Motorola ThinkPhone vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro: A Deep Dive for Power Users

The Motorola ThinkPhone aims to recapture the enterprise market with a focus on security and battery life, while the Google Pixel 8 Pro continues to push the boundaries of computational photography and AI integration. This comparison dissects these two Android flagships, revealing which one delivers the best experience for demanding users.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing camera capabilities and a cutting-edge software experience, the Google Pixel 8 Pro is the clear winner. However, the Motorola ThinkPhone offers exceptional battery endurance and a more focused, productivity-driven experience, making it ideal for professionals who prioritize uptime.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola ThinkPhone Google Pixel 8 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - ROWHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66 - ROW1, 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 bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - ROW1, 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
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - China-
Launch
Announced2023, January 052023, October 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, January 29Available. Released 2023, October 12
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), aramid fibre back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
Dimensions158.8 x 74.4 x 8.3 mm (6.25 x 2.93 x 0.33 in)162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm (6.40 x 3.01 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight188.5 g (6.67 oz)213 g (7.51 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.3m MIL-STD-810H compliant-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density)1344 x 2992 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~489 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeP-OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+LTPO OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (HBM), 2400 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Google Tensor G3 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Immortalis-G715s MC10
OSAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 15Android 14, upgradable to Android 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRMulti-zone Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra-HDR, panorama, Best Take, Zoom Enhance
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.5", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, AF Auxiliary lens50 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
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 4K@30fps HDR10, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@24/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 0.7µm - ROW model 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.0µm - PRC model10.5 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm, PDAF
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack No-
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (North America only)Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, thermometer (skin temperature)
Battery
Charging68W wired 15W wireless30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min 23W wireless Reverse wireless Bypass charging
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Ion 5050 mAh
Misc
ColorsCarbon BlackObsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Mint
ModelsXT2309-2GC3VE, G1MNW
Price€ 249.79€ 362.00 / $ 289.97 / £ 329.95 / ₹ 54,999
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 116h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -21.6 LUFS (Excellent) -
Performance AnTuTu: 1081805 (v9) GeekBench: 4207 (v5.1) GFXBench: 90fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Motorola ThinkPhone

  • Exceptional battery endurance (116h rating)
  • Faster 68W wired charging
  • Clean, near-stock Android experience

  • Less advanced camera system
  • Lower peak display brightness

Google Pixel 8 Pro

  • Superior camera capabilities with AI enhancements
  • Brighter and potentially smoother display (LTPO)
  • Innovative software features (Magic Eraser, Best Take)

  • Shorter battery endurance (90h rating)
  • Slower 30W wired charging

Display Comparison

The Pixel 8 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 1600 nits compared to the ThinkPhone’s 1069 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While both displays have an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, the Pixel 8 Pro’s panel likely benefits from LTPO technology, enabling variable refresh rates for improved power efficiency and smoother scrolling – a feature not explicitly stated for the ThinkPhone. The Pixel 8 Pro’s higher peak brightness is a clear advantage for media consumption and outdoor use.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable photo and video recording, but the Pixel 8 Pro’s camera system is expected to be more sophisticated. While specific sensor details are missing for the ThinkPhone, the Pixel 8 Pro benefits from Google’s renowned computational photography algorithms. The Pixel 8 Pro’s image processing excels in dynamic range and low-light performance. The Tensor G3 chip is crucial for these capabilities, enabling features like Best Take and Magic Editor. The ThinkPhone will likely deliver solid results, but it won’t match the Pixel 8 Pro’s AI-powered enhancements.

Performance

Both phones utilize a 4nm process, but the chipsets differ significantly. The ThinkPhone’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 features an octa-core configuration with a Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.19 GHz, while the Pixel 8 Pro’s Tensor G3 employs a nona-core setup with a Cortex-X3 at 3.0 GHz. While clock speed isn’t everything, the Tensor G3’s architecture is optimized for Google’s AI and machine learning tasks, giving it an edge in features like Magic Eraser and real-time translation. The ThinkPhone will likely excel in sustained CPU-intensive tasks due to the Snapdragon’s proven thermal management, but the Pixel 8 Pro’s AI capabilities are a unique advantage.

Battery Life

The Motorola ThinkPhone claims an impressive endurance rating of 116 hours, while the Pixel 8 Pro manages 90 hours. However, endurance ratings don’t tell the whole story. The Pixel 8 Pro offers 11:14 hours of active use, suggesting a more realistic assessment of battery life under load. The ThinkPhone’s 68W wired charging is significantly faster than the Pixel 8 Pro’s 30W charging, allowing for quicker top-ups. The Pixel 8 Pro compensates with 23W wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and bypass charging, offering greater flexibility. Despite the lower endurance rating, the Pixel 8 Pro’s charging options and active use time are competitive.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola ThinkPhone if you need a phone that lasts all day and prioritizes secure communication and a clean, near-stock Android experience. It’s built for those who value reliability and long-term battery performance. Buy the Google Pixel 8 Pro if you prefer a phone with the most advanced camera system, innovative AI features, and a brighter, more vibrant display, even if it means more frequent charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Motorola ThinkPhone receive guaranteed software updates for security and feature enhancements, similar to the Pixel 8 Pro's 7-year commitment?
Motorola's update policy is historically less extensive than Google's. While the ThinkPhone will receive security updates, the duration and frequency are unlikely to match the Pixel 8 Pro's 7-year commitment. This is a key consideration for users prioritizing long-term software support.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the ThinkPhone handle sustained gaming performance compared to the Tensor G3 in the Pixel 8 Pro?
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is known for its excellent thermal management, allowing for more consistent performance during extended gaming sessions. While the Tensor G3 is capable, it may experience more throttling under heavy load due to its focus on AI processing rather than raw GPU power. Gamers will likely find the ThinkPhone more reliable for prolonged gameplay.
❓ The Pixel 8 Pro offers features like Magic Editor and Best Take. Are there any comparable exclusive software features on the Motorola ThinkPhone?
The ThinkPhone focuses on productivity and security. It features Ready For, allowing desktop-like functionality when connected to an external display, and Moto Secure, offering enhanced privacy features. However, it lacks the advanced AI-powered editing tools found on the Pixel 8 Pro.
❓ What type of wireless charging does the ThinkPhone support, and is it as versatile as the Pixel 8 Pro's wireless charging with reverse wireless and bypass charging?
The ThinkPhone supports 15W wireless charging. The Pixel 8 Pro offers 23W wireless charging, reverse wireless charging (to charge accessories), and bypass charging (allowing charging while still providing power output). The Pixel 8 Pro’s wireless charging capabilities are significantly more versatile.