After months of official and unofficial Pixel 8 leaks, we finally have fully confirmed details of Google's new smartphone.
Based on the Pixel 7, the Pixel 8 brings updates to the phone's body, making the display smoother and brighter, the camera more versatile, and packing even more AI smarts into its clever Tensor chipset. However, all of this comes with a price increase, so Google will need to prove that the Pixel 8 is still a good value in the long run.
If you're interested in the more expensive Pixel 8 model, check out our guide to the Pixel 8 Pro. If you want to see how the phone is used, check out our Pixel 8 review and Pixel 8 Pro review. However, here we take a look at the full specs sheet for the Pixel 8 to see what's new and what's not in the latest his Pixel.
Google Pixel 8 specs
Swipe to scroll horizontally Google Pixel 8 Price $699 Screen size 6.2 inch OLED (2400×1080) Refresh rate 60Hz – 120HzOSAndroid 14 Processor Tensor G3RAM 8GB Storage 128GB, 256GB Rear camera 50MP main (f/1.68), 8x super resolution zoom, 12MP ultra Wide (f/2.2) front camera 10.5MP (f//2.2) Video 4K up to 60 fps Battery 4,575 mAh Charging 27W Dimensions 5.9 x 2.8 x 0.4 inches / 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9 mm Weight 6.6 oz / 187 grams Color Obsidian, Hazel, Rose
Google Pixel 8 price and availability
Pixel 8 (also Pixel 8 Pro) will be available in several countries including the US, UK, and Australia. Prices start at $699, which is cheaper than the Galaxy S23 and iPhone 15, but still $100 more than the Pixel 7.
The Pixel 8 Pro is also $100 more expensive (starting at $999), so the price difference remains the same if you focus only on Pixel smartphones. But the increased price could be reason enough to look at the Pixel 7a instead.
Still, if you want to make calls on your handset as soon as possible, we have a guide to pre-ordering the Pixel 8.
Google Pixel 8 design and display
You may not notice it at first glance, but the design of Pixel 8 has changed. It looks distinctly Pixel-like, but its rounded exterior, matte-textured metal side rails and glossy glass back differentiate it from the Pixel 7.
(Image credit: Future)
Keeping this attractive phone safe is its IP68 water/dust resistance rating and Gorilla Glass Victus display. It's a shame that the new GG Victus 2 doesn't have a covered screen like the Pro model, but it's still pretty powerful.
When it comes to colors, Google offers hazel, rose, obsidian, or the usual terms green, peachy pink, and black.
(Image credit: Future)
As for the phone's screen, it is a 6.2-inch FHD Actua display. Actua refers to Google's new brightness technology that gives the Pixel 8 a peak brightness rating of 2,000 nits. The panel is a little smaller than the Pixel 7's 6.3-inch panel, but the maximum refresh rate has been increased from 90Hz to 120Hz. However, the refresh rate isn't fully adaptive like the Pixel 8 Pro's display, with a minimum refresh rate of 60Hz instead of 1Hz, making it slightly less efficient when displaying still images.
A teardown of the Pixel 8 reveals a basic design similar to the Pixel 7. This isn't surprising considering how similar the two devices are, but unfortunately it means the new Pixel inherits some less desirable traits, including minimal functionality. cooling technology.
Google Pixel 8 camera
Once again, Google's new basic Pixel flagship offers two rear cameras. For the Pixel 8, it's a 50MP main camera with up to 8x “SuperRes” digital zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide camera with an added macro focus mode for close-up shots. There is also a new 10.5MP selfie camera on the front.
(Image credit: Future)
The photography capabilities of the Google Pixel family rely as much on software as they do on hardware, and it's in the software that we're really seeing some big advances. New on Pixel 8 is Best Take, which stitches together multiple images to make everything and everyone look their best. So is Audio Magic Eraser, which clears the audio in your videos, and Magic Editor, which makes powerful image adjustments powered by machine learning. But don't worry, older features like Photo Unblur and Magic Eraser are still available.
Google Pixel 8 performance
When you open it up, you'll find a Tensor G3 chipset running the Pixel 8 with 8GB RAM and either 128GB or 256GB storage. Tensor aims to deliver great-sounding AI over raw power, with features like improved call screen functionality that blocks more spammers, improved image processing, and clearer voice calls. I was there.
Google Assistant gives you even more toys to play with. Google Assistant can read, summarize, and translate web pages, and dictate messages faster with Tensor G3's improved capabilities.
Google Pixel 8 battery
Google promises “all-day” battery life with the 4,575 mAh capacity inside the Pixel 8. I'll take this claim with a grain of salt, but his Pixel's battery life in testing was among the worst of our flagship smartphones. I tested it. We hope it's at least an improvement over previous Pixels, if not better than rival smartphones.
Pixel 8 supports 27W wired and wireless charging. This is slightly faster than the Pixel 7's 23W, but Google still promises a 50% charge in 30 minutes.
Google Pixel 8 software
Google launches Pixel 8 with Android 14, the latest version of Android. Google has promised seven years of complete software updates for the Pixel 8, so it will likely remain the latest version for some time, making it the longest commitment of any smartphone on the market today. It becomes. If you're willing to forego the upgrade, this could offer considerable value to the Pixel 8 in the long run.
(Image credit: Future)
Google also confirmed that the Pixel 8 series will also start supporting lossless USB audio as part of a future update, thanks to support included in the Android 14 OS.
Google Pixel 8 outlook
Check out our Pixel 8 hands-on for our first impressions after trying out the phone for a while. However, in terms of specs alone, Google has done a good job of keeping the Pixel 8 a great value phone despite the increased price. $100 each.
We're particularly interested in what new AI-powered photo editing and productivity tools can do for users' average daily smartphone tasks. But we wonder if the addition of a smoother, brighter display and other small hardware improvements will also make a big difference to the Pixel experience, and whether it's a good value between the bargain Pixel 7a and the full-featured Pixel 8. I would like to know if it is some intermediate step. Professional. After testing everything thoroughly, we will be sure to share the results.
