North Korea’s “People’s Pixel” Looks Like a Pixel 8 Pro, but Runs Very Different Hardware
A new hands-on review from phone enthusiast channel fenibook has put the spotlight on an unusual device reportedly made in North Korea: a Google Pixel 8 Pro lookalike nicknamed the “People’s Pixel.” At first glance, the phone clearly borrows from Google’s flagship design, including the familiar rear camera bar and matte glass-style finish. However, under the surface, this clone takes a very different approach to performance, display technology, and camera hardware.
According to the review, the device closely imitates the Pixel 8 Pro’s exterior, but it is not an exact copy. One notable detail is that the rear panel reportedly includes a North Korean logo, which had to be covered before the phone was shown on camera. Even so, the overall shape, camera island, and premium-looking back panel make the resemblance hard to miss.
The biggest difference is inside the phone. While the real Google Pixel 8 Pro uses Google’s Tensor G3 processor, this North Korean Pixel 8 Pro clone is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chipset. That means raw performance is noticeably weaker, especially in demanding benchmarks and gaming tests. The Tensor G3 remains the stronger chip for AI tasks, photography processing, and flagship-level performance.
However, the Dimensity 7050 has one clear advantage: heat control. The reviewer notes that the MediaTek chip runs much cooler during extended use, while the Tensor G3 can become significantly warmer under sustained load. For everyday users, that could mean more stable performance during basic tasks, less thermal throttling, and a more comfortable feel in the hand.
Surprisingly, the clone is generous with memory. It reportedly comes with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, which is more RAM than some Pixel 8 Pro configurations. While extra memory does not automatically make a phone faster, it can help with multitasking and keeping apps active in the background.
The display is another area where the phone makes an interesting compromise. The device uses a 1080 x 2400 screen running at 60Hz, but the software falsely reports a 120Hz refresh rate to the operating system. In practice, users should not expect the same smooth scrolling experience as a true high-refresh-rate flagship display.
Still, the panel has one feature that may appeal to sensitive users: high-frequency PWM dimming. This type of dimming can be easier on the eyes, especially at lower brightness levels. For people who experience eye strain or discomfort from certain OLED displays, this could be one of the clone’s more practical advantages.
The camera system is where the “People’s Pixel” becomes more interesting than a typical imitation phone. The device reportedly features a 50MP OmniVision OV50H main sensor with a large 1/1.3-inch format, a 50MP Samsung S5KJN1 periscope telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom, a 50MP Samsung S5KJN1 ultrawide camera, and a 32MP OmniVision OV32B front-facing camera.
That is a surprisingly strong camera setup for a clone device. The periscope telephoto camera is especially notable because it can focus from as close as 15cm, giving it impressive macro-style shooting ability. In this specific area, it may even outperform the genuine Pixel 8 Pro’s telephoto camera, which needs a much longer focusing distance.
The main and ultrawide camera hardware also appears competitive on paper, though image quality depends heavily on software processing. This is where Google’s real Pixel phones usually shine. The Pixel 8 Pro benefits from advanced computational photography, including HDR processing, color science, night mode, and AI-powered image improvements. A clone may have capable sensors, but without the same software tuning, it is unlikely to match Google’s consistency.
One of the most unexpected findings is that the phone reportedly ships with an unlocked bootloader. This gives advanced users the ability to flash custom software, including Pixel-style Android builds with working Google services. For a clone device, that makes it unusually flexible and potentially more useful outside its original software environment.
Overall, North Korea’s “People’s Pixel” is not a true Pixel 8 Pro rival, but it is more capable than many would expect from a clone. It has weaker performance, a lower-resolution 60Hz display, and no access to Google’s official camera processing. Yet it also offers 16GB of RAM, a cool-running MediaTek chip, eye-friendly display dimming, surprisingly strong camera hardware, and a telephoto macro feature that stands out.
For smartphone enthusiasts, this Pixel 8 Pro imitation is fascinating because it shows how far clone devices have evolved. It may not deliver the polished experience of Google’s flagship, but it is far from a simple cosmetic copy. Instead, the “People’s Pixel” combines familiar design with unexpected hardware choices, making it one of the more unusual Android phones to appear in recent reviews.
