Google Pixel 8: release date & spec rumours for Google's next flagship series

One more day to go! With its own Google Pixel event confirmed for the 4th of October, we won't have to wait long to get eyes on the Google Pixel 8 and Google Pixel 8 Pro. That's exciting, we're big Google Pixel fans (Pixelheads?) here at T3. We rank the Pixel 7 Pro as one of the best phones out there so we're definitely buzzing about the Google Pixel 8.

Having already released the Pixel 7a and Pixel Fold, it's already been a busy year for Google, but we want more. The Pixel Fold may be Google's first foldable, but it is the company's traditional 'candybar' shaped handsets that have impressed us the most and led the way for Android devices.

We've now got a pretty clear picture of what we can expect to see from the Pixel 8 reveal tomorrow. Check back here regularly for the latest and we will of course be covering the event live.

Release date and price

The world has been invited to join Google on October 4th (the day after Mean Girls Day) for the next "Made by Google" event. Although not officially confirmed to be a Pixel 8 release event, we would be very surprised to see it not be.

The phone's release is almost certain. Especially considering Google mentions in the event invite that it will use the event to "introduce the latest additions to our Pixel portfolio of devices." and with a hilarious teaser video featuring both a Pixel and iPhone in a sauna (you read that right).

The Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 both launched in October of their respective years, so the same schedule seems likely, especially with the Pixel Watch 2 tipped for that month. September is probably a no-go with a certain fruit-based company likely to release the iPhone 15 then. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will likely launch at the same time.

As for the price? Well, Google admirably was one of few to not raise the price of its phones last year with both the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7, launching at £599 / $599 / AU$999, the Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro were both £849 / $899 / AU$1299 at release.

But it seems the 2023 trend of price rises looks set to continue however now with the price supposedly for the base Pixel 8 set to hit £700. That would be a £100 jump, but we reckon the price hike could be even more for the 8 Pro, perhaps even £150, taking it to £999. Curiously, the US seems to have been spared such increases and the price for both phones will stay the same.

Interestingly Google offered an impressive discount toward Pixel Fold pre-orders when users traded in their iPhones (we wonder why), so hopefully we could see the same again as a way to mitigate the cost for many. A free Pixel Watch 2 might also be thrown in to sweeten the deal.

Design

We have now seen official footage of the Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro and Google Pixel Watch 2 which to be honest don't look that different from their predecessors on a surface level at least.

Some early theories suggested the Pixel 8 Pro could have a rear-mounted strip screen but that now seems wide of the mark. One more plausible rumour is that the phone could shrink slightly with a more slimline design. This might be at the cost of screen size, an interesting decision if true. While not for everyone a smaller flagship would definitely make fans of the best small phones happy.

In terms of available colours for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, leaked wallpapers suggest a mineral theme with Haze, Jade, Licorice, Porcelain, Peony and Sky the names of the colours. Haze and Peony will be Pixel 8 exclusives with Porcelain and Sky for the Pro model only. The Sky blue colour looks much brighter and less serious than the other choices.

Specs

It is a reasonable assumption that the Pixel 8 will utilise a new generation of Google's Tensor chipset, presumably called the Google Tensor G3. In comparison with Snapdragon equivalents, the Tensor G3 seems underwhelming in its performance on GeekBench, but Google's chips aren't about benchmark scores and in practice they are some of the best chipsets to be found, particularly when it comes to AI features.

In terms of unique features, expect a bunch of Pixel-first Android features with the phone likely to launch alongside Android 14. One tipped feature seems slightly unusual and very niche, a temperature sensor on the camera bar, I'm sure Google will have some ingenious uses for it.  

There have actually been a few very comprehensive Pixel 8 Pro leaks now from reputable sources and they suggest that we will be treated to a G3 processor and a Titan security chip. Other AI-powered camera features are also looking likely including 'super res zoom' and Astrophotography.

We love the way Google handles camera software already and there's talk of another serious upgrade with a new 'Staggered HDR' feature and an Audio Magic Eraser feature that reduces background noise.

In terms of camera hardware, a detailed leak claims that we will see a 50MP main camera, 48MP Ultrawide lens and a 48MP Telephoto effort. The front camera will supposedly be 10.5MP. The standard Pixel will seemingly have a 48MP primary camera and a 12MP ultra-wide one with the same 10.5MP front camera.

There's also word that the Pixel 8 range could be the first Pixel phones to support DisplayPort via USB-C which will let users connect their phone to an external display. Some believe that select regions at least will see the phone be the first Pixel with an eSIM.

Talking about displays, these are supposedly going to receive a significant boost on both models. The Pixel 8 Pro is supposedly jumping from 1600 nits peak brightness to 2400 nits while the entry-level Pixel 8 is going from 1400 nits to 2000 nits. It also seems like they will ditch the curved display for a flatter screen, which some people much prefer,

The base model is also supposedly due a pretty hefty battery upgrade with the capacity jumping up over 200 mAh, while the 8 Pro will get a marginal increase too. It does however look like the charging speed will continue to be slower than other phones out there with 27w charging on the base model and 30w on the pro.

Starting from an impressive base with last year's model, these upgrades would make for a phone we'd love to get our hands on. Perhaps even the best Android of 2023?