Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro First Impressions: Going Big on AI

Despite the quite a few leaks forward of its official announcement, Google nonetheless managed to go away behind a number of surprises for the launch of its new Pixel-branded merchandise. The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro have been launched alongside the brand new Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Buds. While this 12 months’s spotlight was clearly the mixing of synthetic intelligence (AI) in lots of Google’s native apps and providers, it is also good to see how helpful Google has managed to make AI for the informal consumer. I’m positive 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 stated, the brand new telephones aren’t nearly AI. Unlike Apple, Google this 12 months 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 snug 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 digicam module from the newer Google Pixel smartphones has been retained. The digicam module on each telephones remains to be chunky and gathers mud fairly simply. Another design factor that can 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 recollections of the much-loved Pixel 3XL which additionally had an analogous (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 instrument 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 will 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 12 months provided that the Pixel 7 Pro ran scorching when confused.

This new processor, whereas not huge on uncooked efficiency, is huge on AI capabilities. Google defined that machine studying fashions on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are 10 instances extra advanced in comparison with the older Pixel 6 (with Tensor) fashions. And, it would want all of its AI processing capabilities to chomp down and allow all the flamboyant 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 cellphone calls to sooner picture 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 characteristic which surprisingly makes use of a daily selfie digicam for safe (Class 3) biometric authentication.

Unlike the previous fashions, it may be used for authorising banking transactions as effectively. Google nonetheless left behind the optical fingerprint reader which sort of satisfied me that it might not work always or situations (extra about this coming within the overview). 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 whenever you unbox your shiny new Pixel 8 or 8 Pro. Here’s a brief listing of options which are at present out there and people which are but to point out up on our overview items.

Available options:

• Magic Editor
• Magic Audio Eraser
• AI Wallpaper
• Face Unlock
• Pro digicam 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 12 months

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 acquired the larger share of digicam upgrades with high-resolution sensors on all-three rear-facing cameras.

There’s a brand new 50-megapixel major digicam, a brand new 48-megapixel telephoto digicam with 5X optical zoom and one other 48-megapixel ultra-wide digicam as effectively, which replaces the 12-megapixel digicam on the Pixel 7 Pro. Like the Pixel 8, the selfie digicam too has been changed (for Face Unlock) though it doesn’t seem to be 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 acquired 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 digicam arrange additionally features a temperature sensor which sits under its LED flash unit

As you’ll be able to inform from the brand new AI-related upgrades and {hardware} efficiency upgrades, it’s straightforward to neglect that Pixel units have at all times been about being first in line to obtain the most recent 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’ll present seven years of OS, safety and juicy Pixel Drops as effectively, which is a large 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 12 months. 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 succeed in 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 evaluations to search out out if they’re worthy of their worth tags or do you have to improve to one thing else this festive season.