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Yesterday, Google announced its latest range of Pixel devices, which includes two new phones, a new set of earbuds, and a completely re-engineered watch.
The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro have the iPhone firmly in their sights, and the Pixel Watch 2 is, clearly, on a mission to ensure Google’s wearable resides on as many Pixel phone owners’ wrists as possible.
The Pixel Buds Pro? Well, they’re more than just new colours.
All of these devices are winging their way to me as we speak and reviews will follow in due course, but here are some quick thoughts on everything Google announced yesterday.
Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro: ALL the AI
It was inevitable, wasn’t it? If there was one phrase Google was going to utter more than any other during the Made By Google event, it was ‘AI’.
And mention it they did; Google’s foundational AI models play a central role in all of the new devices. It’s moving far beyond photo retouching, too, and the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro offer some tantalising glimpses at what’s to come in the not-too-distant future.
We shouldn’t forget that there’s new hardware on offer here, too. They’re not huge updates, but there are some fascinating upgrades. The Pixel 8 has a slightly smaller frame and boasts Google’s new Actua display, which comes in at 6.3 inches and achieves a peak brightness of 2,000 nits (40% more than the Pixel 7). The Pixel 8 Pro benefits from the Super Actua display which is 6.7 inches and features a frankly bonkers 2,400 nits of peak brightness. That’s more than any smartphone I’ve ever used.
In terms of camera system upgrades, the Pixel 8 receives a new ultra-wide which brings Macro Focus to a non-Pro Google smartphone for the first time. The Pixel 8 Pro gets the biggest camera upgrades with all three lenses improved to offer better light sensitivity across all optical focal lengths.
Oh, and these devices will be the first to come pre-installed with Android 14 and seven years of OS updates. Which is… nuts.
Powering both of these smartphones is the new Tensor G3 chip. True to form, Google didn’t dive too deeply into the exact specs (that’s fine by me) but they did note that every single subsystem within their in-house developed silicon has been upgraded.
This brings me back to AI, because the one Tensor G3 component Google did focus on was the TPU (Tensor Processing Unit) which is tasked with machine learning (ML) duties. The headline was that it can process twice as many ML models on device than the Pixel 6 and, as a result, can do some very clever things with AI concurrently.
This means we’ll see a bunch of improvements to existing AI trickery such as Call Assist and Clear Calling, but the biggest news comes with the Pixel 8 Pro’s AI capabilities. This will be the first smartphone to run Google’s foundational AI models on device, which means we’ll immediately get better photo editing tools such as Magic Eraser – but, more enticingly, a slew of brand-new AI features later this year. And beyond. Far beyond, according to Google. This is a new era for the smartphone, as far as they’re concerned.
For instance, Zoom Enhance will allow users to reframe and zoom into photos without any loss of detail or quality. Recorder will be able to summarise meetings. You’ll be able to converse naturally with Gboard. It’s only the start, according to Google, but having a device which is capable of 150 times more computational AI models than its predecessor is indeed very exciting.
The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are £100/$100 more expensive this year. That’s a not-inconsiderable price hike, and it does mean that these updates really do need to shine. Despite this, they’re still cheaper than the iPhone alternatives which, again, makes for a very interesting review when I finally get them in my hands.
Sorry, did I mention that the Pixel 8 Pro has a temperature sensor on the rear of the device that can be used to check how hot your steak pan is?
No, really.
Pixel Watch 2: fresh inside and out
The Pixel Watch 2 might look identical to its predecessor (bar some fancy new watch bands) but Google tells us that it has been upgraded both inside and out.
We still get just one size to choose from, but the Pixel Watch 2 features more durable cover glass and a housing that is made from 100% recycled aluminium. There’s also a new quad-core CPU and the promise of “longer 24-hour battery” with AOD (always-on display).
The latter is clearly aimed at satisfying those who complained of poor battery life on the original Pixel Watch – although that’s not an issue I encountered. Still, more stamina on a smartwatch can only ever be a good thing and the Pixel Watch 2 also charges faster – you can get 12 hours from just thirty minutes of juicing.
We’re getting new sensors, too. The heart rate sensor has been upgraded to a multi-path sensor which means it has ten times the number of optical channels than the first generation and results in up to 40% more accurate heart rate tracking during exercise.
A new skin temperature sensor and body response sensor (which detects signs of stress) also join the fray, along with a redesigned Fitbit app that provides contextual feedback on your athletic performance via – you guessed it – generative AI.
As much as I admired the design of the original Pixel Watch, it never quite stuck for me against the might – and size – of the Apple Watch. The Pixel Watch 2 will also have to contend with my new-found love for Garmin, but I’m looking forward to putting it through its paces – literally.
Pixel Buds Pro: more than just new colours
Confession time: I’ve never used a pair of Pixel Buds Pro. So, when the latest version arrives later this week, I’m looking forward to experiencing Google’s take on wireless, helpful earbuds.
It’s the latter that interests me. Google tells us that its Clear Calling feature has been improved, thus giving wearers of Pixel Buds Pro even better audio quality during phone chats. But we’re also getting Bluetooth Super Wide Band, which steps things up another notch in that respect (and reduces latency by up to 50% for gamers).
There are some other neat tricks built into Google’s latest buds, including an AI-driven feature which pauses audio and turns on transparency mode whenever you start talking. There’s also hearing wellness updates (including a report on how loud you’re listening to music) and, oh, of course – new colours! The Bay Blue looks particularly lovely.
It’s worth noting that if you’re preordering your Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro now, you can grab either the Pixel Buds Pro or a Pixel Watch 2 completely free of charge (given the pricing difference between the two, the latter probably makes the most sense).
Final thought
Artificial Intelligence was always going to be the central theme for this week’s Pixel announcements, and while many of the features won’t arrive on the flagship Pixel 8 Pro until later this year, Google is painting a rather exciting picture of device ownership.
I’m also excited to check out what sounds like the brightest smartphone display I’ll have ever seen. And a temperature sensor on your phone? Bring it on!
Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Max has really tugged at my heartstrings – unexpectedly so – but, as always, my anticipation for a new Google flagship device is high.
Stay tuned for my full reviews.
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