Despite the quite a few leaks forward of its official announcement, Google nonetheless managed to depart behind a number of surprises for the launch of its new Pixel-branded merchandise. The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro had been launched alongside the brand new Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Buds. While this yr’s spotlight was clearly the combination of synthetic intelligence (AI) in lots of Google’s native apps and companies, it is also good to see how helpful Google has managed to make AI for the informal person. I’m certain different Android smartphone manufacturers will observe Google’s footsteps and construct their very own options based mostly on AI and machine studying within the coming months.
With that mentioned, the brand new telephones aren’t nearly AI. Unlike Apple, Google this yr has upgraded the appear and feel of its units. Gone are the squared-off corners and curve-edge shows from previous fashions. Google’s new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro now have a extra rounded look which feels surprisingly comfy to carry and likewise acquainted, as a result of it immediately jogged my memory of the unique Google Pixel and Pixel XL.
The designs have clearly developed from a lot older fashions however the visor-like digital camera module from the more moderen Google Pixel smartphones has been retained. The digital camera module on each telephones remains to be chunky and gathers mud fairly simply. Another design component that may appear new to the brand new era of Pixel adopters is the sleek matte end of the rear glass panels on the Pixel 8 Pro. It brings again reminiscences of the much-loved Pixel 3XL which additionally had an identical (however tough) matte glass rear panel.
Both smartphones additionally retain their IP68 score for mud and water resistance.
Both the Google Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro include the charging cable, SIM ejector device and Type-A adaptor within the field
Inside, Google has gone with a brand new Tensor G3 SoC, which is constructed on the 4nm manufacturing course of and may ship higher effectivity than the G2 on the Pixel 7 Pro. However, I’m extra eager on discovering out how Google has dealt with the thermals this yr provided that the Pixel 7 Pro ran sizzling when confused.
This new processor, whereas not large on uncooked efficiency, is large on AI capabilities. Google defined that machine studying fashions on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are 10 occasions extra advanced in comparison with the older Pixel 6 (with Tensor) fashions. And, it can want all of its AI processing capabilities to chomp down and allow all the flowery new options Google has baked into its new telephones.
The Google Pixel 8 Pro mannequin will get a matte-finished rear glass panel with chrome-finished aluminium body
This ranges from clear telephone calls to sooner photograph retouching, higher video recording (one thing that was much-needed), and even new instruments like Magic Audio Eraser which removes distracting sounds (or noisy individuals) from a video recording. The processor additionally helps with the brand new safe Face Unlock function which surprisingly makes use of an everyday selfie digital camera for safe (Class 3) biometric authentication.
Unlike the previous fashions, it may be used for authorising banking transactions as properly. Google nonetheless left behind the optical fingerprint reader which sort of satisfied me that it could not work always or situations (extra about this coming within the assessment). But this certainly looks like the primary steps in direction of growing one thing much like Apple’s Face ID, minus all of the added {hardware}.
For those who’re each confused and interested in what you’ll get while you unbox your shiny new Pixel 8 or 8 Pro. Here’s a brief record of options which can be at present accessible and people which can be but to indicate up on our assessment items.
Available options:
- Magic Editor
- Magic Audio Eraser
- AI Wallpaper
- Face Unlock
- Pro digital camera controls
- Object Temperature Sensor (app)
- Best Take
Coming quickly:
- Video Boost
- Night Sight Video
- Body temperature measurement
The Google Pixel 8 Pro (proper) presents high-resolution sensors on all of its rear cameras this yr
Coming to the cameras, Google has upgraded the first and selfie cameras (as a result of Face Unlock) however appears to have retained the ultra-wide from the Pixel 7. The Pixel 8 Pro has obtained the larger share of digital camera upgrades with high-resolution sensors on all-three rear-facing cameras.
There’s a brand new 50-megapixel main digital camera, a brand new 48-megapixel telephoto digital camera with 5X optical zoom and one other 48-megapixel ultra-wide digital camera as properly, which replaces the 12-megapixel digital camera on the Pixel 7 Pro. Like the Pixel 8, the selfie digital camera too has been changed (for Face Unlock) though it doesn’t look like a lot of an improve by way of decision. There’s additionally a brand new temperature sensor subsequent to the Pixel 8 Pro’s cameras which can be utilized to measure the floor temperature of objects.
The batteries too have obtained minor upgrades. The Pixel 8 Pro battery will get a 50mAh bump over the Pixel 7 Pro bringing it to five,050mAh. The Pixel 8 will get an even bigger enhance from the 4,355mAh battery on the Pixel 7 to an even bigger 4,575mAh unit. Charging speeds have additionally gone up from 20W to 27W wired charging on the Pixel 8, and from 23W to 30W on the Pixel 8 Pro. Thankfully, Google has retained wi-fi charging on each units.
The Google Pixel 8 Pro’s digital camera arrange additionally features a temperature sensor which sits beneath its LED flash unit
As you possibly can inform from the brand new AI-related upgrades and {hardware} efficiency upgrades, it’s simple to neglect that Pixel units have at all times been about being first in line to obtain the newest software program updates. The new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are not any completely different and include Android 14 and all its Pixel customisations out of the field. Google additionally introduced that it’s going to present seven years of OS, safety and juicy Pixel Drops as properly, which is an enormous dedication from Google. But will that battery even final that lengthy? Well, Google appears to have the spares situation lined for a similar period too.
While the entire above options and commitments seem to boost the bar for each Android and even iOS-powered smartphones, Google has additionally raised the bar in relation to pricing this yr. With the Pixel 8 ranging from Rs. 75,999 and the Pixel 8 Pro priced at Rs. 1,06,999, these are certainly Google’s most costly smartphones to achieve India. The Pixel 8 Pro appears to fret me a bit extra as that’s the worth for the one and solely 128GB variant in India.
Do keep tuned for our detailed critiques to seek out out if they’re worthy of their worth tags or do you have to improve to one thing else this festive season.
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