Latest smartphones featuring improved cameras and thermal detection revealed alongside Pixel Watch 2 and Android 14.
Google’s newest smartphone release equips its Pixel devices with AI, a temperature-sensing object measurement feature, and an extended seven-year software support.
Unveiled alongside the second iteration of its Pixel smartwatch and the introduction of Android 14, the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro aim to compete head-to-head with Apple’s iPhone 15 series, while also taking inspiration from the pioneering Fairphone by offering more durable and long-lasting devices.
Pixel 8 and 8 Pro
The Pixel 8, priced at £699 (€799/$699), features a 6.2-inch 120Hz OLED display, making it slightly more compact and lighter compared to its predecessor. The upgraded dual-camera system on the rear now captures 21% additional light, enhancing low-light performance, and incorporates a macrophotography mode.
The new “best take” function enables users to interchange faces among various frames, creating photos where everyone is either smiling or looking in the same direction. The photo editor tool allows for subject resizing and the application of various effects using generative AI. Additionally, a fresh “audio magic eraser” feature is introduced to eliminate background noise in videos, such as crowd sounds. Priced at £999 (€1,099/$999), the Pixel 8 Pro includes these software features, along with a larger 6.7-inch display and an additional third 5x optical zoom telephoto camera on the rear. The phone incorporates a temperature sensor for object measurement, including walls, phones, and other devices, with potential health-related applications in the future. The 8 Pro also offers manual camera controls and a “video boost” feature that utilizes AI on the device and Google’s data centers to deliver Night Sight video and other modes expected later this year. Both phones come equipped with Google’s latest top-of-the-line Tensor G3 chip and AI capabilities, enabling functions such as article summarization, text-to-speech, and translation, as well as enhanced grammar and proofreading features. Notably, these devices boast extended software support of up to seven years from their release, which is two years longer than previous models and exceeds the support provided by most other manufacturers, including Samsung. Apple typically offers a similar seven-year update cycle, while Fairphone recently made waves by offering up to 10 years of updates with its latest phone.
Pixel Watch 2
Google’s smartwatch received an overhaul, featuring a sleeker design that is now 10% lighter while remaining compatible with straps from previous generations.
The Pixel Watch 2 comes equipped with an upgraded quad-core chip for faster performance and runs on the latest WearOS 4, incorporating new Gmail and Calendar applications. It introduces enhanced features like electrical stress sensors, a larger heart rate sensor on the back for improved exercise tracking accuracy, and revamped workouts with automatic recognition within the Fitbit app.
This watch will be priced starting at £349 and will hit the stores on October 12th, coinciding with the availability of the Pixel 8 smartphones.
Android 14
The upcoming iteration of Google’s Android software is set to begin its rollout today, commencing with the company’s Pixel smartphones and tablets. It will subsequently become available on compatible third-party devices in the coming days.
Android 14 introduces enhanced customization choices for the lock screen, featuring generative AI wallpaper and smart AI enhancements that emphasize relevant features, such as displaying the weather widget during rainy conditions.
Additionally, the new Health Connect system allows users to synchronize their fitness and health data from third-party applications, securely encrypting it on the device, similar to Apple’s Health app on an iPhone, ensuring that not even Google can access this data.
