ testing.
We’ll be updating this review over the coming days and retesting elements of the phone (especially the camera) as Google pushes out its software update. We would like to note that we haven’t found any of these issues testing the regular Pixel 8.
What does this mean for you? Well, if you’re sitting clutching your credit card looking to buy the Pixel 8 Pro, we’d advise you to wait. Keep your eye on this review as it develops and wait for our final verdict.
6 days with the Pixel 8 Pro
The Pixel 8 Pro is the latest flagship from Google that packs a host of refinements over its predecessor including a new processor, cameras and more AI skills. I loved the older Pixel 7 Pro and believed it was one of the best Android phones money could buy. The 8 Pro has a lot to live up to.
Putting aside the camera problems I’ve experienced, the Pixel 8 Pro has plenty going for it, from its solid gaming performance, its decent battery life and its slick Android 14 interface. But the most important change is that Google is committing to seven years of software updates for the phone, a huge boost over what it previously offered and a lot more over most other Android manufacturers. It means this thing will still be going strong in 2030.
There’s a lot I like about the phone and while I’ve had some success with the camera, the issues it faces need to be resolved before we could consider recommending anyone buy it.
The blue model looks a lot more vibrant than the black model.
The frame is made in part from recycled aluminum (just like in older Pixel phones) and the phone is IP68 rated for water-resistance, which will keep it safe from spilled drinks or when taking calls in the rain. The 6.7-inch display is the same size as on the Pixel 7 Pro. It’s bright and vibrant and easily does justice to whatever colorful YouTube or Netflix video you want to watch on the bus.
Temperature sensor
One little tweak on the back is a small circle next to the camera flash that houses a brand new feature: a temperature sensor. It allows the phone to give temperature readings from objects or surfaces. It’s easy enough to do, just fire up the temperature app and hold the phone about 5 centimeters from your object, as though you’re taking a close-up photo. Tap the screen and it’ll give you a readout on how hot that object is.
Android 14 is the latest version of Google’s software.
The big advancement we can confirm is longevity. Google committed to providing seven years of software and security updates to the Pixel 8 series, which is a big improvement over the four years it previously offered. By comparison, Samsung offers four years of software and five of security updates. Longer security support times are a huge way of reducing the environmental impact of phones, as the hardware on older models is often still working fine, but it’s simply not safe to keep using devices with outdated software.
Google’s software commitment means the Pixel 8 Pro should still be going strong in 2030, which is the longest of any major Android manufacturer and only really rivaled by Fairphone, which offers eight years of security updates on its latest Fairphone 5. It’s good to see Google extending its support period and I hope it encourages more manufacturers to do the same.
The Pixel 8 Pro launches with Android 14 which itself isn’t that different from Android 13, with a near-identical visual look that includes various ways to customize elements of the interface. Google has sprinkled in some additional AI features throughout though, including a new generative AI wallpaper creator.
We’re going to need a bigger boat.
Like the Pixel 7 Pro, the Pixel 8 Pro’s cameras are all arranged across the rear camera bar.
Camera
Speaking of the camera though, the triple rear-camera setup has had some updates, including wider apertures on both the main and telephoto lenses and higher resolution for the ultrawide lens.
But it’s the camera that’s been most problematic for us in our testing so far. Several of our test images with high contrast scenes show bizarre-looking image noise and artifacts in the shadowy areas, along with extremely aggressive software smoothing on areas that should maintain detail. I’ve found similar issues in night mode photos, too.
Zooming in makes it obvious to see the issues, with both overzealous detail smoothing and weird noise problems becoming apparent.
But whatever’s going on over here is just… weird.
While it can shoot DNG raw files as I mentioned earlier, these come out worse, with more image noise and a weird muddiness to the scene that can’t be corrected in post. Shooting in the new high-resolution 50-megapixel mode made things even worse. Taking high-res images involved a 1- to 2-second pause with a “hold still” warning on screen, which made taking the shots feel slow and frustrating.
Google pushed out some big updates to the camera software during our testing period, but it’s clear that something is still wrong. As the cameras are such an important factor of any flagship phone, we’re keen to see a solution here and we’ll continue testing over the coming days and weeks.
It’s not all bad, though. Some images taken with the wide, ultrawide or 5x zoom lens have come out perfectly well in good lighting and I’ve enjoyed using the long exposure mode to add some ethereal blurred movement effects to some photos.
While this long exposure effect has added a fun dreaminess to this train station scene.
The Pixel 7 Pro had a superb camera that was capable of taking glorious images with any of its lenses. I don’t know why Google is struggling to get the Pixel 8 Pro working as it should, but it’s clear that fixes are required.
Battery
Stuffed inside the Pixel 8 Pro is a 5,050-mAh battery, which put in a decent performance on our various battery drain tests. After 1 hour of streaming a YouTube video at max brightness the phone had dropped from full to 97% remaining, which is good. After the third hour it had dropped to 84% which is below what we’ve seen from the iPhone 15 series, but in line with the Galaxy S23.
The Pixel 8 Pro’s biggest competition will be the iPhone 15 Pro. We’re looking forward to seeing how they stack up.
CNET’s advice is to hold on to your money and check back with us in the coming days as we continue to test the 8 Pro and the updates it’ll likely receive.
Article source: https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/googles-pixel-8-pro-has-some-big-problems-our-review-in-progress/#ftag=CADe34d7bf