Google Pixel 8 deals

Compare Google Pixel 8 contracts

Looking for a pay-monthly contract for the Google Pixel 8? With MoneySuperMarket, you can easily compare deals from a range of UK networks.

You’ll be able to filter and sort by your preferences, such as data allowances, monthly prices, and any upfront costs. That way, you can find a phone plan that best suits you.

Features and specs

• Dimensions: 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9mm
• Weight: 187g
• 6.2-inch screen with FHD+ 1080 x 2400 resolution
• Dual rear camera: 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide
• 10.5MP front camera
• Tensor G3 chipset
• 8GB of RAM
• Storage: 128GB
• 4,575mAh battery capacity
• Ships with Android 14

Rounding off 2023’s phone release schedule with a resounding ‘bang’, the Pixel 8 heralds a new generation of Pixel: one that’s AI-powered through and through.

Availability and price

Google announced the Pixel 8 at a ‘Made by Google’ event on 4th October 2023, alongside the Pixel 8 Pro. Both phones went on sale in the UK on 12th October.

Prices for the Pixel 8 at launch were £699 for the 128GB model, and £759 for the 256GB version. That’s a £100 increase on the Pixel 7, which is rather disheartening to see – especially as the Pixel has always been one of the most affordable flagships on the market.

How good is the Google Pixel 8’s design and display?

With the Pixel 8 showcasing the same horizontal visor-style camera bar that’s now synonymous with Pixel phones, it’s clear that Google has found its design niche and is sticking with it. And for good reason, too – it’s certainly distinct and eye-catching, and stands out from a rather packed crowd.

There are a few modest tweaks, such as curvier edges and the camera lenses being more spaced out (the latter possibly helping to prevent shattering issues of the Pixel 7).

But the most noticeable difference is size. At 6.3 inches diagonally, the previous Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 were on the larger side. Now, Google has shrunk the Pixel 8's screen to 6.2 inches, making it more in line with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S23 and iPhone 15. It’s certainly more pocketable and easier to use with one hand, if that’s what you prefer.

Though on the surface the Pixel 8 hasn’t changed much, it’s a different story on the inside. It debuts Google’s new Tensor G3 chip, an all-powerful processor that promises significant boosts in performance.

And when using the phone, you’ll notice some tangible upgrades in your viewing experience. For example, the refresh rate has been upgraded from 90Hz to 120Hz, giving you buttery smooth animations during scrolling and gaming. The new ‘Actua’ display provides increased brightness (1,400 nits up to 2,000 nit when outdoors, to be exact), putting the Pixel 8 finally in line with the iPhone 15 and Galaxy S23 series.

The Pixel 8 comes in your pick of three colours: Obsidian (black), Hazel (grey) and Rose (pink).

How good is the Google Pixel 8’s camera?

Though Google’s Pixel line has been consistently praised for its advanced photography prowess, there’s no denying that both its camera sensor and app are due an upgrade. After all, the camera app has largely stayed the same since the Pixel 4, while the Pixel 7 reused the same main camera found on the Pixel 6.

So, this is where it gets exciting. Google has completely overhauled the camera on the Pixel 8, introducing a plethora of new hardware and software improvements.

The dual rear camera consists of an upgraded 50MP wide lens and a 12MP ultrawide. The main lens comes with loads of new features and capabilities, such as 35% more light processing, 8K video at 30fps, and Staggered HDR. Meanwhile, the ultrawide camera boasts autofocus and Macro photography capabilities.

The photography magic doesn’t stop after clicking the shutter button. In fact, this is where the Pixel 8’s power is unleashed, thanks to AI-powered editing features that let you take your snapshots to the next level.

For example, Magic Editor – Google Photo’s brand new generative AI photo editor – lets you play around with lighting, erase unwanted objects and move parts of the scene, while Best Take allows you to choose the best expressions when taking a series of photos (perfect for any shots ruined by someone blinking). Night Sight has improved in leaps and bounds, too.

The 10.5MP front camera remains largely unchanged, though. And the dual camera system means there’s no optical zoom – that’s reserved for the Pixel 8 Pro alone.

Is the Google Pixel 8 good for video?

Though the Pixel’s mainstay has always been its photo capturing, the Pixel 8 showcases a host of advanced tools for budding videographers to play around with.

For starters, there’s a new Video Unblur feature. Much like the Pixel 7’s Photo Unblur ability, you’ll be able to retrospectively sharpen any blurry footage. There’s Video Boost, which further enhances video stabilisation for smoother shots. And Audio Magic Eraser employs machine learning to identify different sounds and minimise the ones you don’t want.

Night Sight is also available in video mode – thanks to the better sensor and all-mighty Tensor 3 chipset, you’ll be able to capture detailed and clear footage in the dark. Furthermore, the power of the new chip allows the Pixel 8 to support 8K video recording (at 30 frames per second).

All these clever software enhancements make the Pixel 8 strong competition to the likes of the iPhone 15.

What are the key differences between the Google Pixel 8 and the Pixel 7?

