Pixel 8 series MEGATHREAD

Welp_im_damned@lemdro.id to Android@lemdro.id – 163 points –
lemdro.id

Livestream:

#MadeByGoogle ‘23: Keynote

Preorder deals:

Google Store

BestBuy

Videos:

Google Pixel 8/8 Pro Impressions: Software Magic! - Marques Brownlee

Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro hands - on Engadget

Pixel 8/8 Pro Hands-On! | EVERYTHING New! - 9to5Google

Google Pixel 8 Pro - Early Thoughts! - Dave2D Articles:

The Pixel 8 Pro has better cameras, a brighter screen, and a lot of new AI tricks -Verge

Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro hands-on: Generative AI and a temperature sensor on your phone - Engadget

Android 14 info:

gen ai wallpaper - Mishaal

clock/weather update - Mishaal

VPN info Mishaal

Pls let me know if I miss something, I'll post it as soon as I can.

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Jeez. Just replace the keynote with a web page that lists specs, features, etc so I can decide whether I want to buy your product or not.

So much corporate vomit. Jeez.

Agreed. Also, mentioning AI every 3 sentences like every other tech company recently.

To be fair, they are primarily an Software (and theirfor AI) company.

It's still pretty annoying. I also really liked the intro of the Keynote for once.

Good thing they immediately launched the product pages with comparisons and don't force you to watch the keynote!

7 years of OS support! That's the kind of stuff I like to hear.

Now I would really like for Google to retroactively upgrade the Pixel 6 and 7 update support to match the Pixel 8.

Yeah, they're not gonna do that. The GrapheneOS team thinks Google will give the 6 and 7 series 5 full years of OS upgrades instead of 3 OS + 2 security tho so fingers crossed.

I'd love it too with my 7a, but there's no way Google does something nice just 'cause. They've already sold the phones with a shorter support window and they gain nothing by releasing more updates for those devices.

Until Google decides to change its mind 🙃

Lol, there's a non-zero chance that Google cancels the Pixel series.

Definitely great to hear. It's too bad they're not bringing new pixel software features to older devices though. It'd be a great way to differentiate their lineup from the iPhone.

Very happy to see their partnership with iFixit, and to see repairability actually be taken seriously.

Well, they did not partner with iFixit out of good faith: France's repairability score (which might serve as a template for a EU-wide version) incentivize OEMs to provide repair instructions and parts as it gets them a better score.

I have had to take my pixel 6 pro to the Ifixit like 6 times two times were my fault (broken screen) others were the phone just actually dying for no reason.

That's one of the things I'm most excited about, too

Thanks for this, Welp! Pinning for the day :)

I see that Google is following the trend of limiting certain software features to the Pro model: Pro controls, Video Boost, Night Sight Video and multi-shot RAW. I hope Pro controls will eventually come to older models, either officially or with a modded APK.

Does the pixel now allow wired external displays? Alt-dp Mode? Any news of a desktop mode similar to dex?

I haven't heard anything on that. It's really such an odd omission to not support USB-C Alt mode. It renders the Pixel devices incompatible with AR glasses.

Update: There's actually a tweet up on !googlepixel@lemdro.id suggesting the hardware supports it but it's disabled in software. Should be able to enable if rooted.

Mishaal said no it seems like they didn't implement it this year AGAIN.

Yea that was probably the only reason I would have upgraded from my 7 pro, and if it's not there, looks like the 8 series is a pass from me.

The fact that there is no mention of it anywhere when even the latest iPhones mentioned it seems like enough evidence, but I even contacted Google pixel support and they said the same thing, doesn't have it.

1 more...

The same optical fingerprint reader it seems? That's literally the only improvement I wanted, so if it has an optical fingerprint reader that's a dealbreaker for me.

7 here, and yeah it sucks, even when using special fingerprint-ready screen protectors.

Yeah, I forgot to mention I have the 7 and the fingerprint reader is the only part of this phone that I genuinely hate.

You get secure face unlock now as an alternative if the fingerprint sensor isn't cutting it.

3 more...

It seems like the face unlock is a lot better now. Since it's level 3. That means you can use Google pay and such without the fingerprint sensor.

7 more...

7 full years of OS updates sounds pretty promising. Swap out the battery a few years in and this phone could last a while yet. Pretty impressive.

