On October 4, Google will host an in-person occasion in New York Metropolis the place it has promised to introduce the Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Professional and Pixel Watch 2. Because of many leaks, together with some self-inflicted ones, we’ve a reasonably good concept of what to anticipate from the corporate’s newest gadgets. Right here’s every thing you might want to find out about what Google may announce subsequent week.
Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional
Because it did final 12 months, Google has already acknowledged the existence of its newest telephones forward of their official launch date. Following months of leaks, on September 7 the corporate shared a 23-second clip showcasing the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional from almost each angle. On the similar time, it went reside with devoted touchdown pages for its new gadgets on the Google Retailer. The corporate claims the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional function “probably the most superior Pixel cameras but and Google AI that will help you do extra, even quicker.” The touchdown web page additionally advertises the Magic Eraser and Stay Translate capabilities of the brand new Pixels, although these are capabilities discovered on Google’s older gadgets as properly.
In keeping with leaks which were revealed to date, lots of them sourced by developer and Android Authority contributor Kamila Wojciechowska, the Pixel 8 Professional will function a flat 6.7-inch OLED display with 1,344 x 2,992 decision. For comparability’s sake, the Pixel 7 Professional has a curved 6.71-inch 1,440 x 3,120 show. It’s unclear why Google has seemingly determined to outfit its newest flagship with a smaller display, however the transfer to a flat show could have one thing to do with it. In keeping with Wojciechowska, the 8 Professional’s OLED panel will max out at 1,600 nits of peak brightness when displaying HDR content material. It is usually apparently able to extra easily transitioning between totally different refresh charges.
As for the Pixel 8, it’s anticipated to function a 6.17-inch 1,080 x 2,400 show able to 1,400 nits of peak brightness. Moreover, the display will reportedly sport a 120Hz refresh fee, up from 90Hz on the Pixel 7. If that info is correct, the Pixel 8 can be noticeably smaller than the Pixel 7, which has a 6.31-inch display. The teaser clip Google shared earlier within the month didn’t present the Pixel 8 Professional’s show, however it did seem to verify the Pixel 8 can be extra compact than final 12 months’s mannequin. As an apart, the Pixel 7a is rumored to be Google’s remaining a-series telephone, which can clarify why the corporate has determined to shrink the Pixel 8.
Internally, each the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional will reportedly embody a brand new Tensor G3 processor. Most studies counsel Google’s newest in-house chip received’t be a considerable improve over the Pixel 7 line’s Tensor G2 SoC, although a quicker processor, Wi-Fi 7 connectivity and help for hardware-based ray tracing are among the many enhancements followers ought to count on. As for reminiscence and inner storage, the Pixel 8 will reportedly ship with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of base UFS 3.1 storage, whereas the Pixel 8 Professional will supply 12GB of RAM and 128GB of house to start out. Within the US, Google could permit customers to configure the 8 Professional with as a lot as 1TB of built-in storage.
Extra consequentially, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional are positive to pack a number of pictures upgrades. To start out, each telephones will reportedly function foremost cameras with new Samsung ISOCELL GN2 sensors. The 50-megapixel GN2 is similar sensor discovered on the Galaxy S22 and S23. It’s bodily bigger than the earlier era GN1 Google has used for the reason that Pixel 6, and able to capturing 35 % extra mild than its predecessor. It additionally comes with a contemporary function set, together with the power to seize 8K video at 30 fps and Staggered HDR photographs. The latter is one thing Google may use to cut back the period of time it takes to seize HDR photographs.
The upgrades received’t cease there for the Pixel 8 Professional. Google’s newest flagship will reportedly function a brand new time-of-flight sensor that ought to enhance autofocus efficiency. Extra considerably, the Pixel 8 Professional’s ultrawide digital camera could include a extra fashionable sensor. In keeping with a number of studies, Google plans to make use of a brand new 48-megapixel sensor to exchange the Pixel 7 Professional’s growing older 12MP Sony IMX386. The previous is nearly twice the scale and, in consequence, ought to produce more-detailed photographs. The Pixel 8 doubtless received’t obtain a brand new sensor for its ultrawide digital camera, however Google has reportedly geared up it with a lens with a wider area of view. For selfies, the 2 telephones ought to supply about the identical expertise, with each gadgets rumored to function a single 10.5MP front-facing digital camera.
