The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are anticipated to go on sale in the coming months, however, Google has not yet made any formal announcements regarding them. But over the past several weeks, a number of leaks have disclosed a lot about them, including information on the Tensor G3 CPU, the hardware of the Pixel 8 camera, and software capabilities like Video Unblur.
Two flagship versions will be available: a smaller vanilla and a bigger Pro (Google Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8). Pixel 8 pro will have a better display and camera than earlier models. It’s interesting to note that the basic phone will be smaller than the one it replaces. Let’s first examine those.
Google Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8: Displays
After operating at 90Hz for several generations, the Pixel 8 display’s refresh rate will ultimately be increased to 120Hz. Leaked information says that there will be additional refresh modes, enabling the phone to pick between 10, 30, or 60Hz for battery conservation. This does not necessarily mean that Google is finally using an LTPO panel for the basic flagship.
At 6.17″, down from 6.3″, the new display will be somewhat smaller than the previous one. On the plus side, Google appears to have selected a brighter screen this year – 1,400 nits of usual brightness, up from 1,000 nits. The resolution will stay at FHD+ (20:9).
Less noticeable adjustments will be made to the bigger Pixel 8 Pro display. It will be around the same size as the 2022 model, but the resolution will be somewhat lower, resulting in a pixel density drop from 512ppi to 490ppi (which is still greater than the resolution of a regular Pixel, even with its smaller diagonal). From a minimum refresh rate of 10Hz on the 7 Pro, the minimum will now be 5Hz. Also, this panel needs to be brighter.
Google Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8: Designs
For this generation, Google will remain with the “visor” design. The next generation will feature more rounded display edges than the 7-series, as you may have seen in the part above.
More significantly, according to CAD drawings, the Pixel 8 will have dimensions of 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9mm. This makes it substantially smaller than the Pixel 7’s 155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7mm dimensions and more comparable in size to the Galaxy S23’s 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6mm and Pixel 7a’s 152 x 72.9 x 9mm.
The dimensions of the Google Pixel 8 Pro are 162.6 x 76.5 x 8.7 mm, which are nearly identical to those of the 7 Pro (162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9 mm).
Google Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8: Cameras
The 50MP primary cameras on both models now use a new sensor, the ISOCELL GN2, which replaces the 7-series GN1 sensor. In addition to having larger native pixels (1.4 m vs. 1.2 m), this sensor is larger (1/1.12″ vs. 1/1.31″). Its effective pixel size is 2.8 m after binning down to 12.5MP (4-to-1).
Due to the fact that each pixel contains two light diodes rather than one, the sensor may also work the other way around and produce 100MP photos. The key distinction between the GN2 and the GN1 is that the latter has a better AF system dubbed Dual Pixel Pro. The GN2 contains a diagonal split in place of the two photodiodes on the GN1, allowing it to detect phase deviations both vertically and horizontally.
Additionally, the Sony IMX787 sensor, a 64MP 1/1.37″ sensor with 0.8 mm pixels and 4-to-1 binning capability, is being added to the Pixel 8 Pro’s ultra-wide. The 7 Pro sports a modest 12MP 1/2.9″ sensor with 1.25 m pixels as a point of reference.
Google Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8: Battery
Currently, not much is known about the batteries. Given the lower size of the Pixel 8, we believe it is reasonable to assume that the battery capacity of the Pixel 8 will decrease (from 4,355mAh) but that the battery capacity of the Pixel 8 Pro will remain the same (5,000mAh).
The Pixel 8 was listed as only supporting 12W wireless charging on the WPC website. Although the Pixel 7 pair isn’t particularly quick, it can wirelessly deliver 20/23W, which is surprising. The important lesson to be learned from this, in our opinion, is that the 8-series will not support the new Qi2 standard.
Google Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8: Price
Now that several of the leaked specifications and the anticipated debut date have been confirmed, tipster Yogesh Brar appears to have divulged the potential price of the basic Pixel 8 model.
Google Pixel 8
– 6.17" FHD+ OLED, 120Hz
– Google Tensor G3 SoC
– 8GB RAM, 128/256GB storage
– Camera: 50MP (GN2) (OIS) + 12MP UW
– Selfie: 11MP
– Android 14
– Ultrasonic FP
– 4,485mah battery, 24W wired/ 12W wirelessLaunch: Early October
Price: $649/699— Yogesh Brar (@heyitsyogesh) July 10, 2023
The Pixel 8 may be introduced in “early October,” according to Brar’s tweet, which wouldn’t be unexpected considering that the Pixel 7 was unveiled on October 6, 2022. Nevertheless, the information that the gadget might cost $649–699—$50–$100 more than the $599 Pixel 7—is disheartening.
Read more:
- Comparison: Google Pixel Tablet vs iPad
- Google Pixel Fold: Release date, leaked specs and more
- Samsung Galaxy S23 vs Google Pixel 7 comparison
Featured image credit: tomsguide
