AI, Camera Tricks Make Pixel 8 Pro a Compelling Galaxy, iPhone Alternative

pcmag.com:

Google today unveiled the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones at its Made by Google event, with new camera powers that bring the fight straight to Apple and Samsung.

The new Pixels follow the basic footprint of the Pixel 7 and Pixel 6 series, which means there's a smaller, regular edition phone and a larger Pro model. Though outwardly they don't appear all that different from the previous generations, Google worked hard to fill the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro with lots of new AI-enhanced tech—like deleting annoying background sounds from your videos. Here are all the details as well as our first impressions of the new hardware.

The Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro have new silhouettes compared to the Pixel 7 series. The corners are now more round, which means they're more comfortable to hold than the blocky 7 and 7 Pro. The Pixel 8 measures 5.9 by 2.8 by 0.4 inches (HWD) and weighs 6.6 ounces, which is 0.2 inches shorter and 0.35 ounces lighter than the Pixel 7, but 0.06 inches thicker. For those of you who miss smaller phones, the Pixel 8 is delightfully compact and easy to use with one hand.

The Pixel 8 Pro is larger at 6.4 by 3.0 by 0.3 inches and 7.5 ounces, which means it is 0.05 inches thinner, but 0.02 ounces heavier than the Pixel 7 Pro. The soft-touch finish on the back makes it easier to grip even though the phone is a bit on the wide side. The 8 Pro gets rid of the curved display of the 7 Pro in favor of a flat panel similar to the Pixel 8. If touching targets on the curved edge of the Pixel 7 Pro annoyed you, this ought to be a welcome change. Both Pixel 8 devices are also IP68 rated, so they are dustproof and can survive being submerged in water for a short time.

Google kept the premium materials with Corning Gorilla Glass