Google just unveiled the new Google Pixel 8 series, and that includes the Pixel 8 Pro, which is one of the best Android phones around. But that doesn't mean everyone should just go out and buy the Pixel 8 Pro without looking at other options. Google has a robust lineup of Pixel devices, including bona-fide flagships, budget devices, and great foldables. Since these devices are the only phones to run stock Android, and they also feature Google's AI and machine learning advancements, there's a case to be made for a Pixel to become your next phone. We've rounded up a list of the best Google Pixel phones today so you can find the one that's right for you.

Our favorite Google Pixel phones in 2023

A render showing the Google Pixel 8 Pro in Porcelain color.
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Best overall

Google's most powerful phone to date

The Pixel 8 Pro is the best phone Google has ever made, all thanks to generative AI. There's a new Tensor G3 chip that allows for on-device processing for more advanced AI features. It also has an upgraded camera sensor and a brighter screen. Plus, you get a larger battery in a 6.7-inch form factor.

Pros
  • Excellent generative AI features for imagery and more
  • Comfortable design to hold
  • Might have the best smartphone camera system
Cons
  • Aside from generative AI, it's not a huge upgrade over Pixel 7 Pro
  • The screen is now flat, resulting in sharp edges
  • Tensor G3 lags behind competition

Google's latest Pixel 8 Pro is here, and our reviewer couldn't put it down thanks to its new generative AI and machine learning features. From intelligent call screening to Magic Editor, the Pixel 8 Pro is all about AI smarts. If you're interested in this type of software, there's no better phone to get than the Pixel 8 Pro.

It's hard to knock the Tensor G3 chip inside the Pixel 8 Pro since it powers all these great AI features, but in terms of raw performance, the Tensor G3 chip still lags behind competing hardware from Apple and Qualcomm in terms of efficiency and cooling. Aside from the chip, you also get 12GB of RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 3.1 storage. It also has a 5,050mAh battery that has fast wired and wireless charging, with up to 27W and 23W ratings, respectively.

It starts to get great again when you reach the camera system, as this triple-camera layout might be the best in the business. It offers a 50MP Octa PD wide camera, a 48MP f/1.95 quad PD ultrawide camera, and a 48MP f/2.8 telephoto camera. The latter is particularly great, providing up to 5x optical zoom that produces excellent quality. But generative AI is really where this camera system excels, with Magic Editor and Audio Magic Eraser working to create edits that seem too good to be possible.

Software on the Pixel 8 Pro is intriguing as well, as it ships with Android 14 but comes with a whopping seven years of software updates. Though we're not sure whether you'd want to keep your phone for that long, we are sure that the Pixel 8 Pro is the absolute best Pixel you can buy right now.

Porcelain Google Pixel Fold on transparent background.
Google Pixel Fold
Best foldable

Flagship hardware and a new form factor

$800 $1800 Save $1000

The Google Pixel Fold is a feature-rich device with a compact form factor, flagship hardware, impressive cameras, and a phenomenal software experience.

Pros
  • Comfortable form factor and flagship specs
  • Impressive software experience
  • Great cameras
Cons
  • Pricey
  • Has typical first-gen growing pains

The Google Pixel Fold is undoubtedly the most unique Pixel phone. While a bit pricey, the Pixel Fold will be worth the money for those who want a large-screen device that's comfortable to hold and offers a great multitasking experience.

The Google Pixel Fold features two impressive displays, including a 5.8-inch OLED cover screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and a large 7.6-inch foldable OLED display that also refreshes at 120Hz and offers a higher 2208x1840 resolution. On the inside, the phone packs the same Tensor G2 chipset as the Pixel 7 devices, paired with 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage.

As for cameras, the Pixel Fold features a triple camera setup on the back with a 48MP main shooter, a 10.8MP ultrawide camera with a 121.1-degree field of view, and a 10.8MP 5x telephoto sensor. You also get a 9.5MP outer selfie shooter over the cover screen and an 8MP inner selfie camera over the foldable display. Performance-wise, the Pixel Fold's cameras are almost as good as other Pixel flagships, and they're the best cameras you can get on a foldable device.

The Pixel Fold packs a substantial 4,812mAh battery with 30W wired charging and wireless charging support, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, an IPX8 water resistance rating, and 5G support. On the software front, it runs Google's unique flavor of Android with a host of additional features to help you make the most of the foldable display and Pixel favorites like Magic Eraser. When you combine all of these features into a singular folding device, you get one of the best foldable phones out there.

A render showing the Google Pixel 8 in Hazel color.
Google Pixel 8
Best for most people

All the flagship essentials at a lower price point

Most OEMs now ship a base-model flagship and a Pro model flagship. Of all of them, the Pixel 8 is the best base-model flagship you can buy. It has plenty of the same hardware as the Pixel 8 Pro at a lower price point.

