We’re still a long way from seeing the next generation of Pixel phones, as Google only recently pulled the covers off the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro. But, rumors are already starting to appear about what we might see when the 8-series models arrive.
Here’s what we know so far, plus a wishlist for what we’d like in the Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro.
When will the Google Pixel 8 be released?
There is no confirmation of the official release date of the Pixel 8 models at the moment, but so far every Pixel flagship has been released in October like clockwork so it’s pretty safe to say that we expect the Pixel 8 series to debut. in October 2023.
How much will the Google Pixel 8 cost?
Again, there’s no word yet from Google on the potential price tags that will come with the Series 8 devices. Of course, we can use the latest models as a guide for how much you’ll need to save. Here’s how they lined up:
This shows that Google has been quite determined in its pricing habits. If that continues into 2023, and we think there’s a good chance it will, then the Pixel 8 should cost $599 / £599 and the Pixel 8 Pro $899 / £849.
What about the specs and features of the Pixel 8?
Obviously, with the Pixel 8 release date so far away, there isn’t much to do when it comes to new components, designs, or features. There are a few rumours, however, with the main one focusing on the chipsets that will be used in upcoming models.
Dutch site GalaxyClub reported that work on Google’s third-generation Tensor chipset is already well advanced, meaning it should accompany the launch of the Pixel 8. According to the site, Samsung will once again be the manufacturer, with a chip with the code S5P9865 already on the test cards. This follows the naming sequence used with previous Tensor 1 and 2 processors, which were numbered S5P9845 and S5P9855 respectively. With the Tensor 2 featured in the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro already proving to be more power efficient and powerful than the previous generation, hopefully the third iteration will push things even further when it arrives.
WinFuture found more concrete information about the two phones after diving into what it calls “publicly available code sources.” The site found code names for two phones: “Shiba” and “Husky”. Google has already used animal names for Pixel flagships – Cheetah and Panther for the Pixel 7 series – so it seems likely that this refers to the Pixel 8 handsets.
According to the code, both phones will run a chipset codenamed “Zuma” that uses the same modem as the Tensor 2 – another hint that we’re looking at the next Pixels. Both phones also run on Android 14, which is no surprise.
Surprisingly, both handsets feature 12GB of RAM, and the display resolution is also high: 2268×1080 for Shiba and 2822×1344 for Husky, suggesting the latter phone is the Pro model.
We’re so far from launch that it’s unlikely those specs will be finalized, and it’s also possible that these two devices are for internal testing and may not reflect the final Pixel 8 specs at all – but at least they give us a hint of what to expect.
Since the Pixel’s cameras have always been so good, there’s a juicy Pixel 8 camera rumor uncovered by developer Kuba Wojciechowski. They released source code for the Pixel camera app which suggested the next phone might use something called Step HDR:
Currently, Pixel phones don’t use Stepped HDR, which is a feature that can capture different exposures at the same time but uses the same pixels.
“This achieves the same effect as regular HDR, but without increasing capture time or risking blurry photos due to frame misalignment caused by motion,” Wojciechowski said in his Twitter feed.
Anything that will improve the already excellent Pixel camera is good in our book.
Apple’s new line of iPhone 14 devices now support satellite communications for calls when you’re in places where 5G sucks. According to a tweet from Google SVP Hiroshi Lockheimer, we could see the same feature coming with the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro.
Since Google likes to use the latest Android features in its phones, not to mention being the first to receive updates, it seems likely that Pixel 8 devices will be able to go with Apple when Android 14 rolls out.
Wishlist of what we’d like to see in the Google Pixel 8
The Class of 2022 impressed, but here’s what we’d like Google to tweak in future iterations.
120Hz refresh rate on all models
It’s pretty simple these days. With so many mid-range Android phones offering 120Hz refresh rates to make scrolling smoother, it only makes sense that the Pixel 8 Pro and standard would have that capability. It’s already present in the Pixel Pro 7 and Pixel Pro 6, but we’d like to see the 90Hz rate on the Pixel 7 make the jump when its replacement arrives.
Faster charging speeds
In our Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro reviews, the main complaint was slow charging times. In an age where phones can go from 0% to 100% in about half an hour, the Pixels look disappointing by comparison. So we think it’s important for Google to address this issue in Pixel 8 devices.
Improved facial recognition
While the Pixel 7 Pro impressed us with its new face unlock feature, the Pixel 7 still needs more time in the oven. Hopefully the year between releases will mean the Pixel 8 will perform better.
Lose weight!
OK. We’re not putting the Pixel 7 Pro to shame, but at 162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9mm and 212g it could be described as big bones. We don’t know, maybe it’s a thyroid issue, but for the Pixel 8 Pro, we’d like to see a slimmer chassis. It’s true that most power phones are quite chunky these days, but for the sake of our wrists, we can only pray for lighter, tighter designs in 2023.
To see which phones the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will have to see, check out our best smartphones and best smartphones coming in 2023.
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