During the “Made by Google” presentation, the Mountain View company lifted the veil on its new devices for 2023. We were able to learn more about the new features of the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro smartphones and the Pixel Watch 2, as well as the Pixel Buds Pro. Headphones.
After Apple, Amazon and Microsoft’s presentations of their new products for 2023, it was Google’s turn to take the technology news by storm.
As part of its Made by Google presentation, the American company presented the new features of its Pixel device range as well as the Android 14 update.
There are two new smartphones: the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro, a new smartwatch with the Pixel Watch 2 and a software update for the Pixel Buds Pro headphones.
What’s new with the Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro phones?
Here’s a quick overview of the key new features we’ll find in Google’s Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro phones.
Tensor G3 chip
Not surprisingly, we find a new chip to power these phones. This is the Tensor G3 chip.
This provides more power for the phone’s various tasks, be it photo and video editing, instant translation, unwanted call filtering, or call clarity. In short, everything that has set Google phones apart since the introduction of Google’s in-house chip.
New Actua screen
The Pixel 8’s 6.2-inch screen is updated with a screen that Google calls Actua.
This screen offers sharper, more vibrant colors with more detail and more brightness.
The Pro model is a 6.7-inch Super Actua screen that offers even more detail.
A revised design
The design of the phones’ body has undergone some changes to differentiate them from the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7.
The rear camera visor in particular has been revised, but the Pro model is also characterized by an aluminum frame and a matte glass back.
Improved cameras
Speaking of cameras: They have been improved again on these phones.
The Pixel 8 therefore has a 50 MP wide-angle camera and a 12 MP ultra-wide-angle lens. The Pixel 8 Pro has a 50MP wide-angle camera, a 48P ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 48MP telephoto sensor.
Google will also be rolling out Video Boost technology in the months following the launch of these phones. This unlocks HDR+ and night vision for our videos.
New smart functions
The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro will introduce new smart features that will make our lives easier.
First we find the Best Take function, perfect for group photos.
Under these circumstances there is always someone who wasn’t ready… So we keep trying to get the perfect picture. With the help of AI, we can now alter the faces of these people using similar photos that we have taken.
Then there is the “Audio Magic Eraser” feature that allows us to remove ambient noise in our videos.
Finally, Google will roll out the Magic Editor feature in the coming months to offer even more AI tools in our photos. For example, we can change a background or even move a subject!
7 years of update support
The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro phones are entitled to 7 years of feature updates as well as security updates.
What are the prices for the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro phones?
The Google Pixel 8 phone has a starting price of $949 for the 128GB model, while the Pixel 8 Pro starts at $1,349 for the same storage.
Additionally, Google is giving away a pair of Pixel Buds Pro headphones if you pre-order one of the devices.
Pixel 8
Pixel 8 Pro
What’s new in the Pixel Watch 2 smartwatch?
Google entered the world of smartwatches with the Pixel Watch. Here they are launching the Pixel Watch 2 with many new features.
New sensors for our health
With Google’s acquisition of Fitbit, it should come as no surprise that the Pixel Watch 2 also wants to become our fitness companion and tool for monitoring our health.
In particular, we find a new multi-use heart rate sensor that will allow us to better monitor our pace during our exercises or even during our sleep.
The recognition of stress phases is also improved with this model.
Physical activity detection
The Pixel Watch 2 can now automatically detect specific physical activity sessions.
For example, we no longer have to start a running or cycling session manually, as the watch recognizes this automatically.
Safety check for more safety
The watch introduces a new safety feature called Safety Check.
This allows us to set a timer for a specific situation and notify our friends or family members if we have not returned at the end of the situation.
For example, we go hiking in the forest, thinking it will take us 2 hours, but in the end we are still not finished after 2 hours. The clock asks us if everything is OK. If we don’t respond, it shares our location with the people around us.
Increased battery life
Google has also increased the battery life and speaks of a lifespan of 24 hours with an always-on screen (Always on Display).
75 minutes is enough to charge it from 0 to 100%.
How much does the Pixel Watch 2 cost?
There are two models of the Pixel Watch 2. The Wi-Fi model costs $479.99 and the LTE model costs $549.99.
Pixel Watch 2
What’s new with the Pixel Buds Pro earbuds?
Launched in summer 2022, the Pixel Buds Pro easily made it into our list of the best earbuds on the market. This is due to their good sound quality and excellent ambient noise reduction technology.
These are made even more interesting by a software update of the headphones, which provides access to new functions.
Clearer calls
Pixel Buds Pro now support Bluetooth Super Wideband. Thanks to this technology, our voice is much clearer during phone or video calls.
In addition, Google’s artificial intelligence muffles ambient noise around the person we are talking to to make our calls even clearer.
Conversation recognition
When we listen to music, the headphones can detect when we are talking, thus reducing the noise of the music in our ears.
Mode for the game
A new gaming mode is also introduced in the headphone settings. This essentially reduces latency by half, according to Google.
Pixel Buds Pro