We could know something concrete and above all official about Pixels 8 and Pixel 8 Pro at Google I/O in early May, when the top of the range will not be fully revealed but from Mountain View, as happened last year, they could anticipate the design of the two and some technical aspects. Meanwhile, the rumors continue to provide us with information on the two, and in the past few hours it has been Ice Universe who has told us something more through his Twitter profile.
For the insider, on Pixel 8 Pro Google could use the Samsung Isocell GN2 sensor from 1/1.12 inch. In Mountain View, therefore, they would be fishing for one of the largest sensors in the Samsung catalogue: Isocell GN2 is even larger than the main sensor of the Galaxy S23 Ultra which stops at 1/1.3 inches. Different choices to achieve the same goal: Samsung with Galaxy S23 Ultra has focused on resolution (200 MP) and on the spells of pixel binningwhich by blending more pixels (successfully) simulates the benefits of a larger sensor.
Google instead on Pixel 8 Pro could go through a different road to take photos and videos as a reference, i.e. starting from one much lower resolution compared to S23 Ultra but with a bigger sensor, while maintaining the possibility of using pixel binning. Here is a summary of the main points of the Isocell GN2 project:
- resolution: 50 megapixels
- pixel size: 1.4 micrometres, up to 2.8 micrometres with software (4-in-1 pixel binning)
- sensor size: 1/1.12 inch
- Dual Pixel Pro technology: two photodiodes within each sensor pixel and pixel division vertically, i.e. as with “classic” Dual Pixel, but also diagonally
- Smart ISO Pro technology: Automatic optimization with data from multiple ISO levels, not just one.
We’ll find out something about the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro at Google I/O, but it’s unlikely we’ll have confirmations or denials about the sensor that will be used as the main camera. We’ll have to wait for the October presentation to find out.
