Google Pixel 8 Series Release: Innovations and Features Revealed

Google announced the new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro at its annual Made by Google hardware event today, alongside the new Pixel Watch 2. These two phones have been unofficially making rounds on the internet for quite some time now, but we finally have all the official information. Both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro bring a slew of improvements over the existing models to deliver a better experience overall, so let’s take a quick at these phones to see what’s changed this year.

Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro: A Glimpse into the Future of Smartphones

Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro Hardware Specifications

Display and Hardware

The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro look very similar to their predecessors overall, but the overall silhouettes of both phones have been slightly tweaked, with rounded corners and edges. They’re also available in more fun colors. Both phones are made with recycled materials, but they’re just as durable as their predecessors, thanks to the IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

The Pixel 8 has 8GB RAM and is available with either 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, whereas the Pixel 8 Pro comes with 12GB RAM and can be purchased with up to 1TB of storage. While we’re discussing internal hardware, it’s also worth noting that the Pixel 8 packs a 4,575mAh battery while the Pixel 8 Pro comes with a 5,050mAh unit. They both support fast wired and wireless charging and wireless Battery Share.

The regular Pixel 8, which is the smaller of the two phones, has a satin metal frame and polished back glass, while the Pixel 8 Pro features a polished aluminum frame and matte back glass. Only the Pro model gets Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection for the display, though, while the regular one has a Gorilla Glass Victus panel. However, the display itself has improved on the regular Pixel 8 compared to its predecessor.

The Pixel 8 sports a 6.2-inch OLED display with a 1080×2400 resolution and support for up to 120Hz refresh rate. Not only is it smoother than the Pixel 7’s 90Hz refresh rate panel, but it also has a higher peak brightness of 2,000 nits. The Pixel 8 Pro features a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED panel with support for 1344×2992 resolution and up to 120Hz refresh rate. This particular panel peaks at 2,400 nits brightness, meaning it’s both sharper and brighter than the Pixel 8’s panel. Also, keep in mind that the Pixel 8 Pro has an LTPO OLED that can drop to a 1Hz refresh rate, whereas the Pixel 8’s display can only do 60Hz-120Hz.

Design

The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro bring a fresh design approach, featuring flat screens and elegantly rounded edges crafted from 100 percent recycled aluminum. Google has clearly made an effort to combine style and sustainability in these devices.

Biometric Security

Notably, the Pixel 8 series reintroduces secure face authentication. While it lacks the Soli chip from the Pixel 4, it delivers the same facial recognition capabilities for secure access to sensitive apps and data. Additionally, fingerprint sensors are retained for users who prefer alternative authentication methods.

Temperature Sensor

Exclusive to the Pixel 8 Pro, a temperature sensor on the back of the phone allows users to measure the temperature of various objects accurately. Google has even submitted this feature to the FDA for potential use in measuring body temperature.

Tensor G3

Both Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are powered by the new Tensor G3 chip, which the company says is its most powerful chip yet. According to Google, the biggest machine learning model on the Pixel 8 is 10X more complex compared to the Tensor G2 on the Pixel 6, and the new chip has been improved a lot to handle intense workloads and bring the latest in Google AI to the Pixel 8 phones. We haven’t had a chance to see the new Tensor G3 yet, but stay tuned for our test results. The only thing you need to know for now is that it enables a ton of new AI features.

Cameras

Both Pixel 8 phones have upgraded cameras on the back, but the Pixel 8 Pro’s cameras have gotten relatively bigger improvements. It now packs a 50MP f/1.68 Octa PD main wide camera, coupled with a 48MP Quad PD ultrawide camera with f/1.95 aperture. You’ll also get up to a 125.5-degree field of view and a 48MP Quad PD telephoto camera with f/2.8 aperture and support for up to 5x optical zoom.

The regular Pixel 8, on the other hand, only has two camera sensors on the back, which include a similar 50MP main sensor and a 12MP ultrawide camera with f/2.2 aperture and up to a 125.8-degree field of view from last year. Both phones share the same selfie camera, which is a 10.5MP Dual PD camera with an f/2.2 aperture and 95-degree field of view. The Pixel 8 Pro also comes with Pro controls for the camera out of the box, while the regular one doesn’t.

Software and Updates

Another important thing to note is that Google has promised to keep both Pixel 8 phones updated with OS, security, and Feature Drop updates for up to seven years. That’s a significant improvement from the current update promise of three Android OS and up to four years of security updates. This means that new Pixel 8 series phones that ship with Android 14 will continue to receive software updates until 2030.

Assistant with Bard: A Smart Companion

Google is introducing Assistant with Bard, which utilizes generative AI to provide personalized assistance. This AI-enhanced assistant can help users plan trips, find information in emails, and even create grocery lists. It integrates with various Google apps, enhancing productivity and convenience. Although it’s “coming soon,” it promises to be a valuable addition.

Pro Controls and Future Updates

• The Pixel 8 Pro introduces new pro controls that allow manual tuning of exposure details, enhancing the camera’s versatility.
• Google plans to roll out a future update that includes additional computational video processing features such as HDR+ and Night Sight for video. These features will be processed both on the device and in the cloud on Google’s servers to handle the intensive processing workload.
• Video capabilities are detailed, with the Pixel 8 Pro supporting video recording at up to 4K resolution with various frame rate options. Slow-motion capture at up to 240 fps, astrophotography Timelapse, cinematic pan, blur options, and digital zoom of up to 20x on the 8 Pro are among the highlighted features.
• A notable addition is the ‘Audio Magic Eraser’ feature, designed to remove background noise in captured video clips.

Price and Availability

Both Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are now up for preorder, so you can reserve your unit to be among the first to receive one when they officially release. They both cost $100 more than their predecessors, meaning the Pixel 8 starts at $699 while the Pixel 8 Pro starts at $999. Google is currently offering a free pair of the new Pixel Buds Pro earbuds and a free Pixel Watch 2 to those who preorder the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro, respectively, so now is the time to grab them if you’re thinking of buying either of these phones. The regular Pixel 8 comes in Hazel, Rose, and Obsidian colors, whereas the Pixel 8 Pro is available in Bay, Porcelain, and Obsidian.

Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro: The Battle of Titans

The release of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro has sparked comparisons with Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro. While both phones have their merits, the Pixel 8 Pro stands out in several key areas. Its larger battery ensures longer usage between charges, making it ideal for those on the move. The camera system on the Pixel 8 Pro is a photography enthusiast’s dream, offering more megapixels and AI-powered editing capabilities. Additionally, its larger, brighter display makes outdoor use a pleasure.

Conclusion:

The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are smartphones that combine innovation, style, and practicality in one sleek package. With cutting-edge camera capabilities, AI-driven features, and a commitment to extended software support, Google continues to set the standard for Android devices. The introduction of the thermometer sensor and the “Zoom Enhance” feature adds unique dimensions to their capabilities. Whether you’re a photography enthusiast, a productivity guru, or simply seeking reliable smartphones with an extended lifespan, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro deserve your attention. They’re a testament to Google’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of what a smartphone can do.