Google Pixel 8 vs Pixel 7: The Biggest Differences

If you’re thinking about buying a new Pixel phone and are deciding between the Pixel 8 and the previous-generation Pixel 7, I encourage you to think twice. Google is hosting another product launch event on August 13, where it will unveil the Pixel 9. Before you make a decision, it’s worth seeing what Google has in store for its next-generation device.

Maybe you don’t care about the latest phone and just want a reliable, affordable Pixel phone. If so, I’d recommend the Pixel 8A instead, which is currently $150 cheaper than the Pixel 7 on the Google Store and inherits many of the Pixel 8’s features.

Still, if you’re set on getting the Pixel 7 or Pixel 8, it’s important to understand the biggest differences between the two. The Pixel 8 has a newer processor, a few extra AI features, a brighter (but slightly smaller) screen, and a macro shooting mode.

Most importantly, the Pixel 8 will get seven years of software updates, while the Pixel 7 will only get new versions of Android until October 2025 (though security updates will continue until 2027). That in itself makes the Pixel 8 a more attractive option, as its software won’t feel outdated anytime soon.

Let’s take a closer look at how Pixel 8 compares to Pixel 7.

Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 7: Design, Display, and Software

The Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 look and feel similar, each with a glossy finish on the back and a matte aluminum frame with a strip-shaped camera module that runs horizontally across the device. But the Pixel 8 has flatter edges and weighs less, which, along with its more compact size, makes it easier to hold and use with one hand.

The Pixel 7 comes in Lemongrass (yellow), Snow (white), and Obsidian (black), while the newer Pixel 8 comes in Walnut (grey), Obsidian (black), Mint (green), and Rose (pink). Both devices have an IP68 dust and water resistance rating, meaning they should be dust- and water-resistant.

The difference between the Pixel 8 and Pixel 7 starts with the screens. The Pixel 8 has a 6.2-inch display, making it slightly smaller than the 6.3-inch Pixel 7. The Pixel 8’s dimensions are also physically smaller than the Pixel 7’s, making it a more ideal choice for those looking for a small phone.

The Pixel 8’s screen is also brighter, as it can reach a peak brightness of 2,000 nits compared to the Pixel 7’s 1,400 nits. Additionally, the Pixel 8 can boost its refresh rate to 120Hz compared to the Pixel 7’s 90Hz display, although the difference may not be noticeable and depends on what you’re doing on your phone.

Both phones run Android 14, the current version of Google’s mobile operating system, and will get Android 15. But as mentioned above, the Pixel 8 will get seven years of new versions of Android, new Pixel features, and security updates. If you want a phone you can keep for years to come, the Pixel 8 is the better choice.

While the software experience is largely the same, the Pixel 8 has a few extra AI-powered features. Google Assistant on the Pixel 8 is smarter and can summarize web pages. It also sounds more natural when filtering incoming calls on your behalf.

Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 7: Camera

On paper, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 have similar camera systems. Each has a 50-megapixel main camera and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, but the Pixel 8 also has a macro mode and a newer sensor that’s more sensitive to light.

The difference is noticeable: photos taken with the Pixel 8’s main camera overall looked slightly brighter than those taken with the Pixel 7. Some shots also looked more colorful.

In the photos below of my colleague Bridget Carey, which I took with Night mode in a dimly lit room at CNET’s offices, the Pixel 8 does a better job of capturing the purple lighting more accurately. However, her face looks a bit noisy in the Pixel 8 photo.

Pixel 8

Pixel 7

While the photos on both phones generally looked the same, the Pixel 8 photos sometimes looked a bit more colorful. Take a look at the Wegmans fish market photos below and you’ll notice that the reddish color of the fish scales looks a bit bolder, especially in the tail.

Pixel 8

Pixel 7

Macro mode also makes it easier to capture close-up details on the Pixel 8. The fake flower photo below was taken on the Pixel 8 in macro mode, while below you can see the same photo without macro mode, taken on the Pixel 7.

Pixel 8

Pixel 7

My colleague Patrick Holland, who reviewed the Pixel 8, also said that photos looked similar overall on both devices. However, he did notice more shadow detail in the Pixel 8 photos when he looked at them closely, which you can see in his review.

The bigger difference between the two phones comes down to the photo and video editing features. The Pixel 8 has a few AI-powered editing tools that the Pixel 7 doesn’t, like Best Take and Audio Magic Eraser. The former lets you change the facial expression of a person in a group photo after taking multiple photos, while the latter reduces distracting background noise in videos. Magic Editor, which lets you move, erase, or resize objects in your photos, was initially introduced on the Pixel 8 series but later made its way to other Pixel models, including the Pixel 7.

