This time around, we’re checking out two compact smartphones. One of them is currently a flagship, while the other was a flagship a generation earlier. In other words, we’re comparing the Google Pixel 9 Pro vs Google Pixel 8 specs. The Pixel 9 Pro technically succeeded the Pixel 8, even though it’s just as powerful as the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The difference between the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro was more considerable.
Google decided to change up the design a little bit from the Pixel 8 series to the Pixel 9 series. That sheer fact makes this comparison interesting, though there are a number of other differences between these phones. We’ll first list their specs and will then move to compare their designs, displays, performance, battery life, cameras, and audio output. Let’s get to it, shall we?
Specs
Google Pixel 9 Pro
Google Pixel 8
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | Google Pixel 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm | 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9 mm |
| Weight | 199 grams | 187 grams |
| Display | 6.3-inch LTPO OLED | 6.2-inch OLED |
| Refresh rate | 1-120Hz (adaptive) | 120Hz |
| Resolution | 2856 x 1280 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Chipset | Google Tensor G4 | Google Tensor G3 |
| RAM | 16GB (LPDDR5X) | 8GB (LPDDR5X) |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB (UFS 3.1) | 128GB/256GB (UFS 3.1) |
| Main camera | 50MP (f/1.7 aperture, 1/1.31-inch sensor size, 1.2um pixel size, dual pixel PDAF, OIS) | 50MP (f/1.7 aperture, 1/1.31-inch sensor size, 1.2um pixel size, dual pixel PDAF, OIS) |
| Ultra-wide camera | 48MP (f/1.7 aperture, 1/2.55-inch sensor size, 123-degree FoV, dual pixel PDAF) | 12MP (f/2.2 aperture, 1/2.9-inch sensor size, 126-degree FoV, 1.25um pixel size) |
| Telephoto camera | N/A | N/A |
| Periscope telephoto camera | 48MP (f/2.8 aperture, 1/2.55-inch sensor size, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom) | N/A |
| Selfie camera | 42MP (f/2.2 aperture, PDAF) | 10.5MP (f/2.2 aperture, 1/3.1-inch sensor size, 1.22um pixel size) |
| Battery size | 4,700mAh | 4,575mAh |
| Charging | 27W wired, 21W wireless (Pixel Stand), 12W wireless (Qi), 5W reverse wired (charger not included) | 27W wired, 18W wireless (Pixel Stand), 5W reverse wireless (charger not included) |
| Colors | Porcelain, Rose Quartz, Hazel, Obsidian | Obsidian, Hazel, Rose, Mint |
Google Pixel 9 Pro vs Google Pixel 8: Design
Both of these phones include flat displays, with a centered display camera hole up top. They also have similar corner curvature. The bezels are slightly thinner on the Pixel 9 Pro, and they’re also uniform. The physical keys sit in the same spot on both of these phones. They’re located on the right-hand side, and the power/lock button sits above the volume up and down keys on both devices.
The Pixel 9 Pro has a flat frame all around. That’s not the case with the Pixel 8. That phone has a slightly rounded frame. Google used aluminum in both cases, though, while there’s glass on the back of both devices. It’s the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 in the case of the Pixel 9 Pro, and Gorilla Glass Victus on the Pixel 8.
If we flip them around, you’ll notice different camera modules on the back. The Pixel 9 Pro has a pill-shaped camera module with three cameras on the inside. That module is horizontal. The Pixel 8, on the flip side, has a camera bar as well, though this one connects to the frame on left and right sides. It also slopes down towards the frame on both sides, which is not the case with the Pixel 9 Pro. There is also one less camera included here.
The Pixel 9 Pro is slightly taller, wider, and thinner. It has a slightly larger display, though, so that’s not surprising. That phone is also 12 grams heavier in comparison, it weighs 199 grams. Both smartphones are quite slippery, and both of them are IP68 certified for water and dust resistance.
Google Pixel 9 Pro vs Google Pixel 8: Display
There is a 6.3-inch LTPO OLED display included on the Google Pixel 9 Pro. That display is flat, and it supports HDR10+ content. It also has an adaptive refresh rate (1-120Hz). The peak brightness here is 3,000 nits, in theory. The screen-to-body ratio is at around 87%, while the display aspect ratio is 20:9. The resolution this display offers is 2856 x 1280. Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protects this display.
