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Google Pixel 7 Pro vs Pixel 8 Pro: What's new and should you upgrade?

One of the best value flagships ever takes on its ultra-refined successor.
By

Published onFebruary 1, 2024

Google Pixel 7 Pro
MSRP: $899.00
Check price
Positives
Unique design
Flexible, high-class camera setup
Upgraded fingerprint scanner and modem
Clean Pixel UI software and exclusive features
Long-term software support
Incredible value
Negatives
Tensor G2 still runs hot at times
Slow charging
Google Pixel 8 Pro
MSRP: $999.99
Check price
Positives
Excellent cameras
Improved wired charging
Premium build
Fun, exclusive Android 14 customizations
Industry-leading update promise
Negatives
Tensor G3 still benchmarks behind the best
Gimmicky temperature sensor
Some features not available at launch

Google’s recent flagship Android phones have been winners, with the Pixel 7 Pro demonstrating how far the company has come in just a few short years. With the Pixel 8 Pro, the company adds even more to its top-of-the-line phone without overextending the asking price. Is the premium justified? Find out below in our Google Pixel 7 Pro vs Pixel 8 Pro showdown.

Google Pixel 7 Pro vs Pixel 8 Pro: At a glance

Google's two flagship phones might look similar, but they have plenty of differences:

  • The Pixel 8 Pro has a much brighter display than the Pixel 7 Pro.
  • Google ditches the tapered display on the Pixel 7 Pro for a completely flat face on the Pixel 8 Pro.
  • The Pixel 8 Pro gains Object Temperature sensing thanks to an external infrared thermometer.
  • The Pixel 8 Pro also has a slightly larger battery.
  • Google's Pixel 8 Pro gains the Tensor G3 chipset, while the Pixel 7 Pro still utilizes the G2.
  • The Pixel 8 Pro's main cameras all feature upgrades and benefit from higher light sensitivity.
  • The Pixel 8 Pro has a more refined design, with a soft-touch matte glass rear instead of the glossy glass finish on the Pixel 7 Pro.

Google Pixel 7 Pro vs Pixel 8 Pro specs

Google Pixel 8 ProGoogle Pixel 7 Pro
Display
Google Pixel 8 Pro
6.7-inch Super Actua OLED
20:9 aspect ratio
2,992 x 1,344
489ppi
1-120Hz dynamic Smooth Display
Gorilla Glass Victus 2
HDR support
1,600 nits brightness for HDR, 2,400 nits peak brightness

Google Pixel 7 Pro
6.7-inch OLED
20:9 aspect ratio
3,120 x 1,440
512ppi
120Hz Smooth Display
Gorilla Glass Victus
HDR support
1,000 nits brightness for HDR, 1,500 nits peak brightness
Processor
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Google Tensor G3
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Google Tensor G2
RAM
Google Pixel 8 Pro
12 GB LPDDR5X

Google Pixel 7 Pro
12GB LPDDR5
Storage
Google Pixel 8 Pro
128GB, 256GB, 512GB
1TB (US-only)
No expandable storage
Google Pixel 7 Pro
128, 256, 512GB
No expandable storage
Power
Google Pixel 8 Pro
5,050mAh (typical)
30W wired charging
23W wireless charging (w/Pixel Stand 2nd gen)
12W Qi wireless charging
Battery Share
Google Pixel 7 Pro
5,000mAh (typical)
23W wired charging
23W wireless charging (w/Pixel Stand 2nd Gen)
12W Qi wireless charging
Battery Share
Cameras
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Rear:
- 50MP main
1.2 μm, f/1.68, 82-degree FoV
1/1.31-inch sensor
2x "optical quality" zoom
OIS and EIS

- 48MP ultra-wide
0.8 μm, f/1.95, 125.5-degree FoV

- 48MP telephoto
0.7 μm, f/2.8, 21.8-degree FoV
5x optical zoom
OIS and EIS

- Multi-zone laser AF

Front:
- 10.5MP
1.22 μm, f/2.2, 95-degree FoV, autofocus


Google Pixel 7 Pro
Rear:
- 50MP main
1.2 μm, ƒ/1.85, 82-degree FoV
1/1.31-inch sensor
OIS and EIS

- 12MP ultrawide
1.25 μm, ƒ/2.2, 125.8-degree FoV, autofocus

- 48MP telephoto
0.7 μm, ƒ/3.5, 20.6-degree FoV
5x optical zoom, 30x Super Resolution
OIS

