Codename | |
---|---|
Brand | |
Series | Pixel |
Compatible networks | |
First released | October 12, 2023 |
Availability by region | October 2023
|
Predecessor | |
Type |
|
Form factor | Slate |
Dimensions |
|
Mass |
|
Operating system | Android 14 |
System-on-chip | Google Tensor G3 |
Memory |
|
Storage |
|
SIM | Nano SIM and eSIM |
Battery |
|
Charging |
|
Display | |
Sound |
|
Rear camera |
|
Front camera |
|
Connectivity | |
Data inputs | Both:
Pixel 8 Pro:Temperature sensor |
Water resistance | IP68 |
Other |
|
Hearing aid compatibility | M3, T4 |
Made in | India (some models) |
Website | |
References | [2][3] |
The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are a pair of Android smartphones designed, developed, and marketed by Google as part of the Google Pixel product line. They serve as the successors to the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, respectively. Visually, the phones resemble their respective predecessors, with incremental upgrades to their displays and performance. Powered by the third-generation Google Tensor system-on-chip, Google placed heavy emphasis on their artificial intelligence–powered features, especially in the realm of generative AI and photo editing.
The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro were officially announced on October 4, 2023, at the annual Made by Google event, and were released in the United States on October 12. They received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised both the hardware and software despite their modest upgrades. The phones' AI features, Google's historic promise of seven years of software updates, and the Pro model's unconventional inclusion of a temperature sensor received significant attention and was heavily scrutinized, drawing mixed reactions.
History
In May 2023, 9to5Google reported that Google intended to launch the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro in late 2023.[4] The phones were approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in August of that year.[5] After previewing the phones in September,[6] Google officially announced the phones on October 4, alongside the Pixel Watch 2, at the annual Made by Google event.[7] Pre-orders became available the same day,[8] and the phones became available in 21 countries on October 12.[9][10] Google hardware chief Rick Osterloh announced later that month that the company would begin manufacturing its Pixel phones in India beginning in 2024 with the Pixel 8, following Apple's lead with the iPhone 15 series. Bloomberg News reported that Dixon Technologies and Foxconn were among the top contenders for the job.[11][12]
Specifications
Design
The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are visually similar to the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, respectively,[13] with minor refinements such as a flatter screen, more rounded corners, and softer edges. The Pro model also features a matte finish.[8][9][14] They are each available in three colors:[8]
Pixel 8 | Pixel 8 Pro | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hazel | Obsidian | Rose | Bay | Obsidian | Porcelain | |
Hardware
The Pixel 8 has a 6.2 in (157 mm) FHD+ 1080p OLED display at 428 ppi with a 2400 × 1080 pixel resolution and a 20:9 aspect ratio, while the Pixel 8 Pro has a 6.7 in (170 mm) QHD+ 1440p LTPO OLED curved-edge display at 489 ppi with a 2992 × 1344 pixel resolution and a 20:9 aspect ratio.[15] The Pixel 8 has a variable refresh rate of 60–120 Hz, while the Pixel 8 Pro has variable refresh rate of 1–120 Hz. Both phones contain a wide and a ultrawide rear camera, with the Pixel 8 Pro featuring an additional 48 megapixel telephoto 5× optical zoom rear camera. The front camera on both phones contains a 10.5 megapixel ultrawide lens.[9] As with the Pixel 7 series, the Face Unlock facial recognition system is enabled by software and the front camera, but adds support for secure biometric authentication.[16][17]
The phones are powered by the third-generation Google Tensor system-on-chip (SoC), marketed as "Google Tensor G3".[17] The OLED display, marketed as "Actua" and "Super Actua" on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, respectively, boasts "better color accuracy and higher brightness".[8][17] The Pro model also features a temperature sensor on its rear camera bar, an unconventional feature for a smartphone.[17] That feature is pending approval from the Food and Drug Administration for use on humans.[18] The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro were among the first phones on the market to support Wi-Fi 7, the latest wireless standard.[19]
Software
