UPDATE: Here's everything Google unveiled today:
Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro
- AI, Camera Tricks Make Pixel 8 Pro a Compelling Galaxy, iPhone Alternative
- Google Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 8 Pro: What's the Difference?
- Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro to Receive Android Updates Until 2030
- Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro: How to Pre-Order and Get the Best Deal
Pixel Watch 2
- Pixel Watch 2: Hands On With Google's Fitbit-Infused Smartwatch
- Google Pixel Watch 2 vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: The Best Android Wearable
Android 14
- Google Ships Android 14 With Grab Bag of Customization Options
- Android 14 Is Here: 5 Features We're Excited to Try
Original Story:Google is holding its Made by Google event event today, where the company says it will introduce the newest Pixel devices. As usual for any big phone launch, people are hyped for the next-generation Pixel. Will we see a flashy new design? Will we see the return of Motion Sense, the gesture recognition feature powered by radar? Will Google offer the Pixel in a plaid edition?
Since everything seems to leak on the internet, there are a lot of reports out there espousing supposed details about the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. We've gathered the most reputable and likely reports here so you know what to expect come Google's big reveal.
The event starts at 10 a.m. ET; watch in the video above.
Hardware Unveiled!
Google has officially released a teaser video for the new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, which gives us a good look at the new phones. The video starts off with what looks like the regular Pixel 8 in a light pink color along with a matte metal frame and camera bar. We then get a view of what looks like the Pixel 8 Pro in white with a shiny metal frame and camera bar.
The camera bar on the Pixel 8 Pro changes up the camera layout with all cameras housed within a single dark pill-shaped cutout; the Pixel 7 Pro had two cutouts. To the right of the cameras is a flash and a second circular section. The Pixel 8 series also looks to be less boxy with the corners taking on a more rounded shape. Like previous years, the Pro is larger than the regular model. The video also has text that says "Pre-order available October 4."
Screen Sizes and Other Specs
A report from 91mobiles details virtually every spec for the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro; we'll highlight a few here. The Pixel 8 would have a 6.2-inch screen with a 60-120Hz refresh rate and up to 2,000 nits of brightness. The Pixel 8 Pro would have a 6.7-inch display like its predecessor, a 1-120Hz refresh rate, and up to 2,400 nits of brightness. This should mean the new Pixels will be easy to see even in direct sunlight.
As for RAM and storage, the Pixel 8 would have 8GB of RAM with either 128GB or 256GB of onboard storage. The Pixel 8 Pro would have 12GB of RAM along with up to 1TB of storage in the US, but a maximum of 512GB elsewhere in the world. Both Pixel 8s would have big batteries, with the regular 8 housing a 4,575mAh battery that can be charged at up to 27W wired or 18W wirelessly. The Pixel 8 Pro would have a beefy 5,050mAh battery that could be charged up to 30W wired or 23W wirelessly.
For durability, both devices would be IP68-rated. The Pixel 8 Pro would feature Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back. The Pixel 8 would be a little less tough as it would have Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and front.
Audio Magic Eraser
A video of a new camera feature for the Pixel 8 has been floating around, which seems to originate from an X post made by someone who joined in August 2023 and has posted exactly one thing—this video.
In case you don't feel like listening to the video, it shows a skateboarder riding outside while laughing. Someone is recording the skateboarder and taps a button labeled, "Audio Magic Eraser" that appears to analyze the sound of the video. The resulting video removes the sound of the wheels on the pavement while preserving an exclamation of excitement ("Whoo-hoo") and a laugh. It closes with pictures of a round-cornered phone that is labeled the Google Pixel 8.
This video looks professional and does seem like something Google would be able to pull off considering its experience with machine learning. This would also be another feature that cannot easily be replicated by the competition as this kind of analysis is handled by Google's custom-built Tensor system on a chip (SoC). The leaker may be anonymous, but this looks pretty real.
More Camera AI Goodness
Google's Pixel 8 camera app could be getting even smarter. A post by @MishaalRahman noted that some Pixel users received surveys asking them their preferences on potential features. Audio Magic Eraser is hinted at as well as another feature that could generate "the perfect team picture by merging everyone's best shot with your phone's AI technology."
