Pixel 8 launch date, worth, specs, and extra

Replace: September 25, 2023 (4:40 AM ET): We’ve up to date our Pixel 8 collection rumor hub with new leaks associated to pricing, sturdiness, digicam options, and software program updates.

Unique: The Pixel 7 is a superb telephone, however it received’t be the most recent mainline Pixel for for much longer. The Pixel 8 collection will arrive in October. Whereas there was loads to love in regards to the Pixel 7, it wasn’t excellent. Overheating points, weaker battery life, and gradual charging speeds have been a few of its most distinguished pitfalls. Will the Pixel 8 collection lastly handle these points? We hope so!

Android Authority has lined a number of unique hyperlinks in collaboration with tipster Kamila Wojciechowska, and we now have an all-encompassing thought of what to anticipate, although a number of mysteries nonetheless stay. Let’s take a more in-depth have a look at the present Pixel 8 rumors to get a greater thought of what’s on the way in which.

• The Pixel 8 will once more launch with a regular and Professional variant.
• Rumored colours for the Pixel 8 embody Jade, Licorice, Haze, and Peony.
• Rumored colours for the Pixel 8 Professional embody Jade, Licorice, Porcelain, and Sky.

The Pixel 8 collection will launch with two fashions, the usual Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Professional. Whereas a Pixel 8a is feasible, its future isn’t sure, and it wouldn’t launch at the least till mid-2024 anyhow. This time round, the Pixel 8 is rumored to be getting a bit smaller, whereas the Pixel 8 Professional will get a number of new tips of its personal. Every of those fashions can also be anticipated to have a number of completely different storage configurations obtainable.

Transferring onto colours, Android Authority beforehand revealed a number of juicy particulars to the world. Our info suggests the Pixel 8 would launch with Jade, Licorice, Haze, and Peony. In distinction, the Pixel 8 Professional would maintain the primary two colours however would swap the latter two for Porcelain and Sky. We, in reality, obtained our first have a look at the Sky colorway by way of a leaked promo video.

In a later leak, nonetheless, we obtained the total set of colours for each the bottom mannequin and Professional. The bottom mannequin is available in three colours: Licorice (black), Haze (grey), and Peony (pink-ish). It seems the Jade colour didn’t make the reduce.

The Professional can also be anticipated to solely are available three colours. As soon as once more, it appears to be like like Jade didn’t make it, because the colorways ought to embody Licorice, Sky (blue), and Porcelain (off-white).

Google by chance gave us a 360-degree have a look at the Pixel 8 Professional by way of its web site on September 5. The supplies seemingly affirm three colours, particularly Licorice, Porcelain, and Sky.

Most just lately, Google confirmed off a “sneak peek” on the Pixel 8 collection, which confirms the Procelain colour for the Pixel 8 Professional and the Peony colour for the Pixel 8.

It’s doubtless we’ll see extra design info straight from Google and leakers over the following few weeks.

• The Pixel 8 collection will launch on October 4, 2023.
• Pre-orders for the telephones will start that day.
• Pricing of the Pixel 8 may begin at as excessive as $699, as excessive as $999 for the Professional.

Google often launches its flagship telephones in October annually, with the Pixel 7 and Pixel 6 duos each revealed throughout that month. The Pixel 5 was launched on September 30, however this was the exception reasonably than the rule, as all earlier units launched in October. And it appears to be like like October will as soon as once more be the discharge month as Google introduced its Pixel {hardware} occasion will happen on October 4.

Google has been rocking a budget flagship MO for some time now, with the Pixel 6 and seven beginning at $599, whereas the Professional variants have been priced at $899. Sadly, it appears to be like like this 12 months might be the tip of underpriced Pixels. Dependable leaker Yogesh Brar suggests the Pixel 8 might be $50 to $100 costlier than in 2022, pointing in direction of $649 or $699 pricing. Brar didn’t have any info on the Pixel 8 Professional’s pricing, however it could be cheap to imagine it could go up by about the identical quantity.

In keeping with a leak from TheTechOutlook, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional will see a big worth hike, at the least in Europe. The publication, together with tipster Paras Guglani, reported just lately that the Pixel 8 with 128GB storage will value €874.25 (~$942) together with 23% Worth-added Tax (VAT). With out taxes, it could are available at €710.77 (~$765). The 256GB storage variant of the telephone is anticipated to be priced at €949.30 with 23% VAT (~$1,023). In distinction, the bottom Pixel 7 variant was priced at €650 final 12 months.

In the meantime, the Pixel 8 Professional is rumored to return in at a worth of €1,235 (~$1,331) for 128GB storage, €1,309 (~$1,411) for the 256GB model, and €1,461 (~$1,575) for the 512GB mannequin. All these costs embody 23% VAT. That’s fairly a worth hike in comparison with the €900 beginning worth of the Pixel 7 Professional.

Tipster Kamila Wojciechowska posted a screenshot in late September that seemingly revealed US pricing for the Pixel 8 collection. Extra particularly, the picture listed a $699 price ticket for the vanilla Pixel 8 and an $899 price ticket for the Professional variant. So which means the Professional variant would possibly keep its worth in comparison with the Pixel 7 Professional whereas the vanilla Pixel 8 may see a $100 worth hike.

In saying so, journalist Max Weinbach asserted that each telephones would obtain a $100 worth improve. Both method, the consensus is that the vanilla Pixel will probably be costlier this 12 months.

As for UK pricing, journalist Roland Quandt claimed that the telephones will retail for £699 and £999 respectively. By comparability, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Professional retailed for £599 and £849.

Availability

• The Pixel 8 will see virtually the identical design as final 12 months, although it should have a smaller footprint this time round.
• The Pixel 8 Professional will get a flatter design, some enhancements to the digicam enclosure, and a brand-new thermometer sensor.

Google completely revamped the way in which Pixels look with the Pixel 6 collection. With the Pixel 7 collection, the corporate solely refined that design. Early renders of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional recommend there received’t be many adjustments this 12 months both.

As you’ll be able to see above, there are some delicate adjustments to the Professional. The show is flat, a primary for the Professional-level telephones from Google. The rear digicam module has a barely new design with all three cameras encased in a single glass “capsule,” in contrast to the “capsule + circle” design of the Pixel 7 Professional. There additionally seems to be a further sensor underneath the digicam flash; we’ll get into that in additional element later, however the wanting it’s the Professional now has a thermometer inbuilt.

We don’t see too many different adjustments to the Professional exterior of those three issues. Even the system’s general dimensions — 162.6 x 76.5 x 8.7mm — barely differ from the Pixel 7 Professional’s 162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9mm dimensions. There’s additionally the identical 6.7-inch display dimension, although it’s potential the panel itself has a number of surprises left.

Whereas the Pixel 8 Professional brings a number of small design adjustments, the Pixel 8 has virtually the identical design because the Pixel 7. That mentioned, our tipster Kamila suggests it should have a smaller footprint with dimensions of 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9mm, a notable drop from the Pixel 7 at 155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7mm.

There have been solutions in August that the Pixel 8 collection could be eSIM-only as a result of lack of a SIM slot in leaked renders. However 9to5Google claimed on August 31 that the telephones will certainly provide a bodily SIM slot, citing its personal sources. This was corroborated by Google’s 360-degree render on September 5, explicitly confirming a bodily SIM slot. Try the related picture beneath.

The leaked 360-degree render additionally gave us a very good have a look at the telephone normally, such because the digicam bar, show, and extra. Try the photographs beneath.

Whereas a few of you may need hoped for extra vital design adjustments, we truthfully like the present design language and are glad to see Google conserving some consistency after taking part in round with a number of completely different aesthetics through the years.

As for sturdiness, a leaked spec sheet by Kamila Wojciechowska factors to an IP68 ranking as anticipated for each handsets. Nonetheless, the vanilla Pixel will apparently get Gorilla Glass Victus safety on the back and front whereas the Professional system will get Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

Pixel 8 show sizes and specs

• The Pixel 8 could have the identical decision and brightness as final 12 months however will see the next refresh fee and barely smaller display dimension.
• The Pixel 8 Professional has the identical dimension show and refresh fee as final 12 months however has a barely completely different decision and improved brightness.

The Pixel 8 show will see probably the most adjustments, dropping to six.17 inches from its earlier 6.32-inch show. The decision and brightness will stay the identical at 2,400 x 1,080 and 1,400 nits, respectively. Along with shrinking a bit of, the brand new show additionally bumps up from a 90Hz refresh fee to a 120Hz refresh fee. Nonetheless, it’s believed the display can solely drop to 60Hz.

The Pixel 8 Professional show stays the very same dimension as final 12 months’s Professional at 6.7 inches. There’s no peak refresh fee change this time, however reportedly the Professional could have an improved variable refresh fee that may drop as little as 1Hz. The decision is barely completely different, too, at 2,992 x 1,344 vs 3,120 x 1,440. There’s additionally a 100-nit improve in peak brightness, bringing the Professional to 1,600 nits.

• The Pixel 8 and eight Professional will each see an improve to the Isocell GN2 on their main cameras.
• The Pixel 8 Professional is rumored to get an improve to a 64MP Sony IMX787 for its ultrawide digicam.
• The Pixel 8 Professional can even get an improved time-of-flight sensor.
• The Google Digicam app may see its first refresh in years.

Google has caught with comparable digicam methods for 2 generations now, with the one actual {hardware} change being the Pixel 7 Professional switching to a 5x 48MP telephoto digicam as an alternative of a 4x shooter. The 50MP Isocell GN1 has remained the principle digicam of alternative for Google.

This might change in 2023, as our personal unique Pixel 8 digicam leak reveals. The largest information is the bounce from the Isocell GN1 main digicam used on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 households to the newer Isocell GN2. This can present a number of recent capabilities, together with 35% extra gentle processing, the opportunity of 8K/30fps video seize, and Staggered HDR.

Whereas each the usual and Professional fashions will see the GN2, that’s the one improve the standard-sized Pixel 8 is anticipated to obtain. In the meantime, the Professional will get a brand new ultrawide digicam as nicely.

This time the Pixel 8 Professional will transfer on from its dated 12MP Sony IMX386 over to a way more usable 64MP Sony IMX787 — the identical sensor as the first digicam discovered on the Google Pixel 7a. The telephoto ought to keep the identical, and the thermometer characteristic mentioned beforehand can also be one other improve.

Lastly, the Pixel 8 Professional can even get an improved time-of-flight sensor. The system has a brand new 8×8 ToF VL53L8 sensor, a big improve over the STMicroelectronics VL53L1 we’ve seen in earlier Pixels. This could drastically enhance autofocus.

Google Digicam app

Together with some new {hardware}, the Pixel 8 collection also needs to embody a refresh of the app that runs that {hardware}. The Google Digicam app has regarded just about the identical because the Pixel 4 collection, so it’s about time for a contemporary coat of paint.

We have now a complete article going over what to anticipate from the brand new Google Digicam expertise. Listed below are the highlights:

• The photograph and video modes will not be blended collectively. Now, a toggle will seem for both photograph or video, and every setting could have its personal modes. This can make issues a lot less complicated and extra organized.
• The shortcuts to the gallery and swapping from the entrance to the rear cameras will probably be switched so every will seem within the different’s place. get able to re-learn some muscle reminiscence.
• A number of the options which were hidden behind menus will probably be extra front-and-center. This contains the Lengthy Publicity and Motion Pan modes.
• There will probably be barely completely different shortcuts and gestures.

Whereas these particulars cowl the app itself, there’s one other rumored characteristic about what the app can really do. Due to a ballot for Pixel Superfans, we count on the Pixel 8 to have the ability to merge a number of images collectively to permit for everybody in a gaggle photograph to look their greatest. We additionally count on quicker shutter speeds and launching speeds for the app itself.

9to5Google additionally posted a significant nugget of camera-related data on August 31 when it claimed that Evening Sight Video will come to the Pixel 8 Professional. We’re anticipating brighter low-light video with diminished noise consequently. In saying so, there doesn’t appear to be a technical motive why this characteristic can be restricted to the Pixel 8 Professional because the Professional and customary fashions are poised to share the identical chipset and predominant digicam.

A leak in September revealed a number of extra particulars the brand new digicam app UI. The revamp will seem in replace v.9.0.115.561695573.37. Choosing photograph or video will carry up completely different choices within the choice bar.

• Photograph: Motion Pan, Lengthy Publicity, Portrait, Photograph (predominant), Evening Sight, Panorama, Photograph Sphere
• Video: Pan, Video (predominant), Sluggish movement, Time Lapse

We additionally realized that the “Extra” tab goes away, the settings button has been relocated to the underside left-hand nook, the icon will change, and the Pixel 6 will reportedly get the Pixel 7’s new zoom slider.

A leaked video (seen above) in late September additionally dished out loads of digicam options. Most notably, it revealed handbook digicam controls, the flexibility to swap out faces in a gaggle photograph for a greater expression, and the Magic Audio Eraser characteristic for eradicating background noise.

We’ve already spoken in regards to the show and digicam however have but to debate what’s underneath the floor. Let’s begin with the SoC, as we just lately revealed a ton of Tensor G3 particulars in collaboration with tipster Kamila Wojciechowska.

WinFuture was the primary to report that the Pixel 8 collection will obtain the next-generation Tensor processor code-named “Zuma.” This was corroborated by our personal leaked Google Pixel roadmap. Just like the Tensor chips earlier than it, it’s rumored that the Pixel 8’s Tensor chip might be primarily based on Samsung’s Exynos SoC. Particularly, the Exynos 2300, which was passed over for the Galaxy S23 collection. From what Kamila realized, we all know the Tensor G3 will probably be outfitted with a 1+4+4 CPU setup that includes a Cortex-X3 (3.05GHz), 4 Cortex-A715 cores (2.45GHz), and 4 Cortex-A510 cores (2.15GHz).

Moreover, our report provides that the brand new chipset could have Arm Mali-G715 graphics. There’s no definitive phrase on the shader core rely right here, however it’s believed we might be ten cores and ray tracing help (making it Immortalis graphics).

Different notable particulars gleaned by Wojciechowska embody MTE help for a safer chipset, an improved TPU, AV1 encoding for the primary time in a smartphone (as much as 4K/30fps), and an improved GXP digital sign processor. Sadly, it appears to be like like we shouldn’t count on a modem change right here.

We’re actually hoping the chipset enhancements result in a cooler expertise. We’ve had issues with overheating on previous Pixel fashions, as famous in our Pixel 7 evaluation. A newer rumor factors to improved packaging for Google’s upcoming chipset, which may result in much less warmth emissions from the silicon.

Transferring past the processor, the Pixel 8 collection has a number of different {hardware} options that can apply to each fashions. Our personal leak on the matter reveals the Pixel 8 collection may help DisplayPort by way of the USB-C connector. This might, theoretically, provide entry to a native Android desktop mode. We’ve seen this mode earlier than, however it’s by no means acquired a proper launch.

We even have realized that Wi-Fi 7 will probably be featured on each telephones, however solely the Pixel 8 Professional could have UWB help. 

As for the remainder of the specs? You’ll discover that the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional have a number of vital {hardware} variations, so let’s break them down a bit additional.

Pixel 8 battery and different {hardware}

Rumors recommend the Pixel 8 could have 8GB of RAM, identical to its predecessor. As for storage, our earlier leaks with Kamila recommend the identical sizes as earlier than. Meaning you’ll be able to count on both 128GB or 256GB of storage.

Due to our personal in-house leaks, we now know the specs for the battery as nicely. Primarily based on a supply inside Google, the bottom mannequin will provide 4,485mAh, up from the Pixel 7’s 4,270mAh battery. The battery isn’t the one improve; charging speeds are lastly getting a small increase as nicely.

You may count on a lift of 4W on the Pixel 8, bringing wired charging as much as 24W. Wi-fi charging will stay at 20W. Whereas it’s good to see charging speeds improve, there are many telephones on the market with 45W and better speeds for wired charging. This makes Google really feel a bit of behind the instances.

Pixel 8 Professional battery and different {hardware}

Our sources point out the Pixel 8 Professional additionally sticks with the identical storage and RAM configurations as final 12 months’s mannequin. Meaning you’ll be able to count on 12GB of RAM and storage decisions of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB of storage. In saying so, Wojciechowska stories that US fashions will prime out at 1TB of storage.

The Pixel 8 Professional will proceed to focus on a battery dimension of round 5,000mAh, so don’t count on an enormous change from final 12 months. The Pixel 7 Professional had first rate sufficient battery life, so this shouldn’t be a difficulty for many.

One space that’s getting a small increase is charging, with wired charging going from 23W to 27W. That mentioned, wi-fi charging will stay on the identical 23W speeds.

Pixel 8 Professional may go ultrasonic for its fingerprint sensor

Tipster Yogesh Brar claims the Pixel 8 Professional may get an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, which might be an improve over all earlier Pixels. Ultrasonic sensors in Galaxy S units are thought of superior to light-based variations that seem in most different telephones. Brar wasn’t particular on if this new fingerprint sensor would additionally make its option to the Pixel 8. We assume no, as that might additional emphasize the prevalence of the Professional over the vanilla mannequin.

The Pixel 8 Professional is getting a thermometer characteristic

In Could, a leaked tutorial video revealed that the thriller sensor underneath the flash might be an IR thermometer. Primarily based on the video, as a way to use the sensor, you’ll must carry the telephone near your brow, then transfer it slowly to your temple. The telephone gives sounds and vibrations to help with the method. Reportedly, this sensor can be used to measure the temperature of objects as nicely.

In keeping with the leak, the info collected from the measurements is saved domestically and will probably be dealt with by way of the Android Non-public Compute Core. This could imply that the info received’t find yourself someplace in Google’s servers; it should solely be saved straight on the telephone.

The thermometer was additionally famous in Google’s official 360-degree render that leaked in September. So it’s successfully confirmed that this characteristic is certainly coming.

Pixel 8 software program

The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional would be the first telephones to formally run on Android 14 out of the field, which is at the moment in beta. The newest model of Android contains in depth enhancements to accessibility options, battery optimization enhancements, improved privateness options, a customizable lock display and wallpapers, and a lot extra.

New info has additionally emerged in regards to the Pixel 8 collection getting extra updates in comparison with its predecessors. In keeping with a latest report, Google may surpass Samsung and supply over 4 years of main OS updates to the telephones. The corporate is anticipated to match Apple’s long-term replace dedication in direction of iPhones. So because the Pixel 8 lineup will most certainly launch with Android 14, you’ll be able to count on updates until Android 19, if the knowledge is correct.

Wojciechowska’s leaked spec sheet in late September talked about as much as seven years of updates, though it stands to motive that we’re seven years of safety patches. Both method, it appears to be like like Google is certainly stepping up its replace sport.

We think about the Pixel 8 collection can even have a number of different Pixel-specific additions that transcend the Android 14 replace, although we don’t actually have any substantial info on that. Nonetheless, an APK teardown does recommend video enhancements like a brand new video unblur instrument. Just like photograph unblur on the Pixel 7, this characteristic would assist to scrub up blurriness, however in movies.

A leaked promo video additionally teased an “Audio Magic Eraser” characteristic that removes undesirable audio from a video clip, doubtless with the assistance of AI. It’s believed this characteristic would seem in each fashions.

One other teardown revealed Evening Sight might be additional improved by combining images taken by the principle and telephoto lenses to reinforce the middle of the ensuing picture. So count on at the least some digicam software program enhancements, although we think about there will probably be rather more than this.

All in favour of what the wallpapers seem like on the Pixel 8? Try our Pixel 8 wallpapers article to be taught extra.

Simple eSIM transfers

Google is engaged on making transferring telephones simpler, particularly if these telephone help eSIM. Though that is in all probability not going to be a Pixel 8 and even Pixel unique, it’s potential the Pixel 8 can be the primary Android telephone with the characteristic. Primarily, you’d be supplied a QR code that you just’d scan along with your new telephone that might then permit you to rapidly switch your eSIM to the brand new handset.

Ought to I look forward to the Pixel 8?

The Pixel 8 collection will doubtless be among the most talked-about telephones of 2023. Nonetheless, should you already rock a Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Professional, there won’t be sufficient causes to improve.

In case you are on an older Pixel or a competitor system and are interested by switching, we’d advise you to attend for the Pixel 8 launch. At this level, it’s just a few weeks away. Even should you resolve to not go together with a Pixel 8, the costs of the Pixel 7 ($545 at Amazon) and Pixel 7 Professional ($589.98 at Amazon) will undoubtedly drop in response. These telephones are nonetheless terrific and can be a very good different to the 2023 fashions.

In case you are searching for one thing else, the next-best alternative can be one thing from the Galaxy S23 collection. The Galaxy S23 ($799 at Amazon) can be a terrific alternative instead of the Pixel 8, whereas the Galaxy S23 Extremely ($1199.99 at Samsung) is well a significant competitor to the Pixel 8 Professional. The Galaxy S23 Plus ($999.99 at Samsung) might be a sensible choice for individuals who need one thing a bit within the center.