The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro shipped with Android 14 at launch,[14] coinciding with the stable release of Android 14 on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP),[20] along with version 9.1 of the newly renamed Pixel Camera app.[21] It will receive at least seven years of major OS upgrades with support extending to 2030, a significant extension compared to previous generations that places the Pixel on par with Apple's typical support lifetime for iPhones.[14][17] Google also stated that it would stock spare parts for the devices for seven years.[22] Wired and The Verge noted that these two commitments were potentially linked to California's impending right to repair act requiring companies to provide support for devices costing $100 or more for seven years.[17][22]
As with previous Pixel smartphones, artificial intelligence and software advancements took center stage during the Made by Google launch event. New camera features announced include Best Take, an upgraded Magic Eraser, Night Sight Video, Magic Editor, Audio Magic Eraser, and Real Tone on video.[8][17] Exclusive to the Pixel 8 Pro were Video Boost and manual "Pro" camera controls,[14][23] although the latter was only artificially restricted to the Pro model via software.[24]
As part of Google's ongoing response to OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google also announced Assistant with Bard, a new version of the Google Assistant virtual assistant that integrates the company's recently introduced Bard chatbot.[25] Other generative AI features included improved call screening, faster voice typing, grammar suggestions on Gboard, upgrades to the Recorder app, and a new magnifier app.[26] The Pixel 8 Pro was touted as the first piece of hardware to run Google's generative AI large language models fully on-device,[27] with Gemini Nano later being integrated into the device.[28][29]
Marketing
On launch day, Google partnered with X Corp. to include an Easter egg on X, formerly known as Twitter, when users searched the hashtag #GooglePixel.[30] In November 2023, Google set up a "Google Pixel Experience Space" pop-up store in Taiwan to showcase the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.[31]
In continuation of Google's multi-year sponsorship of the NBA, the Pixel 8's "Built Different" advertising campaign spanned the NBA's 2023–2024 season. A series of commercials, produced in collaboration with Robot Agency, featured numerous NBA athletes and personalities such as Jimmy Butler, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Chiney Ogwumike, Flau'jae Johnson, Jamad Fiin, Chris Brickley, Cameron Look, Richard Jefferson, and Crissa Jackson.[32][33]
Reception
Critical response
In early reactions, three aspects particularly piqued commentators' interest: the Pixel 8 Pro's temperature sensor, Google's promise of seven years of updates, and the heavy emphasis on AI. The temperature sensor drew varied reactions: some found it a potentially useful novelty,[8][34][23] while others were bewildered and dismissed it as a strange gimmick.[35][9][13] The response to Google's seven-year pledge was similarly divided: several journalists welcomed the move, hailing it as astonishing and monumental;[36][37][38] others questioned whether Google would fulfill its promise.[39][40][41]
The Washington Post's Chris Velazco opined that the phones reflected "a deepening obsession with AI",[42] with The Verge's Jon Porter describing the launch event as "a parade of AI", observing that the phrase "AI" had been invoked over fifty times.[43] As the Pixel 8 was "the first mainstream phone to bake generative AI directly into the photo creation process at no extra cost", computer science professor Ren Ng at the University of California, Berkeley described it as a pivotal milestone in the area of imagery.[44] Nicole Nguyen of The Wall Street Journal raised concerns with the implications of the Pixel 8's photo editing features, fearing that it could lead to an influx in "fauxtography", the malicious manipulation of photographs.[45] The AI features themselves received mixed responses. Writing for Wired, Julian Chokkattu expressed excitement that these features, hitherto limited to those proficient with image or video editing software, were now being made accessible to a wider audience;[46] Ben Sin of XDA Developers found them "fun and scary".[47] Porter felt that some of the features showcased were unnecessary, concluding that Google was continuing to attempt to reassert its position as a leader in AI after ChatGPT's meteoric rise earlier that year had caught Google executives off-guard.[43] Also writing for The Verge, Allison Johnson described the features as "complicated and messy",[48] while her colleague Jay Peters contemplated the question, "What is a photo?"[49]
