The Google Pixel 8 series is expected to launch on October 4th, 2023, and Irish users are eagerly awaiting the arrival of these new flagship smartphones. While Google has not yet officially announced any details about the Pixel 8 series, there have been a number of leaks and rumors that give us a good idea of what to expect. We’re expecting a new design, a new chipset, some upgraded cameras, and a whole lot more.
Google Pixel 8 series: Price and availability
Google’s Pixel hardware event is on October 4th, so we’re just a few weeks away from the official release of the new Pixel phones and Pixel Watch. Google has confirmed that the new phones will be available for pre-order on the same day but hasn’t announced any pricing information yet. We’ve seen some rumours that suggest that the Pixel 8 is expected to rise in price by $100 in the U.S., and you can already register your interest in pre-ordering at Three Ireland. We’ve also seen some very generous pre-order bonuses in the past, so we expect that the company may include a Google Pixel Watch 2 or Pixel Buds Pro.
As per Three’s own pre-order link, it suggests that devices are set to reach consumers by the 12th of October. We expect these devices to cost the following:
- Google Pixel 8: €699
- Google Pixel 8 Pro: €899
When it comes to colours, the Pixel 8 is said to launch in Jade, Licorice, Haze, and Peony colors, whereas the Pixel 8 Pro is said to be available in Jade, Licorice, Porcelain, and Sky colors.
Google Pixel 8 series: Design
Google has retained much of the design language of last year’s Pixel 7 series for the Pixel 8 series, and the company has shown off the design already of both devices. The company’s official teasers confirm that the new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro look exactly like the ones we’ve seen in leaked renders. They are both very similar to the current Pixel phones, with the distinctive camera bar on the back. However, there are some interesting changes this time around, especially on the Pixel 8 Pro. The rear camera module on the Pixel 8 Pro looks slightly different from the one on the Pixel 7 Pro. All three cameras appear to be encased in one glass pill, rather than the pill and circle design on the 7 Pro.
The Pixel 8 Pro also has an extra feature that its smaller model does not: an IR thermometer. Basically, it can be used to measure your temperature, and how it works was demonstrated in an official advertisement leaked by 91Mobiles.
Another change appears to be that the Pixel 8 Pro will have a flat display instead of a curved one, a change not only when compared to the Pixel 7 Pro but also when compared to other flagships on the market today.
As well, we also know what to expect when it comes to device sizes and screen sizes. According to leaked dimensions, the Pixel 8 Pro will be slightly thinner than the Pixel 7 Pro. The Pixel 8, on the other hand, will be smaller than the Pixel 7, even though it looks identical in renders. Ross Young of the DSCC says that the Pixel 8 will have a 6.16-inch OLED panel, and the Pixel 8 Pro will have a 6.7-inch OLED panel.
From DSCC’s new monthly OLED smartphone service:
– Google Pixel 8 – 6.16″, down from 6.32″ on the Pixel 7
– Google Pixel 8 Pro – 6.7″, same as Pixel 7 Pro
Both start panel production in May.— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) April 12, 2023
Google Pixel 8 series: Specifications
Coming up to the Pixel 8 series, we don’t know everything yet about specifications, but we know that the company will pack its new Tensor G3 chipset. This is an improvement over last year’s model with, so far, seemingly a focus on increasing efficiency and packing more AI features. For example, we expect to see new features in the Pixel 8 series like, “Magic Editor,” a supercharged version of Magic Eraser.
In terms of cameras, both of these devices are expected to have a triple-lens rear camera system with a 50MP main sensor and a 12MP ultrawide sensor. Both devices are expected to have a 10.5MP front-facing camera, and the Pro model is expected to upgrade the ultrawide sensor to 48MP alongside a 48MP 5x telephoto.
Finally, we expect that these devices will launch with Android 14 out of the box and will get seven years of updates. That is not necessarily seven years of OS updates, but seven years of security updates at a minimum.
We don’t have long to wait for the Pixel 8 series
The Google Pixel 8 series is just around the corner in Ireland and seems to align with the rest of the world. Given you can already register your interest in pre-ordering a device at Three Ireland, it’s clear that the launch is just around the corner. If you plan on picking up one of these smartphones, let us know in the comments!