Though the Google Pixel 8 and the previous year’s Pixel 7, don’t look too different side-by-side, there’s a few key hardware and software improvements to note:

• Smaller size – Overall, the Pixel 8’s footprint has shrunk quite a bit, meaning a slimmer and more lightweight phone. Its screen now measures 6.2 inches, compared with the Pixel 7’s 6.3 inches
• New Tensor G3 chip – A step up from the Pixel 7’s Tensor G2 chip, the Tensor G3 promises more powerful performance and increased efficiency
• Improved camera system – Big improvements in both the hardware and software means the Pixel 8 has seriously levelled up its photography and videography prowess

How does the Google Pixel 8 compare to flagship handsets in the UK?

The Pixel 8 was released alongside its bigger sibling, the Pixel 8 Pro.

As is the case with other phone ranges, Google has reserved its top-end features for the Pro model. These include a built-in thermometer, a ‘Pro Controls’ feature for photography, a 48MP ultrawide camera and 30x Super Res Zoom – among others. It comes with a bigger 6.7-inch screen, as well as a steeper price tag.

Looking at other flagships released in 2023, the top two rivals are Apple’s iPhone 15 and the Samsung Galaxy S23.

With the iPhone 15, the main difference will be down to operating system, and whether you prefer iOS or Android. Though the Galaxy S23 is another Android device, the experience it offers is vastly different, with many people considering Pixel phones to offer a more streamlined ‘stock’ Android experience.

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There’s a lot to be excited about with the Pixel 8. It’s ever so slightly smaller than the Pixel 7, yet packs a lot more power in its streamlined frame.

With all its AI-powered capabilities, it’s Google’s smartest smartphone to date. From the AI-generated wallpapers courtesy of Android 14 to ‘Assistant with Bard’, which acts as your personal smart digital organiser, you’ll experience Google’s full computational force – all powered by the shiny new Tensor G3 chip.

The camera system gets a notable hardware and software boost, too, making it a top choice for those who want the most capable phone camera on the market.

There’s still room for improvement, though. Battery life remains rather average relative to the market, while storage options are also lacking (at 128GB and 256GB, which seems rather restrictive by current standards).

Prices have also increased by £100 from the Pixel 7. Nevertheless, it still undercuts the price tags of comparable phones from Apple and Samsung – while offering arguably the same level of high-spec features (if not more, in some aspects).

Finally, it’s great to see that Google is promising an unparalleled seven years of software updates for its Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro – that’s a vast improvement on the support given to the Pixel 7. All in all, it makes purchasing the Pixel 8 seem like a very sensible choice for anyone wishing to get the most out of their device.

Contract options

Looking to spread the cost of a Google Pixel 8 with a pay-monthly contract? We have plenty of options here at MoneySuperMarket.

Can I get the Google Pixel 8 with no upfront cost?

Yes, you can. While you usually need to pay an upfront cost for flagship phone contract, some networks do have no upfront cost phone deals. But do bear in mind that your monthly bill will be higher, as a result.

Deals with no upfront cost can change quite frequently. So, you should shop around and compare deals to find the best one with nothing to pay upfront.

Just set the slider in the filters above to only show deals with no upfront costs.

Can I get the Google Pixel 8 with unlimited data?

Absolutely – plenty of networks offer the Google Pixel 8 with unlimited data.

You can find an unlimited data deal on the Google Pixel 8 with our comparison table at the top of the page. Just move the slider above to unlimited (or very high) data to see the options available.

What's the cheapest way to get the Google Pixel 8?

In general, the cheapest way of getting any phone is to buy it outright and off-contract, then get a SIM-only deal with a monthly allowance of data, minutes and texts.

However, buying a phone outright is a lot of cash to splash in one go. In which case, a pay-monthly phone contract will help you spread that cost over the course of several months.

Use our comparison table at the top of this page to find and compare pay-monthly Google Pixel 8 deals.

Can I get the Google Pixel 8 with poor credit?

Possibly, though it might prove difficult. Networks typically run credit checks before accepting you for a mobile contract.

As the Google Pixel 8 is a high-end flagship phone, it’s unlikely that you’ll be accepted for a contract if you have a bad credit rating. If that’s the case, our bad credit phones guide can help.

Is the Google Pixel 8 worth buying in 2025?

As the Google Pixel 8 was released at the end of 2023, now is a great time to buy it – particularly you’re looking for the latest and greatest.

Is now a good time to buy the Google Pixel 8?

If you’re hanging on to an old phone and desperately want to upgrade, now is a great time to buy the Google Pixel 8.

It’s set to get seven years of software updates. This is more than what previous Pixel phones have received, and even surpasses Apple’s length of software support. So, even if you buy the Pixel 8 one, two or even three years after launch, you’ll still be able to get a lot of use out of it.

Will the Google Pixel 8 drop in price?

Phones usually drop in price when newer models are released. In the case of Pixel phones, Google tends to launch its latest iteration every October. So, if you want to get your hands on the Google Pixel 8 at a lower cost, you might want to wait until then.

You might also find special offers during certain times of the year, such as Black Friday.

Should I upgrade or wait for the next model?

That depends on the phone you currently have, really. If you have the previous year’s Google Pixel 7, you might not feel the urge to upgrade just yet – in which case, you might want to wait for next year’s release instead.

Having said that, the Pixel 8 is a marked improvement on the Pixel 7. If you’re itching to get the best that Google has to offer, you may very well want to upgrade now – in which case, you can easily compare deals with MoneySuperMarket.

Pixel 8 specs