Reviews were largely positive, though Mashable observed a prevalent discontent with the phones' battery life, temperature sensor, and higher prices.[50] Writing for The Guardian, Samuel Gibbs praised the phones' affordability and build quality,[51][52] while Digital Spy's Jason Murdock highlighted their cameras, performances, and displays.[53][54] Chokkattu was thoroughly impressed by the phones' AI features, but was less pleased with the battery life and Face Unlock system.[55] PCMag's Iyaz Akhtar echoed these sentiments,[56][57] while June Wan of ZDNET and Daniel Howley of Yahoo! Finance also emphasized the usefulness of AI.[58][59] Marques Brownlee thought the phones were a mixed bag, finding the AI features a hit-or-miss.[60] CNN Underscored reviewer Max Buondonno offered glowing praise of both phones.[61][62] The Verge's Allison Johnson was more skeptical, finding the AI features "useful [but] troubling", lamenting the higher prices, and questioning Google's seven-year-update promise.[63] Mark Knapp of IGN appreciated the phones' modest hardware and performance upgrades, but felt they were inferior to Samsung's latest Android phones.[64][65] Ron Amadeo of Ars Technica commended Google for abandoning curved screens in favor of a flat one, as well as praising its commitment to Tensor and software updates; however, he lambasted the Pro's temperature sensor as "embracing the worst of junky smartphone gimmicks".[66] Forbes staff writer Rebecca Isaacs deemed the phones "a solid choice for casual users".[67]
Commercial reception
Ryan Reith, an analyst at the International Data Group, predicted that Google could achieve higher sales numbers "if supported by strong marketing", considering its emphasis on AI.[18] An opinion piece published in the Financial Times was headlined: "Price, not AI, will lift [the] Pixel's market share".[68] Multiple publications have labeled the phones Google's latest subdued effort to compete with Apple's dominant iPhone sales.[18][69]
References
- 1 2 Bradshaw, Kyle (October 10, 2023). "Google releases Pixel 8 'shiba' and 8 Pro 'husky' factory images ahead of launch". 9to5Google. Archived from the original on October 10, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
- ↑ "Pixel 8 Technical Specs". Google Store. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
- ↑ "Pixel 8 Pro Technical Specs". Google Store. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
- ↑ Li, Abner (May 5, 2023). "Source: Google planning to launch Pixel Watch 2 with Pixel 8". 9to5Google. Archived from the original on May 5, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
- ↑ Bradshaw, Kyle (August 30, 2023). "Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro appear at FCC ahead of launch". 9to5Google. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- ↑ Roth, Emma (September 7, 2023). "Google teaser previews Pixel Watch 2 and both Pixel 8 phones". The Verge. Archived from the original on September 7, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
- ↑ Haselton, Todd (August 30, 2023). "Google announces event for Oct. 4, where new Pixel phone and smartwatch expected". CNBC. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Andronico, Mike (October 4, 2023). "We tried the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro — and their wild new AI features". CNN Underscored. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
- 1 2 3 4 Amadeo, Ron (October 4, 2023). "The Google Pixel 8 is official with 7 years of updates". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
- ↑ Amies, Nick (October 13, 2023). "Belgium's tech market braces for Google's new AI smartphones". The Brussels Times. Archived from the original on November 16, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
- ↑ Mehta, Tanvi; Boben, Blassy (October 19, 2023). "Google bets on India with Pixel smartphone manufacturing". Reuters. Archived from the original on October 19, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
- ↑ Phartiyal, Sankalp (October 19, 2023). "Google to Manufacture Pixel Smartphones in India Next Year". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on October 19, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
- 1 2 Perry, Alex (October 4, 2023). "Google Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro officially announced. And there's a new built-in thermometer, too". Mashable. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
- 1 2 3 4 Gibbs, Samuel (October 4, 2023). "Google Pixel 8 Pro launched with thermometer and seven years of updates". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
- ↑ Heater, Brian (October 4, 2023). "Google's Pixel 8 brings new camera tricks, better display and a thermometer". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
