Pixel 8 release date, price, specs, and more

Update: September 25, 2023 (4:40 AM ET): We’ve updated our Pixel 8 series rumor hub with new leaks related to pricing, durability, camera features, and software updates.

Original: The Pixel 7 is a great phone, but it won’t be the newest mainline Pixel for much longer. The Pixel 8 series will arrive in October. While there was a lot to like about the Pixel 7, it wasn’t perfect. Overheating issues, weaker battery life, and slow charging speeds were some of its most prominent pitfalls. Will the Pixel 8 series finally address these issues? We hope so!

Android Authority has covered several exclusive links in collaboration with tipster Kamila Wojciechowska, and we now have an all-encompassing idea of what to expect, though several mysteries still remain. Let’s take a closer look at the current Pixel 8 rumors to get a better idea of what’s on the way.

• The Pixel 8 will again launch with a standard and Pro variant.
• Rumored colors for the Pixel 8 include Jade, Licorice, Haze, and Peony.
• Rumored colors for the Pixel 8 Pro include Jade, Licorice, Porcelain, and Sky.

The Pixel 8 series will launch with two models, the standard Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro. While a Pixel 8a is possible, its future isn’t certain, and it wouldn’t launch at least until mid-2024 anyhow. This time around, the Pixel 8 is rumored to be getting a bit smaller, while the Pixel 8 Pro will get a few new tricks of its own. Each of these models is also expected to have a few different storage configurations available.

Moving onto colors, Android Authority previously revealed a few juicy details to the world. Our information suggests the Pixel 8 would launch with Jade, Licorice, Haze, and Peony. In contrast, the Pixel 8 Pro would keep the first two colors but would swap the latter two for Porcelain and Sky. We, in fact, got our first look at the Sky colorway through a leaked promo video.

In a later leak, however, we got the full set of colors for both the base model and Pro. The base model comes in three colors: Licorice (black), Haze (gray), and Peony (pink-ish). It appears the Jade color didn’t make the cut.

The Pro is also expected to only come in three colors. Once again, it looks like Jade didn’t make it, as the colorways should include Licorice, Sky (blue), and Porcelain (off-white).

Google accidentally gave us a 360-degree look at the Pixel 8 Pro via its website on September 5. The materials seemingly confirm three colors, namely Licorice, Porcelain, and Sky.

Most recently, Google showed off a “sneak peek” at the Pixel 8 series, which confirms the Procelain color for the Pixel 8 Pro and the Peony color for the Pixel 8.

It is likely we’ll see more design information directly from Google and leakers over the next few weeks.

• The Pixel 8 series will launch on October 4, 2023.
• Pre-orders for the phones will begin that day.
• Pricing of the Pixel 8 could start at as high as $699, as high as $999 for the Pro.

Google usually launches its flagship phones in October each year, with the Pixel 7 and Pixel 6 duos both revealed during that month. The Pixel 5 was launched on September 30, but this was the exception rather than the rule, as all previous devices launched in October. And it looks like October will once again be the release month as Google announced its Pixel hardware event will take place on October 4.

Google has been rocking the cheap flagship MO for a while now, with the Pixel 6 and 7 starting at $599, while the Pro variants were priced at $899. Unfortunately, it looks like this year could be the end of underpriced Pixels. Reliable leaker Yogesh Brar suggests the Pixel 8 could be $50 to $100 more expensive than in 2022, pointing towards $649 or $699 pricing. Brar did not have any information on the Pixel 8 Pro’s pricing, but it would be reasonable to assume it would go up by about the same amount.

According to a leak from TheTechOutlook, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will see a significant price hike, at least in Europe. The publication, along with tipster Paras Guglani, reported recently that the Pixel 8 with 128GB storage will cost €874.25 (~$942) including 23% Value-added Tax (VAT). Without taxes, it would come in at €710.77 (~$765). The 256GB storage variant of the phone is expected to be priced at €949.30 with 23% VAT (~$1,023). In contrast, the base Pixel 7 variant was priced at €650 last year.

