Google’s Pixel 8 Pro to Feature New Camera Sensor
Introduction:
As a technology news editor, I am excited to share the latest updates on Google’s Pixel 8 Pro smartphone. In this article, we will explore the changes that Google is making to the camera hardware of its new flagship device, which is expected to be teased at the upcoming Google I/O conference. We will also discuss the implications of these changes on Google’s position as one of the best camera phone-makers in the industry.
Google’s Reputation as a Camera Phone-Maker:
Google is known for paying special attention to the camera of its flagship devices, which has become the leading selling point of the company’s smartphones. However, the company’s reputation as one of the best camera phone-makers falls on the shoulders of expert image processing rather than class-leading hardware such as camera sensors, high-quality lenses, and complicated stabilization technology.
Pixel 6a and Pixel 7a:
The Pixel 6a and Pixel 7a devices are the living proof of Google’s reliance on image processing rather than hardware. The former uses a 12MP Sony IMX363 sensor that has been in Pixel phones since 2017. This is why it was surprising to hear rumors about the new Pixel 7a getting a brand new, 64MP Sony IMX787 camera. It seemed like Google was going to use the ancient (but proven) IMX363 literally forever.
Changes in Google’s Strategy:
However, Google is changing, and according to reports from reliable tipster Ice Universe, the primary camera of the new Pixel 8 Pro is also changing. It’s a bittersweet story of switch in strategy, which might be hinting at what Google’s long-term plans for the Pixel lineup look like.
New Camera Sensor:
The Pixel 8 Pro is expected to feature the largest camera sensor available on any non-Chinese smartphone. Samsung ISOCELL GN2 is the new camera sensor that’s supposed to bless the Pixel 8 Pro. What’s interesting about Samsung’s 50MP GN2 sensor is that this one has only been used in two flagship phones before, and none of them were made by Samsung. The first one is the legendary Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra, known for its amazing camera capabilities, while the second one is the not-so-famous Honor Magic 4 Ultra, another Chinese camera monster from 2022.
Comparison with Chinese Flagships:
The Pixel 8 Pro is now set to become the smartphone with the largest primary camera sensor outside of Chinese flagships like the Xiaomi 13 Ultra and Oppo Find X6 Pro. Although, when looked in isolation, that’d be a great upgrade, the gains in performance will depend on the type of photos you take.
Issues with Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro Cameras:
The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro cameras are far from perfect, as they experience major Portrait Mode issues, lens flaring problems, and take noisy videos. These issues don’t concern just Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro but also the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, which use the exact same Samsung GN1 camera. That leaves us with a couple of possible outcomes if Google was to switch to the GN2 camera sensor for Pixel 8 Pro.
Possible Outcomes:
If the camera problems on Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 7, and Pixel 7 Pro were caused by hardware, then by switching to the GN2, Google and Pixel 8 Pro might be moving towards the right direction. If the camera problems were not caused by hardware but by Google’s lackluster optimization, then switching to a new camera sensor would mean Google would have to start optimizing this new sensor from scratch. There’s also a third option, which is that Google’s once-legendary imaging algorithm was always meant to be combined with a Sony sensor.
Conclusion:
All in all, as a smartphone camera enthusiast, one thing has been clear to me for about three years now – the days of the Google Pixel camera reign are over. Pixel flagships used to take the most balanced photos in the industry, which is no longer the case. HDR, detail, exposure, noise control, color accuracy, and even Portrait Mode used to be aspects of the smartphone camera dominated by Google. However, the competition has caught up, and Pixel phones are losing their camera lead over the competition. The Pixel 8 Pro might not be able to change that.
FAQs:
1. What camera sensor will the Pixel 8 Pro feature?
– The Pixel 8 Pro is expected to feature the Samsung ISOCELL GN2, which is the largest camera sensor available on any non-Chinese smartphone.
2. What are the issues with the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro cameras?
– The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro cameras experience major Portrait Mode issues, lens flaring problems, and take noisy videos.
3. Will switching to the GN2 camera sensor solve the camera problems on Pixel phones?
– If the camera problems on Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 7, and Pixel 7 Pro were caused by hardware, then switching to the GN2 might be moving towards the right direction. If the camera problems were not caused by hardware but by Google’s optimization, then switching to a new camera sensor would mean Google would have to start optimizing this new sensor from scratch.
4. What made Google’s cameras great in the past?
– Google’s cameras were great in the past because of their “computational photography,” which refers to the company’s expert image processing.
5. Are the days of the best “computational photography” on Pixel phones counted?
– The competition has caught up, and Pixel phones are losing their camera lead over the competition. The Pixel 8 Pro might not be able to change that.
