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Choose the perfect Google Pixel for you.
Three Pixel phones make for a lot of options – so use this 3-step buying guide to find the right one for you.

Getting a new phone is an exciting yet overwhelming moment. This 3-step buying guide that compares the latest Pixel models will help you better decide the best Pixel phone for you.

Step 1:  Understand the core features of the Pixel 8 Series

Capture stunning photos, stay on top of your busy schedule with helpful Google AI features and connect seamlessly with loved ones - whether you choose the Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8 or Pixel 8a, these phones are embedded with core functions to help you with tasks that are integral in your daily lives. 

For a while now, Pixel phones have been recognised for their incredible photo and video quality and our current models are no exception. Supporting this, the Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a all feature an Actua display with vivid colours,1 rich detail, and a refresh rate up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and switching between apps.

Best Take feature powered by Google AI

They’re all also equipped with Gemini, the most capable, powerful AI Google has built to date. Helpful Google AI enables all the magical stuff: fix your photos like magic with Best Take1 and Magic Editor,1 avoid unwanted calls with Call Screen,2 and simply circle words or images to search.3 And Gemini helps you get things done. Brainstorm ideas, start writing, make plans, quickly find and summarise info from Gmail and Google Docs, and more.4

All of the Pixel features are powered by the Google Tensor chip, which, you guessed it, is on all these Pixel phones.

Additionally, when it comes to durability, you’ll find all three models have been built to last in multiple ways. All Pixel 8 phones come with 7 years of security updates from launch to protect you and your sensitive data now and in the future.5 They each have a battery that can last up to 24+ hours, and up to 72 hours in Extreme Battery Saver mode.6,7

Plus every Pixel phone gets better over time, too. Regular Feature Drops boost helpfulness and usability, upgrading the camera, battery, calls, and more.8

Step 2:  Meet the Pixel that matches your needs

Now it’s time to think about what’s right for you and what features are important. Things to think about are budget, camera quality, helpful AI features for productivity, safety & security, and durability.

From concert goers, avid travellers to those who love sporting events and content creation, Pixel 8 Pro is your ultimate companion - as it’s named as ‘the most powerful smartphone camera' on the market by Engadget9 with pro level camera and video features.

Get up close shots using the Telephoto lens

  • With Pixel 8 Pro’s telephoto lens10, you can zoom up to 5x to capture a subject from a distance, which can come in handy when you’re trying to take a picture of your favourite artist at a concert. Seated even further away? Pair it with Super Res Zoom to zoom up to 30x for that extra clear picture.

  • Whether you’re a pro content creator,  pro traveller, enjoy going out or attending sports matches, Pixel 8 Pro comes with pro controls like shutter speed, ISO and more. And it enables full-resolution 50 MP images for richer details. 

  • Vlogging comes with its challenges, from battling background noise to lugging around extra audio equipment. With Audio Magic Eraser11, those audio distractions can be instantly minimised, making your video sound better and putting the focus on your voice. Additionally, Video Boost automatically adjusts colour, lighting, stabilisation and graininess, so you can capture high quality videos from your favourite team playing at a sporting event to places with low light situations.

  • For gamers and video enthusiasts who want the best display experience and the smoothest performance, Pixel 8 Pro has the best display enhancement of 6.7” Actua display12  with display refresh rate that intelligently adjusts up to 120Hz, 4 GB more RAM than Pixel 8 and expansive storage for responsive performance and power efficiency.

For busy professionals who are looking for an everyday phone, Pixel 8, named as  ‘the best Android smartphone’ by New York Times Wirecutter13,comes with helpful AI features so you can get more done with less.

Awarded “Smartphone of the Year” at the GSMA Global Mobile Award, the Pixel 8 lives up to its reputation as it strikes a compelling balance between helpful features and price. With a 50MP main sensor and 12MP ultrawide lens, macro focus and cinematic blur features, you can still capture stunning photos and videos without needing a pro-level phone.

Before and after comparison using Photo Unblur

  • Standing at 6.3 inches high and 2.8 inches wide with a weight of 197g, Pixel 8 is much more compact in size and lighter than Pixel 8 Pro, which is 6.7 inches high and 3 inches wide with a weight of 212g.

  • Although it doesn’t have a telephoto lens or macro focus, it has an ultra-wide lens and wide-angle lens that are comparable to the Google Pixel 8 Pro, and Super Res Zoom of up to 8x making it the ideal phone for social occasions like gatherings, road trips and vacations. It’s equipped with a larger sensor than the previous model that improves shooting performance in dark places like at an aquarium or inside a store, so you can capture beautiful photos as though they were taken in bright light.

  • Can’t seem to get a good family photo at a crowded attraction spot? Pixel 8 comes with camera editing features like Photo Unblur1 and Magic Eraser1 that removes blur, visual noise and distractions in the background with just a few taps. Additionally, with Best Take1, you’ll finally get a photo where everyone is smiling and nobody is blinking. Now, you can post and share those picture-perfect vacation photos on social media with your family and friends.

Summarise long email and documents in the Recorder app

  • Stay productive with Pixel 8’s helpful AI features like Summarise, which summarises web pages, that long email thread you can’t keep up with, documents and more, so you can catch up with work after that long holiday you just came back from. With Google Assistant, you get hands-free help, so you can get things done faster with your voice - for example, using assistant voice typing that sends messages on average 2.5x faster than typing, reading aloud and translating articles.15

For those who have cost and functionality as your top priorities, the Google Pixel 8a allows you to get a piece of Google AI at an affordable price.

