Google blocked Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro reviewers from using popular benchmarks to test the Tensor G3 chip, new owners too
www.notebookcheck.net
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.

  • Jeremy [Iowa]English
    1·
    1 year ago

    That would certainly help explain the immediate deep discounting on the 8 and 8 Pro - it seems Google is aware they have a mediocre and potentially-problematic phone generation on their hands.