Google’s annual Made by Google event has just passed, and stepping into the spotlight this year was the Google Pixel 8 and the 8 Pro. We’re cracking down on the confirmed release date, specs, features, and prices of the upgraded Pixel phones that are soon to be on the market. With a new chipset, advanced primary cameras, and even more AI innovations on the cards, read on here to find out what to expect out of the latest additions to the Google Pixel family, and when you’ll be able to get one.
Pixel 8 release date
Google confirmed in a teaser video that pre-orders would go live following the launch of the device at the Made by Google event on the 4th of October, 2023. However, there is also now an official on-sale date for the new Pixel smartphones: October 12th, 2023. It’s a trend of Google’s to launch its flagship phones in October each year, with both the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 duos both being released during this month.
Pixel 8 specs
| Specs | Pixel 8 | Pixel 8 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.2 inch Actua display, 2400 x 1080 pixels | 6.7 inch Super Actua display, 2992 x 1344 pixels |
| Dimensions and weight | 150.5 height x 70.8 width x 8.9 depth (mm), 187g | 162.6 height x 76.5 width x 8.8 depth (mm), 213g |
| Case | 100% recycled aluminum housing, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on front and back, IP68 dust and water resistance | 100% recycled aluminum housing, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on front and back, IP68 dust and water resistance |
| Memory | 8 GB LPDDR5X RAM | 12 GB LPDDR5X RAM |
| Processor | Google Tensor G3 | Google Tensor G3 |
| Software | Android 14 | Android 14 |
| Storage | 128 GB/256 GB UFS 3.1 storage | 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB UFS 3.1 storage |
| Battery | 4,575 mAh | 5050 mAh |
| Camera | 50-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) | 50-megapixel (wide), 48-megapixel (ultrawide) |
| Front-facing camera | 10.5 MP dual PD selfie camera | 10.5 MP dual PD selfie camera |
Overall, the design of the Pixel 8 isn’t too far from that of the Pixel 7, keeping with the consistency of Pixel aesthetics. However, it’s the hardware that’s getting the upgrades as Google seeks to dominate the Android market. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will be Google’s next-gen Tensor G3 chip set, giving their processing a huge boost with the addition of high-speed UFS 3.1 storage and LPDDR5x RAM. Additionally, each of the phones will receive Android 14, and a whopping seven years of OS, security, and Feature Drop updates.
That’s not all: both the display and the camera are also getting an upgrade. The 6.2-inch Actua Display is quoted to be 42% brighter than the Pixel 7, with the Pixel 8 Pro getting a 6.7-inch Super Actua Display for the most realistic display on a Google Pixel phone so far. For the camera, the Pixel 8 is receiving a 50-megapixel wide and 12-megapixel ultrawide camera similar to the Pixel 7, but the Pixel 8 is going all in on camera capabilities with its 50-megapixel wide and 48-megapixel ultrawide lenses and so-called ‘Pro’ camera controls.
The camera features also let the AI capabilities of the Tensor G3 chip shine, with the addition of upgraded post-processing features including Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, Magic Editor, and a brand new Best Take feature. In terms of colors, the new color options for the Pixel 8 will include Hazel, Obsidian, and Rose. The Pixel 8 Pro will get Obsidian, Bay, and a new Porcelain color vein.
Pixel 8 pricing
Google has been pretty consistent with pricing its Pixel phones, but we’re looking at a bit of a price bump for the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro devices courtesy of its advanced hardware and software. The Pixel 8 is priced at $699 (128GB) and the Pixel 8 Pro has a starting price of $999 (128GB), with the option of paying a bit more for bigger storage capabilities.
Final thoughts
Overall, the Google Pixel 8 phones are focusing on mainstreaming AI-centric mobile computing, and use the Tensor G3 chip to push the boundaries of on-device AI. This will bring forward advanced camera editing features, as well as using NLP models to read out articles, translate in real-time, and even answer the phone with you in Pixel Call Assist. The bump in price correlates to this big software boost, and sleek new design featuring Gorrilla Glass. With Google confirming seven years of OS and security updates for the Pixel 8, it’s no doubt that they’ve built this phone to last.
