Google announces launch date for Pixel 8: All the details – Times of India

Just a day after Apple sent out invites for the launch of the iPhone 15 series, Google has announced the launch date for the Pixel 8 series. The next Made by Google event is scheduled for October 4th, a few weeks after the new iPhones go official.
This year’s Made by Google event will be an in-person event, taking place in New York City, just like last year. The event will also be live-streamed on YouTube, starting at 10 AM ET or 7:30 PM IST.
At this year’s Made by Google event, two new Pixel phones are expected – Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Rumours are rife that Google could also unveil the second-generation Pixel Watch, dubbed Pixel Watch 2, alongside the phones.
Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro: What to expect
In the usual Google fashion, Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro have not been shy of the attention. Just a few hours ago, the Pixel 8 Pro was spotted on Google’s website, showing off the phone’s back in a Porcelain colour.
The two phones are expected to maintain their design lineage this year. However, there could be some subtle differences. Instead of a curved display, the Pro model this year is said to feature a flat display like the vanilla model. Further, the camera visor would have a single cutout for all the lenses on the Pro model, and it would also feature a temperature sensor.
The Pixel 8 series is expected to be powered by the third-generation of Google’s in-house chipset, the Tensor G3. Further, the two smartphones should come with Android 14 out-of-the-box.
If rumours are to be believed, the Pixels are in for some camera upgrades this year. The Pixel 8 series will have a new 50MP Samsung ISOCELL GN2 primary sensor, which can capture 35% more light than the GN1 sensors in the Pixel 6 and 7 series. The Pixel 8 Pro may have a new 64MP ultra-wide sensor, while the Pixel 8 will stick with the 12.2MP version. Both phones will have new software features, including the ability to control bokeh intensity and an adaptive torch to avoid overexposure.
The Pixel 8 is said to have a 6.1-inch OLED with a 120Hz refresh rate. The Pixel 8 Pro is expected to feature a 6.7-inch flat display with a 120Hz variable refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1600 nits.
The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will have slightly upgraded battery capacities. The Pixel 8 will have a 4,485mAh battery, while the Pixel 8 Pro will have a 4,950mAh battery. The new phones will also have faster wired charging capabilities, with the Pixel 8 supporting 24W and the Pixel 8 Pro supporting 27W charging speeds. Both models will support 20W wireless charging, but Qi 2 charging speed will be limited to 12W.
Pixel Watch 2: What to expect
The Pixel Watch 2 is expected to retain its circular dial design with the same large black bezels as its predecessor, having a 1.2-inch circular OLED screen with a resolution of 384×384 pixels.
The second-gen Pixel Watch will feature a Snapdragon W5 Series chip, and will also have a slightly larger battery of 306mAh. The second-generation Pixel Watch is expected to run on Android 13-powered Wear OS 4 and will feature dynamic theming and seamless updates. Additionally, the Pixel Watch 2 will have ultra-wideband (UWB) capabilities.