I mean they work with ifixit to supply the parts. So it should easier as well.

Oh they do? That's great news, nice to see. I'll have to keep that in mind when the Pixel 9 launches when I'm looking for a new phone.

Well the 8 looks like a terrible value. Minimal upgrades over the 7, no software benefits like pro controls, $100 price increase.

Just wait for the 7 to go on sale and get that instead.

128gb at $1000 is a joke. I'm more or less done with high end phones. I won't use most of the high end features anyway. Bought a mid range Samsung last year with a micro SD card slot. Stuck a 512gb card in it. I am happy.

I'd be happy with a mid-range phone too, except I want a good camera. That's basically the only reason I'm looking at high end phones...

Also it's such bullshit that only mid-range phones have SD cards these days.

I am still rocking my pixel 5 with a custom ROM. Don't see a reason to blow $ on a new phone. Will keep using my pixel 5 for as long as I can

Which rom did you pick?

Evolution x with baalam kernel. I get crazy battery backup like overnight idle drain is around 1%.

There is some more Tensor G3 info here: https://blog.google/products/pixel/google-tensor-g3-pixel-8/

Biggest takeaway from that is that the Pixel 8/8 Pro will once again have secure Face Unlock that's been missing since the 4/4XL.

I ordered an 8 Pro to upgrade from my 4XL, along with some Pixel Buds Pro. I already had a Pixel Watch last year and it still works great, so now I can pass that old one on to someone else.

I can see someone being undewhelmed if they already had a 6 or 7, but for those of us coming from farther back it's still quite an upgrade, and unlike other OEMs, it's still the whole Pixel software experience.

With 7 full years of OS updates, too, maybe I can keep this one going even longer. My 4XL is still decent, the battery is starting to show its age but otherwise it runs well, just no more updates.

Google says it uses AI and Machine Learning in the selfie camera of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro to ensure secure Face Unlock on the phones.

Without IR? That's so sus...

Wow, 4XL to 8 Pro!

I was tempted by the 7 Pro last year but my 4XL still works really well. After being without updates so long, though, it's hard to justify staying on it any longer.

I think the 7 years of updates will be perfect for you... assuming the 8 Pro battery holds up well!

I hope so! Allegedly they have made it easier to swap out the battery on the 8/8 Pro as well but I'll believe it when I see it. Google said in the keynote that they are partnering with ifixit for replacement parts and so on. You can already get parts from ifixit for older pixels but the process is rather complex.

Good to see minor battery life improvements to the Pixel Watch 2. Hopefully that upgraded heart rate sensor is actually accurate.

https://youtu.be/TVGk48jcdtg

Pixel Watch was embarrassingly bad in health tracking compared to the Apple Watch SE. It's cheaper to get an Apple Watch SE + (discounted) iPhone than just a Pixel Watch.

And please get rid of the Fitbit subscription, Google.

Yup, I considered the pixel watch for my android phone but Garmin has an advantage over it in every category while having no subscription. I would have considered an apple watch if it were compatible with android.

I think the pixel watch is doomed to fail unless they can separate from the Fitbit model and continue to improve the hardware and software.

I still wouldn't consider an apple watch over a Garmin. Apple/Google/Samsung need to get their battery life on par with Garmin.

I agree, after owning Garmin watches I wouldn't want an apple watch.

had no idea Google owned Fitbit. But looks like you don't miss out on many features by not subscribing to the Fitbit pro thing. Could be wrong. But Yea screw a Fitbit subscription.

They moved detailed sleep tracking insights under the subscription model. It's pretty disappointing.

What would be the difference (if there is one) from the detailed sleep tracking and non detailed version?

Sleep phase details, which can be useful for monitoring sleep quality over time.

I can't stand sleeping with a watch on so not getting the sub hasn't bothered me a bit.

Interesting! My smart watches are almost solely for sleep tracking and are used mostly as regular time pieces during the day.

I use my smart watch for 3 features

  1. As a watch
  2. For notifications
  3. For sleep tracking

I don't really do any sports, but it's nice to know how many steps I took today and how far I walked. (it's between 100m-20km per day)

Thanks for the link! yeah thats a shame about the health tracking

do you trust that guy because he calls himself a scientist or because he has fancy graphs, maybe his accent? hmm… must be the lab dress shown for 5 seconds in the intro.

