Google introduced its new phones: Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. The phones will have improved cameras and various AI features and updates until 2030.
Google hasn’t changed much on the outside of the Pixels. Like the Pixel 7, the new phones also have a clear cover with a raised bar on the back. This contains the camera lenses.
As always, the focus of Pixel phones is largely on the cameras. The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro both have a standard 50-megapixel lens and a sensor that captures more light in dark environments. The Pixel 8 also has a wide-angle lens (12 megapixels) with support for macro photography.
The Pro also has a wide-angle lens (48MP) that captures more light and allows you to get closer to macro photo subjects. As an addition, the device also has a telephoto lens (48MP) with which you can zoom in on the image up to five times.
Google is focusing on artificial intelligence in the Pixel
For photography, Google is investing heavily in using AI to improve quality. For example, there’s a function that takes several consecutive photos of group photos and then makes sure everyone’s eyes are open. For videos, there will be an option to filter out noise in ambient sound.
But Google is also adding more AI functionality outside of cameras. For example, Pixel phones can summarize and read web pages, although this option is only available in English at the moment. Google Keyboard can also help users better with typos and punctuation.
The Pixel 8 Pro has a temperature sensor for scanning objects. You can then read the temperature from it. According to Google, this is not only useful if you want to measure the temperature of baby formula in the bottle, but also if you want to check if you have an overheating yourself.
Seven years of updates and the first hour in the Netherlands
Google is also promising consumers seven years of updates for the new Pixels. This concerns new versions of Android, but also security updates. This doesn’t happen very often on Android phones. For example, Samsung typically promises four Android updates and five years of security updates.
The price of the Pixel 8 phone is 799 euros. The Pro version retails for €1,099.
For the first time, the Google smartwatch is also on sale in the Netherlands. The Pixel Watch 2 is a watch with a round screen on which you can open apps, see the time, and exercise. According to the company, the battery will last for at least a day. It costs 399 euros.
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