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The Google Pixel 8 is rather compact, and that’s a good thing. It’s the best option for most people.
Google announced two flagship smartphones this year, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. While the ‘Pro’ model is rather large and spec-wise the best the company has to offer, the Pixel 8 is probably the best option for most people. The Google Pixel 8 is more compact than its predecessor, the Pixel 7, and for the better. It creates more of a difference between the vanilla and ‘Pro’ models, and truth be said, this size will probably fit most people better. The Google Pixel 8 is, for us, the best compact smartphone of 2023.
The Google Pixel 8 size is a nice balance between small & large
This phone has a 6.2-inch display, which is not small by any means. That panel is large enough for basically anything, and yet the phone ends up being rather compact as a result. Of course, thin bezels help, too. To make things even better, the sheer design of the phone helps with things, too. The Pixel 8 is quite curvy, which makes it comfortable to use. It is slippery, sure, but it doesn’t cut into your hand in any way, shape, or form. The display is also flat, which helps with the grip, and besides, most people prefer flat displays either way.
Phones can be too small, the same way they can be too big. Well, this one finds a nice balance between the two. Pretty much every person who held the phone said that they liked the size, which says a lot, actually. People are used to big phones, but only because the companies forced them to be. Large phones are everywhere, and finding a good compact phone is not always so easy. So it’s nice to see that we have some nice options out there this year.
Good design is boosted by great camera performance & AI features
Now, sure, the Pixel 8 is a compact device and is a good size. What about the rest of the phone, though? Well, during our review, we really enjoyed it through and through. That camera visor on the back makes sure the phone doesn’t wobble on the table, and it’s also a great anchor point for your index finger when you’re holding the device. The performance of the device is also on point. The Google Tensor G3 may not be the most powerful chip in the market, but it does offer great performance nonetheless. On top of that, it enables the phone to take advantage of a number of AI features, including camera AI features.
Software is usually one of the main selling points of Google’s smartphones, and this time is no different. The Pixel 8 has a lot to offer software-wise. Not only is the UI very clean and minimal, but there are a number of AI features that you can take advantage of. It doesn’t really have as many features as the ‘Pro’ model, but all the major ones are included. This phone can create unique wallpapers for you, thanks to Generative AI. The ‘Summarize’ feature is also very useful for longer text, not to mention Zoom Enhance, Audio Eraser, and Magic Editor, to name a few. You can read more about them in our full review.
Google will properly support this phone for seven years, which is market-leading
The battery life on the phone is nothing to write home about; it’s not far from being bad. It will be more than enough for most people, and wireless charging is also included. To top it all off, this smartphone will be supported for seven years, and we’re not talking just about security updates. Google promised seven years of proper OS and security updates, with feature drops included. The Google Pixel 8 is a great choice, especially if you’re fed up with huge phones, and its price tag is also more than good. It’s not difficult to understand why we opted to give the Pixel 8 our best compact smartphone of 2023 award.