Google wants to take on Apple Inc. with its new Pixel phones, which are more iPhone like than ever.
The Pixel 8 Pro and 8 are priced similarly to Apple’s equivalents. They also have screens with flat edges and the ability to make payments using face recognition. Alphabet Inc. Google unveiled its new lineup on Wednesday, including new watches and earbuds. The starting price for its phones has also been raised by $100.
Pixel 8 Pro costs $999 and is the same price as the iPhone 15 Pro, while Pixel 8 costs $699. Google Product Manager Patrick Hennessey said that the new prices reflect the improved displays and cameras in the latest devices. These devices are still “punching well above their weight class”, according to Hennessey. This suggests consumers are getting a better deal.
Google’s Pixel launch is its latest attempt to gain a foothold in the market. Google’s hardware is only a small fraction of its sales, despite the fact that the Android operating system powers the vast majority of smartphones in the world. Counterpoint Research reports that Google shipped 3% of smartphones in the US during the second quarter. Apple has a 55% market share.
Google has been selling phones under its brand for over a decade. But the launch of the first Pixel phone in 2016 intensified the effort. Google’s artificial intelligence and camera features are what have made the Pixel stand out, despite its phones not gaining much commercial traction. The company’s hardware ecosystem was expanded last year with the Pixel Watch.
Apple, the pioneer in raising the price of smartphones , recently raised the prices, taking the latest iPhone 15 Pro Max up to $1,199, by discontinuing the cheaper storage capacity. Google’s market share has increased slightly with its cheaper models that it releases around the middle of every year. The company’s share of the Japanese market was six times higher this summer compared to last year, stealing away cost-conscious iPhone users.
The Pixel phones are equipped with updated cameras and displays that have flat edges, just like Apple’s iPhone 12 from 2020. They also come with a seven-year warranty on updates to the operating system and security. They use Google’s third-generation Tensor processor which has dedicated hardware for image-processing, fine-tuned to the company.
The Pro version features a screen of 6.7 inches, which is the same size as Apple’s largest option. However, the lower-end model only has a screen of 6.2 inches. This display is slightly smaller compared to the 6.3 inch screen of last year’s similar offering. The basic model has also improved the refresh rate. Both phones now have brighter screens. This allows for better scrolling and gaming graphics.
Google’s face-unlock feature has now improved security. The Mountain View-based company’s Face ID feature will unlock banking apps, confirm transactions and allow it to unlock Apple Face ID features that were introduced in 2017.
Google is also rolling out on device generative AI, which can create video and text based on simple instructions. The technology will be integrated into the new Pixel Pro smartphones. This means that Google’s so-called “foundation models” will run directly on the devices.
“We worked closely together with our Google research teams to use their most advanced foundations models and distill them to a version that is efficient enough to run our flagship Pixel,” said Rick Osterloh, Google’s devices chief at an event held at Google Pier 57 in New York on Wednesday.
Osterloh explained that the Pixel 8 Pro can generate short summaries from recordings – to summarize key points of a meeting for instance – or make smarter suggestions on how to reply. The device’s new generative AI model will allow users to create “intelligently sharpened” zoomed-in images.
Pixel Pro 8 ships with the first feature of generative AI, an enhanced magic eraser, which allows users to remove unwanted details from photos. The remaining generative AI features are scheduled to be released in December.
The Pixel 8 Pro also has a matte-finish back, which is similar to that of the iPhone X. It also has a temperature sensing device that can be used on foreheads and objects. Google has said that it is in talks with the US Food and Drug Administration to get the feature certified.
Google Pixel Watch 2 has a new aluminium frame and a faster Qualcomm Incorporated processor. This makes it about 10% lighter. The watch features an improved heart-rate monitor, rapid charging, a skin-temperature sensor, fall detection, and the ability for users to call emergency services quickly. These are all features that Apple Watch has.
The device costs $349 for the version without cellular capabilities and $399 for those that can connect to phone networks and place calls without an attachment phone.
Pixel Buds Pro, the company’s wireless earbuds are also getting a new software update. This software includes some of Apple’s AirPods Pro’s features. This includes noise reduction and clearer calls for the other person. The music will pause automatically when the wearer starts speaking, and there’s an improved latency for games. There are also two new colors: white and navy.