Pros
  • Great on-device generative AI features
  • Excellent main camera sensor
  • Comfortable design and sleek
Cons
  • No zoom lens, weaker ultrawide camera
  • Slow charging speeds compared to Pro
  • Has 120Hz, but not an LTPO panel

The base Pixels have long been known for including many of the same features as the more expensive Pro models, and the Pixel 8 matches the Pixel 8 Pro in a lot of key areas. That's why, at $300 less than the Pixel 8 Pro, the standard Pixel 8 is our top pick for most people.

The biggest improvement might be to the 6.2-inch, 1080x2400 OLED display, which now supports 120Hz refresh rates. Plus, it's brighter than last year's Pixel 7, with a peak brightness rating of 2,000 nits and a 1,400-nit rating for HDR content.

The Pixel 8 has the same Tensor G3 chip as the Pixel 8 Pro, which is great. There are some great generative AI features, too, but not as many as the Pixel 8 Pro. The Pixel 8 ships with Android 14 and also comes with seven years of full OS upgrades. As far as battery life goes, the Pixel 8 lasts a full day during normal use.

The cameras on the Pixel 8 are a bit of a mixed bag. The main sensor is likely the Samsung GNV sensor, and it's a 50MP lens with a sensor size of 1/1.3 inches and an aperture of f/1.7. There's also the 12MP ultra-wide camera, but this lags behind the sensor on the Pixel 8 Pro. Notably, there isn't a telephoto lens here, but Google tries to add this feature with a 2x sensor crop.

If you need a big phone or want the best generative AI features, you need to splurge for the Pixel 8 Pro. But with a quality display, a great camera system, and a flagship processor, the Pixel 8 is our recommendation for most people.

Google Pixel 7 in black showing front and back with transparent background
Google Pixel 7
Best midrange

Last year's smartphone at an affordable price

Though the Pixel 7 has been replaced by the Pixel 8, the latter smartphone is $100 more than the former model. That means the Pixel 7 is still a great buy for people looking for a midrange smartphone. It has a 90Hz display, solid camera, and the Tensor G2 chip.

Pros
  • Great value
  • Impressive primary camera
  • Compact footprint
Cons
  • No telephoto camera
  • Average battery life
  • 90Hz FHD+ display

For those who are looking for a mid-range smartphone at around $500 or $600, the standard Pixel 7 is a great choice. The Pixel 7 follows the same design language as the Pro model but has a smaller footprint, making it a great option for those who want a compact flagship at a lower price.

The Pixel 7's FHD+ OLED 90Hz panel isn't as advanced as the Pixel 8, but you won't be disappointed by what it offers. It reaches 1,400 nits of peak brightness and HDR support. The Tensor G2 chip is still solid in day-to-day performance.

The Pixel 7's camera setup isn't as powerful as newer systems since it misses out on the dedicated telephoto zoom lens, updated ultrawide camera, and Macro Focus. But what matters most is the main camera, and we're happy to report it has the same excellent 50MP main camera as the Pro model. Plus, the Pixel 7 has great computational photography features to make up for its lackluster hardware.

The device packs a smaller 4,335mAh battery and supports 30W wired and 20W wireless charging. It runs Android 13 out of the box and will receive three years of OS updates and five years of security updates, but the Android 14 update is already being rolled out. It also gets Gorilla Glass protection, but we highly recommend getting a case for your Pixel 7 to keep it in pristine condition.

The Pixel 7 is the perfect pick for people who can spend more than the Pixel 7a but want to spend less than the Pixel 8. Compared to the budget Pixel 7a, you'll spend around $100 more but get a bigger screen, brighter display, fast wireless charging, and better water resistance.

Sea Pixel 7a on transparent background
Google Pixel 7a
Best value

Flagship-level specs at a budget price

Google's latest mid-ranger brings several improvements over last year's model, making it a great option for the budget conscious. The Pixel 7a packs the flagship Tensor G2 chip, flagship-tier cameras, an improved 90Hz display, more RAM, better durability, and wireless charging support.

Pros
  • Great price
  • Impressive performance, software, and cameras
  • Compact form factor
Cons
  • Slow charging
  • 90Hz display

Google's latest A-series device, the Pixel 7a, is a huge step up from its predecessor. It's almost as good as the flagship Pixel 7 in terms of performance, packing the same Tensor G2 SoC. It even caused a bit of regret for one of our writers who bought the Pixel 7 before the 7a's release. It's the best Pixel phone for those who want a compact phone that offers flagship performance without breaking the bank, and it's worth getting over the Pixel 7 if you're fine with making some compromises to save a few bucks.

The Google Pixel 7a features a 6.1-inch OLED display with an FHD+ resolution and 90Hz refresh rate support. It's powered by Google's second-gen flagship SoC, the Tensor G2, and 8GB of RAM. You also get 128GB of onboard storage, a decent-sized 4,385mAh battery with 18W wired and 7.5W wireless charging support, and an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.

In the camera department, the Pixel 7a offers a 64MP main sensor and a 13MP ultrawide sensor on the back, while a 13MP front-facing camera handles selfie duties. As we noted in our review of the Pixel 7a, the main 64MP camera delivers images that are almost at par with pricier flagships like the Pixel 7 Pro and the Galaxy S23. The 13MP ultra-wide camera also does a great job in daylight, but wide-angle images aren't as clear in low-light environments.

