The leaks were largely correct, and we now officially know this with the release of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro devices. The new phones continue the look Google has established with a few key hardware and a couple of major software upgrades.
The big ticket item is that the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will have 7 years of software support: 7 years of OS updates, 7 years of feature updates and 7 years of Security updates. This takes the Pixel line to the front of the pack, offering even greater value for money than the previous iterations.
Both devices carry the new Google Tensor G3 Processor, enabling even more AI to happen on-device rather than in the cloud; more on this later, though. Both devices also have IP68 certification to protect your device from spills and other minor accidents.
Perhaps the main differences boil down to the Pixel 8 Pro featuring a polished aluminium frame and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, whereas the Pixel 8 is built with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus and a satin metal frame.
Pixel 8 Pro: The best of Google for $1,699.00
As already noted, the Tensor G3 is onboard the Pixel 8 Pro, with the Titan M2 providing high levels of security which now includes face unlock being available to other apps. From a user interface perspective, the Pixel 8 Pro carries an upgraded 6.7-inch, 20:9 ratio Super Actua screen at 489PPI; giving users even more brightness of up to 2,400 nits, and dynamic (1-120 Hz refresh rate) adding to the power efficiency of the device.
The battery is touted to be an average of 31 hours for a median Pixel user. What this likely means for most users is a full day of charge, even on heavy use days. For lighter users, there’s a high chance of regular, two day battery life; but we’ll see when the reviews come out.
For the spec hungry among you, the vitals are as follows:
- Google Tensor 3 processor, Titan M2 Security coprocessor
- 12GB DDR5 RAM
- 128GB, 256GB and 512GB variants available outside USA
- 5,050mAh battery with 30W wired, and Qi-certified for wireless charging
- Measures 162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm
- A host of included features and benefits (we’ll get into these in the review)
- 50 MP Octa PD wide camera, 48 MP Quad PD ultrawide camera, 48 MP Quad PD telephoto rear cameras with laser detect auto focus
- 10.5 MP Dual PD selfie camera
- All the connectivity you can expect including Wi-Fi 7
The camera setup has also had an update this year, now with a 5 x telephoto lens; but this is where that — earlier mentioned — AI comes into play. There are new editing modes including video night sight and editing capabilities. You can now (through several photos) edit the “best” look for each person in your photos, for that friend who is always talking for the first two and the person who has had enough smiling after two photos.
As an interesting addition to the Pixel 8 Pro, there’s now a thermometer. Simply point your device at and object at you’ll get the surface temperature of it; potentially useful in cooking, workplaces or even just out of curiosity – I’m interested to see how this gets used and applied in the wild.
Pixel 8: Smaller than the Pixel 7 with even more jammed in for $1,199.00
Like the 8 Pro, the Pixel 8 is said to have all-day battery life. The 6.2-inch Actua display delivers the same dynamic refresh rate as the 8 Pro, giving better capabilities to the more affordable Pixel device.
- Google Tensor 3 processor, Titan M2 Security coprocessor
- 8GB DDR5 RAM
- 128GB and 256GB variants available
- 4,575mAh battery with 30W wired, and Qi-certified for wireless charging
- Measures 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9 mm
- A host of included features and benefits (we’ll get into these in the review)
- 50 MP Octa PD wide camera and 12 MP ultrawide camera with autofocus13 cameras with laser detect auto focus
- 10.5 MP Dual PD selfie camera
- All the connectivity you can expect including Wi-Fi 7
The Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel Watch 2 all highlight the AI first approach that Google has been taking with the Pixel lineup. Showing continued innovation, capacity to learn and interact more naturally with devices and the platform. So I’m excited to see how the review units go this year, we’ll keep you posted on that!
The Pixel 8 is available in Hazel, Rose and Obsidian for $1,199.00 and Pixel 8 Pro in Porcelain and Obsidian for $1,699.00. Pre-orders start today, with devices on shelves from October 12th through the usual channels including the Google Store, JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Officeworks and carriers.
Thermometer is useless IMO and I don’t think I will be using it. I preordered with Telstra as they threw in a free Watch 2 LTE as a nice bonus.