Google
Pixel 8 Pro 256GB
Tensor G3 · Pixel-first Android · 256GB
87
/ 100
From $1,099
VS
Pixel 9 Pro 256GB wins by 3
Google
Pixel 9 Pro 256GB
Tensor G4 · Pixel-first Android · 256GB
90
/ 100
From $1,099
Specdex verdict
Pixel 9 Pro 256GB takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Pixel 8 Pro 256GB lands at 87 and Pixel 9 Pro 256GB at 90. That puts Pixel 9 Pro 256GB ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Pixel 8 Pro 256GB if…
- ✓Clean Android with long updates
- ✓Best computational photography
- ✓On-device Gemini (recent gens)
Pick Pixel 9 Pro 256GB if…
- ✓Clean Android with long updates
- ✓Best computational photography
- ✓On-device Gemini (recent gens)
Pixel 8 Pro 256GB 87
vs 90 Pixel 9 Pro 256GB
Score breakdown
Pixel 8 Pro 256GB
87 cpu 85
gpu 82
camera 90
battery 84
display 87
design 86
Pixel 9 Pro 256GB
90 cpu 88
gpu 85
camera 93
battery 87
display 90
design 89
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Pixel 8 Pro 256GB | Pixel 9 Pro 256GB |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Tensor G3 | Tensor G4 |
| Storage | 256GB | 256GB |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 14 |
Pixel 8 Pro 256GB
Pros
- +Clean Android with long updates
- +Best computational photography
- +On-device Gemini (recent gens)
Cons
- −Tensor thermals
- −Slower charging
- −Limited regional availability
Pixel 9 Pro 256GB
Pros
- +Clean Android with long updates
- +Best computational photography
- +On-device Gemini (recent gens)
Cons
- −Tensor thermals
- −Slower charging
- −Limited regional availability
FAQ: Pixel 8 Pro 256GB vs Pixel 9 Pro 256GB
Which is better, Pixel 8 Pro 256GB or Pixel 9 Pro 256GB? +
Pixel 9 Pro 256GB scores 90 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Pixel 8 Pro 256GB worth the price? +
At $1,099, Pixel 8 Pro 256GB delivers a Specdex score of 87 — strongest in camera.
Is Pixel 9 Pro 256GB worth the price? +
At $1,099, Pixel 9 Pro 256GB delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in camera.
Does Pixel 8 Pro 256GB or Pixel 9 Pro 256GB last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.