Meanwhile, the Pixel 8 Pro is rumored to come in at a price of €1,235 (~$1,331) for 128GB storage, €1,309 (~$1,411) for the 256GB version, and €1,461 (~$1,575) for the 512GB model. All these prices include 23% VAT. That’s quite a price hike compared to the €900 starting price of the Pixel 7 Pro.

Tipster Kamila Wojciechowska posted a screenshot in late September that seemingly revealed US pricing for the Pixel 8 series. More specifically, the image listed a $699 price tag for the vanilla Pixel 8 and an $899 price tag for the Pro variant. So that means the Pro variant might maintain its price compared to the Pixel 7 Pro while the vanilla Pixel 8 could see a $100 price hike.

In saying so, journalist Max Weinbach asserted that both phones would receive a $100 price increase. Either way, the consensus is that the vanilla Pixel will be more expensive this year.

As for UK pricing, journalist Roland Quandt claimed that the phones will retail for £699 and £999 respectively. By comparison, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro retailed for £599 and £849.

Availability

• The Pixel 8 will see almost the same design as last year, though it will have a smaller footprint this time around.
• The Pixel 8 Pro will get a flatter design, some improvements to the camera enclosure, and a brand-new thermometer sensor.

Google totally revamped the way Pixels look with the Pixel 6 series. With the Pixel 7 series, the company only refined that design. Early renders of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro suggest there won’t be many changes this year either.

As you can see above, there are some subtle changes to the Pro. The display is flat, a first for the Pro-level phones from Google. The rear camera module has a slightly new design with all three cameras encased in one glass “pill,” unlike the “pill + circle” design of the Pixel 7 Pro. There also appears to be an additional sensor under the camera flash; we’ll get into that in more detail later, but the short of it is the Pro now has a thermometer built in.

We don’t see too many other changes to the Pro outside of these three things. Even the device’s overall dimensions — 162.6 x 76.5 x 8.7mm — barely differ from the Pixel 7 Pro’s 162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9mm dimensions. There’s also the same 6.7-inch screen size, though it’s possible the panel itself has a few surprises left.

While the Pixel 8 Pro brings a few small design changes, the Pixel 8 has almost the same design as the Pixel 7. That said, our tipster Kamila suggests it will have a smaller footprint with dimensions of 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9mm, a notable drop from the Pixel 7 at 155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7mm.

There were suggestions in August that the Pixel 8 series might be eSIM-only due to the lack of a SIM slot in leaked renders. But 9to5Google claimed on August 31 that the phones will indeed offer a physical SIM slot, citing its own sources. This was corroborated by Google’s 360-degree render on September 5, explicitly confirming a physical SIM slot. Check out the relevant image below.

The leaked 360-degree render also gave us a good look at the phone in general, such as the camera bar, display, and more. Check out the pictures below.

While some of you might have hoped for more significant design changes, we honestly like the current design language and are glad to see Google keeping some consistency after playing around with a few different aesthetics over the years.

As for durability, a leaked spec sheet by Kamila Wojciechowska points to an IP68 rating as expected for both handsets. However, the vanilla Pixel will apparently get Gorilla Glass Victus protection on the front and back while the Pro device gets Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

Pixel 8 display sizes and specs

• The Pixel 8 will have the same resolution and brightness as last year but will see a higher refresh rate and slightly smaller screen size.
• The Pixel 8 Pro has the same size display and refresh rate as last year but has a slightly different resolution and improved brightness.

The Pixel 8 display will see the most changes, dropping to 6.17 inches from its previous 6.32-inch display. The resolution and brightness will remain the same at 2,400 x 1,080 and 1,400 nits, respectively. In addition to shrinking a little, the new display also bumps up from a 90Hz refresh rate to a 120Hz refresh rate. However, it’s believed the screen can only drop to 60Hz.

