Google’s Pixel 8 series will again put the best cameras on the biggest phones

If you’re a fan of Google’s Pixel lineup and want the best possible camera performance, there’s only been one real choice for the past few years: You buy the biggest phone. The Pixel 7 and 7 Pro share the same primary sensor, but the larger device has a better ultrawide camera (thanks to its wider field of view) and the waned telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. For the upcoming Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, it looks like the company will continue the trend of giving pricier phones an optical advantage.

Last year, telephoto lenses were the big story, but in 2023, it’s reportedly the ultrawide camera that’s making the substantial leap — but only in one in two phones.

Android Authorization appears to be Camera specifications for Google’s next Pixel Duo, which we expect will be introduced in October. Both will feature the same 50-megapixel Samsung Isocell GN2 primary sensor, which is larger than the GN1 used in the Pixel 7 series and thus will capture even more light for your everyday shots. At least Google maintains parity when it comes to the camera you’ll be relying on often (and in dark situations).

But the ultrawide camera is where the big change awaits. While the Pixel 8 will continue to use the Sony IMX386 that dates back to the Pixel 6, the 8 Pro is being upgraded to Sony’s 64-megapixel IMX787 sensor. As Android Authorization Note, this is what the more recent $499 Pixel 7A uses for its main camera. My colleague Allison Johnson found it more than adequate for a prime shooter, so I can only imagine the Pixel 8 Pro’s ultrawide captures will be more detailed and less muddy.

On the bright side for Pixel 8 buyers, Google has at least widened the field of view from 0.67x to 0.55x; Which puts it on par with the Pixel 7 Pro – not the ultrawide of the Pixel 7 feel Very ultrawide, if you know what I mean — but the 8 Pro’s ultrawide will be even more so in shots with an FOV of 0.49x.

The Pixel 8 Pro’s telephoto camera again seems to be a 48-megapixel Samsung system capable of 5x optical zoom. Perhaps most surprising is that Google will stick to the same 11MP Samsung sensor for its selfie camera as last year. I’ve seen Pixel 7 and 7 Pro owners complaining about how they appear on video calls compared to other recent photos. Ideally, Google has refined the lens hardware (or in the software) to deliver better results for the Pixel 8 lineup.

I’m a big phone person, and based on the early leaks we’ve seen so far, Google seems to have addressed my biggest frustration with the Pixel 6 Pro and 7 Pro; The curved display is finally history. That’s why I’m excited for the Pixel 8 Pro to debut this fall, but I still feel for those who want Google to craft a Pixel 8 with similar camera chops.

Just remember this, especially when it comes to Google, computational photography and software tricks are the name of the game. We may see the debut of the company’s mind-bending Magic Editor tool with the Pixel 8 series (if not before), and if you thought Magic Eraser was cool, this will be an even more worthwhile step in AI-based photo editing – Whatever size phone you prefer.