Google‘s Pixel smartphones have long been praised for their exceptional camera capabilities. With the upcoming release of the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, a new leak has shed light on some significant camera upgrades that could further elevate the photography experience.

Related: Latest leak reveals Google Tensor G3’s drastic improvements for Pixel 8

New Primary Camera Sensor

According to a leaked report shared by Kamila Wojciechowska on Android Authority, both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are expected to feature a new primary camera sensor. Replacing the previous GN1 sensor, the Samsung ISOCELL GN2 sensor offers a higher resolution of 50MP and a physically larger size. This upgrade allows the sensor to capture approximately 35% more light, resulting in improved low-light performance. Moreover, the GN2 sensor brings additional technical support, including 8K video recording and Staggered HDR capabilities.

Pro model exclusive upgrades

The Pixel 8 Pro is rumored to receive exclusive camera upgrades, further distinguishing it from its counterpart. One notable enhancement is the introduction of an 8×8 ToF VL53L8 time-of-flight sensor. While previous Tensor-based Pixel phones incorporated similar sensors, the Pixel 8 Pro’s implementation is expected to deliver significant autofocus improvements. Additionally, the Pro variant may feature the Melexis MLX90632 temperature sensor, although it is worth noting that this component serves solely as a temperature sensor, and not for thermal imaging.

Ultrawide camera upgrades

Both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will see upgrades to their ultrawide cameras. The Pixel 8 Pro, in particular, is said to adopt the 64MP Sony IMX787 sensor, an upgrade from the 12MP sensor traditionally used by Google for ultrawide shots. This shift promises enhanced image quality and greater detail in wide-angle captures. However, it is worth mentioning that the leak suggests the absence of the Pixel 7 Pro‘s macro mode in this new device. On the other hand, the Pixel 8 will feature a swap-out to the 12MP Sony IMX386 sensor for its ultrawide camera.

The unchanged telephoto lens and the selfie shooter

While the primary camera system receives significant upgrades, the leaked information suggests that both the telephoto lens and the front-facing selfie shooter will remain unchanged in both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Although no specific details were provided, this indicates that users can expect the same reliable performance from these components as seen in previous Pixel iterations.

Major software improvements

In addition to hardware upgrades, the Pixel 8 series is also set to receive notable software improvements. The Google Camera app is rumored to introduce three key upgrades. First, the “Cinematic” mode will now offer a level selection for creating artificial bokeh in videos, allowing users to precisely control the depth effect. Second, the “Adaptive torch” feature will automatically adjust the intensity of the LED flash based on the scene being captured, optimizing lighting conditions. Lastly, “Segmentation AWB” will utilize AI to divide the captured scene into different sections, enabling more precise processing for each part of the image.