Blog

Nov 28, 2023

Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro: News, leaks, and anticipated release date

After the Pixel 7 impressed us, what's next for our favorite Android phones? The

After the Pixel 7 impressed us, what's next for our favorite Android phones?

The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are likely to be two of the best Android phones of 2023, but we've yet to hear any official news directly from the company on their existence. Leaks and rumors suggest we'll be seeing a Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro in the second half of 2023. We did expect to see a teaser of them at Google I/O 2023 alongside the reveal of the Pixel 7a, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet, but that didn't happen. The Google Pixel 7 and Google Pixel 7 Pro were first teased at I/O 2022, so we had thought we may have seen similar at the 2023 event.

The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro saw Google take the lessons it learned from its first-gen Tensor-powered devices and offer a well-rounded package at affordable prices that undercut the competition. But with those phones now established as the rulers of the smartphone world, it's time to look at what's on the horizon for the Pixel series. No matter how much we love last year's flagships, there's always room for improvement. It's still early for lots of Pixel 8 details, but we know some key details about Google's next mainline phones.

The flagship Pixel 8 Pro looks almost certain to come with a built-in thermometer that was shown off in a leaked video in mid-May. The feature is a contactless thermometer that monitors your skin's temperature to help you determine if you're unwell, and it can also be used to measure the heat of other objects. It's not a brand-new feature for smartphones – we've seen Honor include similar in the past – but this is the first time we've seen this feature on a Pixel device. This appears to be exclusive to the Pixel 8 Pro and won't be seen on the cheaper model.

You can see the feature in action below, as these clips also give us the first footage of the Pixel 8 Pro's new design. It's largely similar to the Pixel 7 Pro. The most noticeable change is the new camera bar. Unlike with previous models, the camera lenses here are far more spread out across the device, giving each sensor some extra space and, potentially, helping to stop that nasty shattering issue we've seen on last year's phone. They all appear in one element this time, too. On the Pixel 7 Pro, two cameras were grouped together with the third camera on its own separately.

Source: 91mobiles

This design lines up with what we've previously seen in March, when we got our earliest look at what the Pixel 8 Pro's design might look like. Unsurprisingly, Google isn't rocking the boat here. These renders, which come from noted leaker OnLeaks, show off a device that looks like a slightly modified Pixel 7 Pro. Basically, there are three basic changes here, and they all point to a minor upgrade.

Aside from the camera, the corners of the phone seem far more rounded, more in line with a Galaxy S23+ than the squared-off corners of the S23 Ultra. Finally, Google has finally given the Pro a flat 6.7" display, matching the panel on its smaller devices. Allow me to be the first to say it: thank you, Google.

This year's phones have two codenames: Husky and Shiba. Based on leaked display information for both devices, Husky seems to be the Pixel 8 Pro, with a 2822x1344p resolution, while the smaller Pixel 8 — Shiba — sports a 2268x1080p resolution. Both are reduced from the current Pixel 7 phones. That could point toward a new design for both phones and a slightly smaller Pixel 8 offering — more on that in a moment.

The Pixel 7, which the Pixel 8 is likely to look a lot alike.

As far as its specs go, we know Google Tensor G3 is currently in testing. Codenamed Zuma, Google's third-gen custom chipset is rumored to be based on the unannounced Samsung Exynos 2300 processor. It's based on Samsung's 3nm node, which developer Kuba Wojciechowski says should be comparable to TSMC, the foundry currently relied on by Qualcomm and Apple. The current Google Tensor G2 remains a 5nm chipset, so this could improve efficiency and overall performance.

While we've now seen footage of the Pixel 8 Pro in action thanks to that thermometer feature, OnLeaks and MySmartPrice also delivered renders of the regular Pixel 8. It mostly looks right in line with the design introduced with the Pixel 6 and then refined with the Pixel 7, though it's obvious that everything looks just a little condensed.

That's because the Pixel 8 is smaller than its predecessor, coming in at 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9mm, or 12mm in thickness with the camera array included. That's down from the Pixel 7's footprint, which measured 155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7 mm. At 6.16", the screen is just a bit smaller than the 6.3" panel on the Pixel 7, putting it within spitting distance of Samsung's smallest Galaxy S23.

The renders otherwise reveal the same dual camera setup on the back in a familiar visor-style camera array. What's interesting is that Google will seemingly switch to a polished metal frame rather than a brushed one, bringing the Pixel 8 right in line with the Pixel 8 Pro (or Pixel 7 Pro, for that matter). This might just be a stylistic decision for the renders, though. The power button and volume rocker remain in the same position, with Google one of only a few companies that put power above volume.

We don't know much more about what the Google Pixel 8's hardware might entail. Rumors over last summer suggested Google is experimenting with a ceramic phone. Although the specific model mentioned in those claims turned out to be the codename for the Google Pixel 7a, it would make more sense to see a high-end, durable material like ceramic appear on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro.

Likewise, we're also expecting Google Pixel 8 lineup to sport an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. It's still an under-display fingerprint sensor, but it should be faster than the Pixel 7's optical sensor. We're optimistic that the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor should be significantly faster than its predecessors but doubt it will keep pace with the one on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Finally, on a disappointing note, the Pixel 8 series sounds set to miss out on one of the most anticipated advancements in wireless charging in years. Qi2 promises to bring MagSafe-style pucks and pads to Android phones, but it's unlikelly to be included on this year's phones. The Pixel 8 recently passed through Qi certification, and its listing delivers the same Qi 1.2.4 version number alongside 12W power limits. It's possible, though still unlikely, that the Pixel 8 Pro gets this feature — only time will tell. You'll likely have to rely on third-party cases to take advantage of magnetic pucks.

