Google brings the Google Phone to Switzerland for the first time and surprises everyone

The most important:

On October 4, 2016, Google presented the first Pixel smartphone, or ‘the first real Google phone’, as I wrote at the time. No smartphone took better photos, but we were disappointed as Google left little Switzerland behind, leaving Apple and Samsung without a fight.

But that’s over now. Exactly seven years after the first Pixel, Google is finally bringing the eighth Pixel generation to Switzerland.

Google’s Pixel is, in a sense, the Android counterpart of Apple’s iPhone: hardware and software from a single source, fast updates and The Pixel 8 is characterized by guaranteed software support for seven years.

What do Google phones look like?

Some probably remember: Google’s previous Nexus smartphones were cheap “plastic bombers” with solid technology and, of course, original Android. But outside of die-hard Android fans, almost no one was interested. Today’s Pixels, on the other hand, are premium smartphones that are absolutely in no way inferior to their major rivals Apple and Samsung in terms of design, technology, software and price.

The Pixel 8 Pro comes with a polished aluminum frame and, for the first time, a matte glass back. The smaller Pixel 8 has a satin metal frame and a polished glass back. The ugly duckling of yesteryear has become one of the most beautiful smartphones currently available.

At the front, the symmetrical display edges have become narrower and Google now does without a rounded display on the side of the Pro model.

Google has also improved its internal values: Both smartphones are made from at least 18 percent recycled materials. The real highlight is the extended 7-year update warranty (previously 5 years).

Google is following in the footsteps of Fairphone, which wants to provide updates for 8 to 10 years. There is better software support nowhere in the industry.

What are the main specifications?

The Pixel 8 Pro has a 6.7 inch, extremely bright OLED display (2400 nits) with a very high resolution of 3120 x 1440 pixels. It has a flexible refresh rate of 1 to 120 Hz for a smooth display with optimized energy efficiency. The RAM is generously sized at 12 GB and there are variants with 128, 256 or 512 GB of internal memory to choose from.

The relatively small and narrow Google Pixel 8 has a 6.17-inch, also extremely bright OLED display (2000 nits). It comes with 8GB of RAM and is powered by Google’s Tensor G3 chip, which is also used in the larger Pixel 8 Pro. Initial testing shows that Google’s Tensor G3 delivers a significant performance boost; The question remains how efficient the processor is, which is based on a new chip design from Samsung. Consumers also have the choice between 128 or 256 GB of storage.

Besides the much larger display, the higher quality camera is the main reason why you should only consider the Pro model. Like its predecessor, only the more expensive model offers a 5x telephoto lens, which allows astonishingly good zoom shots for a smartphone.

The smaller Pixel 8 also delivers good photos, as Google AI, as usual in both models, gets the best out of every shot.

The table shows it: Google is bringing several new AI-powered camera tricks to the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro that aim to differentiate Pixel devices from other smartphones. For example, the ability to edit photos with Google AI (for example, move people or make them disappear completely) without any knowledge of image editing. The next two videos give an impression of this.

With the “Best Shot” function, faces with grimaces or closed eyes can now be replaced with a better version at the touch of a button. This is for family and group photos where not everyone is looking at the camera or someone doesn’t look flattering.

With the new one «Magic audio eraser» It is possible to remove disturbing background noise when recording videos. Google’s AI also helps to optimize recording quality overall when filming in poor lighting conditions.

With the improved AI function ‘Crystal Clear Calls’, the Pixel reduces the background noise of the other party when making calls, ‘so that they can be clearly heard even in noisy places’, Google promises.

Does the Pixel 8 Pro really have a thermometer?

Yes. The most amazing innovation in the Pixel 8 Pro is the thermometer integrated into the back. «Do you want to know the temperature of your tea water or your frying pan? Easily scan them with your Pixel 8 Pro,” says Google. The thermometer is only available on the Pro model and should also be able to measure fever. We’ll soon see if this is more than a gimmick.

When and where can I buy the Pixel 8/Pixel 8 Pro?

Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro will go on sale on October 12, 2023. They can be pre-ordered now. The Pixel portfolio is available from us in the Google Store, Swisscom, Digitec and Mobilezone.

How much do Google gadgets cost?

Google recommends a non-binding price (RRP) of R719 for the Pixel 8. It is available in Hazel, Rose and Obsidian (black). The Pro model is available from 999 francs in the colors Bay (blue), Porcelain and Obsidian.

The new Pixels are not cheap, but with the manufacturer’s intended use and update period of seven years, they are a wise investment. For comparison: in 2016 the first Pixel generation cost 759 or 899 euros in Germany, but the devices were only provided with updates for three years.

Google now officially sells the Pixel 7a, which has been available abroad since May 2023, with us. The slightly slimmed down version of the Pixel 7 costs 469 francs in the Google Store. The wireless headphones Pixel Buds (99 francs) are now also available.

The new Pixel Watch 2 (379 francs) and the Pixel Buds Pro (199 francs) will be available from October 12.

How good is the new Pixel?

This will be answered by our test, which will be published on October 11, shortly before sales start.

Based on the specifications and the software support extended to seven years, the Pixel 8 (Pro) looks good on paper. In terms of price-performance, Google has to keep up with Apple and Samsung, but when it comes to raw computing power, the iPhone 15 Pro and the upcoming Galaxy S24 Ultra are in the lead. Google can only largely compensate for this shortfall with its powerful software and powerful AI.

What other devices did Google show?

To go with the Pixel 8, Google is also officially bringing its new Pixel Watch 2, the Pixel Buds Pro headphones and the cheaper Pixel Buds to Switzerland.

The first Pixel Watch was disappointing almost across the board, but now many things should be better: the second edition comes with a 1.24-inch OLED display, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. Google has also given its watch a significantly more efficient and faster processor. The battery should last 24 hours with an Always On Display, a larger crown should make operation easier and there are many new watch faces and bracelets.

The Pixel Watch 2 should especially score points with its new sensors, which can measure skin temperature and stress levels. In addition, the heart rate sensor should now work more precisely. Functions such as sleep rhythm analysis or notifications when the heart rate is high or low are based on this. The security functions have also been expanded. For example, the real-time location can be automatically shared with pre-selected emergency contacts if you get into trouble.

The Pixel Watch 2 (Wi-Fi) will be available from October 12 in Matte Black, Polished Silver and Champagne Gold for 379 francs.

Google’s Pixel Buds Pro headphones with active noise cancellation come in new colors to match the Pixel 8 colors and will receive new features via an update. Google is also flexing its AI muscles here, so that telephone conversations, for example, sound clearer and disturbing ambient noise is filtered out.

Some things are comparable to those of the competition: for example, a transparency mode if you want to observe the environment in addition to the music. The Google headphones should also recognize a conversation and automatically turn down or pause the music when the wearer starts a conversation.

Google’s headphones can also independently switch between the audio sources of different devices. “This means you can easily listen to music on your smartphone and then switch to your laptop for video calls without having to go into the Bluetooth menu,” Google explains.

To increase wearing comfort, sensors regularly measure the pressure in the ear canal, which the headphones must then reduce to increase wearing comfort. Ultimately, how comfortable the Pixel Buds Pro are will still largely depend on how your ears are shaped.

The Pixel Buds Pro are water and sweat resistant and a single charge of the headphones provides up to 7 hours of playtime with active noise cancellation and up to 20 hours when using the charging case.

They will be available from October 12 in the colors Charcoal and Porcelain for 199 francs. The cheaper Pixel Buds cost 99 francs and are available now.