Google’s Pixel 8 Pro is coming on October 4 with a new Pixel Watch 2, and it looks kind of different

A bit more round, a bit more flat

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Googlehas finally spilled the beans on its upcomingPixel 8phone launch, and we know that thePixel 8 ProandPixel Watch 2will be coming early next month. On October 4, Google will finally unveil the new devices, according to posts on Google’s Instagram account and online store.

While Google has been quiet about the upcoming flagship phones so far, posts today on itsMade by Google Instagram accountconfirmed the two new phones and showed off a Pixel 8 Pro and a Pixel 8 in porcelain white and a pinkish rose color, respectively. The two phones are discernible by the extra camera lens on the back of the Pro model, and the smaller size of the base model.

The Pro model also seems to have an extra feature on the camera bar, compared to both the Pixel 8 and the olderPixel 7 Pro. Leaks have suggested this could be atemperature sensor, which might even be used to check a person’s body temp, among other possibilities. Otherwise, there are no significant new features that are distinguishable from the 360-degree view in the Insta post.

The Pixel 8 has rounder corners, and that’s about it

The design of the new phones seems slightly updated from older models, with a bit more rounding on the corners. We have heard that the display will be more flat than before, but it is hard to tell from this preview. Overall, the phone seems more organically smooth than previous Pixel designs.

Still, this is unmistakably a Pixel phone, for better and for worse. The same camera bar is present, with the same overall Pixel look. Hopefully the rose color is a sign of some cool color options to come, but leaks have not suggested anything too exciting. Expect shades of blue, white, grey, and maybe green.

ThePixel Watch2 also makes a brief appearance if you follow the link to the Google store web site. The newest wearable from Google looks almost exactly like the older model, so it’s unclear what we’re seeing in the next watch that is new. Though Google acknowledges the Watch 2 is coming, this may be an image of an older device.

We may not be seeing the full extent of the display, for instance. The Pixel Watch had a larger bezel than most competitors, and that would be an obvious improvement for generation two. EveryApple Watchseems to shrink the bezel further and further, so the same should be true for Google’s wearable. Hopefully we will see more of that screen, literally, on October 4.

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Official word about the Pixel 8 after accidents and leaks

Of course, if you follow Google news closely, none of this is a huge surprise, as Google has been the ‘victim’ of somesuspicious accidentsand leaks in the past week or so. The phone was posted by Google itself briefly, and then a phone feature simulator went live showing the new feature and sensors of the Pixel 8 Pro.

Is this a marketing ploy? Somebody flipping the wrong switch too early? Whatever the case, Google isn’t bothered.

UnlikeApple, which shrouds products in extreme secrecy, Google is not normally shy about talking up new gear. It’s more of a surprise thatwe have NOT heard from Google about the Pixel 8and Pixel 8 Pro before now. Of course, we still haven’t heard much, but Google will take your email address if you want to sign up for more info at some future date.

We will be there when Google launches its next big thing, and hopefully it will be a satisfying follow-up to the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, some of ourbest camera phonesever. If you want to get the full rundown on everything we know about the upcoming Pixel phones, including the newTensor G3processor and the new camera sensors inside, you can readeverything we know about the new Pixel 8series.

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Phil Berne is a preeminent voice in consumer electronics reviews, starting more than 20 years ago at eTown.com. Phil has written for Engadget, The Verge, PC Mag, Digital Trends, Slashgear, TechRadar, AndroidCentral, and was Editor-in-Chief of the sadly-defunct infoSync. Phil holds an entirely useful M.A. in Cultural Theory from Carnegie Mellon University. He sang in numerous college a cappella groups.

Phil did a stint at Samsung Mobile, leading reviews for the PR team and writing crisis communications until he left in 2017. He worked at an Apple Store near Boston, MA, at the height of iPod popularity. Phil is certified in Google AI Essentials. He has a High School English teaching license (and years of teaching experience) and is a Red Cross certified Lifeguard. His passion is the democratizing power of mobile technology. Before AI came along he was totally sure the next big thing would be something we wear on our faces.

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