Google has confirmed that it is holding its next hardware event on October 4 in New York City. Which is about the same time as it does every single year. So it’s not hard to imagine what we might see at this event.
Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but Google’s new Pixel smartphones have leaked. Yeah, it happens every year. This year, we’re expecting quite a few hardware updates from Google. Even though we’ve already gotten quite a few already this year.
So far this year, we’re expecting a Google Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel Watch 2. We could also see a few other products at this event. As Fitbit and Nest do tend to announce products around the same time. Now while they may not technically be announced at this event, we might see them there in the hands-on area. But let’s go over what we do know is coming.
Google Pixel 8 & Pixel 8 Pro
Every year, Google announces its new Pixel smartphones at this event. So it’s a pretty safe bet that the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will be announced here. And luckily, Google has already leaked it. Yes, Google did. They “accidentally” put an image of the Pixel 8 Pro and what looks like a Pixel Watch 2 on the Google Store ahead of even sending out invites to their event. And it wasn’t the first time.
So what’s new this year? We’re not expecting a lot of new changes with the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Though the largest change you’ll see is that the cameras are all in one cut out this time around, instead of two. Though that’s a change that you’ll really only notice on the Pro model, since it had two cutouts last year, one for the main and ultrawide camera and another for the periscope zoom camera.
There’s been some talk about whether Google will keep the physical SIM slot, and that looks like a yes right now. They won’t be copying the iPhone 14’s controversial move of going eSIM only.
Inside the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, we’re not expecting many surprises. We’re expecting to see the Tensor G3 processor (still Samsung made), with 8GB or 12GB of RAM and starting at 128GB of storage. Though with Apple starting at 256GB on the iPhone 15 Pro models, we could see Google do something similar. Pixel 8 series will keep the under-display fingerprint sensor, and might even be adding a temperature sensor. Additionally, the cameras are expected to remain the same, however the Pixel 8 Pro could adopt a higher-resolution telephoto camera.
As far as pricing goes, we do expect to see a bit of a bump here. But not quite as big of a bump as you might expect. Rumors are pointing towards the Pixel 8 starting at $649-$699 and the Pixel 8 Pro starting at $949-$999. That’s a price increase of about $50 to $100. Which isn’t as bad, considering the iPhone 15 Pro Max might be jumping up $200.
Google Pixel Watch 2
Last year, Google announced the first Pixel Watch at this event, and given the amount of leaks and rumors around a second-generation model, that’s likely coming at this event too.
Of course, the big thing that Google needs to address is battery life. And it’s looking like Google will ditch a Samsung chip for a new Qualcomm chipset that should help boost the battery life. Google is still planning to make Fitbit a big part of the Pixel Watch 2, as it was with the original Pixel Watch. This could include some new sensors on the Pixel Watch 2. Like an electrodermal activity (cEDA) sensor that is able to track stress levels during the day by measuring sweat levels on the skins surface. We could also see a skin temperature sensor, something that the Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch both have already.
We’re not expecting any large design changes on the outside. Though, judging by that picture from the Google Store, it might be less round compared to the original Pixel Watch. Which should help it be less prone to scratching. Hopefully Google and Fitbit will stop measuring heart rate every second, which will help boost the battery too. But we’ll find out on October 4.
What else might be coming?
There hasn’t been a lot of leaks regarding any Nest products launching this fall. But Nest does typically launch a few each year. And it might be time for them to upgrade some of their cameras and doorbells. As a few of them have not been updated in a few years now.
Last year, Nest introduced the Nest Video Doorbell (wired) as well as the Nest WiFi Pro, a WiFi 6E router. So I wouldn’t expect those to be replaced this year.
What about Fitbit? Well, they will likely launch a new fitness tracker and wearable this fall. The Fitbit Charge 6 has been doing the rounds lately, which is part of Fitbit’s most popular tracker series. Fitbit generally releases a new Charge every other year, and the last one was August 2021, so it’s about time. Leaks we’ve seen so far, indicate that the Fitbit Charge 6 will look identical to the Charge 5. Which is okay, the Charge 5 is a good looking tracker.
A new Chromecast could be coming too, though we’ve seen almost no leaks or rumors about a new one. But the original Chromecast with Google TV (4K) was released nearly three years ago, with the HD model coming last year. So it’s about time for a new one.
Now will we see these announced at this event? Likely not. Google is branding this as a “Made by Google” event, and Nest and Fitbit don’t actually fall under that umbrella, surprisingly. So this will likely be limited to Pixel devices only, and possibly a new Chromecast, maybe. However, these products could be shown off there, and announced in the weeks ahead of the Made by Google event in NYC.
