Design: Gentle curves, creative colors and a thermometer
The design of the Pixel 8 Pro is definitely not a radical change. Instead, Google is taking the usual Pixel look that was introduced with the Pixel 6 this year and just tweaking the exterior a bit. What immediately catches the eye: The smartphone is a little rounder, a little slimmer, but still recognizably a pixel. The rounded corners give the Pixel 8 Pro a soft, almost gentle look. Anyone who liked the tried and tested pixel design will probably also love this smartphone. A classic case of "Never change a running system, but give it a little polish" .
While Apple is diving into titanium experiments, Google is sticking with tried-and-tested materials. The Pixel 8 Pro has a matte glass surface and an aluminum frame with a brushed look. On the smaller Pixel 8 there is a harmonious interplay between matt aluminum and glossy glass.
Google Pixel 8 Pro in Porcelain (Image source: Google)
But Google doesn't allow itself to be denied a little creative break. At least when it comes to the color palette, something is being daring this year. The new, imaginative names like Obsidian, Hazel and Rose (translated: black, grey-green, pink) are likely to cause quite a stir. The Pro model adds the colors Obsidian, Porcelain and Bay, behind which black, white and blue are hidden.
And for everyone who likes technical gadgets: The Pixel 8 Pro comes with an integrated thermometer for the first time. Sounds unusual? It is. What exactly can be done with it remains to be seen. But it shows that Google is still good for the odd surprise.
Display: Flat, bright and variable refresh rate
The Google Pixel 8 Pro comes with some interesting updates in the display area. While the smaller Pixel 8 has a respectable 6,2-inch display, the Pro model goes a step further and offers a 6,7-inch screen. An important detail: Google has said goodbye to the curved edges that caused debate with its predecessors. The result is a completely flat display with a narrow bezel.
Technically speaking, Google is introducing a new type of display called “Super Actua”. This is an LTPO display that supports variable refresh rates from 1Hz to 120Hz. This is not only pleasing to the eye, but also efficient in terms of battery consumption.
Google Pixel 8 Pro in Obsidian (Image source: Google)
What is striking is the high peak brightness of the display, which is stated at 2.400 nits - a value that hardly any smartphone has achieved so far. For comparison, even the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max displays only reach 2.000 nits in high brightness mode. If the Pixel 8 Pro can actually maintain this level consistently, that would be remarkable, assuming of course there are no overheating issues.
Tensor G3: Google's AI magic box with question marks
The new Tensor G3 CPU promises a lot, especially when it comes to artificial intelligence. This means: improved image processing, smart text recognition and even smoother translations directly on the smartphone. In practice, it should become clear how much the chip changes the entire user experience. But what we can definitely say is that Google is making a clear statement in the direction of artificial intelligence with the Tensor G3.
But while Google announces many new AI features, the company remains conspicuously silent on battery performance or thermal management. That certainly leaves room for speculation, as these two points were probably the biggest criticisms of the Pixel 7 Pro.
There is no doubt that the Pixel 8 with 8 GB of RAM and the Pro model with 12 GB of RAM offer enough performance for efficient multitasking. Google is also generous when it comes to storage: with capacities from 128 GB to 512 GB in the Pro model, there is something for everyone.
Google Pixel 8 in rose (Image source: Google)
However, there is one small drawback: While other manufacturers such as Samsung are already using UFS 4.0, Google is sticking with UFS 3.1. Whether this is really noticeable in everyday life remains to be seen. But the decision raises the question of why the latest technology wasn't installed here.
Cameras: New sensors and AI magic
The Pixel series is known to set the gold standard for mobile photography. And this year, Google pulled out all the stops. The jump from the previous sensors to what the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro now offer is huge. Both models rely on a 50 MP Samsung GN2 main sensor with an f/1.68 aperture. That's where you'll be happy because the sensor uses pixel binning and also serves as a 2x zoom. Anyone who opts for the smaller Pixel 8 won't be disappointed thanks to the Super Res zoom with up to 8x magnification.
The Pixel 8 Pro takes things up a notch. Its ultra-wide-angle lens boasts a new 48 MP sensor and an f/1.95 aperture. That's impressive, especially with a viewing angle of 125,5 degrees. Also new is the periscope telephoto lens with an additional 48 MP sensor and an f/2.8 aperture. With Super Res zoom you can expect a 30x digital magnification.
Google Pixel 8 in Hazel (Image source: Google)
The front camera has also received a facelift. Both models have a 10,5 MP lens with an f/2.2 aperture. Autofocus is only available on the Pro, but both have face unlocking.
