Pixel 8 rumors are taking center stage after the iPhone 15 series – now equipped with USB-C – got the chance to strut its stuff at Apple’s “Wonderlust” event. The Cupertino-based tech giant showed us what it has in store. Now it’s time for Google to expand its flagship phones. Can the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro surpass the iPhone 15?
There’s no way the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro can even beat the entry-level iPhone 15 when it comes to power. Apple is miles ahead of Google phones in that regard with its powerful A16 Bionic and A17 Pro chips.
However, Google has the edge with its cool AI-powered software features, thanks to Tensor (the custom system-on-a-chip). The next-generation Pixel 8 phones are expected to take their machine learning skills up a notch with the new Tensor G3 processor.
![Google Pixel8](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/02XrgowSpHdVZKFMLKkPZGI/images-2.fill.size_2000x1125.v1695055172.png)
Google Pixel 8 with rumored temperature sensor under the flash
Credit: Google
What else does Google have in store for the Pixel 8 and Pixel Pro? Let’s dive into everything we know about it, thanks to rumors and leaks.
Pixel 8 release date
The new Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro have a release date of October 4, 2023. At the end of August, the search engine giant introduced invitations to an in-person launch event “Made by Google” on October 4.
Tweet may have been deleted
Additionally, the invite specifically says that Google will “introduce the latest additions to [its] Pixel Portfolio of Devices.” You can’t get it clearer than that. In addition to the Pixel 8 and Pixel Pro, we also expect a new Pixel Watch and Pixel Buds.
The pixel price may increase
For two generations, the Pixel series has fluctuated between a price range of $599 (entry-level Pixel) and $899 (Pro Pixel). However, according to respected speaker Yogesh Brar, Google plans to increase the price tag of the Pixel 8 by $50, bringing it to $649.
Tweet may have been deleted
Yogesh Brar hasn’t said anything about the price of the Pixel 8 Pro, but we hope it stays at $899.
Design
We don’t have to speculate and predict what the new phones will look like – leaks about the Pixel 8 have trickled in via Google itself. Do we think it was intentional to create hype? Yes. But we’re not complaining.
For example, in late August, X user @Android_setting saw Google “accidentally” upload a Pixel 8 Pro photo to Google’s Subscriptions & Services page.
Tweet may have been deleted
How did the hawk-eyed X user know it was a Pixel 8 Pro? The alt text confirmed this, revealing that the man is holding the Pro variant in the porcelain shade. In early September, Google took its erroneous leaks a step further and “accidentally” rolled out a 360-degree Pixel Simulator demo of the next-generation phone. This revelation killed claims that the Pixel 8 series could be Google’s first eSIM-only phone. It looks like the Pixel 8 series will indeed have a physical SIM card slot.
Tweet may have been deleted
Looking back in July, we have a leak of a Google Pixel 8 Pro in the wild, revealing minor changes to the familiar crosshair-like camera bar design.
Based on these leaks, here are the design changes we see:
Pixel8
-
Pixel 8 is apparently slimmer than the Pixel 7 (0.34 inches vs. 0.35 inches)
-
Pixel 8 (and the Pixel Pro) have more rounded corners
-
The colors Jade, Licorice, Peony and Haze
Pixel Pro
-
The Pixel 8 Pro’s cameras appear to be enclosed in one pill (the Pixel Pro 7 had cameras arranged in a pill-and-hole design)
-
There appears to be an additional sensor underneath the camera’s flash. It is reportedly the rumored new thermometer. Yes, this phone may be able to measure your body temperature (more on this later)
-
Jade, licorice, porcelain and sky colors
-
Pixel Pro 8, like the Pixel 8, is reportedly slimmer (0.34 inches vs. 0.35 inches
We also received a teaser from Google itself about the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Check it out below.
Aside from a few tweaks, the 8 and 8 Pro are expected to retain Pixel’s familiar ‘visor’ design language.
Pixel 8 screen upgrades
Android Authority (AA), citing a source within Google, said the Pixel 8 series will get some nice new upgrades, including better brightness, better refresh rate, higher resolution, and more. Check out the rumored new features below:
-
The Pixel 8 reportedly has a smaller panel (6.1-inch screen vs. 6.3-inch screen)
-
The Pixel 8 Pro will likely share the same 6.7-inch screen as its predecessor, but have a flatter screen
-
Google is said to be dropping the Pixel 8 Pro’s 3,120 x 1,400 resolution to a 2,992 x 1,344 resolution. The Pixel 8’s resolution is reportedly unchanged at 2,400 x 1,080.