Getting every person to look good in a group shot can be difficult. This also seems within Google's wheelhouse to make photography easier through software features. The AI-group-photo feature could be destined for the Pixel 8.
Screenshots of what looks like the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro store pages were posted on X and they seemingly confirm this feature and it will be called Best Take.
A New Camera App
Android Authority says it got a look at a new camera interface thanks to an anonymous source within Google. The current app places its different modes in one line in text and it mixes still photography and video modes within that line. The revised app would have a toggle where you would select whether you are shooting photos or videos. The text menu would then relate to what you picked.
Google may also swap the locations of the thumbnail (currently on the right) and camera switching button (currently on the left) in the new version. Settings would no longer be accessible through a tap of an onscreen button; instead, swiping up would summon the settings.
New Camera Hardware
A couple of sources say that the Google Pixel 8 will see new camera sensors. Both Android Authority and the often accurate @UniverseIce say that the Pixel 8 Pro could be using a new Samsung sensor called the Isocell GN2. Android Authority says this same sensor will be in the standard Pixel 8 as well; previous Pixel models used the GN1. The GN2 50MP sensor would be larger than its predecessor and would let in approximately 35% more light. That would lead to better low-light photography—another field where Google shines.
The camera may be physically capable of capturing video at 8K at 30fps, but this may not be a feature of the Pixel 8 as Android Authority cites Pixel heating issues with video capture at 4K/60fps.
Over on X, there is a lot more information that may have leaked thanks to Kamila Wojciechowska. Several posts are presented as the store pages for the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. The 8 Pro would have a 50MP sensor, a 48MP ultra-wide, and a 48MP telephoto camera. On the front would be a 10.5MP camera. The same leaker also provided camera specs for the Pixel 8 to 91Mobiles. That device would have a 50MP main camera and a 12MP ultrawide shooter along with the same front-facing camera as the 8 Pro.
Time For a New Tensor
Google's custom-built SoC is due for a refresh. A couple of posts by Yogesh Brar list a number of specs for both the Pixel 8 and the 8 Pro. The successor to the Tensor G2 would be sensibly named Tensor G3 and it would power both versions of the Pixel 8. The first samples of the Tensor G3 were reportedly delivered to Google back in September 2022. That same report says the G3 may use the same modem as the G2, which was better than the one on the G1.
A Phone Arena report says that the Tensor G3 will be Google's first 64-bit-only chipset and that it should be on par with or even better than the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. We have found the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 to perform excellently in flagship phones like the Samsung Galaxy S23 line as well as the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5.
The leaked Pixel store pages on X confirm that the Tensor G3 will power the new Pixel devices.
Pricing Could Go Up
A trend that no one wants to see is rising prices, but that may be a reality for the Google Pixel 8. A post by Yogesh Brar says that all major flagships will see prices up by $50 to $200 and listed several phones including the Google Pixel 8 series. The Pixel 7 currently starts at $599 and the Pixel 7 Pro's base price is $899. Another post by the same source said the Pixel 8 will be $649 for the entry-level model (128GB) and $699 for a model with double the storage (256GB).
More OS Updates Than Before
Right now, Google promises OS upgrades for three years and security updates for five years from when a Pixel device first becomes available via Google's store. Under the new policy, Android OS updates would extend to four years—matching Samsung's commitment—while security updates would remain guaranteed for five. This update promise includes feature drops and applies to Pixel 6 devices and later.
A 9to5Google report says that Google will "competitively boost how many years of OS updates the Pixel 8 series... will get." Additionally, the report states that Google will "meaningfully match the iPhone." That would be a huge jump, as Apple supports its devices for a long time. For example, the upcoming iOS 17 will be compatible with the iPhone XS, which was released in 2018. If this report is true, the Pixel 8 could be a good device for anyone who hangs onto phones longer than a few years.
The 91Mobiles report we mentioned earlier says that the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro will get seven years of OS and security updates. If that is true, that is a huge commitment that would extend all the way to the year 2030.