Are you an Android user looking to buy a new phone?
Look no further than the new Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.
Built with Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the centre, the Google Pixel 8 will give users a more helpful and personal experience.
Here’s everything you should know, summarised in an article for you.
Meet the new Google Pixel 8
The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are packed with many first-of-their-kind features, all powered by Google Tensor G3.
Furthermore, they’ll get seven years of software updates, which means constant improvements and continuous satisfaction.
The updates include Android OS upgrades, security updates and regular Feature Drops.
For context, Google previously only offered up to five years of security updates.
On older Pixel models, Google only offered three years of Android updates, so this is an improvement.
The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are elegantly designed.
Not only do they have softer silhouettes, but they have beautiful metal finishes as well.
For those who have been disgruntled by the ever-increasing phone sizes, here is some good news for you.
The Pixel 8 is smaller than the Pixel 7 and feels great in your hand.
Its 6.2-inch Actua display is 42% brighter than the Pixel 7’s, giving users real-world clarity.
Pixel 8 has a polished glass back that comes in Rose, Hazel and Obsidian.
Pixel 8 Pro’s 6.7-inch Super Actua display has Google’s brightest display yet.
Have you ever struggled to see your screen under direct sunlight?
With the Pixel Pro 8, users can see (and love) how their Ultra HDR images look.
It comes in Porcelain, Bay and Obsidian and has a swanky new temperature sensor.
This means you can use your phone to scan an object’s temperature.
Google is in the process of enabling Pixel’s Thermometer App to take users’ temperatures and save them to Fitbit.
Camera Improvements
For those of you who are avid photographers, the Pixel 8 is for you.
Both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro have upgraded cameras.
The primary camera of the Pixel 8 Pro captures better photos and videos, even with minimal lighting.
Pixel 8 pro’s bigger ultrawide lens delivers heightened Macro Focus.
Now, the telephoto lens captures 56% more light and takes 10x photos at optimal qualities.
Besides that, users can now be expert selfie-takers as the Pixel 8 pro’s front-facing camera now has Autofocus.
Pixel 8 has the same updated primary camera and a new ultrawide lens that enables Macro Focus.
For camera geeks, the camera app will have an intuitive, redesigned interface.
For Pixel 8 Pro, users can access pro controls like shutter speed, ISO and 50 MP photos throughout the zoom range.
This means you no longer have to lug around your DSLR to feel like a professional.
New Google Photos Features
It isn’t just the cameras that have gotten an upgrade, but the photos as well.
Most of us know how painful it is to take good group photos.
Even when there’s a photo you look good in, someone else is probably looking away or blinking.
The new Best Take feature in Google Photos uses a series of similar photos taken close together to create a blended image with everyone’s best expression.
Now, your friends will no longer accuse you of choosing to post group photos only you look good in.
If you dislike the expression Best Take gives you, you can select another look from the same batch of photos manually.
Magic Editor in Google Photos was announced earlier this year and is finally appearing in the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.
It uses generative AI to help you create the photo you want.
For instance, users can reposition or resize subjects easily.
Furthermore, users can use presets to make the background pop.
Those who edit videos regularly know the frustration of cutting out distracting, unwanted noises.
Thus, the Audio Magic Eraser allows users to reduce background noise easily.
It even allows you to control the volume levels of such noises.
Later in 2023, Pixel 8 Pro is set to get Video Boost, which adjusts colour, lighting, stabilisation and graininess to create stunning videos.
Pixel 8 Can Summarise Articles for You
If you don’t like to read articles, Pixel can generate summaries of web pages.
This will help users save valuable time and quickly understand key points.
Moreover, Pixel can read aloud like an audiobook.
It can also translate webpages for you, so you can read that one manga with no English translation that you’ve always wanted to read.
Pixel is also better at understanding human speech, so you can talk to it more naturally, like a friend.
For instance, pausing or using filler words like “uh” will not derail the phone.
Instead, your Pixel will wait until you are done speaking before responding.
Users can now use their voice to type, edit and send messages more quickly and accurately.
With the rise of online scams and scam calls, your Pixel’s Call Screen will now help you receive an average of 50% fewer spam calls.
It can answer calls from unknown numbers with a natural-sounding voice.