If you're discussing the Pixel series, you can't ignore the camera. Google built its successor to the Nexus program on its impressive photo capabilities, combining excellent hardware with cutting-edge software and AI-powered photo processing. In the past, we've seen Google stick with camera sensors for years at a time — it wasn't until the Pixel 6 that the company ditched the sensor it used in the Pixel 3. But with this year's lineup, that might change.

Developer Kuba Wojciechowski spotted support for Husky and Shinx in Google's Camera Go app, specifically referencing staggered HDR support. It's a fresh approach to HDR photography, simultaneously capturing short and long exposures to improve capture time. However, the GN1 sensor currently used on the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 6 before it doesn't support it on a hardware level, implying Google plans to shake up its camera tech on the Pixel 8.

For other manufacturers, switching to a new sensor after two generations isn't unheard of. Still, it displays a new, hardware-focused approach for the company.

Unsurprisingly, Google is also working hard to improve Night Sight on its next-gen smartphones. In the latest version of Google Camera, specific code changes made with the Pixel 8 series in mind points to better low-light photography when using Super Res Zoom. On the Pixel 7, Google's impressive digital zoom tool only works in good lighting — try to use it at night to your own peril. But with the Pixel 8, it looks like the company plans to expand Night Sight to Super Res Zoom shots, capturing a better image through some computational magic.

And speaking of software tricks, Google might bring some of its Photo Unblur magic to videos. There isn't much to this rumor — frankly, it's exactly what it sounds like. This tool, called Video Unblur, should aim to do what Photo Unblur does on the Pixel 7 series, cleaning up your old footage and making everything just a bit more visible.

Google always drops its latest Android upgrade between August and October each year. In 2021, Android 12 and its visual overhaul arrived in October, in time for the Pixel 6 to launch. Last year, Android 13, which was a smaller update, landed in the first week of August, providing plenty of time for some last-minute bugs to be ironed out.

Like clockwork, Google kicked off its Android 14 developer previews in February of this year, with a beta program having launched in mid-April. This year's timeline looks awfully familiar, with an official launch seemingly planned for August. That should allow Android 14's first stable build to make its way out into the wild well before the Pixel 8 series launches, likely making Google's next pair of phones the first Android devices to launch running this year's upgrade. Google may also include exclusive features for its latest Android phones, though we'll have to get closer to launch before any leaked demos start appearing.

The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 release and pricing details are still a mystery, we can make some educated guesses based on info previous Pixel releases.

One of the biggest selling points of the Pixel series over its past two generations has been its pricing. While the Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro are similarly priced to other top-tier flagships, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 provide buyers with some of the best value on the market. At $600, both phones managed to undercut the competition, but it wasn't close. It's unclear whether Google can maintain that pricing for another generation, but we certainly hope it can. The Pixel 7a costs $50 more than the Pixel 6a at $500, so that may suggest that all Pixel products are getting a price increase in 2023. We'll have to wait to find out.

An October release date seems like a safe bet, Google has fallen into some predictable patterns when it comes to phone launches, announcing the devices early in the month before launching them a week or two later. If past Pixel release dates are an indicator, the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will hit store shelves in mid-to-late October.

Just because we're looking forward to an October launch doesn't mean we won't see an early reveal, of course. Last year, our first look at the Pixel 7 series happened during Google I/O. This year, Google decided to debut its new Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet during I/O, but there's still a slight chance we'll get a glimpse of the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro before the official announcement.

Google's Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro might seem pretty far from launch, but it won't take long for news, rumors, and leaks to start swirling. Until then, the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro remain excellent devices, especially considering their routine discounts. If you can't wait for a new generation of Pixel, both devices will serve you well.

Google did not reinvent the wheel with the Pixel 7, but there was no need to. With improved cameras, the next-gen Tensor G2 chipset, and Google's wonderfully feature-filled software, the Pixel 7 earns its price tag again this year.

Google's Pixel 7 Pro refines the Pixel experience after the 6 Pro's initial stumbles last year, improving stability and taking the camera prowess to new levels with image fusing and 4K60fps video on all cameras. 30W fast charging and Pixel's addictive features like automatic Call screening and Pixel recorder help make the Pixel 7 Pro an alluring phone even as an iterative update.

Will is the Phones Editor at Android Police, which means he usually has a dozen different smartphones on his desk at any given time. He covers everything from leaks of your next phone to the components that'll power it. He's got plenty of opinions about the current state of Android phones — thoughts you'll read in his reviews, editorials, and more. You'll also find him writing up our buyer's guides, where he hopes to help shoppers make the right choice in their next phone. Will appears on the Android Police podcast, where he occasionally taunts his co-hosts with bad opinions about smartwatches and charging cables, and writes AP's weekend polls. In his spare time, he produces podcasts, rewatches the same 37 films, and pretends not to have a never-ending backlog of video games. He lives in Buffalo, NY and is willing to give you chicken wing recommendations at any time. Just ask.