Yes, three generations is more than enough of a reason to jump ship to Google's Pixel 8. No questions asked. But, if we are to put the Pixel 5 within a “threshold” category of mid-range phones over the last few years, the answer becomes a blurry mess. Especially since the second-hand market can aggressively put the older phone in a value category that is irresistible among its present-day peers.
Pixel 5 vs Pixel 8
| Google Pixel 5 | Google Pixel 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 11, upgradable to 14 | Android 14 |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G | Google Tensor G3 |
| Display | 6.0-inch OLED, 90Hz, 1080×2340 | 6.2-inch OLED, 120Hz, 1080×2400 |
| Memory | 8GB RAM | 8GB RAM |
| Storage | 128GB UFS 2.1 | 128, 256GB UFS 3.1 |
| Rear Cameras | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55″, 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps video | 50 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31″, 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, Laser AF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 126˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.9″, 1.25µm, AF Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra-HDR, panorama, Best Take 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps video |
| Front Camera | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0″, 1.12µm Auto-HDR 1080p@30fps video | 10.5 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1″, 1.22µm Auto-HDR, panorama 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps video |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Under-display fingerprint, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11ac, BT5.0, GPS, NFC, USB-C | Wi-Fi 6E/7, BT5.3, GPS, NFC, USB-C |
| Dimensions | 144.7 x 70.4 x 8 mm | 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9 mm |
| Weight | 151g | 187g |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Battery | 4080mAh, 18W wired, 12W wireless | 4575mAh, 27W wired, 18W wireless |
| Price | Starts at $150 (2024) | Starts at $500 (2024) |
Standard Use
The Pixel 5 has an equivalent performance to today's lower mid-range offerings. Its Snapdragon 765G is the older analog of the Snapdragon 695, with only the difference in process node and shift in iGPU configuration. The latter became Qualcomm's more efficient answer, putting the older premium SoC into the performance category befitting of its two-year release gap. Still very much more than a workhorse when it comes to processing general tasks, especially given its 8GB of RAM and UFS 2.1 storage, even if been left behind simply because it is already three generations old.
Therefore, if the exclusive 128GB internal storage capacity is still enough for you after all these years, you will find the Pixel 5 to still be more than enough even in 2024 for standard use. In fact, we believe that it will still remain relevant for the next few years to come, thanks to the early adoption of its memory capacities and communication technology standards that are still very functional today.
Performance Potential
As for maximizing its true potential with its spec numbers, its days are already numbered. If the Snapdragon 765G hardly reaches the middle point of the mid-range line in 2024, then you are simply out of luck when it comes to very heavy mobile workloads. This is made even worse due to the tendency of the 765G to significantly accumulate heat over time, which was already bad enough to bottleneck its performance in certain games even during its heyday.
To give you a better perspective, the Pixel 8's Tensor G3 has more than double the synthetic performance potential of the Snapdragon 765G. We are talking about a process node quantum leap from 7nm to 4nm, which simply isn't a competition at all. It's a massacre. The funnier part? Max to max performance-wise, the Tensor G3 itself can't even keep up with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which still demonstrates somewhere between 60 to 80% more compute performance over Google's latest in-house chip.
Add the fact that we are talking about UFS 3.1 storage speeds, as well as the frequency versatility of WiFi 6E and beyond, and we are only going to leave the Pixel 5 in the dust whenever you have the chance to use both phones to their utmost maximum.
Cameras
Oh yes, and there is just so much that software-based AI can do to compensate for the performance difference of the Pixel 5. In general practice, sure, the difference is somewhat minimal. Personally, I believe that the Pixel 5 can still take somewhat pro-level pictures. But again, if you need the unit to push its maximum performance, then the vastly superior camera specs (and recording options) of the Pixel 8, plus its AI features, would just destroy the Pixel 5 every single time.
Operating System
Even with a three-generation gap, we actually come at a tie here, at least for now. This is because the Pixel 5 is actually eligible for an Android 14 update, putting it on par with the Pixel 8 upon its release. A true testament to the practical flexibility of the Pixel 5's “early adopter” basic specs to this day in 2024.
Longevity
Indeed, looking at those cheap second-hand Pixel 5 phones makes it very tempting to get in 2024. Then again, we need to point out that even the Pixel 5's performance-equivalent competitors eventually made it to cheaper phones. Especially if you can grab some of those tasty European and Asian models to the U.S.
Also, we believe that 128GB as an exclusive storage capacity (no external upgrades) feels already limiting for a three-year-old device if we are being honest. So that too puts a terminal limit to the longevity of the Pixel 5 compared to the Pixel 8.
Conclusion: Keep as a Low Mid-Range Unit
If you are willing to treat the Pixel 5 similarly to low-end mid-range phones of 2023, then we have to admit, it is still very much a functional unit even in 2024. Battery charge cycles and overall lowered efficiency aside, it can still be on par with the likes of the Galaxy A23, or even the overseas Oppo Reno8 T, given reasonable expectations.
On the flip side, if there is even a slight need to upgrade, even if just technologically, then we highly recommend investing your hard-earned cash for that Pixel 8. The jump to the next “early adopter” set of features and technologies would definitely be worth every penny.
