Google Pixel 8 Pro Obsidian 128GB

The Pixel 8 Pro is a camera powerhouse with a stunning 6.7-inch 120Hz OLED display and clean Android 14. Its Tensor G3 chip is solid but not class-leading, and 128GB storage with no expansion is tight. Prices range from USD 270 to USD 1,239 depending on condition, so shop carefully. If you want the best Android camera without paying current flagship prices, a good-condition refurb is the way to go.

The Tensor G3 is a 9-core chip clocked at 3.00GHz, built on a 4nm process. In our performance rankings, it lands at the 79th percentile. That's solid, but it's not the top of the charts. Compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Galaxy S24 Ultra or the A17 Pro in the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the Tensor G3 trades raw benchmark numbers for on-device AI capabilities. Google's bet is that features like Magic Eraser, Best Take, and live translation matter more to real people than shaving a few milliseconds off a Geekbench score. For most daily tasks, you won't notice the difference. But if you're a heavy gamer or someone who runs demanding apps back to back, the Pixel 8 Pro will feel a step behind the absolute fastest phones.

Where the Tensor G3 does shine is in sustained AI workloads. Things like voice transcription, photo processing, and call screening happen on-device, which is faster and more private than shipping everything to the cloud. The 12GB of RAM helps here too, keeping apps in memory without constant reloads. Storage is 128GB UFS 3.1, which is fine but not the fastest flash on the market. If you shoot a lot of 4K video or download big games, you'll fill that up faster than you'd think, and there's no microSD slot to bail you out.

Against the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, the Pixel 8 Pro wins on camera consistency and software cleanliness. Samsung's camera can produce more dramatic shots with its 200MP sensor, but Google's processing is more reliable shot-to-shot. The S24 Ultra has a faster chip and an S Pen, but it also costs more and comes with Samsung's heavier software layer. If you want the best raw performance and don't mind the bloat, Samsung is the call. If you want the best photos without thinking about it, Pixel wins.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the other big competitor. Apple's video recording is still the gold standard, and the A17 Pro chip outruns the Tensor G3 in most benchmarks. But the Pixel 8 Pro's still photo processing, especially in low light, is arguably better. And if you're not already in Apple's ecosystem, the Pixel gives you more freedom with Android. The Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 and Nothing Phone 4a Pro are interesting alternatives if you want a foldable or a more distinctive design, but neither matches the Pixel's camera or display quality. The OnePlus 13R is a value play with a faster chip, but its camera can't hang with the Pixel's.

The value story here is complicated because the price range is enormous. At USD 270 for a Grade C refurb, this is an absurd deal for a phone with a 97th percentile display and a 94th percentile camera. You're getting flagship-level photography for less than most mid-range phones cost new. But Grade C means visible wear, and with no warranty, you're rolling the dice. At the other end, USD 1,239 for a mint unlocked unit is a lot of money for a phone that's no longer Google's current flagship, especially when the Pixel 9 series exists.

The sweet spot is probably somewhere in the middle. A Grade A or Grade B refurb from Newegg gives you most of the experience without the full retail sting. Just remember that the international version is GSM only, so if you're on a CDMA carrier or need specific 5G bands, you need to check compatibility before you buy. The CAD 750 listing in Canada is also worth a look if you're north of the border, though that's a single listing and availability may be spotty.

The Pixel 8 Pro is Google's shot at making the definitive Android phone for people who care about photos, clean software, and getting AI features before anyone else. It's got a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED panel running at 120Hz, a triple camera setup with a dedicated 5x telephoto, and Google's custom Tensor G3 chip. On paper, it's a flagship through and through. In our database, the display sits in the 97th percentile, which means it's basically as good as phone screens get right now.

Who's this for? Someone who wants the best point-and-shoot camera on Android without having to fiddle with manual controls. The camera scores 94th percentile in our rankings, and that's the headline here. Google's computational photography is doing a lot of heavy lifting, and the 50MP main sensor with multi-directional PDAF and laser autofocus means you'll get sharp shots even when your subject won't sit still. The 48MP ultrawide and 48MP telephoto round out a setup that covers most shooting situations without making you carry a separate camera.

But there's a catch with this particular listing. The price spread is wild, from USD 270 for a Grade C refurb to USD 1,239 for a mint unlocked unit. That's a USD 969 gap between the cheapest and most expensive options on Newegg. If you're shopping this phone, you need to pay attention to condition grades and whether you're getting the international version, which is GSM only and won't work on CDMA networks like Verizon's older infrastructure.

If you're a mobile gamer or someone who runs demanding apps constantly, the Tensor G3's 79th percentile performance will frustrate you. The Galaxy S24 Ultra or OnePlus 13R both have faster chips and better sustained performance. If you shoot a lot of video, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is still the better choice. And if you're on a CDMA carrier like Verizon, the international GSM-only version of this phone won't work for you at all.

Also skip this if you need expandable storage or a headphone jack. The Pixel 8 Pro has neither. 128GB is all you get, and once it's full, you're managing storage or paying for cloud space. If that's a dealbreaker, look at phones with microSD support or higher base storage.

If you're a photographer first and a spec-chaser second, the Pixel 8 Pro is still one of the best phones you can buy. The camera is the reason to get this phone, and it delivers in a way that few Android phones do. The display is gorgeous, the battery lasts all day, and the software is clean and fast. At the right price, this is a no-brainer.

But if you need the absolute fastest performance or you're a heavy mobile gamer, look elsewhere. The Tensor G3 is fine for daily use but falls behind the Snapdragon and Apple chips in sustained workloads. And if you're buying a refurb or used unit with no warranty, you need to be comfortable with that risk. For most people, a Grade A or B refurb in the USD 500 to 700 range is the sweet spot. At that price, you're getting a flagship camera and display for mid-range money.