A couple of early studies instructed the Pixel 8 Professional would come with a built-in infrared temperature sensor. It doesn’t seem Google plans to make use of that element for something photography-related. As a substitute, it may permit customers to measure the temperature of inanimate objects.
In fact, new {hardware} is simply a part of the story with any Pixel launch. As in years previous, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional will doubtless ship with an assortment of software program enhancements, together with a redesigned digital camera app that provides a number of new options. Nevertheless, most fun of all (for those who’re a sustainability nerd like me), is that there are indications Google plans to help the Pixel 8 line with as much as seven years of software program updates. It’s unclear if the corporate’s pledge will embody seven main Android platform updates. Both approach, seven years of month-to-month safety patches can be unprecedented for an Android system, and certain immediate different firms, together with Samsung and OnePlus, to increase their software program protection. Even Apple could really feel pressured to help its gadgets for longer. That might be a significant win for customers.
As for pricing, over the weekend Wojciechowska shared an official-looking Google doc that implies the Pixel 8 will begin at $699, a $100 improve from the $599 the corporate charged for the Pixel 7 at launch. The identical doc states the Pixel 8 Professional will begin at $899, or the identical worth because the Pixel 7 Professional. One other leaked doc signifies customers who pre-order the Pixel 8 Professional will get a free Pixel Watch 2 from Google.
Pixel Watch 2
Talking of the Pixel Watch 2, it seems to be like the corporate will enhance on a number of of its predecessor’s extra notable shortcomings. Right here once more, many of the pre-release info accessible on Google’s upcoming wearable comes courtesy of Wojciechowska, who cites an inner supply throughout the firm for his or her reporting.
The unique Pixel Watch was broadly criticized for its subpar battery life. From a {hardware} perspective, it seems Google determined to deal with that downside from two totally different angles. Firstly, the Pixel Watch 2 is rumored to function a Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 processor. A Snapdragon chip can be an enormous improve from the Pixel Watch’s growing older Exynos 9100 SoC. The brand new processor wouldn’t solely supply considerably quicker efficiency however a lot improved energy effectivity too, because of a 4nm fabrication course of. Along with being much less of a battery hog, the W5 contains help for low-power states that may additional enhance the Pixel Watch 2’s battery life.
On the similar time, Google has reportedly outfitted the wearable with a battery that’s about 4 % bigger than the one discovered on the present Pixel Watch. That might be a modest improve, however since we’re speaking a couple of smartwatch, any improve in battery capability is significant.
Individually, the Pixel Watch 2 could embody a devoted ultra-wideband (UWB) chip, one thing not discovered on its predecessor. Particulars on what sort of software program options the element would help are slim, however together with studies that Google has been engaged on a misplaced merchandise tracker codenamed Grogu (sure, that Grogu), it’s not too exhausting to guess what the corporate may take into consideration. On the very least, the Pixel Watch 2 may supply precision object monitoring.
One other nifty function a UWB chip may allow is seamless media transfers between the Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Pill, in addition to future Nest good audio system. That’s one thing Apple affords with the HomePod mini and UWB-compatible iPhones, so it’s not exhausting to think about Google implementing one thing related for the sake of function parity.
All the things else
After a jam-packed I/O final spring that noticed Google introduce the Pixel Fold, it’s unlikely the corporate has any secret {hardware} that it’s ready to announce subsequent week. Nonetheless, Google most likely has a number of surprises deliberate. If Microsoft’s latest Floor keynote is any indication, count on Google to spend a minimum of a part of October 4 speaking up its newest AI breakthroughs. Regardless of the firm has in retailer, be certain that to go to Engadget that day. Along with hands-on protection after the occasion, there can be a liveblog hosted by Engadget Deputy Editor Cherlynn Low and Senior Editor Sam Rutherford.