Google is launching its £699 Pixel 8 and £999 Pixel 8 Pro smartphones with a 50MP camera, built-in thermometer and new Best Take tool
The moment Google fans have been waiting for is finally here: the new Pixel 8 smartphone series has been unveiled.
The tech giant has released two new smartphones – the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro.
The flagship devices come with several impressive features, including a 50MP main camera, a built-in thermometer and a new best-take tool.
But while the Pixel 8 costs £699, the Pixel 8 Pro is one of Google’s most expensive phones to date, with a staggering price tag of £999.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.
The moment Google fans have been waiting for is finally here: the new Pixel 8 smartphone series has been unveiled
The tech giant has released two new smartphones – the Pixel 8 (left) and the Pixel 8 Pro (right).
| Special feature | Pixel 8 | Pixel 8 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Advertisement | 6.2 inches | 6.7 inches |
| battery | 4,575mAh | 5,050mAh |
| backup camera | 50MP wide camera 12MP ultra wide angle camera | 50MP wide camera 48MP ultra wide angle camera 48MP telephoto camera |
| Front camera | 10.5MP dual selfie camera | 10.5MP dual selfie camera |
| Colors | Obsidian hazel rose | Obsidian porcelain bay |
| Price | £699 ($699 in US) | £999 ($999 in US) |
The Pixel 8 has a 6.2-inch display, while the Pixel 8 Pro is slightly larger with a 6.7-inch display.
Both models have softer silhouettes than their predecessors, with a matte glass back on the Pro and a polished glass back on the Pixel 8.
The new devices were unveiled this afternoon at the Made by Google event in New York, where the focus was on the improved camera systems.
Both phones have a 50MP main camera, while autofocus has been added to the Pixel 8’s second ultra-wide camera.
Every single camera on the Pixel 8 Pro has been improved.
“Compared to the Pixel 7 Pro, the 48MP ultra-wide lens collects 105% more light and focuses 30% closer for improved macro focus shots with amazing aesthetic blur,” Google explained.
“To top it off, the 48MP telephoto lens delivers even clearer, magnified, optical quality shots even at 10x magnification.”
“All in all, it’s our most professional camera ever.”
Users can also enjoy a range of new editing tools on the devices.
Both phones have a 50MP main camera, while autofocus has been added to the Pixel 8’s second ultra-wide camera
With the Pixel 8 Pro, every single camera received a boost, Google explained at the launch event in New York
One of the most exciting tools is called Best Take and it’s designed to improve your group photos.
The tool automatically merges similar images into one to ensure everyone looks their best in the final group shot.
Meanwhile, the Magic Editor tool uses artificial intelligence (AI) to allow you to completely move where a person is in a photo.
“Magic Editor lets you perform complex edits without professional editing skills,” Google explained.
“Using a combination of AI techniques, including generative AI, you can edit specific parts of an image – such as the subject, sky or background – giving you even more control over the final look of your photo.”
As for the battery, the Pixel 8 has a 4,575mAh battery, while the Pixel 8 Pro’s battery is 5,050mAh – both offer over 24 hours of battery life.
Google’s facial recognition system, Face Unlock, has been available in its mobile phones since the launch of the Pixel.
However, thanks to the new Tensor G3 processor, this has been improved so that users can now use facial recognition to access app logins and payments.
Additionally, the Pixel 8 Pro has a thermometer that allows you to quickly determine the temperature of objects by scanning them with the device.
The Pixel 8 costs £699 and comes in Hazel, Rose and Obsidian colors, while the Pixel 8 Pro costs £999 and comes in Bay, Porcelain and Obsidian colors.
As for the battery, the Pixel 8 (left) has a 4,575 mAh battery, while the Pixel 8 Pro (right) has a 5,050 mAh battery – both offer more than 24 hours of battery life.
As it launches just weeks after Apple’s new iPhone 15 range, it’s likely that comparisons will be drawn between rival devices.
And with the Pixel 8 available for £699 – £100 cheaper than the iPhone 15 – fans will surely be wondering whether Google’s new offering has what it takes to be an “iPhone 15 killer”.
Speaking to MailOnline ahead of the launch, Thomas Husson, vice president and chief analyst at Forrester, said: “Despite an overall declining smartphone market, Google has slowly but surely managed to establish Pixel smartphones in the high-end premium smartphone category, “Demonstrate Google’s ability to integrate hardware, proprietary chips, AI and software.”
However, Mr Husson maintains that Apple is still ahead, telling MailOnline: “I don’t expect the Pixel 8 to be an iPhone 15 killer.”
“The performance of the new Google smartphone is indeed expected to be close to that of the iPhone 15, but Google’s goal for now is more to showcase Google and Android’s AI innovations than to seriously steal market share from Apple,” added he added.
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Now YouTubers in China have created an impressive prototype that shows an iPhone that folds down a central hinge in the screen.
The prototype, called iPhone V, was built by engineers using an iPhone X and the folding mechanism from Motorola’s Razr.
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The iPhone V, which took more than 200 days and thousands of dollars to produce, also features silver iPhone lettering on the hinge and the iconic Apple symbol on the back.
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