GadgetByte Nepal

It’s October and the new Google Pixel 8 Series is finally official. There is a vanilla Pixel 8 and a Pixel 8 Pro, for which the search engine giant has bestowed the same Tensor G3 chip. Here in this article, we’ll be talking about the Pixel 8 Pro, its specs, features, availability, and expected price in Nepal.

Google Pixel 8 Pro Overview:

Similar Design

Designwise, the Pixel 8 Pro retains a similar design to its successor the Pixel 7 Pro. However, things are a bit on the rounded side this time. You get a rounded (contoured) edge around the corners while the camera vizor is here to stay. Other than that, the device is IP68 certified against dust and water drips. Google ships this guy in three color options: Porcelain, Bay, and Obsidian.

Likewise, the smartphone sports a 6.7-inch OLED panel, which Google is flaunting as a Super Actua display. This flat screen boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, 2992 x 1344 resolution, HDR 10+ certification, 2400nits of peak brightness, and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection.

A built-in thermometer

Well, the Pixel 8 Pro has an actual thermometer. Yes, you read that right. The physical infrared thermometer is placed next to the camera module to measure body temperature without physical contact. For the time being, it can detect the temperature of beverages and surfaces. It’s still waiting for FDA approval for human body temperature sensing.

• Also, read:
• Google announces AI chatbot “Bard” to compete with OpenAI’s ChatGPT
• Google Tensor G3 to feature 9-core CPU, Immortalis GPU with ray tracing
• Google may finally enable “Battery Health” feature on Android 14

Performance and Memory

Moving on, the phone is powered by a Tensor G3 chip paired with Immortalis G715s MC10 graphics. This 9-core 5G silicon is fabbed under a 4nm process and features a prime Cortex X3 core clocking at 3.0GHz, four Cortex A715 cores at 2.45GHz, and four Cortex A510 cores running at 2.15GHz.

It is paired with 12GB of RAM, and up to 1TB internal storage with UFS 3.1. As for the software, you get the latest Android 14 running the show. Also, the phone gets a 7-year OS and security updates promise, the highest to date on an Android smartphone. And a quick FYI, you can already try Android 15 beta on the Pixel 8 Pro.

Optics

The Pixel 8 Pro’s camera housing has also undergone a little makeover. All three main sensors are now placed inside a single cutout. The primary sensor is a 50MP shooter with f/1.7 aperture, multi-directional PDAF and OIS. While the secondary unit is a 48MP telephoto camera with OIS and 5X optical zooming capability. Last but not least is a 48MP ultrawide camera. For selfies and video calls, the hole-punch cutout houses a 10.5MP ultrawide front camera.

AI Features

It’s a Pixel flagship and how can it pass without some cool AI features? Starting with Best Take, this AI tool will select the best-looking photo out of your burst shots with the best expression possible. Continuing the Magic Editor, the upgraded tool can now not only erase, but also lets you select a subject or a person, and move it all around.

Likewise, the Audio Magic Eraser can identify background noise, providing a boost to your own voice. You also get a Zoom Enhance feature that can set the focus on your zoomed and cropped image, improving the overall image quality.

• Meanwhile, read all the prices and specs of Google products here

Battery, Connectivity, and Others

Moving on, this flagship phone gets its juice from a 4050mAh battery with 30W wired charging, 23W wireless, and reverse wireless support. In terms of connectivity, you get tri-band Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, and USB Type-C 3.2, among other options.

Google Pixel 8 Pro Specifications:

• Body: Front~Gorilla Glass Victus 2, Back~Gorilla Glass Victus, aluminum frame, IP68 dust/water resistant
• Display: 6.7-inch AMOLED, 1-120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+
• Resolution: FHD+(2992 x 1344 pixels), 489 PPI density
• Chipset: Google Tensor G3 (4nm Mobile Platform)
• Memory: 12GB RAM, up to 1TB storage
• Software & UI: Android 14
• Rear Camera:
  • Triple;50MP, primary sensor, OIS, Laser AF, PDAF
  • 48MP telephoto camera, OIS 5x optical zoom
  • 48MP ultrawide camera
• Front Camera: 10.8MP, f/2.2 sensor
• Audio: Stereo speaker setup, No 3.5mm headphone jack
• Security: In-display fingerprint sensor (optical), Face unlock
• Sensors: Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity, Compass, Barometer, Thermometer (skin temperature)
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), USB Type-C 3.2
• Battery: 5050mAh with 30W wired charging, 23W wireless charging
• Color Options: Obsidian, Bay and Porcelain

Google Pixel 8 Pro Price in Nepal and Availability

In the US, the official price for the Pixel 8 Pro starts at USD 999 for the base 12/128GB version. We expect the Google Pixel 8 price in Nepal to begin from NPR 164,999 if and when it launches here.

• Meanwhile, check our full review of Google Pixel 7.

