Two new flagship Pixel phones have just been unveiled at the Made by Google event held on October 4th.
The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are packed with amazing tech and super cool features - and you can pre-order them from Currys at the bottom of the page.
Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro specs and features
So, what’s new? Well… the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are the first phones to use Google’s new Tensor G3 chip. They include the latest in Google AI tech. And they’re packing some all-new camera features that are loads of fun.
According to Google’s Rick Osterleh: “From the inside out, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are built to deliver the help you need in a way only Google can.” Here’s a round-up of what we learned about the new Google phones at the big event.
Display, design and colours
Both phones looks the part, with a curvy design in classic Google styling. The Pixel 8 has a satin finish that Google says now feels more natural to hold, with the Pixel 8 Pro has a soft, silky matte glass finish that contrasts with the highly polished camera bar. Both phones use 100% recycled aluminium, and all packaging is completely free of plastic.
The Actua display is new Google tech, and you’re seeing it for the first time on both these Pixel 8 phones.
The 6.2-inch Actua display on the Pixel 8 is 42% brighter than on Pixel 7, with 2000% nits peak brightness. Google says it gives you: “Ultra real world clarity for your videos, games, photos and everything else you do on your phone.”
Pixel 8 Pro takes that real world display tech to the next level, with a new 6.7-inch Super Actual display. It’s even more immersive - and the brightest Google display yet with 2,400 nits peak brightness. Even in direct sunlight, images look incredibly true to life.
The Super Actua display also has a variable refresh rate from 1 to 120hz. This adjusts to your activity – so if you’re gaming, the refresh rate will increase to keep things super smooth. If you’re slowly scrolling through socials, on the other hand - the refresh rate will drop right down.
New and upgraded cameras
Both Pixel 8 phones have had a serious camera upgrade.
Pixel 8
The Pixel 8 has a new 50MP wide camera and fully upgraded 12MP ultrawide camera, capable of producing 2x optical quality images and much better low light performance.
Best Take is a new feature that improves your group photos. It takes multiple shots of each person’s face, and lets you choose the ones you want. So no more blinking or frowning – just smiles all round!
Magic Editor is another great feature, where you can select different images and drag them to where you want. If there’s too much space in the middle of your shot, you can simply bring everything closer together.
Google says the biggest leap forward on the new Pixel cameras are on videos, with huge improvements on auto-focus, low-light performance, dynamic range, shadows and skin tone accuracy.
Audio Magic Eraser will make those videos sound even better too. It uses Google AI to reduce distracting sounds with a few taps, leaving just the sounds you actually want to hear. If there’s a dog barking in the background of a cute baby video, you can be ruthless and make it woof-less.
Pixel 8 Pro
Pixel 8 Pro has all the new camera features mentioned above and then some. Every part of the camera system has been upgraded. The 50MP main camera lets in 21% more light, a new 48 MP ultrawide lens comes with better macro focus, and an upgrade 48MP telephoto lens can take photos with 10x optical quality.
Magic Eraser has had a serious upgrade on Pixel 8 Pro. You can get rid of even bigger unwanted background images, and AI will fill in the gap completely naturally.
Plus, the front-facing camera now has auto-focus - so you’ll really be able to up your selfie-game.
Processing power
Both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will be powered by the new Tensor G3, Pixel’s most powerful chip yet. It’s been custom designed with Google AI to help you out in smarter ways.
For example, when you talk to your Pixel 8 it knows which language you’re speaking and can even switch back and forth between different languages.
Or, simply long press on the power button, and your Pixel 8 will now read webpages out loud to you – a great option if you’re walking the dog in the park and don’t have your hands free.
Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are also the first phones to ship with Android 14. It’s Google’s brand new mobile operating system, and comes with cool features like AI-generated wallpaper and customisable lock-screens.
Other standout features
On the back of the Pixel 8 Pro you’ll see a new temperature sensor on the camera bar. Google says this is a convenient way to check things like the temperature of a pan, or the milk in your baby’s bottle. In the future, you’ll be able to take your own temperature and save it to the Fitbit app.
And to save you from spam calls you don’t want, there’s an AI-powered Call Screen feature. It silently answers calls from suspicious numbers, and is smart enough to decline spam messages. According to Google, it cuts down spam calls by an average of 50%.
When are the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro available?
Pre-order the Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro from Currys right now, to get it delivered on its 12th October release day.