I saw both of his videos where he compares pixel watch and apple watch against polar h10 chest strap as a reference device, but somehow the reference device is ranked lower than apple device in his pixel watch ratings? How does that happen?

how does a reference device wind up being less accurate against the device you are testing against? I couldn't find him testing them against an actual medical equipment.

Him comparing Apple watch against Polar H10: https://i.ibb.co/MnSJXR1/image.png

His ranking when testing Google pixel watch where polar h10 is less accurate?: https://i.ibb.co/Xt9hS4J/image.png

Google is shit at hardware and nobody wants a subscription for a watch but maybe, just maybe, this guy seems like a apple fanboy?

The guy doesn't reveal his data or the code he uses to plot the graphs, just 100s and 100s of affiliate links. How the hell people consider this scientific and why the fuck is it so popular?

I'm no scientist but I don't know. educate me

He reviewed a second Polar H10 strap, which is why it was on the chart. https://youtu.be/6F_RccP7Ec0

It does seem to have been removed from newer videos. It's not in the Apple Watch Series 9 review.

Regarding the accuracy of the Polar H10 strap itself: https://youtu.be/YGMZNF7Lnmo

Regarding comparing with actual scientific tests: https://youtu.be/7m_oBiYk8Rk he only does it for devices with significance, it seems.

It's not a perfect series of tests since the subject is only him, but he's clear about it and it's above and beyond what regular tech reviewers do, who gloss over spec sheets.

These are the kinds of reviews I personally value.

Any news on older Pixel devices having a price reduction? Has that been the case in the past maybe? I haven't ever payed close attention near a new device launch.

They usually get discontinued. But the 6a did get a reduction in price tho. So maybe the 7 pro would get a reduction?

Just pre-ordered the 252GB Pixel 8 in rosé

Currently own a 4a and love it except for the battery life and the sometimes bad performance

Preordering a phone now?

Why? Lol

Because:

  1. I will buy it anyway
  2. I get free earphones when I buy now
  3. It will arrive next week

The 7 years of updates and that the software experience will be excellent sold me. I don't even consider Samsung phones because I absolutely hate their software. I also don't consider buying an IPhone because I own an IPad and while not a terrible experience, it's worse than on my Pixel.

I grabbed a Pro for myself, a worthy upgrade from the 5, and getting a free Watch 2 with it is great. I love my OG pixel watch so that with better battery life is all I ask for.

It's not free, you are paying for it in the phone price. Phone prices are super inflated rn. People keep buying these $1k phones, so prices are slowly going up to see what they can get away with.

Okay, so at no extra cost to me I get a $700 phone (by your standards) and a $350 watch, both of which I use basically all day every day for any number of reasons that will last me 3 years like my current one. Sounds good to me.

Woah my guy, I am not objecting your purchasing decision, relax! I hope they are great devices and you are happy with them.

So what price do you think the 8 Pro should sell at?

And what price do you think would be good for a 8 Pro and Pixel Watch bundle?

At some point the 8 Pro would be sold at MSRP and without the watch which would be the worst value. And you would have to wait a long while for the phone to drop in price the value of the watch.

Nah pixels drop fast in price and there's always loads of sales.

Phones havent changed much in the last few years, but prices have sky rocketed.

I think all these flagship phones should be like $700-800 max. $1000 is ridiculous.

Congrats! Should be quite the upgrade from the Pixel 5.

Glad to see it finally being introduced in my country! Sadly they won't accept trade ins for the 7, which means I'll be passing on this until the 7 is EoL.

Looks like a nice incremental improvement. I know we weren't expecting it, but I really hope to see satellite functionality. Maybe next year!

Satellite messaging would be a killer feature worth the upgrade.

how is this incremental?

it has way brighter screen, longer lifespan, better haptics, better performance (which will help it stay usable for 7 years), and it still has partnership with ifixit so you can replace batteries by yourself

I would be excited except it's 2023 and Google has not made it available in my country (Indonesia), with the 4th biggest population in the world. This is a country where over 80 percent of the population uses Android phones. It seems Google is just not that serious in trying to sell us phones.