So far, information about the Pixel 8 is rather scarce except for a few tidbits, but we have some thoughts on what we’d like to see Google add to its phone lineup. From better battery life to even stronger cameras, the Pixel family still has room to improve. Here’s what we know about the Pixel 8 so far.
Google Pixel 8 latest news (updated December 22)
According to some source code delving, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro might support staggered HDR for photography.A leaker spilled some of the beans on devices codenamed Shiba and Husky, including RAM and screen resolutions.
Google Pixel 8: Possible release date
Google has stuck to a late autumn release cycle for the Pixel series for a few years now, so we expect the same to hold true for the Pixel 8. That means an October time frame, especially if you look to recent Pixel releases for guidance. Google announced the Pixel 7 on October 6, 2022 and the Pixel 6 on October 19, 2021. We think it’s safe to bet on an early to mid-October debut for the Pixel 8, though a lot can change between now and then.
Google Pixel 8: Specs
Right now, we only have a few things to go on about Google’s Pixel 8 design plans. Thanks to a WinFuture Pixel 8 leak, we think we know the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro codenames: Shiba and Husky, respectively. It’s all but certain that Google will use the new Tensor G3 chipset (codenamed Zuma) to power the new phones. Some speculate that Tensor G3 will be based on the Exynos 2300 with a G5300 5G modem. The Pixel 7 came equipped with 8GB of RAM while the Pixel 7 Pro has 12GB of RAM. We expect Google will keep a similar configuration between the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. That said, the above leak claims both Shiba and Husky will have 12GB of RAM. As for the displays, we think Google will stick with OLED panels for both phones. The Pixel 7 has a flat 6.3-inch FHD+ display. The Pixel 7 Pro is a much larger curved 6.7-inch QHD+. The latter sports a 120Hz refresh rate while the smaller Pixel has 90Hz. All of this to say, we think Google will keep a similar disparity between the two models. But according to the same leak that spilled the beans on the codenames and RAM, we might know the screen resolutions. Husky is said to have a resolution of 2822 x 1344, while Shiba allegedly has 2268 x 1080.
Google Pixel 8: Cameras
As for cameras, we don’t have a lot of information, except for leaked details of a pretty interesting upgrade. According to the same leaker who found the codename, Tensor G3, and screen resolution leak, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will supposedly use staggered HDR. Staggered HDR takes long and short exposure shots simultaneously instead of one after the other. This should supposedly help with photography inconsistencies like strobing or ghosting effects. It’s much faster than the method that Google has perfected over the years. With staggered HDR, the current 50MP Samsung GN1 camera sensor that the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series use just can’t handle it on a hardware level. That implies the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro might see an upgraded main sensor. One possible option is Samsung’s GN2.
Google Pixel 8: What we want to see
While we loved the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, there are a few things we want to see improved for the next generation. Battery life Simply put, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro have rather subpar battery life. Given the battery capacities — 4,355 mAh and 5,000 mAh, respectively — the latest Pixels perform well under the 10-hour average we like to see in our battery life test. It’s high time for Google to address battery life with the Pixel 8. More years of updates Google controls the Android software, and now it controls the Pixel hardware thanks to designing its own Tensor chips. And yet, the phone maker only promises three years of platform updates. Samsung is now better than Google at providing updates long-term with its four-year promise. Considering that the Pixel should be the Android equivalent of the iPhone, we want to see the Pixel 8 offer five years of Android upgrades and five years of security patches minimum. Brighter displays Don’t get us wrong, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro have nice displays, which we measured at 926 and 927 nits of brightness, respectively. They’re pretty good, even outdoors. But when Samsung and Apple push the 1,500-nit mark, we want to see Google use brighter panels on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Better Tensor performance Tensor G2 made serious strides in all ways, especially performance. Yet, it still lags behind Qualcomm and especially Apple Silicon. Granted, Tensor isn’t meant to be the most powerful chipset you can get. However, we’d like to see a performance boost in Tensor G3 to make the Pixel 8 more competitive on the performance front. Better telephoto colors The Pixel 7 Pro got an upgrade to a 5x optical zoom on its telephoto lens, which is rather impressive in a world where the Galaxy S22 Ultra doesn’t exist. Still, it’s the highest zoom on a Pixel ever. However, we found the colors in telephoto shots to be rather lacking, especially when Super Res Zoom kicks in. Samsung struggles with this less, so we’d like to see the Pixel 8 Pro’s telephoto images close the gap.
