Google has removed the block it placed on its Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro devices, which initially prevented users from freely installing popular benchmarking apps such as Geekbench and 3D Mark. This unusual move by Google occurred during the review embargo period for the Pixel 8 series phones before their public release. This action hindered reviewers from effectively evaluating Google’s marketing claims regarding the performance of the Tensor G3 chip in the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro unless they manually sideloaded the apps.

Surprisingly, even after the official device launch and the conclusion of the review embargo period, the block remained in effect, affecting regular Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro customers, who were unable to install benchmarking apps through the Play Store. However, following the publication of our article on this matter, Google has since lifted the block, allowing users to freely install benchmarking apps from the Play Store. It appears that the unintentional extension of the block to regular users after the devices went on sale contrasts with Google’s deliberate efforts to restrict reviewers.

In recent Pixel launches, Google has shifted its focus away from pure performance, emphasizing the AI features of its devices. This strategy was somewhat necessitated by the limitations of Google’s partner, Samsung Foundry, in maximizing the performance potential of Google’s Tensor designs. There was hope that the Tensor G3 would address the performance and efficiency shortcomings as it employs a more modern architecture than the previous Tensor G2.

However, as the results from Geekbench (CPU performance), 3D Mark (GPU performance), and efficiency have emerged, it has become evident that Google went to great lengths to suppress the widespread circulation of these results. The Tensor G3 appears to fall short of Google’s claims of being “super fast and efficient,” despite the usual software-based AI enhancements that have mitigated some of these deficiencies in the past.