Not to be outdone by announcements from just about every other major tech company in September, Google is joining the fray this coming Wednesday with a launch event of its own. On the docket are the year’s flagship Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, the successor to the company’s first-ever smartwatch, the Pixel Watch 2, and an updated version of the Pixel Buds Pro.
ZDNET will be on the floor during the Made by Google presentation, reporting to you with all the latest news and hands-on coverage. Until then, let this roundup serve as your guide for all the products to expect from Wednesday’s event.
There were hopes that Google would tease the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro during I/O this year, much like how it did with the Pixel 7 series last May, though that wasn’t the case. But, like clockwork, the latest Pixels were eventually leaked weeks ahead of the official launch.
A series of marketing assets, including full screengrabs of the Pixel 8’s landing page, were discovered by the folks at 91mobile. The promotional material lists just about every detail you could want to know about the Pixel 8 series, though Google may have a “one more thing” card up its sleeves during its keynote.
Also: The Pixel 8 could bring back a buzzword that was once the talk of the tech industry
As a spoiler warning, the below list includes the key new features and details about the upcoming Pixel 8 series, though none of it is officially confirmed until Google does so on Wednesday.
At a glance, the design of the Pixel 8 series looks very similar to last year’s models. However, leaked renders and several hands-on images have pointed to a rounder form factor, with curved edges and corners on both devices. The camera bar is just as polarizing as the last, with the Pixel 8 Pro fielding a triple-lens setup and the standard Pixel 8 having just the two: a wide-angle sensor and an ultra-wide.
Also: The Pixel 8 camera app is getting a major overhaul
The bezels of the new Pixel devices appear to be thinner than ever, too, providing more screen real estate for users to interact with. That will be especially appreciated on the non-Pro Pixel because it’s getting a notable refresh rate upgrade this year, going from 90Hz to 120Hz.
If the past month’s tech events have been any indication, expect Google to put AI at the center of its Pixel 8 devices. The newest photo and video features coming to the Pixel 8 series include Video Boost, which leverages its Night Sight technology to better record videos in low-light environments; Audio Erase, which removes unwanted background noise from a video; and even a Magic Editor tool, exclusive to the Pro model, that lets you swap out “not ideal” faces in a group photo with ones that are.
Also: Google just ‘leaked’ the unreleased Pixel 8 Pro, and fans of this color will be delighted
The leaked spec sheet also suggests that the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will be equipped with 4,600mAh and 5,100mAh batteries, respectively, and powered by a new Tensor G3 chipset. What are the exact gains that you’re getting with the next-gen processor? It’s safe to bet that Google has customized the chip to assist with all the AI features mentioned above.
The big question now is price; will Google charge the same $699/$899 rate for the new Pixels even with the clear upgrades? We’ll know for sure on October 4, so stay tuned.
…. to be continued
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