The Pixel 8 Pro display remains the exact same size as last year’s Pro at 6.7 inches. There’s no peak refresh rate change this time, but reportedly the Pro will have an improved variable refresh rate that can drop as low as 1Hz. The resolution is slightly different, too, at 2,992 x 1,344 vs 3,120 x 1,440. There’s also a 100-nit increase in peak brightness, bringing the Pro to 1,600 nits.

• The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro will both see an upgrade to the Isocell GN2 on their primary cameras.
• The Pixel 8 Pro is rumored to get an upgrade to a 64MP Sony IMX787 for its ultrawide camera.
• The Pixel 8 Pro will also get an improved time-of-flight sensor.
• The Google Camera app could see its first refresh in years.

Google has stuck with similar camera systems for two generations now, with the only real hardware change being the Pixel 7 Pro switching to a 5x 48MP telephoto camera instead of a 4x shooter. The 50MP Isocell GN1 has remained the main camera of choice for Google.

This could change in 2023, as our own exclusive Pixel 8 camera leak shows. The biggest news is the jump from the Isocell GN1 primary camera used on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 families to the newer Isocell GN2. This will provide a host of new capabilities, including 35% more light processing, the possibility of 8K/30fps video capture, and Staggered HDR.

While both the standard and Pro models will see the GN2, that’s the only upgrade the standard-sized Pixel 8 is expected to receive. Meanwhile, the Pro gets a new ultrawide camera as well.

This time the Pixel 8 Pro will move on from its dated 12MP Sony IMX386 over to a much more usable 64MP Sony IMX787 — the same sensor as the primary camera found on the Google Pixel 7a. The telephoto should stay the same, and the thermometer feature discussed previously is also another upgrade.

Finally, the Pixel 8 Pro will also get an improved time-of-flight sensor. The device has a new 8×8 ToF VL53L8 sensor, a significant upgrade over the STMicroelectronics VL53L1 we’ve seen in previous Pixels. This should greatly improve autofocus.

Google Camera app

Along with some new hardware, the Pixel 8 series should also include a refresh of the app that runs that hardware. The Google Camera app has looked pretty much the same since the Pixel 4 series, so it’s about time for a fresh coat of paint.

We have a whole article going over what to expect from the new Google Camera experience. Here are the highlights:

• The photo and video modes will no longer be mixed together. Now, a toggle will appear for either photo or video, and each setting will have its own modes. This will make things much simpler and more organized.
• The shortcuts to the gallery and swapping from the front to the rear cameras will be switched so each will appear in the other’s position. get ready to re-learn some muscle memory.
• A lot of the features that have been hidden behind menus will be more front-and-center. This includes the Long Exposure and Action Pan modes.
• There will be slightly different shortcuts and gestures.

While those details cover the app itself, there’s another rumored feature about what the app can actually do. Thanks to a poll for Pixel Superfans, we expect the Pixel 8 to be able to merge multiple photos together to allow for everyone in a group photo to look their best. We also expect faster shutter speeds and launching speeds for the app itself.

9to5Google also posted a major nugget of camera-related info on August 31 when it claimed that Night Sight Video will come to the Pixel 8 Pro. We’re expecting brighter low-light video with reduced noise as a result. In saying so, there doesn’t seem to be a technical reason why this feature would be restricted to the Pixel 8 Pro as the Pro and standard models are poised to share the same chipset and main camera.

A leak in September revealed a few more details the new camera app UI. The revamp will appear in update v.9.0.115.561695573.37. Selecting photo or video will bring up different options in the selection bar.

• Photo: Action Pan, Long Exposure, Portrait, Photo (main), Night Sight, Panorama, Photo Sphere
• Video: Pan, Video (main), Slow motion, Time Lapse

We also learned that the “More” tab is going away, the settings button has been relocated to the bottom left-hand corner, the icon will change, and the Pixel 6 will reportedly get the Pixel 7’s new zoom slider.

