Google has refreshed its Pixel series with two new smartphones. Little has changed on the hardware side; the innovations can be found primarily in Android and the Google Photos app.
At the “Made by Google” event, the company presented its new flagship smartphones Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Although we have already seen every little detail about the new devices in leaks, a few announcements surprised us. Not only is artificial intelligence penetrating deeper and deeper into Google smartphones, but also the new update promise,
New, brighter displays and temperature sensor
To get straight to the point: there are hardly any noticeable changes to the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, both internally and externally. Both models are instantly recognizable as Pixel smartphones. However, Google has refined the design somewhat. Similar to the iPhone 15, the glass back is no longer glossy, but matte. There are also new color variants, including “Bay” blue.
Minor changes to the screens
On the 8 Pro, all three camera lenses are now behind an oval glass cover, giving the camera visor a more uniform look. Speaking of uniform: the display edges on both new smartphones are finally the same width on all four sides. This eliminates the clumsy chin at the bottom. In this context, Google has also increased the radius of the displays, so that the housings are more rounded and less angular than their predecessors.
The display itself on the Pixel 8 Pro is almost unchanged from the 7 Pro, with one exception. It’s gotten noticeably brighter with 1600 nits of brightness and up to 2400 nits of maximum brightness. It’s a full 400 nits brighter than the already excellent display in the iPhone 15 Pro. In addition, the LTPO panel continues to support refresh rates between 1 and 120 Hertz.
The Pixel 8 also gets a brighter screen that can crank up to 2000 nits. In addition, the panel now finally supports 120 Hertz. However, due to the lack of LTPO technology, it can only switch between 60 and 120 Hertz.
Google calls the new displays “Actua” (Pixel 8) and “Super Actua” (Pixel 8 Pro). However, that seems to be just the term for super bright screens.
Third generation tensor
The Tensor chip introduced with the Pixel 6 has now reached its third generation. However, Google does not provide any information about higher performance, longer battery life or better heat dissipation. The only thing that can be seen from the data sheet is that the chip’s CPU is clocked slightly higher and a newer GPU model from the manufacturer ARM is used.
However, Google emphasized at the launch event that Tensor G3 has twice as many machine learning models running in the background as G2. This is an initial indicator of the numerous ML and AI-based functions of the new smartphones.
New temperature sensor only in the Pixel 8 Pro
As previously leaked, the 8 Pro is actually equipped with a temperature sensor on the back in the camera visor. Google describes some possible applications at the event. The sensor should be suitable for reading the temperature of a pot, a baby bottle or other surfaces. Google is currently trying to get permission from the US FDA to use the sensor as a body thermometer.
Also interesting: Does the Google Pixel Fold mark the breakthrough for folding smartphones?
New camera functions and video boost
The camera hardware of the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro has also been adopted almost unchanged from its predecessors. However, there are small adjustments here and there, which are primarily intended to deliver more consistent results across the individual cameras.
New sensor in the Pixel 8 Pro, more field of view in the Pixel 8
The 8 Pro still has a 50-megapixel main camera and a 48 MP telephoto camera. However, both now have a larger aperture to capture more light. New in the Pro is the sensor for the ultra-wide-angle camera, which also has a resolution of 48 MP and can capture more light.
In the Pixel 8, however, almost everything remains the same. Google has slightly increased the aperture of the 50 MP main camera. The more important innovation, however, is the ultra-wide-angle camera, which now has a wider field of view of 126 degrees.
Both smartphones get a new selfie camera, which has a slightly lower resolution of 10.5 MP, but has autofocus.
Many new software features
The higher machine learning performance of the Tensor G3 enables a number of new video and photo functions. However, these mainly take place afterwards and enable extensive post-processing of recordings.
Similar to the Magic Eraser, Google has introduced the Audio Magic Eraser. This allows you to remove unwanted background noise when recording videos. The tool divides the audio in a video into separate audio tracks that can be individually adjusted louder or quieter. This can reduce some dog barking, music or wind noise.
Best Take, on the other hand, is the further development of live photos and allows you to select the best shot for individual people in group photos. If everyone is laughing and one person has just closed their eyes, Best Take can only swap that person’s face with a better shot.
Another interesting innovation is Video Boost. If the function is activated, the Pixel 8 records videos with more image information. Users can then upload this to Google Photos as usual. However, with the power of Google’s servers, the app then creates a better version of the video with more details and HDR+.
Generative AI is becoming part of the Android experience
Google had already presented the Magic Editor at the I/O developer conference and announced the generative AI for 2023 at the Pixel event. Magic Editor gives users a range of editing options for their photos, most of which are based on artificial intelligence. For example, people and objects in photos can be placed anywhere else, or even enlarged or reduced, with complete freedom.
Generative AI fills the gaps caused by cutting with completely newly generated fill images. Instead of the unsightly artifacts that were previously left behind when using Magic Eraser, real-looking backgrounds now appear that can hardly be distinguished from the rest of the photo.
Zoom Enhance will also be available exclusively for the Pixel 8 Pro later this year. Who can still remember the CSI series in which pixelated images were magically enlarged and then brought into focus to see every little detail? This will soon no longer be magic, but a pixel function. Google’s AI can recognize what is happening in digitally enlarged images and automatically generate a sharp image.
Prices and availability
The Pixel 8 is available in the colors Hazel, Rose and Obsidian and starts at 799 euros for the 128 gigabyte version. For a moderate 60 euros more there is 256 GB. The 8 Pro comes in the colors Bay, Obsidian and Porcelain and costs 1099 euros with 128 GB of storage. There is also 256 GB of storage for 60 euros more. The version with 512 GB of storage costs 1299 euros. Both models are available for pre-order now and will be delivered next week.