Software-wise, the Pixel 7a runs Android 13 with all the Pixel-exclusive features available on the premium models. All in all, the Pixel 7a is a fantastic phone for the price, and you should get it if you want the best value for your money.

google pixel 6 on a transparent background
Google Pixel 6
Best for $400

One of the cheapest Pixels you can get

Last year's affordable flagship, the Google Pixel 6, is still on the market, and you can snag one for well under its original retail price. Thanks to that, it's still one of the best Google Pixel phones to buy in 2023 despite its age. It features Google's first-gen Tensor SoC, an FHD+ display, great cameras, amazing software, and decent battery life.

Pros
  • Amazing software experience
  • Premium design
  • Impressive primary camera
Cons
  • Finicky fingerprint scanner
  • Not great for gaming
  • Below average thermals

The Google Pixel 6 might not be the best Pixel flagship right now, but it remains a solid option for those who want to experience the Pixel's camera prowess and software smarts at a budget-friendly price. While you won't get a telephoto camera and a 120Hz display, it's a decent compromise to make if you're spending just $400.

The Pixel 6 features a decent 6.4-inch OLED display with an FHD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. The small screen size and 1080p resolution also mean the Pixel 6's display isn't a battery hog, similar to the QHD+ panel of the Pixel 6 Pro. At 500 nits, the screen isn't all that bright, but it's sufficient for outdoor use.

The Pixel 6 performs similarly to the Pro model in day-to-day tasks as it's powered by the same first-gen Tensor Soc. However, it's not great for extensive gaming and will heat up under load. On the camera front, it offers the same 50MP primary shooter and 12MP ultra-wide shooter as the Pro model, allowing you to capture crisp images in most lighting conditions. However, the phone misses out on a dedicated zoom lens.

The camera on the front isn't as wide as the one on the Pixel 6 Pro and also drops the resolution to 8MP. Other than that, there's not a lot you're missing out here. You get the same software support, so the device should be good till October 2026. The battery is slightly smaller at 4,600mAh, but the smaller screen and lower refresh rate mean that the battery life will be as good as the Pro, if not better.

A render of the Google Pixel 6a in Charcoal black color.
Google Pixel 6a
Most affordable

Pixel experience on a budget

If you want the Pixel experience for under $300, the Google Pixel 6a is the right option for you. It's the best Google Pixel phone you can get on a tight budget, especially since it packs the first-gen Tensor SoC. You also get decent cameras, the same software experience as other Pixel phones, and long-term software support.

Pros
  • Amazing value
  • Great software experience
  • Impressive cameras for the price segment
Cons
  • 60Hz display
  • Below average battery life
  • Thermal issues

If you don't need all the bells and whistles that come with the newer devices, you will do just fine with the budget-friendly Pixel 6a. Like previous A-series phones, the new model brings the best features of the flagship Pixels down to a more affordable price point while dropping some premium features in the process. The compromises come in the form of fewer premium materials, a downgraded display, and older camera hardware.

The Pixel 6a sports a 6.1-inch OLED display with an FHD+ resolution that tops out at 60Hz. The most exciting thing about the Pixel 6a is that it uses the same first-gen Tensor SoC as the Pixel 6 series. But before you get too excited, note that the phone doesn't perform as well as the top-end models. This is because the Pixel 6a only packs 6GB of RAM and lacks the smoothness of a higher refresh rate panel. That said, the Pixel 6a performs respectably in day-to-day use.

The camera situation for the Pixel 6a is a bit tricky. Instead of borrowing the new camera hardware from the Pixel 6 series, the affordable device packs the same old camera modules that have appeared on all previous Pixel A series phones. Despite that, the Pixel 6a captures high-quality photos that put other smartphones in this price segment to shame.

The Pixel 6a also packs a smaller 4,410mAh battery, which results in below-average battery life. For under $350, the Pixel 6a packs a lot of value, offering a delightful mix of fantastic camera performance and a thoughtful software experience.

Best Google Pixel Phones in 2023: The bottom line

Although there are plenty of great choices for a smartphone in the Pixel lineup, it's easy to recommend the Pixel 8 for most people, as it offers all the essentials at a fair price point. There's also the best-overall Pixel 8 Pro for people who want the absolute best Pixel experience or the Pixel Fold for people who want a foldable. Google has great options at every price point, going all the way down from the Pixel 7 to the Pixel 6a at just a few hundred dollars. No matter how much you're willing to spend on your next smartphone, there's a Pixel phone for you.

A render showing the Google Pixel 8 Pro in Porcelain color.
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Best overall

The Pixel 8 Pro is the latest flagship from Google, and it packs the best the company has to offer in 2024. It features the newest Tensor G3 processor, like its regular Pixel 8 sibling, but it comes with a 6.7-inch OLED display, a brighter screen, a larger battery, and more storage options.