A leaked video (seen above) in late September also dished out plenty of camera features. Most notably, it revealed manual camera controls, the ability to swap out faces in a group photo for a better expression, and the Magic Audio Eraser feature for removing background noise.

We’ve already spoken about the display and camera but have yet to discuss what is under the surface. Let’s start with the SoC, as we recently revealed a ton of Tensor G3 details in collaboration with tipster Kamila Wojciechowska.

WinFuture was the first to report that the Pixel 8 series will receive the next-generation Tensor processor code-named “Zuma.” This was corroborated by our own leaked Google Pixel roadmap. Like the Tensor chips before it, it’s rumored that the Pixel 8’s Tensor chip could be based on Samsung’s Exynos SoC. Specifically, the Exynos 2300, which was skipped over for the Galaxy S23 series. From what Kamila learned, we know the Tensor G3 will be equipped with a 1+4+4 CPU setup featuring a Cortex-X3 (3.05GHz), four Cortex-A715 cores (2.45GHz), and four Cortex-A510 cores (2.15GHz).

Furthermore, our report adds that the new chipset will have Arm Mali-G715 graphics. There’s no definitive word on the shader core count here, but it’s believed we could be looking at ten cores and ray tracing support (making it Immortalis graphics).

Other notable details gleaned by Wojciechowska include MTE support for a more secure chipset, an improved TPU, AV1 encoding for the first time in a smartphone (up to 4K/30fps), and an improved GXP digital signal processor. Unfortunately, it looks like we shouldn’t expect a modem change here.

We’re certainly hoping the chipset improvements lead to a cooler experience. We’ve had problems with overheating on past Pixel models, as noted in our Pixel 7 review. A newer rumor points to improved packaging for Google’s upcoming chipset, which could lead to less heat emissions from the silicon.

Moving beyond the processor, the Pixel 8 series has a few other hardware features that will apply to both models. Our own leak on the matter shows the Pixel 8 series could support DisplayPort through the USB-C connector. This could, theoretically, offer access to a native Android desktop mode. We’ve seen this mode before, but it’s never received a formal release.

We also have learned that Wi-Fi 7 will be featured on both phones, but only the Pixel 8 Pro will have UWB support. 

As for the rest of the specs? You’ll find that the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro have a few important hardware differences, so let’s break them down a bit further.

Pixel 8 battery and other hardware

Rumors suggest the Pixel 8 will have 8GB of RAM, just like its predecessor. As for storage, our previous leaks with Kamila suggest the same sizes as before. That means you can expect either 128GB or 256GB of storage.

Thanks to our own in-house leaks, we now know the specs for the battery as well. Based on a source inside Google, the base model will offer 4,485mAh, up from the Pixel 7’s 4,270mAh battery. The battery isn’t the only upgrade; charging speeds are finally getting a small boost as well.

You can expect a boost of 4W on the Pixel 8, bringing wired charging up to 24W. Wireless charging will remain at 20W. While it’s nice to see charging speeds increase, there are plenty of phones out there with 45W and higher speeds for wired charging. This makes Google feel a little behind the times.

Pixel 8 Pro battery and other hardware

Our sources indicate the Pixel 8 Pro also sticks with the same storage and RAM configurations as last year’s model. That means you can expect 12GB of RAM and storage choices of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB of storage. In saying so, Wojciechowska reports that US models will top out at 1TB of storage.

The Pixel 8 Pro will continue to target a battery size of around 5,000mAh, so don’t expect a huge change from last year. The Pixel 7 Pro had decent enough battery life, so this shouldn’t be an issue for most.

One area that is getting a small boost is charging, with wired charging going from 23W to 27W. That said, wireless charging will remain at the same 23W speeds.

