Pixel 8 Pro in 2025: Still a Flagship Worth Buying?

Alright, so it’s 2025, and we need to talk about the Pixel 8 Pro because honestly, this phone still holds up way better than most people might think. If you’re out there, not really chasing the latest Pixel 9 or the 10 series, and you’re wondering if the 8 Pro is still worth your money, then yeah, let’s sit down and go through it. I’ve been using this thing for quite a while now, and I’ve got a lot to say.

You know, phones have reached a point where they’re just good. Like, really good. We don’t need to upgrade every single year anymore. You can rock a phone for five, six, even seven years now, and it’ll still get the job done without a problem. That’s exactly how I feel about the Pixel 8 Pro in 2025. It’s solid, reliable, and still delivers where it matters most.

Design

Let’s start with the design because, to me, it still feels premium. The Pixel 8 Pro has that smooth aluminum frame with glass on both the front and back, and even after all this time, it looks clean. What I really like is that the matte finish on the back doesn’t pick up fingerprints easily, which is a big win. And of course, this was the first time Google went fully flat with the display on a Pro model, moving away from those curved edges from the Pixel 6 Pro and 7 Pro. That change alone made it feel more comfortable in the hand and a lot easier to use.

The phone’s got that minimal, refined vibe to it. It’s not trying to be flashy, just quietly premium. Every time I pick it up, I’m reminded that Google really nailed the hardware design with this one. It still looks modern in 2025, and that’s saying something.

Display

Now, the display is still one of my favorite parts of the phone. It’s a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED with a 120Hz refresh rate, and man, it’s smooth. Scrolling, watching videos, playing games it all feels buttery. The colors pop, the contrast is great, and the overall viewing experience is top-tier.

That said, when you’re outdoors in really bright sunlight, yeah, it can struggle a little compared to newer displays from 2025 flagships. But honestly, that’s just nitpicking. Unless you’re constantly standing under the blazing sun watching videos, it’s not something that’s going to ruin your experience.

The display is such a huge part of how we use our phones, and the Pixel 8 Pro still delivers a clean, enjoyable screen experience even a year and a half later. It might not be the brightest out there anymore, but it still looks fantastic.

Performance

Alright, let’s get into the performance. When this phone launched, it came with the Google Tensor G3 chipset, and even though it’s not the most powerful chip out there, it’s more than enough for real-world use. I’ve been running Android 16 beta 4 on mine, and it’s smooth like, really smooth. No lag, no hiccups, no weird slowdowns.

People like to talk about benchmark numbers and raw power, but honestly, for day-to-day stuff, this phone performs just fine. I’ve used it for everything YouTube, gaming, multitasking and it keeps up without breaking a sweat. Sure, if you’re comparing it side by side with a Snapdragon flagship, it might be a second slower at times, but who cares? It’s not something you actually notice in daily use.

And with seven years of guaranteed software updates from Google, this thing is going to stay relevant for a long time. That’s a huge deal. It means even in 2030, the Pixel 8 Pro will still be getting fresh Android updates. That’s peace of mind you don’t get from a lot of other brands.

Another thing I’ve got to mention is Pixel UI. It’s clean, minimal, and really well thought out. The Material You design language makes everything feel cohesive and personal. It’s one of the reasons I’ve stuck with this phone; it just feels natural to use.

Camera

Let’s talk about what really makes the Pixel series special: the camera. The Pixel 8 Pro still has one of the best camera systems out there, even in 2025. The triple setup with a 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, and 48MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom still delivers incredible shots.

Photos come out sharp, colors are balanced, and the dynamic range is excellent. Low-light performance? Still among the best. Google’s computational photography is just that good. I’ve compared it with a few newer phones, and the Pixel 8 Pro still holds its own against 2025 flagships like the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

And that’s what makes it impressive you’re getting a camera that can still compete with phones almost two years newer. If photography matters to you, and you don’t want to spend a thousand bucks on a new model, this is the one to get.

Even for casual shots, it’s so consistent. You can just point, shoot, and expect a great photo. That’s what I love about it: it takes the thinking out of photography.

Battery

Now, about the battery life. When the Pixel 8 Pro first came out, it was solid and easily a full day of use. Over time, it’s degraded a bit, which is expected after a year and a half, but it’s still good. I usually end the day with around 10–15% left, depending on how heavy my usage is.

If you’re a light user, you’ll have no problem getting through a day. But if you’re gaming or shooting videos a lot, you might find yourself reaching for the charger by evening.

Speaking of charging, yeah, it’s slow. Around 27 watts wired, and it definitely feels slow in 2025 when other phones are charging at 65 or even 80 watts. Once you get used to faster charging speeds, it’s hard to go back. Still, for overnight charging, it’s perfectly fine.

Battery health is holding up pretty well, though. It’s not dying halfway through the day, and that’s what matters most. If you buy a renewed or refurbished unit, the experience might vary a bit depending on battery condition, but overall, it’s still dependable.

Pricing and Value

Now that we’re deep into 2025, the Pixel 8 Pro’s price has dropped a lot. You can find it anywhere between $350 and $450, depending on storage and condition. If you go the Amazon Renewed route, you can snag one for around $400, and honestly, those feel almost brand new.

At that price, it’s an amazing deal. You’re getting a flagship-level phone premium build, great screen, excellent cameras for less than half the cost of a new one. That’s hard to ignore.

I’ve seen people debating between getting this or the newer Pixel 9a, which is around $400. Personally, I’d still pick the 8 Pro. Even though the 9a is newer, the 8 Pro gives you that premium experience and those pro-level features that the A series just doesn’t have.

Verdict

So, after using the Pixel 8 Pro for all this time, I can confidently say it’s still one of the best phones you can buy in 2025 if you don’t care about chasing the latest release. You’re getting premium build quality, a beautiful flat display, smooth software, incredible cameras, and long-term updates all in one package.

Sure, it’s not the fastest charger, and the chip isn’t the most powerful, but those things don’t really define your experience. The overall package still feels premium and dependable.

If you already have a Pixel 8 Pro, keep it. It’s still going strong. And if you’re thinking about buying one, especially now that prices have dropped, go for it. It’s one of those rare devices that age gracefully, both in design and performance.

Phones like this remind us that newer doesn’t always mean better sometimes, it just means more expensive.

See Also Google Pixel 7 Pro in 2025: Still a Flagship Worth Buying

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