While the highly anticipated Pixel 8 Pro has obviously had its design revealed in the past, what we're looking at today is an actual, real-life unit in the hands of an actual user (or, most likely, model) in what's probably an early demonstration of one of the phone's hot new features.
The mystery of that fifth sensor is now solved
If you remember those leaked factory CAD-based renders a couple of months back, you might also recall that we were kind of puzzled at the time by the presence of a fifth sensor on the Pixel 8 Pro's rear below the LED flash and next to the triple camera system.
Well, that's where this new clip comes in, revealing that we're not dealing with a macro or depth sensor or anything to do with photography at all but rather a potentially groundbreaking new way to measure a user's body temperature.
Of course, the Pixel 8 Pro's built-in thermometer will try to take your temperature from your forehead, which may or may not prove more accurate and reliable than an on-wrist sensor. Based on this quick demo of the upcoming technology, you'll need to do a few very specific things to get a correct reading, like give the sensor access to bare skin and bring it as close to your head as possible without touching, which certainly sounds logical and sensible.
You will then have to start a countdown to a "body temperature" measurement by tapping on the phone and carefully move the Pixel 8 Pro across your forehead and over the temple. That's not quite as easy as using one of those standard touchless infrared forehead thermometers that have become so popular since the beginning of the pandemic, but it still looks like a relatively hassle-free process for something no other (modern) smartphone can do.
No other notable surprises here
Yes, the largest member of the unreleased and unannounced Pixel 8 family looks just like we expected, revising that rear camera island to no longer keep the third imaging sensor separate from the primary and secondary shooter and otherwise maintaining the external appearance of the undeniably premium-looking and premium-feeling Pixel 7 Pro.
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Unfortunately, there are no specs and features disclosed today apart from the obvious, although it is pretty clear that the non-Pro Pixel 8 will not be able to measure your temperature, lacking the necessary thermometer sensor based on leaked renders... and everything else we know about the (relatively) compact next-gen Android high-ender.
The Pixel 8 Pro design revealed today perfectly coincides with what was originally leaked back in March.
The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro are also unlikely to share that third camera, which will most likely be in charge of extreme close-ups with state-of-the-art optical zoom technology. Undoubtedly powered by a Google Tensor G3 processor, these stock Android-running bad boys should thus outperform the hot new Pixel Fold... while presumably costing a fraction of the $1,800 starting price of Big G's Galaxy Z Fold 4 rival.
Of course, the main competition for the Pixel 8 duo will remain Samsung's Galaxy S23 family, with Apple's iPhone 15 lineup widely expected to beat Google's next big hardware release to the punch as well in the race for the overall best phone title this year.
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Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.
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