- ↑ Li, Abner (October 4, 2023). "Pixel 8 and 8 Pro Face Unlock works for payments, more". 9to5Google. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Chokkattu, Julian (October 4, 2023). "Google's Pixel 8 and Pixel Watch 2 Have Arrived. Here's What's New". Wired. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
- 1 2 3 Malik, Yuvraj; Cherney, Max A. (October 4, 2023). "Google launches Pixel 8, smartwatch with new AI feature". Reuters. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
- ↑ Spadafora, Anthony (October 4, 2023). "Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro just got a huge upgrade that beats iPhone 15 Pro". Tom's Guide. Archived from the original on October 5, 2023. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
- ↑ Davis, Wes (October 4, 2023). "Android 14 is now available for Pixel phones". The Verge. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
- ↑ Li, Abner (October 13, 2023). "'Google Camera' is now 'Pixel Camera' on the Play Store". 9to5Google. Archived from the original on October 14, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
- 1 2 Hollister, Sean (October 9, 2023). "Google will stock Pixel 8 spare parts for seven years". The Verge. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
- 1 2 Etherington, Darrell (October 4, 2023). "Google Pixel 8 Pro first impressions". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
- ↑ Pandey, Rajesh (October 10, 2023). "Surprise: The Pixel 8 Pro's manual camera controls work on older Google phones". Android Police. Archived from the original on October 10, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
- ↑ De Vynck, Gerrit (October 4, 2023). "Google to add Bard AI to voice assistant, following Amazon". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
- ↑ Conditt, Jessica (October 4, 2023). "Google Pixel 8 lineup has a bevy of generative AI features". Engadget. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
- ↑ Wiggers, Kyle (October 4, 2023). "Pixel 8 Pro runs Google's generative AI models on-device". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
- ↑ Edwards, Benj (December 6, 2023). "Google launches Gemini—a powerful AI model it says can surpass GPT-4". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on December 6, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ↑ Liedtike, Michael; O'Brien, Matt (December 6, 2023). "Google launches Gemini, upping the stakes in the global AI race". Associated Press. Archived from the original on December 6, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ↑ Yaccarino, Linda [@lindayaX] (October 4, 2023). "Another day, another powerful global launch on @X" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 5, 2023. Retrieved October 5, 2023 – via Twitter.
- ↑ Schoon, Ben (November 2, 2023). "'Google Pixel Experience Space' in Taiwan lets users try out Pixel 8, Watch 2". 9to5Google. Archived from the original on November 2, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
- ↑ Li, Abner (October 24, 2023). "Google Pixel's NBA sponsorship continues for third season". 9to5Google. Archived from the original on October 24, 2023. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ↑ Friend, Tom (October 24, 2023). "Google Pixel launching new season-long NBA campaign". Sports Business Journal. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ↑ Low, Cherlynn (October 4, 2023). "Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro hands-on: Generative AI and a temperature sensor on your phone". Engadget. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
- ↑ Edwards, Nathan (October 7, 2023). "What's up with the temperature sensor on the Pixel 8 Pro?". The Verge. Archived from the original on October 7, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
- ↑ Davis, Wes (October 4, 2023). "The Pixel 8's best new feature is guaranteed updates". The Verge. Archived from the original on October 5, 2023. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
- ↑ Menegus, Avery (October 4, 2023). "Google extends software support for Pixel 8 phones to a full seven years". Engadget. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
- ↑ Rashid, Dua (October 4, 2023). "You Get Seven Years of OS Updates with the New Pixel 8". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
- ↑ Hollister, Sean (October 6, 2023). "Google's seven-year Pixel update promise is historic — or meaningles". The Verge. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
- ↑ Brownlee, Marques (October 6, 2023). Can You Trust Google?. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Barranger, Kellen (October 6, 2023). "The Response to Google's 7 Year Update Promise for Pixel is Getting Weird". Droid Life. Archived from the original on October 7, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
- ↑ Velazco, Chris (October 4, 2023). "Google's new Pixel 8 phones reflect a deepening obsession with AI". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
- 1 2 Porter, Jon (October 6, 2023). "Google's Pixel 8 launch was a parade of AI". The Verge. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
- ↑ Chen, Brian X. (October 11, 2023). "Smartphone Photos Are Getting Faker. Uh-Oh?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ↑ Nguyen, Nicole (October 4, 2023). "Smiling Kids, Gorgeous Sunsets: Is It Photo Editing or Just Plain Lying?". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
- ↑ Chokkattu, Julian (October 4, 2023). "The New AI Photo Tricks on the Pixel 8 Are Blowing My Mind". Wired. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
- ↑ Sin, Ben (October 4, 2023). "Google Pixel 8 & 8 Pro hands-on: All about Generative AI". XDA Developers. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
- ↑ Johnson, Allison (October 4, 2023). "Google Photos' new AI tools are as complicated and messy as a memory". The Verge. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
- ↑ Peters, Jay (October 7, 2023). "The Pixel 8 and the what-is-a-photo apocalypse". The Verge. Archived from the original on October 7, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
- ↑ Gedeon, Kimberly (October 11, 2023). "Google Pixel 8 reviews are in — 3 things critics hate about the Android device". Mashable. Archived from the original on October 12, 2023. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ↑ Gibbs, Samuel (October 30, 2023). "Pixel 8 review: Google's smaller, longer-lasting Android". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ↑ Gibbs, Samuel (October 17, 2023). "Pixel 8 Pro: Google's longer-lasting, AI-packed camera phone". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ↑ Murdock, Jason (October 20, 2023). "Pixel 8 review: The best Google phone yet". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on October 20, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ↑ Murdock, Jason (October 27, 2023). "Pixel 8 Pro review: The most powerful Google phone is packed with AI". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on October 27, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ↑ Chokkattu, Julian (October 11, 2023). "Review: Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro". Wired. Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ↑ Akhtar, Iyaz (October 11, 2023). "Google Pixel 8 Review". PCMag. Archived from the original on October 12, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ↑ Akhtar, Iyaz (October 11, 2023). "Google Pixel 8 Pro Review". PCMag. Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ↑ Wan, June (October 11, 2023). "Google Pixel 8 Pro review: This phone sold me on an AI-powered future". ZDNET. Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ↑ Howley, Daniel (October 11, 2023). "Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro review: AI brains and plenty of brawn". Yahoo! Finance. Archived from the original on October 12, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
- ↑ Brownlee, Marques (October 11, 2023). Google Pixel 8/8 Pro Review: We'll Fix It In Post!. Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Buondonno, Max (October 12, 2023). "The Google Pixel 8 is an excellent $700 phone with impressive AI smarts". CNN Underscored. Archived from the original on October 12, 2023. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ↑ Buondonno, Max (October 12, 2023). "The Pixel 8 Pro is my favorite Google phone ever". CNN Underscored. Archived from the original on October 14, 2023. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ↑ Johnson, Allison (October 11, 2023). "Pixel 8 and 8 Pro review: in Google we trust?". The Verge. Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ↑ Knapp, Mark (October 21, 2023). "Google Pixel 8 Smartphone Review". IGN. Archived from the original on October 21, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ↑ Knapp, Mark (October 11, 2023). "Google Pixel 8 Pro Review". IGN. Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ↑ Amadeo, Ron (October 11, 2023). "Pixel 8 Pro review—The best Android phone". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ↑ Isaacs, Rebecca (November 7, 2023). "Google Pixel 8 Review: A Small And Mighty Smartphone". Forbes. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ↑ "Google/smartphones: price, not AI, will lift Pixel's market share". Financial Times. October 4, 2023. ISSN 0307-1766. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
- ↑ Blum, Sofia (October 4, 2023). "Google's latest Pixel phones have new camera AI tricks". CNBC. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
Further reading
- Shankland, Stephen (October 4, 2023). "Google Gave the Pixel 8 Cameras a Major Upgrade. Here's How They Did It". CNET. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.