Best Take is designed for those moments when you can’t get everyone to smile or keep their eyes open in a group photo at the same time. While it works impressively well and I understand its appeal, Best Take also feels a bit inauthentic to me. It’s easy to ignore if you don’t want to use it, but it doesn’t feel as practical as previously introduced photo editing tools like Magic Eraser and Face Unblur.

The photo below was edited using the Best Take tool. CNET’s Jessica Fierro (left) and Abrar Al-Heeti (right) were not smiling in the original photo.

Overall, the cameras on both phones are fairly similar, though overall it feels like the Pixel 8 is a slight step up.

Pixel 8 vs Pixel 7: Performance and Battery

The Pixel 8 is powered by Google’s latest processor, the Tensor G3, while the previous-generation Tensor G2 powered the Pixel 7. Both phones are responsive enough when scrolling through the OS, swiping through social media posts, launching apps and the camera, and playing games, but the newer chip’s advantages really come into their own when it comes to the aforementioned AI-powered features.

I also ran two benchmarks on each phone: one to test overall everyday performance (Geekbench 6) and another to measure graphics power (3DMark Wild Life Extreme). The Pixel 8 scored higher in both tests, especially in 3DMark Wild Life Extreme, as you can see in the table below.

Geekbench 6 Pixel 8 vs Pixel 7

Geekbench 6 (single core) 1,605 1,481Geekbench 6 (multi-core) 4,134 3,971

3DMark Wild Life Extreme

3DMark Wild Life Extreme 2381 1,711

3DMark Frames per second

Frames per second 14.3 10.3

Both phones offer roughly the same battery life, although the Pixel 8 has a slightly larger battery capacity. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 7 can last about a day on a single charge, and performed very similarly during CNET’s three-hour battery test. During that test, we streamed a YouTube video with the screen brightness set to maximum for three hours and recorded the battery percentage after each hour.

Despite its brighter screen, the Pixel 8 delivered results almost on par with the Pixel 7.

Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 7 battery test

	Pixel 8	Pixel 7
1 hour	95%	95%
2 hours	88%	88%
3 hours	79%	81%

Pixel 8 or Pixel 7: Which one to choose?

The Pixel 8 is the better investment overall for the simple reason that it will last longer. Its modest camera and display improvements are a step up, and the Pixel 8’s new AI features make it a bit smarter and therefore more convenient to use than the Pixel 7. But it’s really the long-term software support that makes the Pixel 8 the better choice. Keep in mind, though, that the Pixel 8A is the better choice for those considering the Pixel 7 as a cheaper alternative to the Pixel 8. And with the Google Pixel 9 announcement just around the corner, it’s best to hold off on buying a new Pixel phone right now.

Google Pixel 8 vs Pixel 7

	Google Pixel 8	Google Pixel 7
Display size, technology, resolution, refresh rate, brightness	6.2-inch OLED; 2400 x 1080 pixels; 60-120Hz adaptive refresh rate	6.3-inch OLED, FHD+ (1080 x 2400 pixels), 90Hz
Pixel density	428 pixels per inch	416 pixels per inch
Dimensions (inches)	5.9 x 2.8 x 0.4 inches.	6.13 x 2.88 x 0.34 inches.
Dimensions (millimeters)	Dimensions: 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9 mm	Dimensions: 155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7 mm
Weight (grams, ounces)	187g (6.6oz)	197g (6.9oz)
Mobile software (at launch)	Android 14	Android 13
Camera	50 megapixels (wide), 12 megapixels (ultrawide)	50 megapixels (wide), 12 megapixels (ultrawide),
Front camera	10.5 megapixel	10.8 megapixels
Video recording	4K	4K
Editor	Google G3 Tensor	Google G2 Tensor
Storage and RAM	8GB + 128GB, 256GB	8GB + 128GB, 256GB,
Expandable storage capacity	Thread	Thread
Battery	4575mAh	4355mAh
Fingerprint sensor	Under the display	Under the display
Connector	USB-C	USB-C
Headphone jack	Thread	Thread
Special features	5G (Sub 6, mmWave); VPN by Google One; 7 years of OS, security, and feature updates; autofocus front camera; 13W Qi wireless charging; 30W wired charging; USB-3.2 speeds over USB-C; IP68 dust and water resistance; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back	5G, Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, Real Tone, Face Unblur, Long Exposure Mode, Action Pan; Hold For Me, Waiting Time, Direct My Call Live Translate
US price out of contract	$699 (128GB)	600 dollars
UK Price	£575 (128GB)	599 pounds
Price in Australia	$1100 (128GB)	999 Australian dollars