Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro: Release date, price, specs, and rumors

The tech world is buzzing with anticipation as Google prepares to unleash its highly awaited flagship smartphones, the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. While official details were not disclosed during the recent I/O developer conference, leaks and rumors have offered tantalizing glimpses into these upcoming devices. In this comprehensive article, we delve deep into the latest information surrounding the Pixel 8 series, exploring their display specifications, storage options, color variants, camera enhancements, battery improvements, and the powerful Tensor G3 chip that will power these cutting-edge handsets.

Display and Design One of the most anticipated features of the Pixel 8 Pro is its display. According to leaks, it is rumored to feature a stunning 6.7-inch QHD+ LTPO OLED display with an impressive 120Hz refresh rate. The LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) technology allows for dynamic refresh rate adjustment, optimizing power consumption and display performance. It is worth noting that previous models like the Pixel 7 Pro and 6 Pro, despite having LTPO displays, did not switch the refresh rate as low as 10Hz; instead, they scaled down to a minimum of 60Hz. The upgrade to a 120Hz refresh rate promises smoother scrolling, more fluid animations, and an enhanced gaming experience on the Pixel 8 Pro. The Pixel 8, on the other hand, is expected to sport a slightly smaller 6.17-inch QHD+ display with the same 120Hz refresh rate. This is a big upgrade from the 6.3" 90Hz panel of the pixel 7. Both the Pixel 8 and Pixel8 pro will have flat display with big improvement in display brightness. The pixel 8 pro will have insane 1600 nits of peak brightness while the base model will have 1400 nits of peak brightness.

Internal Storage and Color Variants Storage options play a crucial role in users' smartphone experience. The Pixel 8 Pro is rumored to be available in three storage variants: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, providing ample space for users to store their apps, photos, videos, and more. This aligns with the storage options offered in the previous Pixel 7 Pro. On the other hand, the Pixel 8 is expected to come in 128GB and 256GB options. In terms of color variants, leaks suggest that the Pixel 8 may come in three captivating options: "Licorice," "Peony," and "Haze." These color choices offer users a range of stylish and eye-catching designs to reflect their personal preferences. The Pixel 8 Pro, on the other hand, is rumored to be available in "Licorice," "Porcelain," and "Sky." The availability of multiple color variants adds an element of individuality and allows users to express their unique style through their smartphone choice. Sky is a light blue color and Haze is gonna be a shade of green. Other two colors are black and white.

Camera Upgrades The camera has always been a standout feature of Google Pixel smartphones, and the Pixel 8 series aims to take smartphone photography to new heights. Both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are expected to feature the ISOCELL GN2 50MP primary camera sensor, which is touted as one of the largest smartphone camera sensors available on the market. With a sensor size of 1/1.12 inches, the ISOCELL GN2 sensor captures more light and delivers exceptional image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The larger sensor size allows for improved dynamic range, reduced noise, and enhanced detail, ensuring that users can capture stunning photos in any lighting situation. One of the exciting camera features rumored to be coming to the Pixel 8 series is the adaptive torch function. This innovative feature aims to address the challenges of capturing well-balanced photos in low-light conditions. The adaptive torch function enables the camera's flash to automatically adjust its intensity when capturing photos at night, reducing overexposure and ensuring that subjects are well-illuminated without compromising image quality. This feature promises to enhance the night photography capabilities of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, allowing users to capture memorable moments with greater clarity and natural-looking lighting.

A recently created account on X, as reported by 9to5Google, has shared a brief 14-second promotional video showcasing the Google Pixel 8 Pro and a new feature named Audio Magic Eraser.

The concept behind the Audio Magic Eraser feature is to provide users with the ability to fine-tune the audio of their recorded videos. This is achieved by manipulating sliders on the screen that correspond to different sound categories such as "Noise," "People," and "Music." Each category has its own button, and selecting one reveals a slider underneath. Users can adjust the slider to the left to decrease the volume of the chosen sound category or to the right to increase it.

The promotional video demonstrates a person viewing a recorded video of a girl skateboarding. On the Pixel 8 Pro, the user presses a button labeled "Audio Magic Eraser." The device then displays a message saying "Identifying sounds" before revealing the buttons for "Noise," "People," and "Music." The user is shown sliding the "Noise" button to the left to reduce its volume.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro's ultra-wide camera is expected to feature the impressive 64MP Sony IMX787 sensor, which was previously used in the Pixel 7a as the main camera. Compared to the Pixel 7 Pro's 12MP Sony IMX386 camera, this new sensor offers nearly twice the resolution and is significantly larger. The lens accompanying the ultra-wide camera will also have a wider field of view, allowing users to capture even more in their shots. On the other hand, the Pixel 8's ultra-wide camera will retain the 12MP Sony IMX386 sensor from the previous Pixel 7 series.

Regarding the front-facing camera, it is likely that the Pixel 8 Pro will carry over the 11MP front-facing camera from the Pixel 7 Pro series. This camera has been well-regarded for capturing high-quality selfies. Similarly, the telephoto camera is expected to be the same as the one found in the Pixel 7 Pro, though specific details about its resolution and capabilities have not been mentioned. There have been rumors of a thermometer sensor being included in the Pixel 8 Pro. However, it should be noted that this sensor would primarily serve the purpose of taking temperature readings rather than being directly related to the camera functionality. Leaked videos have hinted at the presence of this sensor, but further information about its implementation and usage is still awaited. Battery and Charging Battery life is a critical factor in the usability and convenience of smartphones, and Google is working to enhance this aspect with the Pixel 8 series. Leaks suggest that the Pixel 8 will come equipped with a larger 4,485mAh battery, while the Pixel 8 Pro may house an even more substantial 4,950mAh battery. These improvements in battery capacity are expected to provide extended usage time, allowing users to stay connected, productive, and entertained throughout the day without worrying about running out of power.

To complement the increased battery capacity, both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are expected to support fast charging. The Pixel 8 is rumored to support 24W wired charging, while the Pro variant may offer 27W wired charging. This means that users can quickly recharge their devices and minimize downtime. Additionally, wireless charging support is expected to be present in both models, enabling convenient and cable-free charging options for users who prefer a more seamless charging experience.

Tensor G3 Chip At the heart of the Pixel 8 series lies the powerful Tensor G3 chip, which promises to deliver impressive performance and efficiency. With nine cores in total, including four high-performance Cortex-A715 CPU cores clocked at 2.45GHz, four energy-efficient Cortex-A510 CPU cores clocked at 2.15GHz, and one prime Cortex-X3 CPU core operating at 3.0GHz, the Tensor G3 chip strikes a balance between power and efficiency. This configuration ensures smooth multitasking, seamless app navigation, and responsive performance, even for demanding tasks such as gaming, video editing, and augmented reality experiences. The inclusion of the Mali-G715 GPU with ten cores further enhances the graphical capabilities of the Pixel 8 series. This GPU configuration may enable advanced features like ray tracing, which brings more realistic lighting, reflections, and shadows to supported games and applications. The Tensor G3 chip's robust processing power and cutting-edge graphics capabilities are set to elevate the overall user experience, providing a device that can handle the most demanding tasks with ease.

Conclusion As the official launch of the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro approaches(sometimes in Oct), the leaks and rumors surrounding these highly anticipated devices paint an exciting picture of what's to come. With their impressive display technology, storage options, camera enhancements, battery improvements, and the powerful Tensor G3 chip, the Pixel 8 series is poised to offer a compelling package that caters to the needs of discerning smartphone users.