On 4 October, Google is planning a live event in New York City. The tech giant is set to unveil its latest gadgets, the Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel Watch 2. Various leaks, including some from Google itself, give us hints about what we can anticipate from these new releases.
since the fun with the Pixel 8 series is basically over anyway…
— kamila 🌸 (@Za_Raczke) September 25, 2023
here are the google store pages of the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro
(P8P 1/2) pic.twitter.com/kcWIGF1iTu
Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro in the limelight
Google has already given us a teaser for its new mobile devices. In early September, a short 23-second video offered glimpses of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Google Store’s dedicated landing pages for these devices claim they will feature “the most advanced Pixel cameras yet” along with AI enhancements.
According to credible leaks, the Pixel 8 Pro is expected to sport a 6.7-inch OLED flat screen with 1,344 x 2,992 resolution. This is a shift from its predecessor’s curved 6.71-inch display. Meanwhile, the Pixel 8 will likely have a 6.17-inch display with 1,400 nits of peak brightness and a 120Hz refresh rate, an upgrade from the previous 90Hz. Under the hood, both models will feature a new Tensor G3 processor. Regarding storage, the Pixel 8 will start with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, while the Pro version will offer 12GB of RAM and a similar base storage.
Photography gets a new edge
Cameras in the new Pixel 8 series are set to have significant upgrades. Leaks suggest both devices will feature Samsung’s new ISOCELL GN2 sensors. The Pixel 8 Pro is also expected to have a time-of-flight sensor to improve autofocus and a more advanced ultrawide camera sensor. These enhancements should provide a noticeable upgrade in image quality.
Pixel Watch 2 set to improve on its predecessor
After receiving criticism for the original Pixel Watch’s battery life, Google aims to make amends with the Pixel Watch 2. The new version is rumoured to feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 processor. This chip will bring in better performance and improved battery efficiency. Google is also reported to boost the battery capacity marginally, making any improvement significant for a wearable.
Additional features may include a dedicated ultra-wideband chip for enhanced object tracking and media transfers to other Google devices like Pixel Tablets and future Nest smart speakers.
What else can you expect?
Besides the hardware upgrades, Google’s Pixel 8 series is rumoured to come with various software enhancements. One of the most exciting bits of information is Google’s plan to offer up to seven years of software updates for the new Pixel line. As for pricing, leaked documents suggest that the Pixel 8 will start at US$699 and the Pixel 8 Pro at US$899.