- Laser AF

Front:
- 10.8MP
1.22 μm, ƒ/2.2, 92.8-degree FoV
Audio
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Stereo speakers
Triple mics
Spatial audio
Bluetooth 5.3
No 3.5mm port
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Stereo speakers
Triple mics
Spatial audio
Bluetooth 5.2
No 3.5mm port
IP rating
Google Pixel 8 Pro
IP68
Google Pixel 7 Pro
IP68
Sensors
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Object thermometer
Proximity sensor
Ambient light sensor
Accelerometer
Gyrometer
Magnetometer
Barometer
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Proximity sensor
Ambient light sensor
Accelerometer
Gyrometer
Magnetometer
Barometer
Biometrics and security
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Face Unlock (highest Android biometric class) and Fingerprint Unlock (w/under-display sensor)
Titan M2 security chip
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Face Unlock and Fingerprint Unlock (w/under-display sensor)
Titan M2 security chip
SIM
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Dual SIM (single nano and eSIM)
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Dual SIM (single nano and eSIM)
Software
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Android 14
7 years of OS upgrades
7 years of security updates
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Android 13
3 years of OS upgrades
5 years of security updates
Dimensions and weight
Google Pixel 8 Pro
162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8mm
213g
Google Pixel 7 Pro
162.9 x 76.5 x 8.9mm
212g
Colors
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Obsidian, Snow, Hazel

Google Pixel 7 Pro vs Pixel 8 Pro: Features

The Pixel 8 Pro brings several new features to Google’s flagship phone. Let’s briefly touch on the hardware differences.

The new phone packs a much brighter display than the Pixel 7 Pro, with a 2,400 nits maximum brightness level versus 1,500 nits managed by its predecessor. This should make the Pixel 8 Pro’s screen more legible in bright environments.

You’ll find a new infrared thermometer at the rear of the Pixel 8 Pro. This little sensor powers the Object Thermometer feature, allowing users to measure the temperature of a mug of coffee, surfaces, and other environmental objects using their phones. The feature has since gained FDA approval, which means curious folk can use the sensor to sample their own body temperature and upload the data to Fitbit. This is great for those who don’t own a Google Pixel Watch 2. Is this a killer feature? Not entirely, but the Pixel 7 Pro misses out on any temperature sensor tech.

The Pixel 8 Pro also gets a Face Unlock boost — a welcome improvement after our harrowing experiences with the Pixel 7 Pro’s equivalent. Google notes that the new feature is of the highest Android biometric class and allows users to make payments. It’s unclear if this feature could come to the Pixel 7 Pro, but Google says it is limited to the new phones “today.”

The Pixel 8 Pro is the first Android phone to challenge Apple's iPhone update support duration.

The upgraded cameras are one of the bigger upgrades on the Pixel 8 Pro, and you can clearly see the results in our Pixel 7 Pro vs Pixel 8 Pro camera comparison. You’ll notice no changes to the rear sensor sizes, with a 50MP main, 48MP wide, and 48MP telephoto on the Pixel 8 Pro’s rear. However, they can now accommodate more light than before, thanks to larger apertures. Google claims the main camera allows 21% more light than the Pixel 7 Pro’s main camera. This camera made the Pixel 7 Pro one of the best camera phones on the market — take a look at our review samples below for proof of this.

The Pixel 8 Pro also has an ace up its sleeve: a fully manual camera mode. This allows users to adjust key photographic parameters, like ISO speed and aperture, giving users more control over the hardware itself. It’s a great addition and something we appreciated in our review.

With the new hardware and refreshed software at its disposal, the Pixel 8 Pro produces excellent results, but that isn’t surprising. The cameras perform well across most lighting conditions, bright or night, while the selfie shots are also stellar. Find a few samples above, or you can look at the full number of Pixel 8 Pro review samples at the link.

Google Pixel 7 Pro Magic Eraser
Hadlee Simons / Android Authority

Alongside the camera hardware changes, buyers also get some welcome software additions. For videographers, Google adds Real Tone, Audio Magic Eraser, and Video Boost features. These features adjust skin tone, allow users to remove specific segments of background audio, and improve video quality using cloud computing, respectively. The latter feature is coming later this year. Judging by the need for the Tensor G3 chipset, the latter seems unlikely to land on the Tensor G2-powered Pixel 7 Pro.

The Google Tensor G3 chipset also powers the Summarize feature available on Google Recorder, which will employ the chipset’s large language model (LLM) for offline processing. The Pixel 8 Pro debuts with a web summary feature, Google Assistant improvements, and Gboard voice typing updates.

In January 2024, the phone gained further software improvements, including Smart Reply in Gboard, Magic Compose for Google Messages, and Circle to Search, which first debuted on the Samsung Galaxy S24 series.

Of course, the software is only as good as the update policy behind it, and the latest Pixel is the first to challenge Apple’s iPhone update support duration. With the Pixel 8 Pro, Google sets a new benchmark with seven years of OS upgrades and security patches. This eclipses the three years of OS upgrades and five years of security patches the Pixel 7 Pro promises. The Pixel 8 Pro is now one of the best-supported Android phones on the market, alongside the Galaxy S24 series, which features a similar promise.

Google Pixel 7 Pro vs Pixel 8 Pro: Design

Google keeps the design across the two Pixel generations remarkably similar, but there is one striking difference. You’ll notice the camera bar on the Pixel 8 Pro now includes a larger lens cutout, swallowing up the third sensor that was previously separate on the Pixel 7 Pro. Oddly enough, this makes the Pixel 8 Pro’s rear feel a little crooked, especially in the Porcelain colorway. Even so, the unique design streak continues. You’ll also notice that both phones make room for a flash on the camera bar, but the Pixel 8 Pro has an additional sensor beneath it. This is the infrared thermometer employed by the phone’s Object Temperature feature.

