Google has launched its latest Pixel series phones — Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. The latest flagship phones take on Apple iPhone 15 series. Google announced the all new-Pixel series during the company’s ‘Made by Google’ event on Wednesday — October 4.
The new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro look largely the same as their predecessors, with some small design changes. The regular Pixel 8 is more compact, the Pro model has a new matte finish. Both phones come with elegant design, upgraded cameras and a powerful processor. Here’s all you need to know about Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro phones:
Pixel 8 series prices start at Rs 75,999
Google Pixel 8 is priced at Rs 75,999. Pixel 8 Pro is priced at Rs 106,999. There are bank offers up to Rs 9,000.
Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro colour options
Pixel 8 Pro is available in two colour option — Bay and Obsidian. Pixel 8 is available in three colours — Hazel, Rose and Obsidian.
Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro come with slight design change
Both Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro come with slight design changes. The two new Google phones have rounded edges compared to Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. The phones sport softer silhouettes and new finishes. Pixel 8 Pro has a polished aluminium frame and, for the first time on a pro Pixel comes with matte back glass. Pixel 8’s smaller form features a satin metal frame and polished back glass. Both phones are made with recycled materials.
‘Most Beautiful Google phones’
Google has called Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro phones its ‘Most Beautiful Google phones’ yet.
Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro come with new display technology
Pixel 8 comes with ‘Actua display’ that boosts the phone’s brightness to 2000 nits, up from the 1400 nits of peak brightness of its predecessor. Pixel 8 Pro features “Super” Actua display with 2,400 nits of peak brightness making it the brightest Pixel ever. Pixel 8 Pro has Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and Pixel 8 is built with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. The display size is same as in Pixel 7 series.
Pixel 8 phones come with temperature sensor
Both Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro feature temperature sensor, called thermometer feature. It offers a way to take the temperature of drinks, meals and more. Users can select from: “food and organic,” “cast iron,” “plastic and rubber,” “fabric” and more. “Object Temperature Sensing will be available in the Thermometer App on Pixel 8 Pro, allowing users to quickly take the temperature of an object by simply scanning it. The sensor works best between -20 C to 150 C (-5F to 302F), and it will support temperatures up to 200C (392F). Object temperatures may vary based on proximity to higher/lower ends of the temperature range, material selection, size of the object, and the difference in temperature between the sensor and the object,” said the company
Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro availability
The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will be available in the US, Canada, Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, UK, Australia, India, Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan on October 11. The Pixel 8 preorder deals include a set of Pixel Buds Pro or a Pixel Watch 2, depending on the region.
Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro camera
Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro come with upgraded camera sensors. The duo share a 50MP Octa PD wide camera with 1/1.31″ image sensor, 1.2 μm pixel size, and ƒ/1.68 aperture. They differ in the ultrawide camera section, Pixel 8 Pro has four times the resolution count of the 12MP sensor on the Pixel 8 and can offer more detailed wide-angle images. Pixel 8 Pro comes with 5x optical periscope zoom with a 48MP sensor underneath.
New Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro camera features
New camera features in Pixel 8 phones include new Magic Editor, Best Take, and Audio Magic Eraser editing options. There are also Pro controls with advanced camera settings and high-resolution photography. The ‘Audio Magic Eraser’ can be used to remove annoying sounds from videos, similar to the way the original Magic Eraser feature can clean up the backgrounds of photos.
Runs on Google’s most-powerful processor
Pixel 8 series phones run on Tensor G3, which is Google’s first 64 bit-only chipset. The new custom “Rio” TPU that is reportedly more powerful than the 1GHz “Janerio” on Tensor G2. The Tensor hardware made a big splash when it arrived with the Pixel 6. Google also claims that Tensor G3 will enable better audio and video quality, especially for the Pixel’s Clear Calling feature.
Google extends software support for Pixel phones to 7 years
Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro will be supported with seven years of “OS, security, and Feature Drop updates,” meaning buyers should be able to use them until 2030 before their software starts to become outdated. “You’ll receive the latest OS and security updates for 7 years, and new, helpful features with Feature Drops every few months,” said Google in its blog post announcing the phones.
Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are dust and water-proof
Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro come with IP68 protection for dust and water-proof rating, same as Pixel 7 series. The phones can handle slips, spills and dust.
