The Pixel and Pixel 8 Pro are still about a month away from launching, with Google having now confirmed plans to host a Pixel hardware event on October 4. According to new rumours, Google will equip both models globally with SIM card slots and will offer Night Sight for video, at least for the Pixel 8 Pro.
9to5Google has provided fresh information about the Pixel 8 series, following Google’s confirmation that it intends to release new Pixel products next month. Previously, there had been rumours that the company had been laying the groundwork to offer eSIM-only handsets this year, much like Apple already does in the US with the iPhone 14 series. Reportedly, the SIM tray will return this year, although not with an accompanying MicroSD card slot for adding expandable storage.
While that is not a chance in of itself, 9to5Google adds that Google will use the Pixel 8 series to showcase an expansion of its Night Sight camera software. Theoretically, the software should improve low-light recordings by combining several images with different exposure times to minimise noise and increase clarity. Based on earlier reports, Google will allow Night Sight to work in conjunction with Super-Res Zoom for the first time too, which interpolates images taken with primary and telephoto cameras to reduce noise in telephoto images.
Allegedly, ‘Night Sight for Video’ will have extremely limited availability at launch, though. According to the same website, Google will enable the new feature on just the Pixel 8 Pro, despite the Pixel 8 sharing the same Tensor G3 chipset as its Pro sibling. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will debut on October 4 with the Pixel Watch 2, as well as the stable version of Android 14 and stock Wear OS 4.
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Alex Alderson – Senior Tech Writer – 8506 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2018
Prior to writing and translating for Notebookcheck, I worked for various companies including Apple and Neowin. I have a BA in International History and Politics from the University of Leeds, which I have since converted to a Law Degree. Happy to chat on Twitter or Notebookchat.
Alex Alderson, 2023-09- 3 (Update: 2023-09- 3)