Regardless of the quite a few leaks forward of its official announcement, Google nonetheless managed to depart behind a number of surprises for the launch of its new Pixel-branded merchandise. The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional had been launched alongside the brand new Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Buds. Whereas this 12 months’s spotlight was clearly the combination of synthetic intelligence (AI) in a lot of Google’s native apps and companies, it is also good to see how helpful Google has managed to make AI for the informal consumer. I am certain different Android smartphone manufacturers will observe Google’s footsteps and construct their very own options primarily based on AI and machine studying within the coming months.
With that mentioned, the brand new telephones aren’t nearly AI. In contrast to Apple, Google this 12 months has upgraded the feel and appear of its units. Gone are the squared-off corners and curve-edge shows from previous fashions. Google’s new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro now have a extra rounded look which feels surprisingly snug to carry and likewise acquainted, as a result of it immediately jogged my memory of the unique Google Pixel and Pixel XL.
The designs have clearly advanced from a lot older fashions however the visor-like digital camera module from the more moderen Google Pixel smartphones has been retained. The digital camera module on each telephones continues to be chunky and gathers mud fairly simply. One other design component that may appear new to the brand new era of Pixel adopters is the sleek matte end of the rear glass panels on the Pixel 8 Professional. It brings again recollections of the much-loved Pixel 3XL which additionally had the same (however tough) matte glass rear panel.
Each smartphones additionally retain their IP68 ranking for mud and water resistance.
Each the Google Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Professional include the charging cable, SIM ejector software and Kind-A adaptor within the field
Inside, Google has gone with a brand new Tensor G3 SoC, which is constructed on the 4nm manufacturing course of and will ship higher effectivity than the G2 on the Pixel 7 Pro. Nonetheless, I am extra eager on discovering out how Google has dealt with the thermals this 12 months on condition that the Pixel 7 Professional ran hot when harassed.
This new processor, whereas not large on uncooked efficiency, is large on AI capabilities. Google defined that machine studying fashions on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are 10 occasions extra advanced in comparison with the older Pixel 6 (with Tensor) fashions. And, it’s going to want all of its AI processing capabilities to chomp down and allow all the flamboyant new options Google has baked into its new telephones.
The Google Pixel 8 Professional mannequin will get a matte-finished rear glass panel with chrome-finished aluminium body
This ranges from clear cellphone calls to quicker picture retouching, higher video recording (one thing that was much-needed), and even new instruments like Magic Audio Eraser which removes distracting sounds (or noisy folks) from a video recording. The processor additionally helps with the brand new safe Face Unlock characteristic which surprisingly makes use of an everyday selfie digital camera for safe (Class 3) biometric authentication.
In contrast to the previous fashions, it may be used for authorising banking transactions as effectively. Google nonetheless left behind the optical fingerprint reader which type of satisfied me that it might not work always or circumstances (extra about this coming within the assessment). However this certainly looks like the primary steps in direction of creating one thing just like Apple’s Face ID, minus all of the added {hardware}.
For those who’re each confused and interested in what you’ll get while you unbox your shiny new Pixel 8 or 8 Professional. This is a brief checklist of options which are at the moment obtainable and people which are but to indicate up on our assessment models.
Out there options:
- Magic Editor
- Magic Audio Eraser
- AI Wallpaper
- Face Unlock
- Professional digital camera controls
- Object Temperature Sensor (app)
- Finest Take
Coming quickly:
- Video Increase
- Night time Sight Video
- Physique temperature measurement
The Google Pixel 8 Professional (proper) affords high-resolution sensors on all of its rear cameras this 12 months
Coming to the cameras, Google has upgraded the first and selfie cameras (as a result of Face Unlock) however appears to have retained the ultra-wide from the Pixel 7. The Pixel 8 Professional has acquired the larger share of digital camera upgrades with high-resolution sensors on all-three rear-facing cameras.
There is a new 50-megapixel main digital camera, a brand new 48-megapixel telephoto digital camera with 5X optical zoom and one other 48-megapixel ultra-wide digital camera as effectively, which replaces the 12-megapixel digital camera on the Pixel 7 Professional. Just like the Pixel 8, the selfie digital camera too has been changed (for Face Unlock) though it doesn’t seem to be a lot of an improve when it comes to decision. There’s additionally a brand new temperature sensor subsequent to the Pixel 8 Professional’s cameras which can be utilized to measure the floor temperature of objects.
The batteries too have acquired minor upgrades. The Pixel 8 Professional battery will get a 50mAh bump over the Pixel 7 Professional bringing it to five,050mAh. The Pixel 8 will get an even bigger enhance from the 4,355mAh battery on the Pixel 7 to an even bigger 4,575mAh unit. Charging speeds have additionally gone up from 20W to 27W wired charging on the Pixel 8, and from 23W to 30W on the Pixel 8 Professional. Fortunately, Google has retained wi-fi charging on each units.
The Google Pixel 8 Professional’s digital camera arrange additionally features a temperature sensor which sits under its LED flash unit
As you’ll be able to inform from the brand new AI-related upgrades and {hardware} efficiency upgrades, it’s straightforward to neglect that Pixel units have at all times been about being first in line to obtain the most recent software program updates. The brand new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional aren’t any completely different and include Android 14 and all its Pixel customisations out of the field. Google additionally introduced that it’ll present seven years of OS, safety and juicy Pixel Drops as effectively, which is an enormous dedication from Google. However will that battery even final that lengthy? Properly, Google appears to have the spares situation coated for a similar length too.
Whereas the entire above options and commitments seem to boost the bar for each Android and even iOS-powered smartphones, Google has additionally raised the bar with regards to pricing this 12 months. With the Pixel 8 ranging from Rs. 75,999 and the Pixel 8 Professional priced at Rs. 1,06,999, these are certainly Google’s most costly smartphones to succeed in India. The Pixel 8 Professional appears to fret me a bit extra as that’s the worth for the one and solely 128GB variant in India.
Do keep tuned for our detailed opinions to seek out out if they’re worthy of their worth tags or must you improve to one thing else this festive season.
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