Google announced the new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro on Wednesday during its Made by Google Event, introducing it alongside the new Pixel Watch 2. Both phones will be available on October 12th starting at $699 and $999, respectively, with preorders beginning today, October 4th.
Powered by the new Google Tensor G3, both phones should offer improved performance, audio, and voice quality. The chip also allows for new AI capabilities, like Audio Magic Eraser, which removes distracting sounds from videos. In addition, both phones now feature a max refresh rate of 120Hz and the promise of seven years of software support and Android updates. The Pro model, meanwhile, offers improved cameras and additional bells and whistles, like the ability to measure the temperature of objects.
We still have a few days left until the phones ship, but in the meantime, you can preorder either model from Google and other retailers. We’ll also be publishing our hands-on impressions shortly ahead of our full reviews, so stay tuned.
The Pixel 8 arrives with a 6.2-inch OLED screen with a refresh rate that can vary between 60 and 120Hz. The phone also now comes with the new, more powerful Google Tensor G3 chip and new capabilities. In addition to Audio Magic Eraser, Google Assistant can now read aloud, summarize, and translate webpages, while Call Screen filters out spam calls. Google claims the phones offer all-day battery life as well as improved rear cameras.
The Pixel 8 starts at $699 and is available in three colors: black, pink, and “hazel,” which is like a light gray with a hint of green. You can buy it with either 128GB or 256GB of storage, and both configurations come with 8GB of RAM. The phone will ship on October 12th and is available to preorder now from Amazon, Best Buy, and Google. Google is also offering a free pair of the Pixel Buds Pro or $200 off the Pixel Watch 2 with each preorder, while Best Buy is including the Pixel Buds Pro and up to $800 off with a qualifying trade-in.
The Google Pixel 8 arrives with what Google claims is its most powerful and capable chip yet — the new third-gen Tensor G3. The phone also sports a new 120Hz max refresh rate, which is an upgrade over the Pixel 7’s 90Hz. You can buy the Pixel 8 with either 128GB or 256GB of storage.
The Pixel 8 Pro offers a larger, brighter 6.7-inch OLED screen than the standard model with a variable refresh rate that can go all the way from 1Hz to 120H. Like the Pixel 8, it also runs on the new Google Tensor G3 chip. However, the phone offers a triple-camera array with an upgraded 48-megapixel ultrawide camera lens. It also sports a built-in temperature sensor, so you can take the temperature of cookware, drinks, and other objects.
The Pixel 8 Pro starts at $999, features 12GB of RAM, and comes in one of four storage options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. It’s available in black, light blue, and “porcelain,” which is like a combination of white and beige. You can preorder it now from Amazon, Best Buy, and Google ahead of its October 12th release date. As far as incentives go, Google is offering it with a free Pixel Watch 2 or a pair of Pixel Buds Pro, while Best Buy is throwing in a free Pixel Watch 2 and up to $800 in savings with select trade-ins.
The Pixel 8 Pro includes what Google says is its best Pixel camera yet. It also features a built-in thermometer and Google’s third-gen Tensor G3 chip. It’s available for preorder with 12GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage.
If you don’t want to buy an unlocked phone, Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T are all offering various promotions when you switch plans or trade in an eligible device.
If you add a line, Verizon will give you a free Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro when you trade in qualifying phones on certain Unlimited plans. This promo is available to both existing and new customers, though new customers will also get a $200 e-gift card when they switch to Verizon. The carrier is also offering up to $800 off the Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro when you trade in select devices on some Unlimited plans.
If you prefer freebies, Verizon is also throwing in a free Pixel Watch 2 when you buy the Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro with select trade-ins and Unlimited plans, though you’ll need to add the LTE-equipped watch to a Verizon plan. The carrier is also offering 50 percent off Pixel Buds when you preorder the Pixel 8 as well as a 15 percent discount on chargers, cases, and other select accessories.
You can also get a free Pixel 8 or an $800 discount on the Pixel 8 Pro from T-Mobile. You’ll either have to add a line or trade in an eligible device on the Go5G Plus, Go5G Next, Go5G Business Plus, or Go5G Business Next plans. Those who switch to T-Mobile on qualifying Business Unlimited plans are also eligible for this deal.
In addition, those trading select devices on eligible plans, including the Go5G and Magenta plans, can get up to $500 off either phone. If you add a line to those plans, you’re also eligible for a $400 discount on either phone. You’ll also get a free Pixel Watch 2 when you preorder either the Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro; however, you’ll have to activate a new watch line for the LTE-enabled model via a virtual prepaid Mastercard to get the deal.
You can get a free Pixel 8 Pro from AT&T when you trade in qualifying smartphones on select plans. If you prefer the Pixel 8 and don’t mind monthly installments, AT&T will let you pay $15 per month as opposed to $23.34 every month when you buy it on eligible plans.
Update October 4th, 11:46AM ET: We’ve updated this post to include additional preorder details from Amazon, Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T.