Google Shows Off the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro Ahead of October 4 Launch

Just days ahead of what is expected to be Apple’s launch event for the next iPhone, Google quietly dropped a sneak peek at the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.

Google’s launch strategy has for some time been in stark contrast to how the team at Infinite Loop likes to handle bringing new products to market. Apple keeps its new products very close to the chest, always choosing to reveal information only at events it hosts on its campus. While the names of these events sometimes hint at what a new product might be, it is always a rumor or a straight-up guess.

On the other hand, Google often either intentionally “leaks” or just outright shares information about what it plans to launch well in advance of its showcases. This week’s “sneak peek” is no exception. The 23-second video published to its YouTube channel doesn’t go too deep, but it does show that Google isn’t planning to change a whole lot when it comes to the design aesthetic of its upcoming handhelds.

The broad camera stripe that is iconic of the Pixel series since the Pixel 5 remains on the Pixel 8. The Pixel 8 Pro appears to have a three-camera system while the smaller Pixel 8 has just two.

Leaks and rumors say to expect the Pixel 8 Pro to bring a 50-megapixel main camera and a 64-megapixel ultra-wide camera, but Google hasn’t confirmed and it is likely these details won’t be revealed until October.

While the official sneak peek doesn’t show the front of the smartphone, which is rather typical of sneaks when it comes to mobile devices, the sides and associated buttons are visible.

While this is little more than a design tease, which doesn’t reveal much since the design is rather consistent with previous entries, Engadget notes that this might be a ploy to try and steal just a little bit of thunder from Apple ahead of its presumed iPhone launch next week. Its event is scheduled for September 12, which is turning into quite a busy day of launches in the imaging industry.

Google is hosting an event on October 4 in New York, which PetaPixel was invited to attend, which is where and when the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will presumably be officially announced. The sneak peek video above also states that both devices will be available to pre-order starting that day.