4 surprising ways I use my Pixel 8 Pro’s USB port

The USB-C port on my Google Pixel 8 Pro is more than just a charging slot. It’s far more versatile, allowing me to quickly charge small USB accessories, connect to external monitors, and even transfer photos and videos off my GoPro and DSLR.

Here are some unexpected, practical ways I put it to use in everyday life.

4

Quickly transfer video files off my GoPro

From action camera to Pixel in seconds

I mostly keep all my files in the cloud for easy access. For photos and videos, I use Google Photos to back them up and access them across devices.

Thanks to Wi-Fi access available almost everywhere, the photos that I click on my vacation are automatically backed up to the cloud. This ensures that just in case my phone gets stolen, I won’t have to worry about losing all my vacation memories.

Since I don’t carry my laptop during vacations, the Pixel 8 Pro’s versatile USB-C port comes in handy here, letting me transfer all the footage from the GoPro with ease. I just connect the action camera to the Pixel, and it’s instantly detected.

The best part? I don’t have to move the footage manually, as the Google Photos importer can import all available media in just a few taps.

While I can use the GoPro Quik app for the same functionality, it connects to the camera wirelessly. So, transferring big footage can take a while.

Admittedly, the wider adoption of USB-C in consumer electronic devices has played a big role in streamlining this.

Thanks to superfast Wi-Fi in most hotels, all my vacation photos and videos — including those from the GoPro — are even backed up to the cloud before I return home.

And this even gives me the flexibility to quickly edit some photos and share them with my friends and family or post them on social media while still on vacation.

3

External video output

For quick presentations and Netflix nights

I didn’t pay much heed to Google adding USB-C display output support to the Pixel 8 Pro and newer models in 2024. However, over time, I realized the feature is much more useful than I imagined. It all depends on your use case.

Unlike Samsung’s flagships with DeX, the Pixel can’t transform into a laptop-like experience. When connected to an external monitor, it mirrors the phone’s display. Still, there’s a surprising lot you can do.

On vacations, I connect my Pixel 8 Pro to the hotel TV and stream my favorite sitcoms or movies. Yep, this requires me to carry a USB-C to HDMI cable, but since it does not take up a lot of space, it’s not that big of a deal.

Similarly, for office work that requires immediate attention, my wife hooks up the Pixel 8 Pro to a TV to view important documents, presentations, and case studies.

Despite its limitations, the Pixel 8 Pro’s video output support gives me the freedom to leave my laptop behind on vacations. With Google working on a Samsung DeX-like mode for Android 16 QPR2, the Pixel’s USB-C port could soon become even more useful.

2

Charging small USB-C accessories

At the expense of my Pixel’s battery life

The Pixel 8 Pro’s battery life can barely make it through a day of use. But in a pinch, I rely on its USB-C port to quickly charge smaller accessories. On long-haul flights, I prefer using my OnePlus Buds 3 Pro instead of over-ear headphones due to their portability.

On a recent trip, I forgot to charge the earbuds and their battery died with around 70% of the journey remaining.

Since I use a MagSafe case on my Pixel 8 Pro, wireless power share doesn’t work reliably. So, I grabbed a small USB-C wire from my bag and used it to charge the OnePlus buds.

Thankfully, with the Pixel being on airplane mode, it survived the entire journey despite topping up the earbuds to about 30%.

That’s not it. A few months ago, on a short flight, my co-passenger’s iPhone ran out of battery. I had a power bank with me, but it only featured USB-A output, and none of us had a USB-A to Lightning cable.

Luckily, the iPhone owner had a USB-C to Lightning cable, which I plugged into my Pixel 8 Pro to charge his dead battery.

This isn’t practical for everyday use, especially with the Pixel’s mediocre battery life. I had to scramble for a power outlet at the airport to top it up.

Still, in a pinch, it can be a useful backup, especially for charging small accessories. I have even used the Pixel 8 Pro’s USB-C port to power up small LED lights and fans for various use cases.

The Pixel 9 makes big improvements in battery life, and the Pixel 10 should take things even further. So, with newer Pixels, reverse wired charging can actually be more useful than just being a spec on paper.

1

Controlling my Canon DSLR

Shoot remotely

Admittedly, I am not a pro-level photographer, but I do know how to use a DSLR.

Every once in a while, I used to rely on Canon’s Camera Connect app to control my DSLR for remote shooting. But then, there were connection issues, and it was always a challenge to pair my friend’s camera with the phone with Canon’s app.

The Pixel 8 Pro’s versatile USB-C port again comes in handy here, albeit with help from the excellent Camera Connect & Control app.

I simply connect my Canon 80D to the phone and launch the app. Then, with a live view on my Pixel, I can control the camera’s focus, exposure, shutter, and more to get the desired shot.

Plus, unlike Canon’s Camera Connect app, Camera Connect makes it a breeze to transfer footage off the connected camera’s memory card. And since the transfer happens over a wired USB-C connection, it is noticeably faster and reliable than Wi-Fi.

Given my limited expertise in photography, I don’t use Camera Connect & Control to its full potential. Still, the app makes excellent use of the Pixel’s USB-C port, turning it into a capable companion for DSLR shooting.

The Pixel’s USB-C port does way more than you think

For me, the Pixel’s USB-C port goes far beyond just charging. All I need is a USB-C cable, and I can use the phone to control my DSLR, get videos off my GoPro, and charge small accessories.

And that’s not it. There’s a lot more that you can do, including directly connecting game controllers, small USB-powered fans, and more to the device.

While none of the above features are game-changing, this versatility helps in real life, letting me get a lot more done even when I’m traveling light or don’t have access to my laptop.