Apple’s fall device drop may be getting all the attention, but Google wants to remind you that it’s here too, with some exciting new tech and impressive AI upgrades coming soon to their Pixel phones. In this article, we’ll break down everything Google just announced and compare the Pixel 8 to the new iPhone 15. If you’re interested in the latest tech gear, security alerts, and digital life hacks, join over 600K subscribers who receive my daily emails, The Current, for free.
Let’s start with the Pixel 8 Pro, which comes with a price tag of $999. They’ve bumped up the price by $100 from the previous model, but it’s worth it. The Pixel 8 Pro features Google’s powerful Tensor G3 chip and a camera that can rival the iPhone 15. One neat feature is the Zoom Enhance, which allows you to add details to your photos even after taking the shot and zooming in. Another interesting addition is a temperature sensor that can accurately measure the temperature of a surface, object, and even your forehead. The Pixel 8 Pro comes in black, porcelain, and light blue, and it’s expected to ship on October 12.
Now let’s talk about the non-Pro version, the Pixel 8. It also sees a $100 price increase, but it’s faster and slightly smaller than its predecessor. One of the standout features of the Pixel 8 is its access to Google’s new AI photo editing tools, including Magic Editor, which can change the scenery in a photo, remove distracting elements, and even move people around. Best Take, another great tool, allows you to take several pictures and choose the best face for each subject, merging them into one final image where everyone looks good. There’s also Audio Magic Eraser, which can tone down distracting sounds in audio tracks. The Pixel 8 is priced at $699 or $799 if you’re buying from Verizon. It comes in rose, black, and hazel and is expected to ship on October 12.
One advantage of the Pixel phones is that Google promises updates until 2030, providing seven years of “OS, security, and Feature Drop updates” for both models. So if you invest in a Pixel phone, you know it will keep working for many years.
When comparing the Pixel and iPhone models, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and which ecosystem you’re comfortable with. If you’ve been using one for a long time, you may find it hard to switch to the other. However, if we look at the specs of the base models, the Pixel phones are quite solid for their price. As an iPhone devotee, I have to admit that.
Aside from the phones, Google has other exciting products in the works. The Pixel Watch 2 has received significant upgrades, including a better processor that provides up to 24 hours of battery life with the always-on display enabled. It also features new sensors to track your skin temperature, electrodermal activity, heart rate, and automatic workout tracking. The GPS version is priced at $349.99, while the LTE version is $399.99.
Google’s answer to AirPods, the Pixel Buds, has also been upgraded. The Pixel Buds Pro now come in light blue and porcelain options and offer improved audio for fuller and clearer sound. They are priced at $199.99.
Google Assistant is also getting smarter with a Bard AI upgrade in the coming months. It will connect with your Google apps like Gmail, Drive, and Calendar to help you plan trips, caption pictures, make lists, and find forgotten dinner reservations.
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