Google has unveiled the next generation of Pixel devices at its “Made by Google” event in New York. This new lineup includes Google Pixel 8, Google Pixel 8 Pro, Google Pixel Watch 2.
The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro definitely have some nice upgrades this year. The design of both phones features subtle changes like more ergonomic rounded corners, flat display and symmetrical bezels. The Pixel 8 features a 6.2-inch AMOLED display with a 60-120Hz refresh rate and 2,000 nits peak brightness, while the Pixel 8 Pro features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 1-120Hz refresh rate and 2,400 nits peak brightness. Glow. This is the brightest smartphone screen ever!
Other improvements also include the new Google Tensor G3 chip, up to 1TB of storage on the Pixel 8 Pro, and a new 48MP telephoto lens on the 8 Pro. New camera software features include Best Take, Macro Focus on Pixel 8, and more.
While these upgrades are certainly nice, they’re still pretty iterative from their predecessors. If you are not necessary need It might be worth holding off until next year for a new Pixel, the Google Pixel 9.
Improvements with Tensor G4 chip
When Google introduced the Tensor chip in the Google Pixel 6 series, it was the first step in moving away from Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips that largely dominate the industry. However, since its introduction – and even now with the Pixel 8 – Tensor chips have been designed largely in collaboration with Samsung. Basically, the Tensor G-series chips contain parts manufactured by Google, but much of the design is similar to Samsung’s own Exynos chips.
According to a recent report from The Information, Google initially planned to release a completely custom, in-house chip for the Tensor G4 with the Pixel 9 in 2024. However, it seems to have missed a deadline, so it may not be included in the Pixel. After all, 9. We’re not likely to see Google’s own custom Tensor chip until 2025 with the Google Pixel 10, and Google will likely work with Samsung for the Tensor G4 next year as well.
Still, the Tensor chipset hasn’t been the best performer so far. In our time with previous Pixel phones, Tensor chips could get quite hot after just a few minutes with resource-intensive apps or tasks. And despite having big batteries, Google’s Tensor-powered phones typically don’t last more than a day with heavy use. We also encountered bugs and performance issues.
While the Google Pixel 8 and Tensor G3 have just been revealed, we don’t yet know how well the chips will perform. Maybe the third time’s the charm for Google, but it wouldn’t hurt to wait another year or more for a better-performing and more power-efficient G4 chip or so. Even though it’s still not made completely in-house by Google, another year of experience and design should make it a better chip across the board.
Better cameras for Google Pixel 9
As with the Google Pixel 8 series, only the Pixel 8 Pro received a significant camera upgrade. That’s good news if you want the Pro model, but the regular Pixel 8 looks like it’s been left in the dust.
Pixel 8 camera specifications include a dual camera system with a 50MP main sensor coupled with a 12MP autofocus ultrawide camera – almost unchanged from the cameras on the Google Pixel 7. Meanwhile, the Pixel 8 Pro has a 50MP main camera with 2x optical zoom, a new 48MP ultrawide camera, and a 48MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom and up to 30x Super Res zoom. And while both have a 10.5MP selfie camera, only the Pro model has autofocus.
We wouldn’t be surprised if there are more improvements to the regular Pixel 9 cameras next year, such as a higher megapixel ultrawide camera and autofocus on the selfie camera. After all, the cameras on the base model have been largely the same since the Pixel 6, so they’re definitely due for an upgrade. There’s no guarantee what will happen on the Google Pixel 9, but it sure seems like next year is when Google will need to make these upgrades.
probably time for a new design
Google has kept the overall design aesthetic the same for its Pixel smartphones since the Pixel 6. And there’s really nothing wrong with that – it’s a cool design that stands out from the crowd. The rounded corners and camera bar definitely make the Pixel unique among the sea of iPhones and Samsungs.
If we look at the history of Google Pixel design, the design keeps changing every two to three years. Since the Pixel 6, Google has continued to use the same design for three years, continuing the aesthetics of the Pixel 6 with the Pixel 7 and now the Pixel 8. Pixel 9 would be the perfect time to change things up a bit.
We don’t know what a refreshed design might look like for the Google Pixel, but for anyone who is tired of the old camera bar on the back, wait another year to see what Google comes up with for the Pixel 9 It may be appropriate to do so. ,
unexpected surprise
Google sometimes introduces some unexpected surprises with new Pixel launches, so nothing is impossible. This year, we got a new temperature sensor on the Pixel 8 Pro, which may ultimately just be a gimmick. But hey, it’s there if you want to use it – and it’s not something you’ll find on any other smartphone available today.
The Pixel 8 Pro also gets a storage upgrade to 1TB, similar to Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Perhaps Google could increase storage on the base model Pixel 9, as the Pixel 8 is currently only available in 128GB or 256GB. With a possible advanced camera upgrade next year, it would be nice if Google increased the storage capacity of the base version to at least 512GB.
What other random things might we see on the Pixel 9? Who knows! Maybe Google will bring back the Active Edge for pressing the phone to activate the Google Assistant. Perhaps we’ll see the return of Soli for hands-free gestures like the Google Pixel 4. Or maybe there will be something that isn’t even on our radar yet! Google usually finds interesting ways to surprise us with the Pixel series, and there’s no reason to believe that won’t be the case with the Google Pixel 9.
more colors
Google usually has at least one fun color for both the base Pixel and Pixel Pro. This year with the Pixel 8, we got a nice pink color, while the Pixel 8 Pro got a beautiful bay blue color.
However, although I was looking forward to the rose color itself, it seems a little too dull in person and looks more like a peach color rather than pink. Maybe with the Pixel 9, Google could actually release a true pink color, like Apple has done with the pink iPhone 15.
I would also love to see Google come out with a purple color, perhaps for the Pixel 9 Pro, or even a deep red. Something fun that hasn’t been done before, besides the usual black and white.
a game of wait and see
If you need a new smartphone right now and you want one from Google, we’re not saying you have to wait another year for the Pixel 9. If you need it, buy a Google Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro, and you likely have it. You’ll end up with one of the better Android phones you’ll find this year.
However – if you don’t need to upgrade at the moment, and you’re waiting to see what Google will introduce next year, it’s worth taking a look at what the company is offering with the Google Pixel 9.