The Pixel 8a would appeal to the budget conscious among us and could even be a great first phone for kids. It ensures you stay covered with the fundamentals like long battery life, safety and security features, great camera and video quality, yet enjoy time-saving AI features to make your day productive, easy camera editing features, - so you’ll enjoy the value you get for its price.

Before and after comparison using Magic Editor

  • Compared to its previous A-series model, Pixel 7a which has a battery capacity of 4,385 mAh, Pixel 8a has a higher capacity of 4,492mAh, so it can last longer than before. It also supports fast charging of up to 18W and wireless charging.

  • Despite the lower display experience compared to Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, Pixel 8a has a decent 6.1” Actua display16 with a refresh rate of 120Hz, which is an improvement from Pixel 7a that had a 6.1” FHD+ and up to 90Hz, so you still have a good and even smoother display performance on the A-series phone.

  • It’s powered by Google Tensor G3, the same chip used to power Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, so you’d still get to enjoy more personalised and helpful features like Magic Eraser1, Best Take1 and Magic Editor1 that helps edit your pictures easily, to assisting you from making calls and avoid spammers with Pixel Call Assist. In fact, Pixel 8a is the first A-series phone to include these expanded camera editing features.

  • Pixel 8a is also built to last, with its sturdy design and IP67 protection that can handle little slips, spills, and a bit of dust.17 It comes with 7 years of security updates from launch5, so you can use your Pixel with assurance for the next 7 years from launch.

Step 3: Get your perfect Pixel phone at the best value with Google Store trade-in program

Now that you know the differences between Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8 vs 8a and fully decided the Pixel for you, it’s time to make the purchase at the best value. If you purchase from the Google Store, you can trade-in your current eligible smartphone at the comfort of your own home - even better, you can trade-in not only your old Google Pixel, but any other phones like Apple, Samsung Galaxy etc.

Takeaways
All Pixel phones bring hardware and software together with helpful AI for our day to day lives They come in a range of sizes and specifications designed to align with different needsWith Google Store's trade-in program, you can get your Pixel at the best value
Pixel 8 Pro
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  1. Requires Google Photos app. May not work on all images.

  2. Not available in all languages or countries. See g.co/pixel/callassist for details.

  3. Available on Pixel 6 and newer phones, and other compatible non-Pixel devices. Requires internet connection and compatible apps and surfaces. Results may vary depending on visual matches.

  4. Features may differ depending on subscription and results may vary. Google Workspace extension must be enabled. Availability varies by country. Gemini mobile app is available in selected languages and countries. Internet connection required. See g.co/gemini/appavailability for details. Check responses for accuracy.

  5. Pixel updates for 7 years from when the device first became available on the Google Store in the US. See g.co/pixel/updates for details.

  6. Estimated battery life based on testing using a median Pixel user battery usage profile across a mix of talk, data, standby, and use of other features. Average battery life during testing was approximately 33 hours. Battery testing conducted on a major carrier network. Battery testing based on mix of inner and outer screen use and conducted in California in early 2024 on pre-production hardware and software using default settings. Battery life depends upon many factors and usage of certain features will decrease battery life. Actual battery life may be lower.

  7. Estimated battery life based on testing using a median Pixel user battery usage profile across a mix of talk, data, standby, and use of limited other features that are default in Extreme Battery Saver mode (which disables various features including 5G connectivity). Battery testing conducted on a major carrier network. Battery testing based on mix of inner and outer screen use and conducted in California in early 2024 on pre-production hardware and software using default settings, except that, for the “up to 72 hours” claim only, Extreme Battery Saver mode was enabled. Battery life depends upon many factors and usage of certain features will decrease battery life. Actual battery life may be lower.

  8. See g.co/pixel/updates for details on when your Pixel is eligible to receive Feature Drops. Availability of some Feature Drops may vary. 

  9. Credit notice: From engadget. © 2023 Yahoo! All rights reserved. Used under licence.

  10. Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8: Compared to other smartphones with dedicated 2x telephoto lens.

  11. Requires Google Photos app. May not work on all audio elements.

  12. Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro: Screen has rounded corners. When measured diagonally as a rectangle, screen is 6.2 inches (for Pixel 8) and 6.7 inches (for Pixel 8 Pro). Actual viewable area is less. Dimension may vary by configuration and manufacturing process.

  13. “The Best Android Smartphone” - New York Times Wirecutter awarded to Pixel 8.

  14. Features may differ depending on subscription and results may vary. Google Workspace extension must be enabled. Availability varies by country. See g.co/gemini/appavailability for details. Check responses for accuracy. 

  15. Based on tap and voice typing in English. Voice typing is not available in all languages or countries.

  16. When measured diagonally as a rectangle, screen is 6.1 inches. Actual viewable area is less. Dimension may vary by configuration and manufacturing process. Resolution compared to Pixel 7a.

  17. Designed to comply with dust and water protection rating IP67 under IEC standard 60529 when each device leaves the factory, but the device is not water or dust proof. The accessories are not water- or dust-resistant. Water resistance and dust resistance are not permanent conditions and will diminish or be lost over time due to normal wear and tear, device repair, disassembly or damage. Phone is not drop-proof, and dropping your device may result in loss of water/dust resistance. Liquid damage voids the Limited Warranty but you may still have certain rights available to you under applicable consumer law. See g.co/pixel/water for details. See g.co/pixel/water for details.