Google is gearing up to launch its next-generation Pixel phones on October 4th, and the Pixel 8 Pro is expected to be the star of the show. The Pixel 8 Pro is rumored to feature a major design overhaul, a new custom-made processor, and a revamped camera system. Here’s what we know so far about the Pixel 8 Pro, based on the latest leaks and official teasers.
A refined design with a flat display and symmetrical bezels
The Pixel 8 Pro will sport a more polished and refined design than its predecessor, the Pixel 7 Pro. The phone will have a matte rear glass with rounded edges, and a black pill-shaped camera module that houses three lenses and an additional sensor. The front of the phone will feature a 6.7-inch OLED display with slim and symmetrical bezels, giving it a sleek and modern look. The display will also be flat, unlike the curved screen of the Pixel 7 Pro, which could make it easier to use and protect.
Google has already given us a glimpse of the Pixel 8 Pro in one of its event teasers, showing off the phone in a white color variant. The teaser also revealed a new Pixel Watch and a matching new color for the Pixel Buds 2, both of which are expected to launch alongside the Pixel 8 Pro. Additionally, some hands-on photos of the Pixel 8 Pro have surfaced online, confirming the design changes and showing the phone in action.
A powerful performance with the Tensor G3 chip
One of the most exciting features of the Pixel 8 Pro is its processor, which will be Google’s own custom-made chip called Tensor G3. The Tensor G3 chip is said to offer significant performance and efficiency improvements over the Snapdragon 888 that powered the Pixel 7 series. The chip will also enable new AI-powered features and enhancements for the camera, software, and security of the phone.
The Tensor G3 chip will be paired with 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage on the Pixel 8 Pro. The phone will also support wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, as well as fast charging with a 33W adapter. The battery capacity of the Pixel 8 Pro is unknown, but it is likely to be larger than the 4,080mAh battery of the Pixel 7 Pro.
A stunning camera with a new primary sensor and Night Sight video
The Pixel phones are known for their excellent cameras, and the Pixel 8 Pro will take it to the next level with some major upgrades. The phone will reportedly feature a new 50MP primary sensor from Samsung, which will replace the aging 12.2MP sensor that has been used since the Pixel 3. The new sensor will have larger pixels and faster autofocus, resulting in sharper and more detailed photos.
The Pixel 8 Pro will also have a larger 64MP ultra-wide sensor from Sony, which will offer a wider field of view and better low-light performance than the previous generation. The third lens on the back will be a telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom and faster aperture, allowing for more zoomed-in shots without losing quality.
One of the most anticipated features of the Pixel 8 Pro’s camera is Night Sight video, which will enable users to capture videos in dark environments with enhanced brightness and clarity. Night Sight video will use Google’s computational photography algorithms to combine multiple frames and reduce noise and blur. The phone will also support HDR+ video recording, which will adjust the exposure and contrast dynamically for each scene.
The front-facing camera of the Pixel 8 Pro will be a single punch-hole camera with an unknown resolution. The phone will also have an additional sensor under the flash on the back, which is speculated to be for sensing temperature or ambient light.
A smooth software experience with Android 13
The Pixel 8 Pro will run on Android 13 out of the box, which is Google’s latest version of its mobile operating system. Android 13 will bring several new features and improvements to the Pixel phones, such as Material You design language, privacy dashboard, scrolling screenshots, one-handed mode, and more.
The Pixel 8 Pro will also have some exclusive features that will take advantage of its Tensor G3 chip and AI capabilities. For instance, the phone will have an Audio Magic Eraser mode for video editing, which will allow users to remove unwanted sounds from their clips. The phone will also have improved speech recognition and translation features, as well as enhanced security measures such as face unlock and Titan M2 chip.
A premium price tag that could rival Samsung and Apple
The Pixel 8 Pro is expected to be a premium flagship phone that could compete with the likes of Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro. However, this also means that the phone could come with a hefty price tag that could deter some potential buyers.
According to some leaked prices from Europe, the Pixel 8 Pro could cost €1,099 for the 128GB model and €1,199 for the 256GB model. These prices are significantly higher than the Pixel 7 Pro, which launched at €899 and €999 respectively. The prices for other regions are not yet known, but they are likely to be similar or higher than the European prices.
The Pixel 8 Pro will be available for pre-order on October 4th, right after Google’s event, and will ship later that month. The phone will come in three color options: white, black, and green.