Joining Android Authority can earn us a commission. Learn more.
We knew from the moment they were announced that the smaller and larger Pixel 8 and 8 Pro wouldn’t get the same treatment through Google. The Pixel 8, as I like to call it, didn’t have the manual camera controls that gave the impression. on the 8 Pro, it deserved to have been perfectly capable of handling them. Other features, such as Video Boost and Zoom Enhance, have also been promised as Pixel 8 Pro exclusives.
We thought that would be it: the Pro would get extra photography features, as it made sense to offer them to those who were splurging on the photography juggernaut, not the base phone. Ok.
But Google later revealed that Gemini Nano, its built-in AI model, wouldn’t make it to the base Pixel 8 either. This would deprive them of access to AI features such as voice summaries and articles or smart keyboard responses locally, privately, and quickly. Nor is there any genuine explanation for this exclusion, for a confusing remark about “material limitations. “
The common theory of all is AMR. AI models are notorious for their resource usage, with the Pixel 8 only offering 8GB, compared to the 8 Pro’s more spacious 12GB. That excuse falls apart even when you know that all 3 Samsung Galaxy S24 phones, by adding the entry-level 8GB Galaxy S24, you get Gemini Nano. So what makes the Pixel 8 so much worse than the Pixel 8 Pro?
Actually, nothing on paper. Not even if you dig into the margins. The differences between the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro are well known, however, in terms of power, either uses the same Google Tensor G3 processor, and all of our tests showed that they had fairly similar benchmark results. The Pixel 8 scores slightly lower than the maximum tests, but the difference is rarely significant enough or a justifiable excuse to deprive it of more features. Even the brief rumor that the Tensor G3 might be packaged between the two phones (via @RGcloudS) was later dispelled (via @Za_Raczke). So again, what makes the Pixel 8 so much worse than the Pixel 8 Pro?
I’m sure there’s an explanation other than marketing and greed: ha!No, really, Google has sometimes done well by incorporating new features into old hardware for years. Some outlier features seem to be arbitrarily excluded from some Express phones, but overall, the company has set a good example by making sure that as many phones in its portfolio as possible benefit from its latest innovations.
That’s why the Pixel 8’s remedy – and the lack of transparency around it – is shocking. It’s also puzzling that Google unveiled this phone a few months ago, fully aware of those “hardware limitations” and fully aware that the 8 wouldn’t be able to keep up with the 8 Pro once the not-easy AI models arrive. It’s not even six months away from launching this phone and it’s already lagging behind!
And I’m not alone in my concern. We asked you, Android Authority readers and fans on social platforms, if you regretted buying the entry-level Pixel 8. We got more than 6500 votes in total. Although only a third of our site’s readers were jaded with their purchase, the pain was most evident on Twitter and YouTube, where just over 50% of the electorate said they regretted their decision.
For many of those who voted “No,” the explanation is that they bought the Pixel 8 for its value and size. AI and Gemini, Nano or not, were not and still are not part of the equation. But it is today.
I understand that today we can all make fun of Gemini Nano and its limited features. Are you missing a specific article or the summary of a voice recording?Hey, it’s not the end of the world. But the Gemini Nano may be a tougher beast. What if more Gemini Nano-exclusive features arrive on the Pixel 8 Pro but never appear on the Pixel 8?What if your still-new phone lags behind the competition?
That’s why I’m worried about the upcoming entry-level Pixel nine. While we don’t know much about the hardware and features of the smaller phone compared to the larger nine Pro, the Pixel 8 sets a bad precedent. Nine can also be overlooked a few months after its existence. One feature here, one there, and all of a sudden, it’s not smart business anymore.
Today, 50% of my phone buying decision is based on out-of-the-box features and the remaining 50% on how the company has updated its previous phones. Not only with standard Android edition update policies and security patches, but also with cutting-edge features. I love the Pixel line, as the Feature Drops charge the extra price on my phone every few months. The situation with the Pixel 8, however, puts a question mark next to this old certainty.
Is this a one-time exception or will there be more and more examples of Google leaving less powerful hardware in the race to compete in AI?And is the company really willing to spoil one of the most appealing aspects of the Pixel experience?The fact that even the cheapest Pixel offers exclusive features?I hope not, but until we’re sure, I’d be very wary of the Pixel 9.