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The Google Pixel 8 is one of two smartphones Google will announce later this year. This phone is actually a part of the company’s flagship lineup, it’ll launch alongside its ‘Pro’ sibling. We’ll get more and more information about the device as we’re getting closer to the launch date. That’s why this article will be updated accordingly.
We already have plenty of information about the Pixel 8, and we’ll do our best to relay that information to you below. The phone is set to come in a smaller chassis than last year, with a shiny new processor, and much more. It’ll differentiate from the ‘Pro’ model, of course, hence the separate preview article.
This article will be regularly updated with new information on the Google Pixel 8 (this is a preview article) — both official teasers and credible leaks, rumors, and insider claims — as it becomes available in the run-up to the release of the upcoming Android smartphone. The last update was made on September 8, 2023.
When will the Google Pixel 8 be released?
Google will announce its Pixel 8 series in October this year, on October 4, to be more accurate. The Pixel 7 series arrived on October 6 last year, so this event is coming almost exactly a year after it. Google officially announced that launch event, so it’s not a secret anymore. The company also confirmed what devices will be presented during it.
What models are coming?
If the Pixel 7 is any indicator, the Pixel 8 will come with a single RAM setup, and more than one storage option. If we had to guess, we’d say that 128GB and 256GB storage variants will be available, at least. It’s also possible Google will ditch the 128GB storage model entirely, we’ll have to wait and see. The device is expected to offer 12GB of RAM. The ‘Pro’ variant will be entirely different than the vanilla model, and we’ll talk about it in a separate article.
How much will the Google Pixel 8 cost?
The Pixel 7 launched with a $599 price tag, so it was considerably more affordable than its ‘Pro’ sibling. If Google manages to keep a similar price tag for the Pixel 8, that would be great, of course, but based on a recent rumor, that won’t happen. The Pixel 8 is tipped to cost a bit more than its predecessor at $649 as its starting price tag. Even with that price bump, however, it doesn’t seem to be all that expensive. We’ll see what the final price will be, though.
What will the Google Pixel 8 look like?
The Google Pixel 8 will retain the Pixel 7’s design language. It will look a bit different, however. The Pixel 7 was a squarish phone, while the Pixel 8 will be a bit more curved. The camera sensors inside the camera visor will also look a bit different. The CAD-based renders surfaced first, followed by a number of leaks, and even Google’s official images. You can check out all of those towards the end of this section. The bezels on the device will be truly thin.
The camera visor will once again protrude on the back quite a bit, while the phone will be made out of metal and glass. The camera visor will connect to the phone’s frame on the sides, as it did on the Pixel 7. A flat display is expected on the front, with a centered display camera hole at the top. All the physical buttons will sit on the right-hand side of the phone. The power/lock key will sit above the volume up and down buttons, as we’re used to seeing from Pixel phones.
This handset will be smaller than its predecessor. It is tipped to feature a 6.17-inch display. The Pixel 7 included a 6.3-inch display, officially, at least it was marketed as such. It’s possible this panel will be marketed as a 6.2-inch panel, we’ll see. The good thing is, there will be more of a size difference between the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro than it was between their predecessors. The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro were not that different size-wise. The Google Pixel 8 will cater more to people who want a more compact phone.
The Pixel 8 is coming in Haze, Jade, Licorice, and Peony color options.
CAD-based renders:
Official images:
What specs will the Google Pixel 8 have?
The Google Pixel 8 will be fueled by the Google Tensor G3 processor. That is the third-gen processor from Google, and it’ll bring some notable improvements over the first two generations. This chip will offer a 1+4+4 layout, with a single big core, the Cortex-X3. The cores will get a boost across the board, a considerable boost over the original Tensor and Tensor G2. UFS 4.0 will also be supported, and more.
A 6.17-inch display will be included inside of this phone. So, it’ll be noticeably smaller than a 6.3-inch panel inside the Pixel 7. That display will offer a 2400 x 1080 resolution, or in other words, fullHD+ resolution. This panel’s brightness will go up to 1,400 nits, and its refresh rate will go up to 120Hz. This will be a flat panel of the OLED variety.
The phone will offer either 8GB or 12GB of RAM, and we’re expecting LPDDR5X RAM this time around, though such info did not leak yet. We’ll be able to choose between two storage options, based on rumors. You’ll be able to pick between 128GB and 256GB models. The phone will include a 6.16-inch display on the front. That will be a 120Hz panel, and it’ll most likely be a fullHD+ AMOLED display. The display will be flat.
A rumor suggested that the Pixel 8 Pro could include a new main camera sensor, and a follow up rumor mentioned the Pixel 8 too. In fact, detailed camera specs surfaced for both phones. Let’s focus on the Pixel 8 here, though. A new main camera will be in use, a 50-megapixel ISOCELL GN1 sensor from Samsung. It will replace the ISOCELL GN1 unit. 8K/30fps recording will be supported, as will Staggered HDR. A 12-megapixel ultrawide camera (Sony’s IMX386) will remain to be used on the Pixel 8, though the lens could be a bit wider this time around. A 10.8-megapixel selfie camera will also be in use. It is worth noting that the phone may feature a brand new camera UI too, and also some AI camera features.
The Google Pixel 8 will have a bigger battery than its predecessor. It’ll come with a 4,485mAh battery, compared to a 4,270mAh battery the Pixel 7 offered. On top of that, it’ll support faster wired charging at 24W, compared to 20W its predecessor offered. The wireless charging speed will remain unchanged. Do note that eSIM only Pixel 8 may be available in some markets, like in the US, for example.
Should you wait to buy the Google Pixel 8?
Should you wait for the Pixel 8, or buy the Pixel 7 instead? Well, considering that we’re already in June, and considering the improvements the Tensor G3 will bring… you’re probably better to wait for the Pixel 8. Based on the rumored info, at least, the Tensor G3 will be a major improvement compared to the Tensor G2. Not only that, but the Pixel 8 will be spruced up from the design’s standpoint, and should be able easier to use with one hand, on top of everything. There’s always the Pixel 7a option, if your budget is not high enough. If it is, however, you’re advised to wait and see what the Pixel 8 will bring.