As widely anticipated, Google used the Google Pixel event 2023 to launch its newest models, the Google Pixel 8 Pro and its standard equivalent, promising the most up-to-date smartphone technology. Still, the latest phones in the Pixel series weren’t the only fresh hardware the company showed off at the event, with the Google Pixel Watch 2 also on display.
The Pixel 8 series is the first from Google to use the new Tensor 3 processor, with plenty of improvements in this technology compared to the Tensor 2. The Tensor 3 features nine of the latest CPU cores, vastly improving performance on the Pixel 8 devices compared to that of the 6 or 7 series. If you can’t wait to get your hands on this latest tech, check out our page dedicated to Google Pixel 8 deals.
Meanwhile, the new smartwatch sees improvements to the original in terms of both design and software. There’s a fresh ‘sport design’, made with breathable materials, while the quad-core CPU boosts overall performance. The biggest improvement is the charging rate, though, with the developer promising a 12-hour charge in just 30 minutes.
All the Google Pixel event 2023 highlights
For all the biggest announcements from the Google Pixel event 2023, check out our roundup below.
Pixel Buds Pro update
This week, Google is rolling out its biggest update ever for the Pixel Buds Pro. These improvements include Clear Calling, which uses AI to clean up your reception when making phone calls, and a new Transparency Mode, where you can pause your music or audio input by simply talking, so there’s no need to pull out a bud or fumble for the pause button when ordering a coffee or bumping into a friend.
Google Pixel Watch 2
Using the latest Wear OS software, the Google Pixel Watch 2 supports Gmail and Calendar, with improvements to YouTube Music, Maps, and Google Assistant, as well as some third-party apps. That’s all alongside the new Safety Check feature, so you can feel safer when exploring or exercising alone.
Changes to the hardware of the Google Pixel Watch 2 compared to the original model also offer vastly improved heart monitoring. This means you can have more freedom over where you wear the watch on your arm while still getting the most accurate results.
In terms of pricing, the Google Pixel Watch 2 starts at $349. That includes six months of Fitbit premium, so you can use all the capabilities of the device before deciding whether you feel the fitness-orientated software is necessary for you.
Google Pixel 8 series
The big news from the Google Pixel event 2023 was the reveal of the Google Pixel 8 and the Google Pixel 8 Pro. The design of the fresh devices features a smaller build than previous models, with smoother contours for a better overall feel. There are fresh colors, too, with vibrant Bay Blue and Porcelain models available from launch.
In an interesting development that sees Google offer something most smartphone manufacturers don’t, the company announced it’s teaming up with iFixit to offer components and repair manuals so you can fix your device yourself. That’s not the only sustainable element of the Pixel 8 series, though, with the devices coming in plastic-free packaging.
In terms of display, the Pixel 8 seeks to improve on previous models with the Actua Display. The 6.2-inch Actua Display is 40% brighter than that of the Pixel 7. Going further still, the Pixel 8 Pro offers a 6.7-inch Super Actua Display, which is even more detailed, with a peak brightness of 2,400 nits and an intelligent refresh rate of 1-120hz.
Still, the most dramatic change with the new Pixel 8 series is the inclusion of the Tensor 3 chip. The Tensor 3 hardware is a staggering improvement on previous versions, offering two times the amount of machine learning models compared to the Pixel 6.
For those who need an explainer of what this new technology means, the best example is the Pixel 8’s speech-to-text innovation. The Pixel 8 series smartphones can read complete articles aloud to you, with an option to change the language if said article isn’t in your native tongue. The same software also powers a new virtual assistant, which can take your calls and decline any spam callers trying to reach you.
After touching on the hardware components, Google next turned to talk about the upgraded camera of the Google Pixel 8 series. The Tensor 3 chipset makes various improvements possible with the new cameras, from low-light performance to capturing high-quality video.
The new Best Take feature uses AI technology to combine a series of photos to make something where everyone is looking their best. This is particularly useful for group photos, with everyone in-shot able to choose their preferred moment before combining them into one Best Take that makes everyone happy. Magic Eraser is back, too, offering even more ways to customize your images.
As to be expected, the camera technology in the Google Pixel 8 Pro takes things even further, with upgrades to both the back and front cameras. The Pro version further offers the Pro Controls feature, which includes settings usually only found on high-end cameras, as well as high-resolution 50MP images from across various zoom ranges.
Another camera innovation for the Pixel 8 Pro is Night Sight Video. This feature makes it possible to record crystal-clear videos no matter the time of day. From the short clip showcasing the feature, it looks like a real game-changer, especially for content creators looking to record in low-light situations.
After showing off the new camera features for the Pixel 8 series, Google returned to software to share the upcoming Assistant with Bard function. This AI-powered assistant reaches further than anything Google has offered before, with an intelligent system that can create documents, build itineraries, and plan your day, just from basic information in your emails and messages.
Google Pixel 8 series pricing
After displaying all the exciting features and functions of the Google Pixel 8 series, Google finally shared the price points for the latest models. You can check them out below.
- Google Pixel 8 – starting at $699
- Google Pixel 8 Pro – starting at $999
Android 14
If all that wasn’t enough, Google ended the show by announcing that the Google Pixel 8 series is the first series of smartphones to launch with the new Android 14 OS software. Even more impressively, the company announced that these devices are getting seven years, yes, seven whole years, of security and OS support, carrying these smartphones all the way to 2030.
For more beyond the Google Pixel event 2023, check out our guide to the best Google Pixel phones – a guide that’s likely to change any day now. We’ve also got the best Samsung phones, the best OnePlus phones, and the best Motorola phones so you can find something different in the Android space.