Robert Triggs/Android Authority
Update, April 10, 2023 (03:16 PM ET): This hub has been updated to include information about potential features gathered from APK teardowns.
Original article: The Google Pixel 7 series was a hit in October 2022, taking Editor’s Choice and Reader’s Choice awards in 2022. We can definitely see why, as the phones delivered respectable performance, polished software, and a great camera experience (as usual for a Google phone).
Now that these phones have been on the market for several months and have established themselves among the best Android phones, we’re excited to see how Google can improve with the Google Pixel 8 series. So we’ve compiled all the most notorious Pixel 8 rumors and leaks in one place.
Will there be a Google Pixel 8 series?
Google has released a Pixel flagship or two every year since the first Pixel line debuted in 2016. So odds are high that the Pixel 8 family will debut in 2023. Reliable German outlet WinFuture Previously confirmed in November 2022 that the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are indeed coming and will be codenamed “Shiba” and “Husky” respectively.
When will the Pixel 8 release date be?
Ryan Haines/Android Authority
- Pixel 7 series release date: October 6, 2022
- Pixel 6 series release date: October 19, 2021
- Pixel 5 release date: September 30, 2020
Google usually releases its flagship phones in October each year, with the Pixel 7 and Pixel 6 duo lineup being unveiled this month. The Pixel 5 launched on September 30, but this was the exception rather than the rule, as all previous devices launched in October. Needless to say, it’s a fair bet to expect the Pixel 8 release date to fall in September or October 2023.
What features and specifications will the Pixel 8 series have?
We haven’t seen many Pixel 8 family leaks yet, but there’s still a fair amount of information out there. Here’s what we know about the phones in terms of design, features, and general specifications.
Next generation Tensor and other specifications
Robert Triggs/Android Authority
WinFuture It was the first to report that the Pixel 8 series will receive the next generation Tensor processor dubbed “Zuma”. This has been confirmed by the leaked Google Pixel roadmap.
There is no word on the specifications and capabilities of the Tensor G3, but we hope that Google will switch to more modern CPU cores, as Tensor G2 is still a few generations behind the latest ARM cores. In February, we got some clues that Google might actually go this route and integrate more modern cores.
In the first developer preview of Android 14, Mishaal Rahman spotted a feature called “Advanced Memory Protection”. This feature will prevent errors in memory handling in native programming languages, such as the Memory Marking Extension (MTE) on ARMV9 CPUs. The Tensor G2 chip — found in the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro — consists of ARMV8.2 CPU cores and therefore cannot handle the feature. However, the new Android 14 feature enables MTE on ARMV8.5+ compatible devices. This indicates that Tensor G3 will have at least two ARMV8.5 CPU cores.
We’re also hoping the new chipset will lead to a cooler experience, as we complained about heating in our Pixel 7 review. WinFuture It also indicated 8GB of RAM for the standard Pixel 8 and 12GB of RAM for the Pro variant. This is in line with the Pixel 7 series.
The Pixel 8 series is expected to feature the Tensor G3 chipset.
WinFuture It also claims that the Pixel 8 will have a 2,268 x 1,080 screen while the Pixel 8 Pro will have a 2,822 x 1,344 screen. The latter’s resolution is slightly lower than the Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro panels at 1440p.
The APK teardown suggested that the Pixel 8 lineup could receive a new video blurring tool. Like Image Noise Cancellation on the Pixel 7, this feature will help remove noise, but in videos. Further deconstruction revealed that Night Sight could be improved by combining images taken with the main and telephoto lenses to enhance the center of the resulting image.
We believe the standard Pixel 8 will hold a 4,300mAh battery or higher while the Pixel 8 Pro can hold a 5,000mAh battery. As for shipping speeds? We’d very much like to see a meaningful drop in shipping times, but we wouldn’t bet on that.
cameras
Adamya Sharma/Android Authority
Google has stuck with similar camera systems for two generations now, with the only real hardware change being the Pixel 7 Pro’s switch to a 5×48MP telephoto camera instead of a 4× shooter. Other than that, you still have the same 50MP Isocell GN1 main camera here.
It’s also worth noting that cross-HDR support can bring some benefits over existing Pixels as well. These benefits are faster, more efficient HDR footage with more detail and richer colours.
Otherwise, history tells us we’ll see two rear cameras on the Pixel 8 (main and ultrawide) and three rear shooters on the Pro model (main, ultrawide, and periscope telephoto). But we’ll just have to wait and see if Google’s next flagship phones can rank, once again, among the best camera phones you can buy.
design
Google completely revamped the way Pixels look with the Pixel 6 series. With the Pixel 7 series, the company has only improved on this design, and it looks like we could see some similar iterations of the Pixel 8 series.
There are some minor changes here. The screen is flat, which is a first for Pro-level phones from Google. The rear camera module has a slightly new design with all three cameras encapsulated in a single glass “pill”, unlike the Pixel 7 Pro’s “pill + circle” design. There also appears to be an additional sensor below the camera flash, though what that sensor does is a mystery at the moment. Outside of those three things, though, we don’t see many other changes. Even the overall dimensions of the device – 162.6 x 76.5 x 8.7mm – hardly differ from those of the Pixel 7 Pro which are 162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9mm.
Based on the renders, it looks like the Pixel 8 won’t see the kind of design changes the Pixel 8 Pro is getting. In fact, it seems that Google has decided not to tinker at all with the design, being almost identical to the Pixel 7. However, information that we have obtained from a reliable source says that the Pixel 8 will actually be smaller than the Pixel 7 (in terms of terms from total size). The Pixel 8’s claimed dimensions are 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9mm, which is a noticeable decrease from the Pixel 7 at 155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7mm. So fans of the more compact Pixel software should keep an eye on this model.
What will the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro prices be?
- The price of my phone Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro: $599 and $899
- The price of my phone Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro: $599 and $899
- Pixel 5 price: $699
Google took a hit with the Pixel 6 when it launched at $599, and it continues to offer the same price tag with the Pixel 7. Meanwhile, the Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro both came in at $899, making good deals compared to other premium flagships in the market. market.
We haven’t seen any price-related leaks for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro yet, but we’re hoping Google will keep the prices of the previous devices the same. However, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a slight uptick in prices given inflation, the economy, and other factors.
Pixel 8 series: What we want to see
Faster wired charging
Robert Triggs/Android Authority
One of the most disappointing things about the Pixel 7 range is its slow wired charging time. The phones offer charging speeds of 20 to 23 watts, resulting in a full charge that takes over 90 minutes. This is incredibly slow compared to mid-range and lower-end devices from other brands.
We really want to see Google level up with faster shipping speeds. We don’t call for 80W+ charging, but even consistent 30W or 40W speeds will result in significantly reduced charging time.
Keep current price tags
Adamya Sharma/Android Authority
The last two generations of Pixels have kept the same price, i.e. $599 for the vanilla model and $899 for the Pro variant. Simply put, these are excellent prices when compared to competing flagship phones that are similarly equipped.
We’re crossing our fingers that the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro continue this trend in 2023. Instead, we hope Google implements a small price hike (say from $20 to $50) if it has to increase the price.
What do you want to see from the Pixel 8 series?
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