Google unveils new Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel Watch 2 at its October event

Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro with Pixel Watch 2 (image via Google)

Google held its annual hardware event on October 4, 2023, where it showcased its latest products and features. The main attractions were the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones, which are powered by Google’s own Tensor G3 chipset and feature improved cameras, displays and software. Google also introduced the Pixel Watch 2, its second attempt at a smartwatch that runs on the new Wear OS 3 platform. Last but not least, Google officially released Android 14, the latest version of its mobile operating system that brings further security, privacy and customization options. Below are the Prices in USD and some features:

Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro

The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are Google’s flagship phones for 2023, and they come with some notable upgrades over their predecessors. Both phones sport a new design language with rounded corners, a flat display and a horizontal camera bar on the back. The Pixel 8 has a 6.2-inch OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, while the Pixel 8 Pro has a larger 6.7-inch OLED screen and a refresh rate that can go up to 120Hz.

The most significant change under the hood is the Tensor G3 processor, which is Google’s first custom-made chip for smartphones. Google claims that the Tensor G3 can deliver faster performance, better battery life and enhanced AI capabilities. The Tensor G3 also enables some new features on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, such as Live Translate, which can translate text as you type in any app; Magic Eraser, which can remove unwanted objects from photos; and Face Unlock, which can securely unlock your phone with your face.

The cameras on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro have also been improved, thanks to the Tensor G3 and some new hardware. Both phones have a 50-megapixel main sensor and an 8-megapixel selfie camera, but the Pixel 8 Pro also adds a 48-megapixel telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom and a 48-megapixel ultra-wide lens. Google says that the cameras can capture more details, colours and dynamic range in various lighting conditions. The cameras also support some new modes, such as Cinematic Pan, which can create smooth video transitions; Action Pan, which can freeze the background while keeping the subject in focus; and Long Exposure, which can create stunning effects with moving lights.

The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro also come with some other features that make them stand out from the crowd. For instance, both phones have wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities, which means you can use them to charge other devices like headphones or smartwatches. Both phones also have IP68 water and dust resistance ratings, which means they can survive being submerged in water for up to 30 minutes. Both phones also support seven years of Android software updates, which is longer than any other Android phone on the market.

The Pixel 8 starts at $699 for the base model with 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM, while the Pixel 8 Pro starts at $999 for the same configuration. You can pre-order them now from Google’s website or various retailers, and they will start shipping on October 12.

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Pixel Watch 2

The Pixel Watch 2 is Google’s second attempt at making a smartwatch that can compete with the likes of Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch. The Pixel Watch 2 runs on Wear OS 4, which is a new version of Google’s wearable operating system. Wear OS 4 promises to offer faster performance, longer battery life and more compatibility with Android apps.

The Pixel Watch 2 has a circular AMOLED display that measures 41 mm in diameter and has a resolution of 450 x 450 pixels. The display is protected by Custom 3D Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5 and supports always-on mode and ambient light sensor. The watch also has two physical buttons on the right side: one for accessing apps and settings, and one for launching Google Assistant.

The watch is powered by Qualcomm’s 5100 Cortex M33 co-processor, which is designed specifically for smartwatches. The watch also has 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. The watch supports Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, NFC and LTE connectivity options. The watch also has various sensors for tracking health and fitness activities, such as heart rate monitor, blood oxygen monitor, electrodermal activity sensor (for measuring stress levels), accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer and compass.

The watch comes with some exclusive features that work best with a Pixel phone. For example, you can use your watch to unlock your phone with your face, or use your phone to find your watch if you lose it. You can also access some Pixel-specific features on your watch, such as Now Playing (which shows the song name and artist on your watch when you listen to music on your phone), Call Screen (which lets you screen incoming calls on your watch) and Personal Safety (which lets you share your location and emergency contacts with your watch).

The watch also supports Google Pay, Google Fit, Google Maps and other popular Google apps. You can also download and use hundreds of third-party apps from the Google Play Store on your watch. The watch is compatible with any Android phone running Android 9.0 or higher.

The watch has a 306mAh battery that can last up to two days on a single charge, depending on your usage. The watch supports fast charging and wireless charging and comes with a magnetic charger in the box. The watch is also water-resistant up to 5 ATM, which means it can withstand being submerged in water up to 50 meters.

The Pixel Watch 2 starts at $349 for wi-fi model and $399 for the LTE model. You can pre-order them now from Google’s website or various retailers. If you pre-order a Pixel 8 Pro, you can get a Pixel Watch 2 for free as a bonus.

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Android 14

Android 14 is the latest version of Google’s mobile operating system that powers millions of devices around the world. Android 14 brings some new features and improvements that make Android more secure, private and customizable.

One of the biggest changes in Android 14 is the new Material You design language, which lets you personalize your device with dynamic colours, shapes and animations. You can choose a wallpaper that reflects your mood or style, and Android will automatically generate a colour palette that matches it. You can also tweak the colours, fonts, icons and widgets to suit your preferences.

Another major change in Android 14 is the new Privacy Dashboard, which gives you more control over how apps access your data. You can see which apps have accessed your location, camera, microphone and other permissions in the past 24 hours, and revoke or grant them as you wish. You can also see which apps are accessing your clipboard, and turn off access if you don’t trust them.

Android 14 also introduces some new features that make your device more helpful and convenient. For example, you can use Live Space to get relevant information about your surroundings, such as weather, traffic, events and nearby places. You can also use Quick Tap to perform actions by tapping the back of your phone, such as taking a screenshot, launching Google Assistant or playing music.

Android 14 also improves some existing features that make your device more fun and enjoyable. For example, you can use Emoji Kitchen to create custom stickers from your favourite emojis or use Wallpaper Colors to change the accent colour of your keyboard, notification shade and other UI elements. You can also use Game Mode to optimize your gaming experience by blocking notifications, adjusting brightness and enabling performance boost.

Android 14 is rolling out now to Pixel devices, starting with the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Other devices from Samsung, OnePlus, Motorola and other manufacturers will receive Android 14 in the coming months.