Google Pixel 8: Price, plans and features

The official reveal of Google's next pair of premium smartphones is finally here. Most of the big ticket items leaked ahead of time, but now we've got the full rundown and all the juicy details about both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.

Here's the low-down on everything you need to know about every Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro this year, when you can get your hands on them and how much they will cost in Australia. 

• Tensor G3: Both devices have Google's third-generation flagship processor
• New temperature sensor: Found on both devices
• Upgraded Face unlock: Now meets the highest standard of biometric security on Android
• Brighter screens: Actua display for the Pixel 8, Super Actua display for Pixel 8 Pro
• New camera features: Audio Magic Eraser, Best Take, Video Boost (coming later)
• Seven years of security updates: Superior customer support
• More expensive:  Both devices are pricier than last year's Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro

If you're after the short version, it's that this year's Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro look a lot like their predecessors on the outside but include a lot of new tech on the inside. Aside from the brighter displays and temperature sensor (which can be found on the rear camera), the best upgrades here are as invisible to the eye as they are apparent. Both devices feature a more capable processor, improved Face Unlock, new camera features and the promise of seven years of support from Google.

 The catch is that both devices are more expensive than their 2022 counterparts. Price has always been part of the selling point for Google's devices, so it's a shame to see it move in that direction this year.

Almost every aspect of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro has leaked ahead of time, so there weren't many real big surprises beyond the crushing reality that the asking price of both devices is going up this year.

Still, there are a few unanswered questions here around the future of the Pixel Fold, the performance improvements that the Tensor G3 will offer and just when new camera features like Video Boost will arrive.

Like many other phone brands, Google is raising its prices this year. Here's what you can expect to pay for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro in Australia:

• Pixel 8 (128GB) - $1,199
• Pixel 8 (256GB) -  $1,299
• Pixel 8 Pro (128GB) - $1,699
• Pixel 8 Pro (256GB) - $1,799
• Pixel 8 Pro (512GB) -  $1,999

A week after after being announced on October 5 2023, both the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are available now.

The Google Pixel 8 isn't a huge departure from last year's Pixel 7. It looks pretty similar and packs in plenty of the same bells and whistles. However, it's built better and lasts in a way that goes well beyond the standard set by its predecessor. It's got a brighter dynamic LTPO OLED screen that goes up to 120Hz when needed, a faster Tensor G3 processor, a new temperature sensor, better face unlock and a full seven years of security and software updates.

All those upgrades do add up to a starting price that's $200 more expensive than the starting price for last year's Pixel 8, but it is what it is.

Here’s how much the Pixel 8 costs outright in Australia:

• Pixel 8 (128GB) - $1,199
• Pixel 8 (256GB) -  $1,299

Like the Pixel 7 Pro before it, the new Pixel 8 Pro is the Google smartphone for those who want a little more. The screen is a little brighter. The battery and screen are bigger. You get that third camera lens on the back that allows for better zoom. The material design is a little more luxury-grade.

Beyond that, the biggest headline items here are the same as the standard Pixel 8 Pro. That list includes a faster Tensor G3 processor, a new temperature sensor, better face unlock and a full seven years of security and software updates.

Here’s how much the Pixel 8 Pro costs outright in Australia:

• Pixel 8 Pro (128GB) - $1,699
• Pixel 8 Pro (256GB) - $1,799
• Pixel 8 Pro (512GB) -  $1,999

Thanks to things Google inadvertently posting a photo of the Pixel 8 Pro to its website a few weeks back, most of the big design changes for this year's Pixel devices were leaked ahead of time.

Paired with a new camera bar design, the most notable addition here is a new temperature sensor located below the flash. Otherwise, it seems that Google has mostly opted against trying to reinvent the wheel here.

The company's eighth-generation flagship smartphone looks to be a familiar evolution of the formula it's been honing since the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are also thinner than their 2022 counterparts, though by not a huge degree. 

The main attraction for the Pixel 8 is a 6.17-inch  LTPO OLED screen with FHD+ resolution and a 60Hz-120Hz dynamic refresh rate. Naturally, the Pixel 8 Pro up the ante with a larger 6.7-inch screen. Where the screen on the standard model goes up to 2000 nits in brightness, the more expensive option caps out at 2400 nits of peak brightness.

Both devices feature most of the creature comforts and premium parks you'd expect, including but not limited to an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, water and dust resistance, wireless charging and fast charging via USB-C.

