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Best Google Pixel Phone to Buy in 2024 – CNET [CNET]
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Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission.
Andrew Lanxon Editor At Large, Lead Photographer, Europe
Andrew is CNET’s go-to guy for product coverage and lead photographer for Europe. When not testing the latest phones, he can normally be found with his camera in hand, behind his drums or eating his stash of home-cooked food. Sometimes all at once.
Expertise Smartphones, Photography, iOS, Android, gaming, outdoor pursuits Credentials
- Shortlisted for British Photography Awards 2022, Commended in Landscape Photographer of the Year 2022
CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.
Google Pixel phones are known for their camera capabilities, and the Pixel 8 Pro takes it to the next level with its supercharged AI features. While some might consider them gimmicks, most are Pixel-exclusive features. The Pixel series has comfortably competed against the best from Apple and Samsung — usually with a more bearable price tag. While we had some early issues with the latest Google flagship, it’s a solid Android option that puts up a strong fight against the iPhone 15 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
If you’re shopping on a tighter budget, the most recent Pixel 7A still offers a stellar all-round experience, with powerful cameras, a smooth and enjoyable interface and a price that won’t leave quite as big a dent in your bank balance. Then there’s the Pixel Fold. It’s the most expensive of all Google’s phones, but it has a folding display that opens up into a large 7.6-inch screen that’s great for watching YouTube videos or playing games.
The range has grown, and with older models still on sale, it can be a bit confusing to work out which one’s best for you. We’ve pulled together the top Pixels currently on sale to help you decide.
Read more: Best Phone to Buy in 2024
What is the best Google Pixel phone right now?
The Pixel 8 Pro sits at the top of Google’s phone lineup, with the Tensor G3 processor and a host of AI skills. If you want to splash even more money, look towards the Pixel Fold, which will wow your friends and family with its bendable display. But if you’re looking for the best cheap Pixel phone, it’s the 7A you should consider.
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While we had some early issues with the Google Pixel 8 Pro — mostly with its cameras shooting Raw files — further testing and software updates from Google meant we eventually came away thinking quite highly of the Pixel 8 Pro. It’s got a lot going for it, from its slick design and easy-to-use Android 14 software to its rear camera setup, which can take some genuinely beautiful images. Google has sprinkled a variety of new AI features throughout the phone too, including a tool that uses generative AI to create wallpapers for the phone, and a camera feature that allows you to combine different faces from a series of burst images of a group of friends to make sure that everyone looks their best.
But one of the best updates is Google’s commitment to providing seven years of security updates to the Pixel 8 series, meaning this phone will still be safe to use in at least 2030. While we haven’t been as impressed with this year’s 8 Pro as we were with the 7 Pro, it’s still a great phone to consider, especially if you’re keen to hold on to your phone for longer. Read our Google Pixel 8 Pro review.
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The Pixel 8 has many of the features of the more expensive Pixel 8 Pro but comes in a slightly smaller package and with a smaller price tag to match. You’ll find the Tensor G3 processor on board, along with Android 14 software that includes AI tools like the generative image wallpaper creator. It also comes with the same guarantee of at least seven years of security updates so this phone will still be going strong in 2030 — as long as you look after it.
The rear cameras are more cut back here though, as the base Pixel 8 lacks the 5x optical zoom camera seen on its bigger brother. I personally love that zoom lens, but then I’m a professional photographer. If photography isn’t a priority for you, you can save yourself a bundle and opt for the cheaper of Google’s new range. The Pixel 8’s higher price $699 seems worth it and makes you realize just how incredibly affordable the $599 Pixel 6 and 7 were and still are. Read our Google Pixel 8 review.
Every phone on this list has been thoroughly tested by CNET’s expert reviews team. We actually use the phone, test the features, play games and take photos. We assess any marketing promises that a company makes about its phones. And if we find something we don’t like, be it battery life or build quality, we tell you all about it.
We examine every aspect of a phone during testing:
- Display
- Design and feel
- Processor performance
- Battery life
- Camera quality
- Features
We test all of a phone’s cameras (both front and back) in a variety of conditions: from outdoors under sunlight to dimmer indoor locales and night time scenes (for any available night modes). We also compare our findings against similarly priced models. We have a series of real world battery tests to see how long a phone lasts under everyday use.
We take into account additional phone features like 5G, fingerprint and face readers, styluses, fast charging, foldable displays and other useful extras. And we weigh all of our experiences and testing against the price, so you know whether a phone represents good value or not.
Read more: How We Test Phones
Deciding which Pixel phone is best for you will likely come down to how much you’re willing to spend. As with anything, the more cash you splash, the better features you’ll get. The Pixel 8 Pro is the most expensive of the main range (excluding the Fold) and as a result it comes with the best camera system.
But if photography isn’t important to you, you can save yourself some money and look instead toward the base Pixel 8 or the more affordable Pixel 7A. The Pixel 7A has the same processor as the 7 Pro, so you can expect good overall performance, but its dual rear camera is aimed more toward those of you simply wanting to take the odd snap of your kid on the beach, rather than those looking for Instagram stardom.
If you want the most cutting-edge piece of tech in your pocket, the Pixel Fold’s foldable display certainly makes it stand out in the range. But you’ll pay a hefty price for this brand-new technology, meaning it’s not a phone for everyone to consider.
What about the Pixel 7?
While we loved the Pixel 7 when it first launched, thanks to its solid all-round performance and lower price, the arrival of the cheaper Pixel 7A means we no longer recommend buying the Pixel 7. The 7A shares many of the Pixel 7’s features, including the processor and excellent dual camera setup. But since the Pixel 7A is newer, buying that now over the Pixel 7 will mean that you’ll get a few extra months of software and security updates.
Are Pixel phones good?
We’ve consistently given Google’s Pixel phones high scores in our reviews, due to their decent all-round performance and typically good camera quality. They don’t have the most high-performance processors around, but they offer enough power for almost any needs, while the pure Android software makes them smooth and easy to use.
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