Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional First Impressions: Going Massive on AI

Regardless of the quite a few leaks forward of its official announcement, Google nonetheless managed to go away behind a number of surprises for the launch of its new Pixel-branded merchandise. The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional had been launched alongside the brand new Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Buds. Whereas this yr’s spotlight was clearly the mixing of synthetic intelligence (AI) in a lot of Google’s native apps and companies, it is also good to see how helpful Google has managed to make AI for the informal consumer. I am certain different Android smartphone manufacturers will observe Google’s footsteps and construct their very own options based mostly on AI and machine studying within the coming months.

With that mentioned, the brand new telephones aren’t nearly AI. Not like Apple, Google this yr has upgraded the feel and appear of its units. Gone are the squared-off corners and curve-edge shows from previous fashions. Google’s new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional now have a extra rounded look which feels surprisingly comfy to carry and in addition acquainted, as a result of it immediately jogged my memory of the unique Google Pixel and Pixel XL.

The designs have clearly developed from a lot older fashions however the visor-like digital camera module from the more moderen Google Pixel smartphones has been retained. The digital camera module on each telephones remains to be chunky and gathers mud fairly simply. One other design aspect that can appear new to the brand new technology of Pixel adopters is the sleek matte end of the rear glass panels on the Pixel 8 Professional. It brings again reminiscences of the much-loved Pixel 3XL which additionally had the same (however tough) matte glass rear panel.

Each smartphones additionally retain their IP68 score for mud and water resistance.

Each the Google Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Professional include the charging cable, SIM ejector instrument and Kind-A adaptor within the field

 

Inside, Google has gone with a brand new Tensor G3 SoC, which is constructed on the 4nm manufacturing course of and may ship higher effectivity than the G2 on the Pixel 7 Professional. Nonetheless, I am extra eager on discovering out how Google has dealt with the thermals this yr provided that the Pixel 7 Professional ran sizzling when confused.

This new processor, whereas not huge on uncooked efficiency, is huge on AI capabilities. Google defined that machine studying fashions on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional are 10 occasions extra complicated in comparison with the older Pixel 6 (with Tensor) fashions. And, it’s going to want all of its AI processing capabilities to chomp down and allow all the flowery new options Google has baked into its new telephones.

The Google Pixel 8 Professional mannequin will get a matte-finished rear glass panel with chrome-finished aluminium body

 

This ranges from clear telephone calls to quicker photograph retouching, higher video recording (one thing that was much-needed), and even new instruments like Magic Audio Eraser which removes distracting sounds (or noisy individuals) from a video recording. The processor additionally helps with the brand new safe Face Unlock function which surprisingly makes use of a daily selfie digital camera for safe (Class 3) biometric authentication.

Not like the previous fashions, it may be used for authorising banking transactions as effectively. Google nonetheless left behind the optical fingerprint reader which type of satisfied me that it could not work always or situations (extra about this coming within the evaluation). However this certainly looks as if the primary steps in the direction of creating one thing just like Apple’s Face ID, minus all of the added {hardware}.

For those who’re each confused and inquisitive about what you’ll get once you unbox your shiny new Pixel 8 or 8 Professional. This is a brief listing of options which might be at present accessible and people which might be but to point out up on our evaluation items.

Out there options:

Magic Editor Magic Audio Eraser AI Wallpaper Face Unlock Professional digital camera controls Object Temperature Sensor (app) Greatest Take

Coming quickly:

Video Increase Evening Sight Video Physique temperature measurement

The Google Pixel 8 Professional (proper) presents high-resolution sensors on all of its rear cameras this yr

 

Coming to the cameras, Google has upgraded the first and selfie cameras (as a result of Face Unlock) however appears to have retained the ultra-wide from the Pixel 7. The Pixel 8 Professional has obtained the larger share of digital camera upgrades with high-resolution sensors on all-three rear-facing cameras.

There is a new 50-megapixel main digital camera, a brand new 48-megapixel telephoto digital camera with 5X optical zoom and one other 48-megapixel ultra-wide digital camera as effectively, which replaces the 12-megapixel digital camera on the Pixel 7 Professional. Just like the Pixel 8, the selfie digital camera too has been changed (for Face Unlock) though it doesn’t seem to be a lot of an improve by way of decision. There’s additionally a brand new temperature sensor subsequent to the Pixel 8 Professional’s cameras which can be utilized to measure the floor temperature of objects.

The batteries too have obtained minor upgrades. The Pixel 8 Professional battery will get a 50mAh bump over the Pixel 7 Professional bringing it to five,050mAh. The Pixel 8 will get an even bigger increase from the 4,355mAh battery on the Pixel 7 to an even bigger 4,575mAh unit. Charging speeds have additionally gone up from 20W to 27W wired charging on the Pixel 8, and from 23W to 30W on the Pixel 8 Professional. Fortunately, Google has retained wi-fi charging on each units.

The Google Pixel 8 Professional’s digital camera arrange additionally features a temperature sensor which sits under its LED flash unit

 

As you’ll be able to inform from the brand new AI-related upgrades and {hardware} efficiency upgrades, it’s simple to neglect that Pixel units have all the time been about being first in line to obtain the most recent software program updates. The brand new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional are not any totally different and include Android 14 and all its Pixel customisations out of the field. Google additionally introduced that it’s going to present seven years of OS, safety and juicy Pixel Drops as effectively, which is a large dedication from Google. However will that battery even final that lengthy? Effectively, Google appears to have the spares scenario coated for a similar period too.

Whereas all the above options and commitments seem to lift the bar for each Android and even iOS-powered smartphones, Google has additionally raised the bar on the subject of pricing this yr. With the Pixel 8 ranging from Rs. 75,999 and the Pixel 8 Professional priced at Rs. 1,06,999, these are certainly Google’s most costly smartphones to succeed in India. The Pixel 8 Professional appears to fret me a bit extra as that’s the worth for the one and solely 128GB variant in India.

Do keep tuned for our detailed evaluations to seek out out if they’re worthy of their worth tags or do you have to improve to one thing else this festive season.

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