If Google was a kitchen utensil it would be a siev, given the amount of information that leaks ahead of schedule. However, during a presentation this morning, Google officially unveiled and shared details for the new Pixel 8 phones, Pixel Watch 2, and Pixel Buds Pro.
The next entries in Google’s Pixel phone series – the Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8 – will be available for pre-order on October 5 and launching on October 12, with the Pixel 8 Pro price starting at $1699 (128GB) and the Pixel 8 $1199 (128GB).
Both phones will be powered by Google’s new Tensor G3 chip and will feature advanced security options, such as using Face Unlock for payments and app sign-ins, and an improved suite of photo editing tools, including Best Take. But, perhaps the biggest news was that both the Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8 will receive seven years of OS and security updates, a big increase from the three years of OS support for the Pixel 7 series (security updates were “at least five years”).
Google’s flagship model, the Pixel 8 Pro features the new Super Actua Display, which has a variable refresh rate that automatically adjusts between 1 and 120Hz, and also introduces a new feature that allows users to take the temperature of objects by scanning them.
Google’s latest smartwatch – the Pixel Watch 2 will launch alongside the Pixel 8 phones, starting at $549 for the Bluetooth/Wi-Fi model and $649 for the 4G LTE model. Improvements will be found with new safety features, enhanced support for Google apps, advanced fitness options, and Fitbit’s most advanced heart-rate tracking technology.
The new Google Pixel Buds Pro will be priced at $299 and comes in two new colours: Bay Blue and Porcelain. Other features include a low-latency gaming mode, active noise cancellation and Bluetooth Super Wideband for clearer calls.
You can read some key specs about the new devices below.
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Colours: Bay / Porcelain / Obsidian
Screen size: 6.7-inch
Display: Super Actua display (1344 x 2992) LTPO OLED at 489 PPI
Capacity: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB /1TB (availability will vary based on region)
Memory: 12GB LPDDR5X RAM
Processor: Google Tensor G3
Rear Cameras: 50 MP Octa PD wide camera / 48 MP Quad PD ultrawide camera with autofocus / 48 MP Quad PD telephoto camera
Front Camera: 10.5 MP Dual PD selfie camera
Battery Life: Beyond 24-hour battery life / Up to 72-hour battery life with Extreme Battery Saver
Weight: 213g
Google Pixel 8
Colours: Rose / Hazel / Obsidian
Screen size: 6.2-inch
Display: Actua display (1080 x 2400) OLED at 428 PPI
Capacity: 128GB / 256GB
Memory: 8GB LPDDR5X RAM
Processor: Google Tensor G3
Rear Cameras: 50 MP Octa PD wide camera / 12 MP ultrawide camera with autofocus
Front Camera: 10.5 MP Dual PD selfie camera
Battery Life: Beyond 24-hour battery life / Up to 72-hour battery life with Extreme Battery Saver
Weight: 187g
Pixel Watch 2
Colours: Matte Black Aluminum Case / Obsidian Active Band, Polished Silver Aluminum Case / Bay Active Band, Polished Silver Aluminum Case / Porcelain Active Band, Champagne Gold Aluminum Case / Hazel Active Band
Display: 320 ppi AMOLED display with DCI-P3 color
Connectivity: 4G LTE and UMTS3 / Bluetooth 5.0 / Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz / NFC
Capacity: 32GB
Memory:2 GB SDRAM
OS: Wear OS 4.0
Battery Life: 24 hours
Weight: 31g without band
What do you make of the new Google Pixel devices? Will you be upgrading this year? Let us know in the comments or on social media.
