Pixel 8 Pro long-term review: BETTER than S24 Ultra?!

In my Pixel 8 Pro long-term review, I reveal how Google's flagship smartphone fares against the most recent competition (the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra), what Video Boost is actually like, what was included in the January Pixel feature drop, and why I think it has influenced more Android phones than you think. Oh, and this one features the brand-new Mint green Pixel 8 Pro, too.

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CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro
01:08 - Why I love the Pixel
03:24 - The Pixel Photo Effect
06:05 - January Pixel Feature Drop
08:49 - Gripes
09:40 - Conclusion

[MarkEllisReviews]

Which smartphone takes the best photos, in your opinion? And why?

[natef]

'ive never found a use for this, but i am 43"
how i feel about almost every modern smartphone feature... and im in my 20s

[mangeshwalhe]

I got hooked up to Pixel series with Pixel 5A 5G. It had been the most satisfying phone I have ever used. After almost 4 years, it's motherboard gave up eventually last week.
With no Pixel 8/8 Pro stocks with the carriers, their new line up formal announcement in a few hours, and an ever enticing S24 Ultra. It's a scrambled brain right now. Add to that the Sony Xperia I vi, and I have lost half of whatever hair was there on my

[scratchjourneygolf]

Sent my iPhone 15 Pro back and went with the 8 Pro... I just love it! Particularly if I'm taking pictures of my kids (camera) and the general UI is great too

[pierremalan]

I have a pixelbook (7 years old and going strong). i have now used Pixel phones from the 3a onwards. I cant get used to any other phone. The UI of the Pixel phones are just unbeatable. The iPhone i tried a while ago from my son (13 mini) lasted a week. The gesturing and UI is just not comparable. Pixel it is. I dropped my 6a and have just ordered the 8

[WinterSoldier]

Thanks for doing this video. I currently am switching back and forth between both of these devices, and I listed my S24 Ultra for sale. I can't seem to quit the P8P. It's the overall experience that brings me back. Effortless camera that takes the highest level of photos, monthly feature drops, call screening, and basically all of the AI features on the S24 Ultra. Super bright display, and all the integration with the Pixel Buds Pro and my Pixel watch, it's just the smartest Android phone IMO. I also love the Pixel aesthetic, in both the phone hardware and the font/wallpapers and widgets.

[theslimshadyist]

I love my Pixel 8 Pro and I also own both the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the S24 Ultra. The Pixel isn't more powerful, nor does it charge the fastest BUT it's definitely the smartest with the best real world features!

[JustinDufrene]

Love the button placements on the pixel. With the volume rocker being below...it's easy to use the volume rocker to take photos with the placement

[isabel]

Total agree with you about the placement of the power button. Should be at the bottom of the three buttons! Adore this phone. Best camera I've ever used. Bought it after several Samsung phones for which I was forever using exposure slider to prevent overexposure.

[graham]

I love the pixel 8 pro, however, I returned it because many of the features aren’t available in the uk, unlike the s24 which has everything available regardless of region

[Mad.Maxx.]

Another stellar video, mate! I've been a Pixel guy since the 2 XL. The 8 Pro is the best Pixel, yet, but battery life still disappoints. I tried the S24 Ultra and liked most everything about it. I'm something of a screen real estate junkie -- the more, the better. I couldn't get the S24U's SRE to match that of the 8P. It nagged me enough to return the S24U. First world problems. LOL!

[jaganmohan]

Unless Pixel changes their processor and modem, there's no point in boasting about other functions.

[MaximumAndroidEng]

Fully with you on the perfection of the Pixels' cameras. I've only recently got my first Pixel - 7 Pro, and... I'm in love! Arguably the best photo and video quality (got a review)! And yes, fluidity and AI features are massively amazing!

[crazyfun]

I would say the 8 pro is the better value being $300 less than the s24 ultra. Plus I'm not a fan of the Ultra models being so heavy and boxy. You give up a little power from the 8 gen 3 and the Tensor g3, but in real world use, you still get a very smooth experience on Pixels. Also, if you catch big sales from Google, you get much better trade in values for your old phones. If you get the regular 8 too you'll get an even better value for way less than either the 8 pro or s24 ultra.

[joeguillian]

Great video again, thank you Mark! Also you could think about opening a mobile phone shop as you've already a great stock ;)

[aleforconi]

I own Pixel 8 Pro, Samsung S24 Ultra and Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max. I agree with you that the S24 Ultra is the one to beat, it has many features very similar to the Pixel but the software is more refined and better suited for daily tasks. Pixel lacks the little items that you find ready to use in the Samsung. The big point for me is that the finger sensor on Pixel is not so reliable as the Samsung and the face recognition it is good but way behind of the one of the iPhone (the island is not there for nothing..). My ranking is S24, iPhone and the Pixel. Then the ecosystem is always an issue but using all the Google apps this makes Android phones more integrated with Apple ecosystem. Better not to compare battery life because you can't do a day outside with the Pixel without the anxiety of going to zero

[mrJay]

Love the 8 Pro! The pictures it takes are awesome, now if they can completely fix the video side without video boost, it would really shake up the cell phone market.

[somethingelse]

I enjoy my Pixel 8 Pro and recently took a great sunset photo and submitted it to a local News station and was accepted. Two were accepted actually. One was displayed on Threads and another on their website. I look forward to trying all the AI features and I'm lucky to live in the USA and lucky as well i don't have 5G issues. Even my Pixel 6 worked perfectly in that respect.

[techfan]

Had the 8 Pro. Had my wife on Android for a day and then she returned back to Iphone. I too am stuck on the Apple ecosystem as it was too frustrating dealing with imessage and android messaging and then Find My and Android's comparable solution.

[nikc]

The pixel seems to be quite popular in the UK. Maybe I just notice it more because it's such a unique design but I see loads of them on the train.