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Google Pixel 8 review: The Pixel for the masses
The Pixel 8 doesn't need every feature the 8 Pro offers, it's packing more than enough
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The Google Pixel 8 is here, and it's likely Google's most distinct non-Pro model yet. It’s significantly smaller and lighter than its predecessor, giving it a different touch and feel than the Google Pixel 8 Pro. It also misses some key features compared to its bigger sibling, giving the $300 price gap between the two a lot more meaning than in previous generations.
The best of 2021: Our favorite smartphone, Chromebook, smartwatch, and earbuds
AP's annual best of the year list
2021 was a great year for hardware. On the phone side, it started strong with the Samsung Galaxy S21 and OnePlus 9 series, continued with the superlative Pixel 5a 5G and, later, the Flip3 and Fold3, and ended with the Pixel 6, our smartphone of the year. There were also great accessories, from the fantastic Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds to the Samsung Galaxy Watch4 series, both our Editors' Choice picks in their respective categories. And finally, on the Chromebook side, no laptop impressed us more than Acer's excellent Chromebook Spin 713.
The Sony WF-1000XM4 are our 2021 wireless earbuds of the year
Sony's small earbuds are a huge upgrade
We've reviewed a lot of true wireless earbuds this past year, and one thing is clear: cheap earbuds are getting good. However, expensive earbuds are also improving. Case in point, the Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds. These buds retail for $280, but you get what you pay for. I'm still going back to the XM4s months after wrapping up the review because they're just so good. They represent a high mark in audio, ANC, battery life, and more. That's why they're the best true wireless earbuds of 2021.
The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is our 2021 Chromebook of the year
An impressive laptop that challenges its Windows rivals
Over the last two years, Chromebooks have dominated laptop sales around the world. As a low-cost way to access the internet — and the perfect device for remote learning or working — it's no surprise that Google's web-based OS is more prevalent than ever. With endless choices to pick between, shopping for a new laptop can be a stressful experience. Allow us to make it a little easier for you: the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 has earned the Editor's Choice pick as our 2021 Chromebook of the year.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch4 & 4 Classic are our 2021 smartwatches of the year
The Watch4 and Watch4 Classic are the best Wear OS watches for most people today
Before this year, Wear OS was in pretty desperate need of a shakeup. The platform's software development had grown so languid, it was almost a running joke among techy types. In May, Google announced it was partnering with Samsung to finally do something about it. Then, this summer, we got the first fruits of that joint labor: the Samsung Galaxy Watch4 and Galaxy Watch4 Classic. They're both really good. In fact, together they win our Editors' Choice award for our 2021 smartwatches of the year.
The Google Pixel 6 debuted to great acclaim just a few months ago, surprising us all particularly when it came to its $600 price. After years of making some of the best mid-rangers you can get, the company finally learned a thing or two about value, translating that lesson to flagships. But the Pixel 6 isn’t just a good deal; It’s the best Android phone, period. Google delivered big camera upgrades, powered by a fast new in-house Tensor chipset, running among the most feature-filled software you can get, all guaranteed to be secure for the next five years. It’s one of the best phones you can buy right now, so it’s probably no surprise that the Android Police editors have selected the Pixel 6 as our Most Wanted phone of the year.