Of course, the camera software remains the unsung hero. With the Magic Editor, Best Take and Video Boost, Google has some useful tools to show off the already strong hardware specs even better. And with Night Sight support for video shooting, the Pixel 8 could take the Android crown for low-light photography. But as always, only a test will show whether the technology delivers what the numbers promise.
Google relies on 7 years of software updates and smart features
A new Pixel smartphone always means a new Android version, at least this year. And if you already own a Pixel phone, stay tuned - your update to Android 14 won't be long in coming. For the first time, Google is putting together the package of the latest smartphone and the freshest operating system so tightly that buyers of the Pixel 8 can start with Android 14 straight away.
The software highlight is the promise that Google is making with the new Pixel 8 series: seven years of system updates. This means the tech giant is entering a league in which even Apple has to follow suit with its six years of support. A milestone that could be a game-changer not just for Pixel users, but for the entire smartphone landscape.
As usual, the Pixel series is all about the software - but this time with an extra helping of AI. The new “Assistant with Bard” may not be available for most users at launch, but expectations are already high. Even though the feature is still in the testing phase, it underlines Google's ambitions in the field of artificial intelligence.
Pixel 8 Lifestyle Photography
In addition to the camera innovations already mentioned, Google has a number of fresh tools ready for the Assistant. These include new language tools that summarize texts on the screen, speed up voice input and provide additional information via the “At a Glance” feature.
But AI is not the only field in which Google wants to score points: Pixel Call Assist shows that improvements are also being continuously made outside of artificial intelligence. It filters spam calls and minimizes distracting background noise so you can concentrate on what's important.
Technical data in comparison
| Model | Google Pixel 8 Pro | Google Pixel 8 |
| chip | Google Tensor G3 + Titan M2 | Google Tensor G3 + Titan M2 |
| CPU | 1x Cortex-X3 @3,00GHz 4x Cortex-A715 @2,45GHz 4x Cortex-A510 @2,15GHz |
1x Cortex-X3 @3,00GHz 4x Cortex-A715 @2,45GHz 4x Cortex-A510 @2,15GHz |
| GPU | Arm-Mali-G715 | Arm-Mali-G715 |
| Storage | 12+128GB / 12+256GB / 12+512GB LPDDR5 + UFS3.1 | 8+128GB / 8+256GB LPDDR5 + UFS3.1 |
| Display | 6,7 inch Super Actua Display 1 Hz - 120 Hz 1344 2992 x pixels 2.400 cd / m² Gorilla Glass Foods |
6,2 inch Actua display 60 Hz - 120 Hz 1080 2400 x pixels 2.000 cd / m² Gorilla Glass Foods |
| Cameras | 50MP wide-angle camera OctaPD Pixel size: 1,2μm Aperture: ƒ/1,68 Field of view: 82° 14 Image sensor size: 1/1,31" Super resolution zoom: up to 8x 48MP ultra wide angle camera Quad PD 48 MP camera with telephoto lens 10,5MP selfie camera |
50MP wide-angle camera OctaPD Pixel size: 1,2μm Aperture: ƒ/1,68 Field of view: 82° 14 Image sensor size: 1/1,31" Super resolution zoom: up to 8x 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera with autofocus 10,5MP selfie camera |
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 3.2 |
| connectivity | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) at 2,4GHz + 5GHz + 6GHz, 2x2 + 2x2 MIMO Bluetooth 5.3 NFC Dual band GNSS |
Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) at 2,4GHz + 5GHz + 6GHz, 2x2 + 2x2 MIMO Bluetooth 5.3 NFC Dual band GNSS |
| Battery | 4.950 mAh - 30W - Qi Wireless | 4.575 mAh - 30W - Qi Wireless |
| Height Weight | 150,5 × 70,8 × 8,9 mm, 187 g | 162,6 × 76,5 × 8,8 mm, 213 g |
Price and availability
If you are excited about the new Pixel 8 models and don't want to wait any longer, you can now buy them. The Pixel 8 (Link) starts at 799 euros for the 128 GB variant and the Pixel 8 Pro (Link) costs 1.099 euros, also with 128 GB of storage space. If you think that sounds steep: Yes, Google has increased the price of the Pixel 8 Pro by 200 euros compared to last year.
But there is also good news: those who decide early can look forward to attractive bundle offers. Until October 16th, participating partners are offering the Pixel Buds Pro worth 8 euros for free for pre-orders of the Pixel 229. Anyone who chooses the Pixel 8 Pro will even receive the Pixel Watch 2 in the Wi-Fi version worth 399 euros on top. Similar offers are also available in the Google Store.
The devices themselves will be available in stores from October 12th. And for those who want to give their new smartphone extra protection: Matching cases can be purchased in the Google Store or from retail partners.
Source: Press Release
