Launch date, rumors, specs, value, and have wishlist

Replace, March 16, 2023 (11:03 AM ET): This hub has been up to date to incorporate the primary leaked renders of the vanilla Google Pixel 8.

Unique article: The Google Pixel 7 collection made fairly the splash in October 2022, incomes each our Editor’s Alternative and Reader’s Alternative awards in 2022. We are able to undoubtedly see why, because the telephones delivered respectable efficiency, polished software program, and an awesome digital camera expertise (as common for a Google telephone).

Now that these telephones have been in the marketplace for a number of months and cemented themselves among the many greatest Android telephones, we’re curious to see how Google can enhance on them with the Pixel 8 collection. So we’ve gathered all probably the most notable Pixel 8 rumors and leaks in a single place whereas additionally dispensing a wishlist for these telephones.

Will there be a Google Pixel 8 collection?

Google has launched a flagship Pixel or two yearly for the reason that first Pixel line again in 2016. So odds are excessive that the Pixel 8 household will debut in 2023. Dependable German outlet WinFuture beforehand confirmed in November 2022 that the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional are certainly coming and might be codenamed “Shiba” and “Husky,” respectively.

• Pixel 7 collection launch date: October 6, 2022
• Pixel 6 collection launch date: October 19, 2021
• Pixel 5 launch date: September 30, 2020

Google normally launches its flagship telephones in October every year, with the Pixel 7 vary and Pixel 6 duo each revealed on this month. The Pixel 5 was launched on September 30, however this was the exception fairly than the rule, as all earlier gadgets launched in October. Evidently, it’s a good guess to count on the Pixel 8 launch date to fall in September or October 2023.

What options and specs will the Pixel 8 collection have?

We haven’t seen a ton of Pixel 8 household leaks simply but, however there’s nonetheless a good quantity of information to go on. Right here’s what we all know in regards to the telephones when it comes to design, options, and general specs.

WinFuture was the primary to report that the Pixel 8 collection will obtain the next-generation Tensor processor code-named “Zuma.” This was corroborated by our personal leaked Google Pixel roadmap.

There’s no phrase on the Tensor G3’s specs and capabilities, however we hope Google switches to extra fashionable CPU cores, because the Tensor G2 remains to be just a few generations behind ARM’s newest cores. In February, we acquired some proof that implies Google could certainly go down this route and incorporate extra fashionable cores.

Within the first developer preview of Android 14, Mishaal Rahman found a characteristic referred to as “Superior Reminiscence Safety.” This characteristic would forestall errors in dealing with reminiscence in native programming languages, just like the Reminiscence Tagging Extension (MTE) on ARMV9 CPUs. The Tensor G2 chip — discovered within the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Professional — consists of ARMV8.2 CPU cores and thus can’t deal with the characteristic. Nonetheless, the brand new Android 14 characteristic allows MTE on suitable ARMV8.5+ gadgets. This implies that Tensor G3 can have no less than an ARMV8.5 CPU core.

We’re additionally hoping the brand new chipset results in a cooler expertise, as we complained about heating in our Pixel 7 overview. Moreover, the leak from WinFuture additionally pointed to 8GB of RAM for the usual Pixel 8 and 12GB of RAM for the Professional variant. That is in step with the Pixel 7 collection.

WinFuture additionally claims that the Pixel 8 can have a 2,268 x 1,080 show whereas the Pixel 8 Professional will pack a 2,822 x 1,344 display screen. The latter decision is barely decrease in comparison with the Pixel 6 Professional and Pixel 7 Professional’s 1440p panels.

We’re guessing the usual Pixel 8 will retain a 4,300mAh or larger battery whereas the Pixel 8 Professional may retain a ~5,000mAh battery. As for charging speeds? We desperately wish to see a significant discount in charging instances, however we wouldn’t guess on it.

Google has caught with comparable digital camera techniques for 2 generations now, with the one actual {hardware} change being the Pixel 7 Professional switching to a 5x 48MP telephoto digital camera as a substitute of a 4x shooter. In any other case, you’ve nonetheless acquired the identical 50MP Isocell GN1 major digital camera right here.

It’s additionally price noting that help for staggered HDR tech may deliver just a few advantages over present Pixels too. These advantages are quicker, extra environment friendly HDR photographs together with extra element and richer colours.

In any other case, historical past tells us that we’ll see two rear cameras on the Pixel 8 (major and ultrawide) and three rear shooters on the Professional mannequin (major, ultrawide, and periscope telephoto). However we’ll simply have to attend and see if Google’s subsequent flagships can rank, but once more, among the many greatest digital camera telephones you should buy.

Google completely revamped the best way Pixels look with the Pixel 6 collection. With the Pixel 7 collection, the corporate solely refined that design, and it appears like we may see some comparable iterations for the Pixel 8 collection.

There are some refined adjustments right here. The show is flat, a primary for the Professional-level telephones from Google. The rear digital camera module has a barely new design with all three cameras encased in a single glass “capsule,” in contrast to the “capsule + circle” design of the Pixel 7 Professional. There additionally seems to be a further sensor beneath the digital camera flash, though what this sensor does is a thriller for now. Outdoors of those three issues, although, we don’t see too many different adjustments. Even the gadget’s general dimensions — 162.6 x 76.5 x 8.7mm — barely differ from the Pixel 7 Professional’s dimensions of 162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9mm.

Based mostly on the renders, it appears just like the Pixel 8 gained’t see the form of design adjustments the Pixel 8 Professional is getting. In reality, it appears Google has determined to not tinker in any respect with the design, being nearly similar to the Pixel 7. Nonetheless, our personal data obtained from a trusted supply says the Pixel 8 will truly be smaller than the Pixel 7 (when it comes to general dimension). The alleged Pixel 8 dimensions are 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9mm, a notable drop from the Pixel 7 at 155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7mm. So followers of a extra compact Pixel flagship ought to preserve a watch out for this mannequin.

• Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Professional value: $599 and $899
• Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Professional value: $599 and $899
• Pixel 5 value: $699

Google made an enormous splash with the Pixel 6 when it launched at $599, persevering with to supply this similar price ticket with the Pixel 7. In the meantime, the Pixel 6 Professional and Pixel 7 Professional each got here in at $899, making for good offers in comparison with different premium flagships in the marketplace.

We haven’t seen any price-related leaks for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional simply but, however we hope Google maintains the identical pricing as earlier gadgets. Nonetheless, we wouldn’t be shocked to see a slight value hike in gentle of inflation, the financial system, and different components.

One of the vital disappointing issues in regards to the Pixel 7 vary is the sluggish wired charging time. The telephones provide 20 to 23W charging speeds, leading to a full cost taking up 90 minutes. That’s extremely sluggish in comparison with even mid-rangers and low-end gadgets from different manufacturers.

We actually wish to see Google up the ante with quicker charging speeds. We’re not asking for 80W+ charging, however even constant 30W or 40W speeds would make for a vastly decreased charging time.

The final two generations of Pixels have maintained the identical pricing, particularly $599 for the vanilla mannequin and $899 for the Professional variant. Merely put, these are wonderful costs when in comparison with similarly-equipped rival flagship telephones.

We’ve acquired our fingers crossed that the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional proceed this pattern in 2023. Alternatively, we hope Google solely implements a small value hike (e.g. $20 to $50) if it completely has to extend the worth.