GoKawiilStephen Radochia / Android Authority
It’s not easy to buy a new smartphone in 2026 without spending a fortune. Carrier incentives and trade-in bonuses help, but prices are headed in the wrong direction, and it doesn’t appear we will see relief anytime soon. That’s why it’s important to take every opportunity you can to save money.
Thankfully, there are a ton of older flagships still worth picking up — with the Pixel 8 Pro at the top of my list. Its blend of current performance, extended software support, and excellent price makes it an ideal choice for people who don’t want to feel compromised just because they don’t want to spend over $1,000 on a device.
If you’re in the market for a new phone and the current flagship prices are horrifying you, this is why a Pixel 8 Pro should wind up in your pocket.
Would you ever buy a pre-owned flagship phone? 10 votes Yes! Fantastic way to save money. 60 % No, I need my devices new all the time. 40 %
Premium materials don’t know what year it is
Stephen Radochia / Android Authority
You don’t feel like you’re holding an almost three-year-old flagship when you pick up a Pixel 8 Pro. Its Gorilla Glass Victus 2-covered display and polished aluminum frame are holding up well in 2026. Some mid-range phones have started using more premium materials, but for the ~$330 you’ll spend on a Pixel 8 Pro, it’ll be hard to find a better-built device. An IP68 rating for dust and water resistance should offer further peace of mind.
I even prefer the Pixel 8 Pro’s design to that of its successors. I understand why Google did what it did with its smartphones, making them attractive on carrier store shelves next to iPhones. However, there’s something about the mostly flat front glass paired with the curved back glass that just melts into my hand. It’s a comfortable phone to hold without a case, and I wish Google could get back to that.
It gets harder for me to recommend a Google phone older than the Pixel 8 Pro because of the displays. Google’s Super Actua panels make all the difference, and the 6.7-inch screen on the Pixel 8 Pro holds up well in 2026. It’s vibrant and saturated, and it was the first Pixel I didn’t need to crank up the brightness on indoors. Mid-range phones are often limited to 1080p panels. They aren’t bad, but for roughly the same money, the Pixel 8 Pro offers a wonderful QHD experience.
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