Google Pixel 8 DxOMark battery analysis suggests device is below average compared to other recent smartphones

DxOMark, a renowned firm known for its rigorous smartphone camera and audio testing, has recently turned its attention towards battery life. The latest victim of their scrutiny is the Google Pixel 8, a smaller flagship device released by the tech giant. Unfortunately, the Pixel 8’s battery performance didn’t fare so well, coming in a measly 120th place despite boasting a decent 4,575mAh battery capacity.

Let’s delve deeper into the details of DxOMark’s analysis, exploring the Pixel 8’s battery performance across key metrics.

DxOMark’s autonomy score is a composite of three sub-scores, meticulously measured across various real-world scenarios. These include home/office usage, on-the-go activities, and calibrated use cases.

The good news is that the Pixel 8’s battery life surpassed its predecessor, the Pixel 7, thanks to an improved charging experience and a larger battery. However, when it comes to overall autonomy, the Pixel 8 still falls short of the average device in DxOMark’s database. On moderate usage, the Pixel 8 managed to last just over 2 days, which is certainly not a stellar performance.

The analysis revealed some interesting insights into the Pixel 8’s battery performance in specific usage scenarios. While gaming and video streaming proved to be relatively energy-efficient, calling and music streaming took a significant toll on the battery. Outdoor usage results were mostly average.

DxOMark also assesses the charging speed of smartphones, as it plays a crucial role in the overall battery experience. Especially in situations where battery life is running low, a fast charge can be a lifesaver.

The Pixel 8 showed improvement in both wired and wireless charging times compared to its predecessor. Using a wired charger, the Pixel 8’s battery can be fully replenished in 1 hour and 33 minutes, while wireless charging takes 3 hours and 20 minutes. This translates to approximately 30 minutes of faster charging compared to the Pixel 7.

Despite the improvement, these charging times remain longer than the average for contemporary smartphones. Additionally, a quick 5-minute charge only offered 3 hours and 20 minutes of additional autonomy, falling short of the industry standard.

DxOMark’s power efficiency score is another crucial metric, combining data from robot-based usage scenarios, calibrated tests, and charging evaluations. This score considers the device’s battery capacity and even estimates annual power consumption, providing valuable insights into overall energy efficiency.

Unfortunately, the Pixel 8’s efficiency performance was also below average. While wired and wireless charge efficiencies were underwhelming, residual consumption was relatively low, especially when using a wired charger. However, the discharge currents were generally higher than average, indicating inefficient power utilization during operation.

The analysis also revealed that while gaming and video streaming were handled efficiently, battery consumption was significantly higher during calls and music streaming. This suggests potential optimization issues within the device itself.

Based on DxOMark comprehensive analysis, the Google Pixel 8 battery performance falls short of expectations, particularly for a device in the premium price range. While improvements have been made compared to its predecessor, the Pixel 8 still lags behind the competition in terms of autonomy, charging speed, and overall efficiency.

This subpar performance might disappoint potential Pixel 8 buyers who prioritize long battery life. It remains to be seen if Google addresses these issues in future software updates or hardware revisions.

Inline image source: DxOMark