Pixel 8 Pro could go ultrasonic for its fingerprint sensor

Tipster Yogesh Brar claims the Pixel 8 Pro could get an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, which would be an upgrade over all previous Pixels. Ultrasonic sensors in Galaxy S devices are considered superior to light-based versions that appear in most other phones. Brar wasn’t specific on if this new fingerprint sensor would also make its way to the Pixel 8. We assume no, as that would further emphasize the superiority of the Pro over the vanilla model.

The Pixel 8 Pro is getting a thermometer feature

In May, a leaked tutorial video revealed that the mystery sensor under the flash could be an IR thermometer. Based on the video, in order to use the sensor, you’ll need to bring the phone close to your forehead, then move it slowly to your temple. The phone provides sounds and vibrations to assist with the process. Reportedly, this sensor can also be used to measure the temperature of objects as well.

According to the leak, the data collected from the measurements is stored locally and will be handled through the Android Private Compute Core. This would mean that the data won’t end up somewhere in Google’s servers; it will only be saved directly on the phone.

The thermometer was also noted in Google’s official 360-degree render that leaked in September. So it’s effectively confirmed that this feature is indeed coming.

Pixel 8 software

The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will be the first phones to officially run on Android 14 out of the box, which is currently in beta. The latest version of Android includes extensive improvements to accessibility features, battery optimization improvements, improved privacy features, a customizable lock screen and wallpapers, and so much more.

New information has also emerged about the Pixel 8 series getting more updates compared to its predecessors. According to a recent report, Google could surpass Samsung and provide over four years of major OS updates to the phones. The company is expected to match Apple’s long-term update commitment towards iPhones. So since the Pixel 8 lineup will most likely launch with Android 14, you can expect updates till Android 19, if the information is accurate.

Wojciechowska’s leaked spec sheet in late September mentioned up to seven years of updates, although it stands to reason that we’re looking at seven years of security patches. Either way, it looks like Google is indeed stepping up its update game.

We imagine the Pixel 8 series will also have a few other Pixel-specific additions that go beyond the Android 14 update, though we don’t really have any substantial information on that. However, an APK teardown does suggest video improvements like a new video unblur tool. Similar to photo unblur on the Pixel 7, this feature would help to clean up blurriness, but in videos.

A leaked promo video also teased an “Audio Magic Eraser” feature that removes unwanted audio from a video clip, likely with the help of AI. It’s believed this feature would appear in both models.

Another teardown revealed Night Sight could be further improved by combining photos taken by the main and telephoto lenses to enhance the center of the resulting image. So expect at least some camera software improvements, though we imagine there will be much more than this.

Interested in what the wallpapers look like on the Pixel 8? Check out our Pixel 8 wallpapers article to learn more.

Easy eSIM transfers

Google is working on making transferring phones easier, especially if those phone support eSIM. Although this is probably not going to be a Pixel 8 or even Pixel exclusive, it’s possible the Pixel 8 would be the first Android phone with the feature. Essentially, you’d be provided a QR code that you’d scan with your new phone that would then allow you to quickly transfer your eSIM to the new handset.

Should I wait for the Pixel 8?

The Pixel 8 series will likely be some of the most talked-about phones of 2023. However, if you already rock a Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro, there might not be enough reasons to upgrade.

If you are on an older Pixel or a competitor device and are thinking about switching, we’d advise you to wait for the Pixel 8 launch. At this point, it’s only a few weeks away. Even if you decide not to go with a Pixel 8, the prices of the Pixel 7 ($545 at Amazon) and Pixel 7 Pro ($589.98 at Amazon) will undoubtedly drop in response. These phones are still terrific and would be a good alternative to the 2023 models.

If you are looking for something else, the next-best choice would be something from the Galaxy S23 series. The Galaxy S23 ($799 at Amazon) would be a terrific choice in place of the Pixel 8, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra ($1199.99 at Samsung) is easily a major competitor to the Pixel 8 Pro. The Galaxy S23 Plus ($999.99 at Samsung) could be a good choice for those who want something a bit in the middle.