Just like last year (and the year before), Google has introduced a new swathe of smartphones, and this time around, the company has gone all-in on AI. From the Google Assistant to call screening and photo editing, artificial intelligence is front and centre in the new Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones.
According to the tech giant, the phones also come loaded with some unique features, all thanks to the brand-new Google Tensor G3 chip, and will receive a massive seven years of software updates, including Android OS upgrades, security patches, and regular Feature Drops.
Google Pixel 8 Design
In terms of design, Google has made a few subtle yet noticeable adjustments to the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro to set them apart from their predecessors, the Pixel 6 and 7. While the overall design still retains its unmistakable Pixel phone essence, the most noticeable change comes in the form of softened corners, which now sport a more rounded look.
Both devices maintain a sturdy metal frame and the characteristic camera bar now runs along the back. For the Pixel 8, Google has introduced a 6.2-inch display, claiming it to be “42% brighter than the Pixel 7’s display.”
The device features satin metal finishes and a sleek glass back, and it comes in three appealing colours: Rose, Hazel, and Obsidian. Meanwhile, the Pixel 8 Pro boasts a 6.7-inch Actua display, touted as Google’s “brightest display yet.” It comes with a matte glass back, and a polished aluminium frame, and is available in three distinctive colours: Porcelain, Bay, and Obsidian.
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Google Pixel 8 Performance
Both smartphones are powered by Google’s latest flagship Tensor G3 chip, accompanied by the Titan M2 security chip, designed to “protect personal information and make your Pixel more resilient to sophisticated attacks.”
The Tensor G3 chip hosts a more advanced AI machine learning model, delivering improved spam call filtering, background noise removal from video recordings, and clearer call audio. There’s also the option to seamlessly switch languages in voice transcription within the keyboard and recorder app. The Pixel 8 can also translate and read aloud web content, offering succinct summaries for websites in the Google app and Chrome browser, similar to desktop AI assistants.
While the under-screen fingerprint sensor remains the same, the Face Unlock on Pixel 8 and 8 Pro “meets the highest Android biometric class, allowing you to access compatible banking and payment apps like Google Wallet.”
Camera
Google’s reputation for top-notch cameras in their phones is well-known and the new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are no different. The company has upgraded the cameras on the new Pixel phones “for stunning photo and video quality, plus game-changing editing tools.”
Almost every aspect of the Pixel 8 Pro’s camera system has been improved, starting with the main camera, which now excels in low-light conditions. The larger ultrawide lens improves Macro Focus, while the telephoto lens captures 56% more light than the Pixel 7 Pro, and it offers 10x optical-quality zoom. The front-facing camera has also received an upgrade, now featuring autofocus for top-notch selfies.
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The Pixel 8 Pro further takes it up a notch with manual camera controls and a “video boost” feature that leverages AI on the device and Google’s data centres to provide Night Sight video and other modes. However, the feature is set to arrive sometime later this year.
As for the Pixel 8, it shares the updated main camera with the Pixel 8 Pro and introduces a new ultrawide lens capable of Macro Focus. The innovative “best take” feature enables users to swap faces between multiple frames, ensuring everyone in the photo is smiling or looking in the same direction. The photo editor feature allows for subject resizing and the application of various effects through generative AI. Additionally, a new “audio magic eraser” can eliminate background noise in videos, including crowd chatter.
Google Operating System
Both smartphones ship with the latest Android 14 and for the first time, Google has made a significant commitment to provide an impressive seven years of OS and security updates. Additionally, the company pledges to keep enhancing the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro with periodic Feature Drops, introducing fresh features and improvements every few months.
Google Pixel 8 Pricing & Availability
The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro were officially announced on October 4, 2023, at the annual Made by Google event, and were released on October 12 via the official Google Store. The Pixel 8 starts at AUD$1,199 for the 128GB storage model, while the Pixel 8 Pro begins at AUD$1.699 for the 128GB storage version.