The Google Pixel 8, on the other hand, includes a 6.2-inch OLED panel. That display is also flat, and it supports HDR10+ content. It also offers an adaptive refresh rate (1-120Hz), and the peak brightness is 2,000 nits. The resolution this display offers is 2400 x 1080. The screen-to-body ratio is at around 85%, while the display aspect ratio is 20:9. This panel is protected by the Gorilla Glass Victus.
Both of these displays are vivid, have good viewing angles, and good touch response. The blacks are also deep on both of them. The thing is, the Pixel 9 Pro’s display does get visibly brighter when needed, while it’s also sharper at the same time. You won’t lack sharpness on the Pixel 8’s panel, but it’s worth noting nonetheless. Neither display supports high-frequency PWM dimming, though.
Google Pixel 9 Pro vs Google Pixel 8: Performance
The Google Pixel 9 Pro is fueled by the Google Tensor G4 processor. That is Google’s 4nm chip. It is paired with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 3.1 flash storage. The Pixel 8, on the flip side, comes with the Google Tensor G3 processor, also a 4nm chip. That phone also includes 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 3.1 flash storage. Neither phone supports storage expansion, by the way.
The Google Tensor G4 is a more powerful chip, but not by much. What the Pixel 9 Pro does have a huge advantage in is the modem used on the inside. That helps with cellular performance in battery life. In terms of general fluidity of use, both smartphones deliver. They’re quite snappy, though the Pixel 9 Pro is a bit snappier when you compare them side-by-side. They can both perform proper multitasking and handle basically anything you throw their way.
Google Pixel 9 Pro vs Google Pixel 8: Battery
The Google Pixel 9 Pro includes a 4,700mAh battery on the inside. The Pixel 8, on the flip side, has a 4,575mAh battery. One would assume that the battery life between these two phones is similar, as the Pixel 9 Pro is slightly larger. Well, your assumption would be wrong. Thanks to that modem, more than anything else, the Pixel 9 Pro offers notably better battery life than the Pixel 8.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro actually offers really good battery life, considering it’s a compact smartphone. It can reach some truly high screen-on time levels, as long as you don’t drain it with gaming or something like that. The Pixel 8, while it offers solid battery life, is nowhere near the Pixel 9 Pro. With heavier use, you can easily drain that phone’s battery by the end of the day. The Pixel 9 Pro has quite the advantage.
When it comes to charging, they’re on the same playing field. Both phones support 27W wired charging. The Pixel 9 Pro also supports 21W wireless (Pixel Stand), 12W wireless (Qi), and 5W reverse wireless charging. The Pixel 8, on the other hand, supports 18W wireless (Pixel Stand) and 5W reverse wireless charging. It takes the Pixel 9 Pro around an hour and 25 minutes to fully charge, while the Pixel 8 can do it in around 10 minutes less.
Google Pixel 9 Pro vs Google Pixel 8: Cameras
The Google Pixel 9 Pro has three cameras on the back, while the Pixel 8 has two. A 50-megapixel main camera (1/1.31-inch sensor size) sits on the back of the Pixel 9 Pro. It is joined by a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera (1/2.55-inch sensor size, 123-degree FoV) and a 48-megapixel periscope telephoto camera (1/2.55-inch sensor size, 5x optical zoom).
The Google Pixel 8, on the other hand, includes a 50-megapixel main camera (1/1.31-inch sensor size), and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera (1/2.9-inch sensor size, 126-degree FoV). While the main sensor is technically the same as the one on the Pixel 9 Pro, the new device has a much better ultrawide shooter.
It is worth noting that the images are not the same, despite the same main sensor. The Pixel 9 Pro usually takes the better shot, even though that’s not always the case. Both phones prefer that contrasty Pixel look when it comes to images, and both do a fantastic job with HDR shots. The images do end up looking considerably processed, as we’re used to with Pixel devices. They also do a good job in low light. The Pixel 9 Pro crushes the Pixel 8 in terms of ultrawide shots, and the same goes for telephoto pictures, of course. The Pixel 8 doesn’t even have a telephoto camera, let alone a periscope telephoto unit.
Audio
Both of these phones include stereo speakers. The ones on the Pixel 9 Pro are louder, though. The difference is not huge, but it’s worth noting nonetheless. The sound output is quite good from both devices.
There is no audio jack on either of the two smartphones. You can, however, utilize their Type-C ports in order to connect your wired headphones. Alternatively, both smartphones support Bluetooth 5.3. So, you can use that to connect your wireless headphones.
The post Phone Comparisons: Google Pixel 9 Pro vs Google Pixel 8 Specs appeared first on Android Headlines.
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