Google usually tries to keep its new Pixel phones under wraps until their official October launch event. That said, this year’s flagships have been in the news a lot before that event due to a combination of leaks and hands-on images. The Pixel 8 Pro has now been accidentally shown off, and if the leaked renders are accurate, it looks like there won’t be any big changes from last year’s model.
The latest Pixel 8 Pro renders show a recognizable design, with the power button and volume rocker in the same spots as on the current models. The back, meanwhile, sports a single cutout that should house the main camera, ultra-wide camera, and periscope-style telephoto lens. The back also shows another round cutout underneath the LED flash, which a leak suggests will be for a new sensor that can measure a person’s temperature.
It’s a little unclear why this new feature would be necessary on a Pixel phone — especially a flagship one — but the idea behind it is intriguing nonetheless. If this sensor proves useful, it could help users avoid overheating or getting sick while using the phone outdoors during hot weather. In the past, Google’s Pixel phones have offered the option to tune out background noise in videos, which is a handy feature for anyone who does a lot of video content.
According to the latest rumors, both the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro will see improvements in their displays. The Pro’s will reportedly get a bigger screen and a higher refresh rate, while the regular Pixel will see its display shrink to 6.17 inches with an improved resolution and brightness. Both phones will supposedly be capable of wireless charging at 24W thanks to larger batteries, and wired charging speeds are expected to increase slightly to 23W on the Pixel 8 and 27W on the Pixel 8 Pro (still far behind the competition).
A separate source, per Android Authority, has pointed out that both Pixel 8 models will stick with the same RAM and storage configurations as their predecessors, meaning we should expect 12GB of Samsung LPDDR5 RAM and a choice of 128GB or 256GB of UFS storage. The tipster also says both phones will retain the Pixel’s in-house Titan security chip, which is designed to store sensitive data and handle secure boot.
As for other hardware changes, WinFuture notes that both devices will continue to use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845 CPU. The new Pro, however, is rumored to switch from Samsung’s Exynos reference design to a fully Google-designed Tensor G3 processor. This should mean faster performance, better battery efficiency, and the ability to support more advanced graphics applications. The site also points out that the Pixel 8 Pro will use a new liquid cooling system that will help it keep its temperature in check. That might not be a huge change, but it should make the device more reliable and durable. Stay tuned for more details about the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro when they’re officially announced later this month.