-
Better clarity across the board. AAThe source claims that the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will have brightness of 1,400 nits and 1,600 nits respectively, compared to 1,000 nits for both.
-
The Pixel 8 jumps to a 120Hz refresh rate, up from 90Hz. The Pixel 8 Pro will continue to use a 120Hz display like its predecessor, but it will have a more variable refresh rate. In other words, the refresh rate changes based on your activity (for example, if you’re gaming, the refresh rate will increase, but if you’re just scrolling, it will decrease).
But wait, there’s more. If you read Yogesh Brar’s tweet in the pricing section, you will notice that they said that the Pixel 8 series may come with a new ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. If true, this is an upgrade to the Pixel 7’s optical scanners. What’s the difference? A optical fingerprint scanner uses an LED light to ‘feel’ your fingerprint.
The more advanced ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, found on Samsung Galaxy S series phones, sends ultrasonic pulses (or sound waves) to your finger. This allows the scanner to map your fingerprint patterns. As such, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro phones should offer faster biometric authentication via the in-display fingerprint sensor, thanks to the new ultrasonic technology.
New temperature sensor?
In March, 91mobiles has dropped a striking video leak showing that the Pixel 8 Pro will also double as a thermometer. As mentioned, the body temperature sensor is placed on the camera bar below the flash. The leaked video shows a woman demonstrating how to use the Pixel 8’s thermometer.
Tweet may have been deleted
The Pixel 8 will reportedly do that not have this function. It seems a bit gimmicky, but it will certainly help Google’s next-generation phones stand out from the crowd.
Pixel 8 specs
The Tensor G2 chip in the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro phones is a bit of a snoozefest. Compared to other phones on the market, the processing power is mediocre. According to Android AuthorityTensor G2 is two generations behind its rivals, making the Pixel series the laughing stock among more powerful competitors (iPhone and Samsung Galaxy S series, for example). However, a new leak out AA revealed that the Tensor G3 chip, which will be housed in the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, will narrow the performance gap between itself and other leading chips. However, it will not succeed in matching this.
![Pixel 8 screenshot from Google's teaser video](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/02XrgowSpHdVZKFMLKkPZGI/images-3.fill.size_2000x1125.v1695056438.png)
Pixel 8 screenshot from Google’s teaser video
Credit: Google
In other words, expect a significant performance boost with the Tensor G3, but it will still be a generation behind, on par with 2022’s flagship chipsets. Keep in mind, though, that this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Many of Google’s competitors (Samsung and Apple, for example) pack their phones with more power than they need, so the Tensor G3 should have enough power to handle all your quick tasks.
The Tensor G3 is also reportedly getting a “significant upgrade” with its Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), which should facilitate all the notable new AI goodies Google has in store for the Pixel 8. Finally, similar to the iPhone 15, the GPU inside supports Tensor G3 ray-tracing, meaning playing mobile games on the Google Pixel 8 phones should be more of a visual treat.
Curious about the variants that the new phones will offer? According to tipster Kamila Wojciechowska, in collaboration with AA, the Pixel 8 will reportedly have the following configurations:
The Pixel 8 Pro has the following configurations:
-
128GB storage/12GB RAM
-
256GB storage/12GB RAM
-
512GB storage/12GB RAM
A Google insider said this AA that while the Pixel 8 will get a battery capacity increase (4,485 mAh vs. 4,270 mAh), the Pixel 8 Pro likely won’t get an upgrade (i.e. 5,000 mAh).
Pixel cameras try to stay ahead of iPhone 15
The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will reportedly continue to use 50MP wide cameras, but Google may increase the size of the sensor. This should increase light collection by 35%. Therefore, taking photos in low-light environments should yield better results.
Other camera upgrades that might be coming to the Pixel 8 series:
-
Better ultrawide cameras for the Pixel 8 and Pixel Pro, but the latter has a more noticeable improvement
-
Better time-of-flight (ToF) sensor, but this is only for the Pixel 8 Pro. This should ensure that the autofocus is less shaky.
Unfortunately, there don’t seem to be any changes to the telephoto. Like its predecessor, the Pixel 8 Pro will continue to deliver 5x optical zoom (similar to the new iPhone 15). It’s also worth noting that Google reportedly has some also major changes to the Google Camera app.
Be sure to keep an eye on this page. As more rumors filter in, we will update this article. Check out our other rumor hubs including the iPhone 16.
subjects
Google smartphones