With its improved AI, it is also intelligent enough to separate the calls users want from calls they don’t.
The Call Screen can also suggest replies based on context, meaning you can respond to simple calls, like appointment confirmations, with a quick finger tap.
Protect your Information
The Pixel has features that can help keep your personal information more secure.
Google Tensor G3 works with the Titan M2 security chip to not just make your phone more secure but also to make your phone more resilient to attacks.
This sounds like a pretty good deal since the number of scams involving malicious malware in Android phones has increased.
Face Unlock on Pixel 8 also meets the highest Android biometric class, making your experience with payment apps like Google Wallet more secure and convenient.
Other Exciting Things You Can Look Out For
Google has also unveiled other exciting things besides the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro.
For instance, the Pixel Watch 2 has many improvements, even if it looks similar to its predecessor.
Its Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 processor allows up to 24 hours of battery life, even if the always-on display is turned on.
It also comes with new sensors for skin temperature and continuous electrodermal activity, allowing a new stress-detecting feature.
Furthermore, it can automatically record workout starts and stops for seven activities.
If you love working out and wish that tracking your activity was more detailed, the new Pixel Watch 2 has a new multi-path heart rate sensor.
As for the Pixel Buds Pro, they come in a couple of new, fun colours, such as light blue and porcelain.
Google also announced that the Pixel Buds Pro will have conversation detection.
Google is also trying to improve voice call quality by making it “fuller and clearer” with the addition of Bluetooth Super Wideband.
For those with pre-existing Pixel phones like Pixel 4A and 5G, there’s something for you, too.
Android 14 is finally being rolled out, providing improved passkey support and a new health-tracking feature.
If you’ve been dying for more customisation updates, Android 14 has several of them, including AI wallpaper generation.
All one has to do is describe an image, and the software will generate a background for you.
Android 14 will first be available to Pixel phones 4A, 5G and newer phones.
Other companies, like Samsung, Nothing and OnePlus, will receive the update later in 2023.
In Singapore, the Pixel 8 starts at $1,099 for 128GB and comes in Hazel, Rose, and Obsidian.
The 256GB version of the Pixel 8 is sold at $1,199 and is only available in Obsidian.
The Google Pixel 8 Pro starts at $1,549 for 128GB and comes in Bay, Porcelain, and Obsidian.
It’s also available for $1,649 (256GB) in Bay and Obsidian.
If you want the 512GB version, it costs $1,849 and comes only in Obsidian.
Pre-orders begin on 5 October, midnight Singapore Time (SGT), while on-shelf retail availability starts on 12 October.
Here is some good news: some offers on the new phones are ongoing.
Buying the new phones from the Google Store will give you offers from 4 October 10.30 pm SGT to 20 October 11.59 pm SGT.
Buying the Pixel 8 will get you a limited edition Pixel Pouch and a $250 discount code towards your next purchase.
Buying the Pixel 8 Pro will get you a limited edition Pixel Pouch and a $549 discount code towards your next purchase.
Amazon also has an offer from 5 October 10 am SGT to 12 October SGT.
Customers who buy the Pixel 8 will receive a $180 Prime Members coupon towards their next purchase.
Meanwhile, customers who buy the Pixel 8 Pro will receive a $250 Prime members coupon towards their next purchase.
Moreover, customers can get an extra $50 off by using their Citi Mastardcard to buy the Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro and Watch 2.
Notably, the promotion is only valid for the first 200 customers.
Furthermore, the promotion for watch 2 only begins on 10 October.
Shopee also has offers from 5 October 10 am SGT to 20 October 10 pm SGT.
Those who buy the Pixel 8 will receive a $100 coin cashback and a $120 gStore voucher.
Those who purchase the Pixel 8 Pro will receive a $250 coin cashback and a $120 gStore voucher.
Shopee also has limited vouchers during this period.
For instance, UOB cardholders can get an additional $80 UOB voucher for the Pixel 8 pro and an additional $50 UOB voucher for the Pixel 8.
Non-UOB cardholders won’t lose out as they can still get a limited voucher that gives an additional $30 off the Pixel 8 pro and Pixel 8.
Other partners like Challenger, Courts and Singtel have offers too, so visit their websites to find out more.