Best of all, Google's latest lot of smartphones will feature an extended software support life for the new phones. Previous Pixel phones received three years of major operating system updates and five years of security updates. This year's Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro come with seven years of OS updates, feature drops, security updates and customer support.

Under the hood, the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro both run on Google's new Tensor G3 processor. As with last year, the cheaper model will come armed with 8GB of RAM while the more expensive one is packing 12GB.

Storage-wise, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are expected to come in the same storage variants as last year's models. That'll start at 128GB but go up to as much as 512GB of onboard storage.

As for battery size, the Pixel 8 is powered by a 4485mAh battery that's slightly larger than the one in the Pixel 7. Meanwhile, the Pixel 8 Pro has a 5050mAh battery that's also an improvement over its respective predecessor.

That's probably a good thing. In his review of last year's Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, Adam Smith was left wanting more.

The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro share a lot with previous models when it comes to the number of cameras on each device and what can be done with them. As usual, the Pixel 8 will have a dual-lens rear camera setup while the Pixel 8 Pro rounds things out with a third telephoto lens.

Where this year's pair of premium Pixel phones will differ is likely to come down to the sensors powering each of these cameras. In short:

• Pixel 8 camera specs: 50MP wide angle, 12MP ultra wide angle, 11MP selfie camera
• Pixel 8 Pro camera specs: 50MP wide angle, 48MP ultra wide angle, 48MP telephoto, 11MP selfie camera

The ultrawide lens on the Pixel 8 Pro now supports macro focus thanks to a wider field of view and autofocus. Both devices also come with improved real-tone tech to deliver better skin accuracy across the photos and videos you capture.

In line with previous Pixel devices, the new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will come with a number of unique AI-powered features including Best Take, Video Boost, Audio Magic Eraser and Night Sight for Video. However, some of these features are slated to arrive at a later date via one of Google’s feature drop updates. 

Aside from legacy inclusions like the headphone jack, it's relatively rare for a new flagship like the Google Pixel 8 Pro to ditch features that the previous model had. Both the Pixel 8 and its pro-grade sibling will come with the same level of 5G connectivity as last year's Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro.

Of course, you'll need to be located in an area with 5G coverage in order to actually make use of this feature. To see where is 5G available in Australia, use the coverage map below.

Click the big orange button, and select your desired network provider from the dropdown (e.g. Telstra, Optus or Vodafone). Then, find out if you have 5G coverage in your area by using the (+) and (-) icons in the top-left corner of the map to navigate to your local area.

If you'd prefer to pay out the cost of your Google Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro over time, rather than buy it outright, the big three Australian telcos will probably be able to hook you up with a plan that allows you to spread the cost of the device out over a 12, 24 or 36 month period.

If you're looking to pick up the Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro on a postpaid plan for as little as you can, chances are you'll want to go with Vodafone. Paired up with Vodafone's $45 Small plan, you'll be looking at $45 per month (plus handset fees) on a 36-month contract.

While Vodafone doesn't have the same level of coverage as Telstra or Optus do, it does have a cheaper price. You also get excess-charge-free data, $5 per day international roaming when you need to go overseas and 5G coverage where you can get it.

Check out the widget below for a round-up of Vodafone's Pixel 8 plans for a sense of what to expect.

If you need better coverage than Vodafone can vouch for but don't want to deal with the higher prices that Telstra commands, then Optus might be the best bet for picking up the new Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro on a plan.

We expect to see both devices available through Optus on either a 12, 24 or 36-month plan. Those who take Optus up on that offer will have to pair it with one of the provider's postpaid mobile plans. These plans will come with excess-charge-free data, a discounted rate on Optus Sport, $5 roaming and the ability to save on your monthly subscriptions via SubHub.

Check out the widget below for a round-up of Optus Pixel 8 plans for a sense of what to expect.

Telstra's mobile plans are the most expensive of the big three, so it'll probably be the most expensive option for those looking to buy the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro in Australia on a postpaid plan.

That said, that higher price does come with plenty of perks. Those who sign up for a Pixel plan with Telstra should expect to be able to pay off their device over a 12, 24 or 36-month period, excess-charge-free data for the lifetime of their plan and access to Australia's biggest mobile network.

Check out the widget below for a round-up of Telstra Pixel 8 plans for a sense of what to expect.