Google keeps the design across the two Pixel generations remarkably similar, but there is one striking difference.

Google continues to use Gorilla Glass all around. The Pixel 8 Pro’s design bears a matte Victus 2 finish, which feels pleasantly silky and isn’t as prone to fingerprints as the Pixel 7 Pro’s shiny Victus 1 sheath. It’s a nice improvement and should mean you needn’t worry about unsightly paw prints on your device. Nevertheless, I’d still recommend you get a good Pixel 8 Pro case to keep the phone knick-free.

Up front, there’s another significant change. The Pixel 8 Pro’s display is now completely flat, discarding the tapered edges found on the Pixel 7 Pro. Again, it’s a small tweak that many users will appreciate. It should also make applying a screen protector an absolute dream compared to its predecessor.

Beyond these changes, the two phones practically share dimensions, button placements,  and screen sizes.

Google Pixel 7 Pro vs Pixel 8 Pro: Price and colors

  • Pixel 7 Pro (12GB/128GB): $899
  • Pixel 7 Pro (12GB/256GB): $999
  • Pixel 7 Pro (12GB/512GB): $1,099
  • Pixel 8 Pro (12GB/128GB): $999
  • Pixel 8 Pro (12GB/256GB): $1,059
  • Pixel 8 Pro (12GB/512GB): $1,179
  • Pixel 8 Pro (12GB/1TB): $1,399

Google’s 2022 flagship launched on October 6, with sales starting on October 13, 2022. It was priced at $899, which made it one of the cheapest fully-fledged flagships in the market that year. You can now find it deeply discounted, further cementing it as a solid value proposition.

Colors on offer include Hazel, Obsidian, and Snow.

Google Pixel 7 Pro
Google Pixel 7 Pro
AA Editor's Choice
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Best Google camera • High-quality display • Big battery
MSRP: $899.00
The Pixel 7 Pro is the top-of-the-line phone on Google's roster.
The Google Pixel 7 Pro takes the best features from the Pixel 6 Pro, and makes them even better. Enjoy numerous camera upgrades and some fun new software tricks, all for the same cost as the last-gen Pixel phone.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro launched on October 4, with preorders going live the same day in core Pixel launch regions. General availability kicked off on October 12, 2023, with a $999 price tag. That makes it $100 more expensive than its predecessor, but is now in line with rivals from Samsung and Apple.

Colors on offer include Obsidian Black, Porcelain, and Bay (light blue).

Google Pixel 8 Pro
Google Pixel 8 Pro
AA Editor's Choice
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Excellent cameras • Fun, exclusive Android 14 customizations • Industry-leading update promise
MSRP: $999.99
Powerful Google phone with powerful camera features
The Google Pixel 8 Pro is packed with unique camera features and AI-assisted software that puts the smart into smartphone.

Google Pixel 7 Pro vs Pixel 8 Pro: Should you upgrade?

google pixel 8 pro camera car all colors
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

It’s a tough task deciding which of these Google phones boast the better price-performance ratio. By being nearly a year older, the Google Pixel 7 Pro is the cheaper of the two devices. We were impressed by its photographic prowess, build quality, and unique aesthetics when we reviewed it, even though it was often slow to charge and ran a little warm under pressure. Has Google solved these issues with the Pixel 8 Pro? Maximum charging speed sees a marginal buff, while it’s too early to say if the Tensor G3 runs cooler than its predecessor. The Pixel 7 Pro still looks the better buy, especially when factoring in the Pixel 8 Pro’s $100 launch price premium. And it’s a lot of money if you don’t have an additional $100 to spend on a phone. By this logic, I still recommend the Pixel 7 Pro for those craving a Google flagship at a reduced price.

I still recommend the Pixel 7 Pro for those craving a Google flagship at a reduced price.

However, if you’re joining the Pixel party from another phone manufacturer or are looking to upgrade from a much older Pixel device, the Pixel 8 Pro brings upgrades where it matters. I love the new anti-fingerprint rear finish, the upgraded cameras, the improved Face Unlock performance and security, and the seven-year upgrade commitment from Google. The Pixel 8 Pro is a long-term investment that will improve over time. For this alone, I think the $100 premium isn’t too steep an ask from Google.

Do you feel the same? Which phone wins the Google Pixel 7 Pro vs Pixel 8 Pro duel? Let us know by voting in the poll below.

Which Google phone do you feel is the better deal?

138 votes

FAQs

No, the Pixel 7 Pro and the Pixel 8 Pro do not feature microSD card slots.

Google announced the Pixel 7 series on October 6, 2022. The Pixel 8 series was announced almost a year to the day later, on October 4, 2023.

Yes, the Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 8 Pro both feature IP68 water and dust resistance ratings.

Yes, both Google Pixel Pro models feature wireless charging up to 23W with the right hardware.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro uses a flat screen, while the Pixel 7 Pro features a slight curve towards the edge of its screen.

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