The HMD Hyper and Google Pixel 8 Pro represent opposite ends of the smartphone spectrum. The Hyper aims to deliver a solid Android experience at an accessible price point, while the Pixel 8 Pro is Google’s flagship, packed with cutting-edge AI features and a premium build. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a feature-rich experience and exceptional camera capabilities, the Google Pixel 8 Pro is the clear winner. However, the HMD Hyper presents a compelling alternative for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize essential functionality over advanced features, offering a surprisingly capable device at a significantly lower cost.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - G1MNW |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - G1MNW |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2023, October 04 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2023, October 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | - | 162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm (6.40 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | - | 213 g (7.51 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) | 1344 x 2992 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~489 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 | 6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 120Hz | LTPO OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (HBM), 2400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Google Tensor G3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Immortalis-G715s MC10 |
| OS | Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades | Android 14, upgradable to Android 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | Multi-zone Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra-HDR, panorama, Best Take, Zoom Enhance |
| Triple | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF, OIS
13 MP, (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom
8 MP, (ultrawide) | 50 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
48 MP, f/2.8, 113mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom
48 MP, f/2.0, 126˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@24/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, (wide), AF | 10.5 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, thermometer (skin temperature) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min
23W wireless
Reverse wireless
Bypass charging |
| Type | 4700 mAh, user replaceable | Li-Ion 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Yellow | Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Mint |
| Models | - | GC3VE, G1MNW |
| Price | - | € 362.00 / $ 289.97 / £ 329.95 / ₹ 54,999 |
HMD Hyper
- Significantly lower price point
- Clean Android experience
- Efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor
- Less powerful processor
- Inferior camera system
- Likely dimmer display
Google Pixel 8 Pro
- Exceptional camera quality and features
- Powerful Google Tensor G3 processor
- Bright and vibrant display
- High price tag
- Can be overkill for basic users
- Potential for software bloat (though minimal on Pixel)
Display Comparison
The Google Pixel 8 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1600 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the HMD Hyper’s display specifications are not provided, it’s likely to be considerably dimmer. The Pixel 8 Pro’s panel likely utilizes LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, contributing to improved battery efficiency, a feature absent in the Hyper’s likely standard LCD or lower-tier OLED panel. This difference in display technology directly impacts the viewing experience, particularly for media consumption and outdoor use.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 8 Pro’s camera system is a major differentiator. While specific sensor details aren’t provided, Google’s computational photography prowess, powered by the Tensor G3, delivers exceptional image quality. The Hyper’s camera capabilities are likely more modest, focusing on providing acceptable results in good lighting conditions. The Pixel 8 Pro’s advanced image processing algorithms, including features like Magic Eraser and Best Take, are unavailable on the Hyper. The Pixel 8 Pro also excels in video recording, offering features like cinematic mode and improved stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the HMD Hyper utilizes the Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, an octa-core processor designed for efficiency. The Google Pixel 8 Pro, however, is powered by the Google Tensor G3, a nona-core chip built for AI and machine learning tasks. The Tensor G3’s Cortex-X3 prime core, clocked at 3.0 GHz, provides a substantial performance advantage over the Hyper’s Cortex-A78 cores. While both are fabricated on a 4nm process, the Tensor G3’s architecture is optimized for complex tasks like image processing and voice recognition. The Pixel 8 Pro will handle demanding applications and multitasking with greater ease, while the Hyper is suited for everyday tasks.
Battery Life
The Google Pixel 8 Pro demonstrates impressive battery endurance, achieving an active use score of 11:14 hours and an endurance rating of 90 hours. While the HMD Hyper’s battery capacity is unknown, its 33W wired charging is comparable to the Pixel 8 Pro’s 30W wired charging (with PD3.0 and PPS support). However, the Pixel 8 Pro offers the added convenience of 23W wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and bypass charging, features absent on the Hyper. The Pixel 8 Pro’s superior battery life and charging versatility provide a more convenient user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the HMD Hyper if you need a reliable daily driver with a clean Android experience and aren't demanding of top-tier gaming or camera performance. It’s ideal for users who prioritize affordability and longevity. Buy the Google Pixel 8 Pro if you prefer a best-in-class camera, advanced AI features, a brighter display, and faster wireless charging, and are willing to pay a premium for the complete package.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ How does the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the HMD Hyper handle graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is capable of running Genshin Impact, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to maintain a stable frame rate. It’s not designed for consistently high-end gaming, and you may experience some frame drops during intense scenes. The Pixel 8 Pro’s Tensor G3 will provide a much smoother and more consistent gaming experience.
❓ Does the Google Pixel 8 Pro’s Tensor G3 chip get noticeably warm during extended use, like video recording or gaming?
The Tensor G3 can get warm during prolonged intensive tasks, but Google has implemented thermal management solutions to prevent overheating and throttling. While it may not stay as cool as phones with dedicated cooling systems, it generally maintains performance well. The HMD Hyper, with its less powerful processor, is less likely to experience significant heat buildup.
❓ What kind of software update commitment can I expect from HMD for the Hyper, compared to Google for the Pixel 8 Pro?
Google guarantees at least 7 years of software updates for the Pixel 8 Pro, including security patches and OS upgrades. HMD’s update commitment for the Hyper is likely shorter, typically around 2-3 years of OS updates and 3-4 years of security patches. This is a significant advantage for the Pixel 8 Pro, ensuring long-term software support and security.
