The moment that Google fans have been waiting for is finally here, as the new Pixel 8 smartphone range has been unveiled.
The tech giant has released two new smartphones – the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.
The flagship devices have several impressive features including a 50MP main camera, a built-in thermometer, and a new best ‘Best Take’ tool.
But while the Pixel 8 is priced at £699, the Pixel 8 Pro has an eye-watering price tag of £999, making it one of Google’s most expensive handsets yet.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.
The moment that Google fans have been waiting for is finally here, as the new Pixel 8 smartphone range has been unveiled
The tech giant has released two new smartphones – the Pixel 8 (left) and Pixel 8 Pro (right)
| Feature | Pixel 8 | Pixel 8 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.2-inch | 6.7-inch |
| Battery | 4,575 mAh | 5,050 mAh |
| Rear Camera | 50MP wide camera 12MP ultrawide camera |
50MP wide camera 48MP ultrawide camera 48MP telephoto camera |
| Front Camera | 10.5MP dual selfie camera | 10.5MP dual selfie camera |
| Colours | Obsidian Hazel Rose |
Obsidian Porcelain Bay |
| Price | £699 ($699 in US) | £999 ($999 in US) |
The Pixel 8 features 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 back glass finish on the Pro, and a polished back glass on the Pixel 8.
The new devices were unveiled at the Made by Google event in New York this afternoon, where the key focus was on the upgraded camera systems.
Both phones feature a 50MP main camera, while the Pixel 8’s second, ultra-wide camera has been updated to include autofocus.
Over on the Pixel 8 Pro, every single camera has been given a boost.
‘Compared to Pixel 7 Pro, the 48 MP ultrawide lens gathers 105% more light and focuses 30% closer for improved Macro Focus shots with amazing aesthetic blur,’ Google explained.
‘To top it off, the 48 MP telephoto lens gives you even cleaner zoomed-in shots in low-light settings even at 10x with optical quality.
‘Altogether, it’s our most pro camera ever.’
Users can also enjoy a range of new editing tools on the devices.
Both phones feature a 50MP main camera, while the Pixel 8’s second, ultra-wide camera has been updated to include autofocus
Over on the Pixel 8 Pro, every single camera has been given a boost, Google explained at the launch event in New York
One of the most exciting tools is called Best Take and is designed to improve your group snaps.
The tool will automatically combine similar pictures into one to make sure that everyone looks their best in the final group shot.
Meanwhile, the Magic Editor tool uses artificial intelligence (AI) to allow you to entirely move where a person is in a photo.
‘With Magic Editor, you’ll be able to make complex edits without pro-level editing skills,’ Google explained.
‘Using a combination of AI techniques, including generative AI, it will help you make edits to specific parts of an image — like the subject, sky or background — so you have even more control over the final look and feel of your photo.’
In terms of battery, the Pixel 8 features a 4,575 mAh battery while the Pixel 8 Pro’s battery is 5,050 mAh – both of which provide beyond 24-hour battery life.
Google’s facial recognition system, Face Unlock, has been available in its handsets since the launch of the Pixel.
However, this has been improved thanks to the new Tensor G3 processor, meaning users can now use facial recognition to acess app sign-ins and payments.
In addition, the Pixel 8 Pro features a thermometer, allowing you to quickly get the temperature of objects by scanning them with the device.
The Pixel 8 will retail for £699 and comes in Hazel, Rose, and Obsidian, while the Pixel 8 Pro costs £999 and comes in Bay, Porcelain, and Obsidian.
In terms of battery, the Pixel 8 (left) features a 4,575 mAh battery while the Pixel 8 Pro’s (right) battery is 5,050 mAh – both of which provide beyond 24-hour battery life.
Launched just weeks after Apple’s new iPhone 15 range, it’s likely comparisons will be drawn between the rival devices.
And with the Pixel 8 coming in at £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 Principal Analyst at Forrester, said: ‘Despite a declining smartphone market overall, Google has slowly but surely managed to establish Pixel smartphones in the high-end premium smartphone category, mostly to demonstrate Google’s ability to integrate hardware, proprietary chips, AI and software.’
However, Mr Husson claims that Apple still has the edge, telling MailOnline: ‘I don’t expect the Pixel 8 to be an iPhone 15 killer.’
‘The performance of the new Google smartphone is indeed likely to be close to the iPhone 15 but Google’s aim for now is more likely to showcase Google and Android AI innovation than to seriously steal market share from Apple,’ he added.
Is this what the first foldable iPhone will look like?
Unlike several of its rivals such as Samsung and Huawei , Apple is yet to release a foldable phone, although it’s rumoured to be working on one.
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.
Just like other foldable phones already on the market, the ‘iPhone V’ folds down a central hinge in the screen
iPhone V, which took more than 200 days and thousands of dollars to make, also has silver iPhone lettering on the hinge and the iconic Apple icon on the back.
This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk
