Google blocked Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro reviewers from using popular benchmarks to test the Tensor G3 chip, new owners too
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Google has taken the extraordinary step to block reviewers from being able to download popular chip testing benchmarks directly through its Play Store, surprising reviewers of its latest Pixel 8 series smartphones. Incredibly, the company has extended this block to include all new customers of its Pixel 8 phones following the launch, in attempt to suppress the widespread distribution of results.

To Pixel 8/8 Pro owners here, is this true? Are you really unable to install Geekbench and 3D Mark from Google Play? What about a regular install using those apps’ APKs?

EDIT: some owners now report that they can install those apps, so it could have been just a Play Store issue and not a deliberate block from Google’s side.

    • DoomBot5@lemmy.worldEnglish
      33·
      1 year ago

      I have a Pixel 6 Pro for work along with a Samsung phone. The night and day difference between the two is apparent. Samsung is still leading the innovation for Android devices, and Google is struggling to keep up. Heck, if the always on display at least worked consistently on the pixel, it would be nice.

      • mammut@lemmy.worldEnglish
        7·
        1 year ago

        I just wish Samsung stuff wasn’t locked down. Ironically, it’s easier to De-Google a Pixel phone than it is a Samsung phone, because I can actually unlock the bootloader and install GrapheneOS, etc. on my Pixel. On the Samsung, I’m stuck with whatever is baked in.

        Samsung’s security practices also used to be awful, and that gives me further pause. (I remember, in a security review of Tizen, it was declared by the reviewers to be the worst code they’d ever seen. I understand Android isn’t Tizen, but apparently at least some of Samsung’s OS people are quite bad at their jobs.)

      • random65837@lemmy.worldEnglish
        21·
        1 year ago

        LOL, Google “struggling”… sure. Google is doing EXACTLY what they want to do. Keep phones more affordable. Thats always been the goal with their line of phones. My AOD has always worked without issue, also on a 6Pro.