Google just announced the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones alongside the Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Buds Pro in yesterday’s “Made by Google” event. In this article, let’s talk about the design, features, specifications, and expected price in Nepal of the Google Pixel 8.

Google Pixel 8 Overview

Design and Display

The new Pixel 8 features contoured edges, a satin metal finish, and a polished glass back. It is also smaller than last year’s Pixel 7 and weighs 10 grams lighter. We also get to see some new colors: Rose and Hazel, while the classic ‘Obsidian’ stays. The front, back, and frame don’t see any changes, at least on paper. They are protected by Gorilla Glass Victus and not the rumored Victus 2. Google Pixel 8 secures an IP68 rating just like its predecessor.

Moving on, we get to see a 6.2-inch ‘Actua’ screen which is 42% brighter than Pixel 7’s display. It is a 120Hz OLED panel with support for HDR10+ and a pixel density of around 428 ppi. The screen estate is a bit less though at ~91.1cm² compared to the ~96.7cm² on the Pixel 7.

Performance

The Pixel 8 features Goole’s 4nm Tensor G3 chip, which includes a 9-core CPU: one Cortex-X3 prime core, four Cortex-A715 cores, and four Cortex-A510 cores. For graphics, there’s a 10-core Arm Immortalis G715 GPU, an upgrade from the 7-core G710 used in its predecessor. Moreover, the handset runs on Android 14 out of the box.

Google also announced an industry-leading 7-year software support including major Android updates, security patches, and feature drops. And the Pixel 8 has already tasted the Android 15 beta update.

As for memory, the vanilla Pixel 8 ships with 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB storage configurations.

• You might also want to read these:
  • Google’s Pixel 8 Pro launched with Tensor G3 and tonnes of AI camera stuffs
  • Google leaps into the foldable phone market with “Pixel Fold”
  • Pixel 8a leaks suggest rounded design and the Tensor G3 chipset.
  • Pixel Watch 2 launching in October with Snapdragon W5 Gen 1

Camera

As for the cameras, Pixel 8 has a dual setup on its back: a 50MP primary camera with an f/1.7 aperture, supporting PDAF and OIS, and a 12MP ultrawide camera with an f/2.2 aperture. That might not sound very different on paper, but the upgraded main camera captures better photos and videos in low light settings than last year’s Pixel 7. And the new ultrawide enables macro focus.

The new selfie cam is a 10.5MP shooter with PDAF and a f/2.2 aperture.

There are lots of new software features as well. For starters, the camera app has an intuitive, redesigned interface. Other features include:

• Best Take uses on device algorithm to create a blended shot from a series of images to get everyone’s best look
• Magic Editor uses generative AI to let you reposition, resize subjects ,and play around with background presets.
• Auto Magic Eraser is a first-of-its-kind computational audio capability that uses advanced machine learning to sort sound into distinct layers so you can control levels of individual layers. Additionally, it also reduces distracting sounds in your video like the howling wind or crowd noise.

The Pixel 8 Pro will also be getting Video Boost with Night Sight Video for better low light recording but that is missing on the vanilla Pixel.

• Meanwhile, read all the prices and specs of Google products here

Battery and Charging

Regarding the battery, the Pixel 8 is powered by a larger 4575mAh battery with up to 27W fast charging and 18W wireless charging. The phone can be juiced up to 50% in half an hour and also supports reverse wireless charging.

In terms of connectivity, the handset features tri-band Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, and USB Type-C 3.2, among other options. There’s also a cool feature to measure temperature through the camera but that’s exclusive to the Pixel 8 Pro.

Google Pixel 8 Specification

• Body: Front~Gorilla Glass Victus, Back~Gorilla Glass Victus, aluminum frame, IP68 dust/water resistant
• Display: 6.2 inches OLED, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+,1400 nits
• Resolution: FHD+(1080 x 2400 pixels), 20:9 ratio, ~428 ppi density
• Chipset: Google Tensor G3 (4nm Mobile Platform)
• Memory: 8GB RAM, 128/256GB storage
• Software & UI: Android 14, up to 7 years of software support
• Rear Camera: Dual;
  – 50MP, f/1.7 primary sensor, OIS, Laser AF, PDAF
  – 12MP, f/2.2 ultra-wide camera
• Front Camera: 10.5MP, f/2.2 sensor
• Audio: Stereo speaker setup, No 3.5mm headphone jack
• Security: In-display fingerprint sensor (optical), Face unlock
• Sensors: Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity, Compass, Barometer
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), USB Type-C 3.2
• Battery: 4575mAh with 27W wired charging, 18W wireless charging, Reverse Wireless Charging
• Color Options: Rose, Hazel  and Obsidian

Google Pixel 8 Price and Availability

The Pixel 8 is up for pre-order with a price tag of USD 699 (which includes a free Pixel Watch 2 by the way). We expect the Google Pixel 8 price in Nepal to be around NPR 111,649.

• Meanwhile, check out our review of Pixel 7.