The Pixel 8's mint green option comes to Canada, won't be available for the Pixel 8 Pro

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Google recently announced the launch of a refreshing mint green colour option for the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. While the new shade offers a more subtle alternative compared to the vibrant "bay" blue 8 Pro, it brings a touch of novelty for enthusiasts of the compact Pixel 8. Until now, the regular Pixel 8 has been confined to standard colour choices since its initial release in October.

It's worth noting that the mint hue is exclusively available with the base 128GB storage variant. Those seeking higher storage capacities will have to stick with the original colour selections. In Canada, the mint colour option is limited to the Pixel 8 model. You can buy it from the Google Store for $949. The Pixel 8 is also offered in the colours Hazel, Obsidian, and Rose. And it's currently available at a discounted price of $749.

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Meet the Pixel 8: Google’s new CA$949 smartphone with a 120Hz display and secure face unlock

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The Google Pixel 8 joins the Google Pixel 8 Pro as one of two new smartphones from the tech giant. The Pixel 8 gets a more refined design, a faster display, a bigger battery, and a more secure face unlock feature. It also costs CA$949 for the base model with 128GB of storage. You can preorder it now in rose, black, or hazel colours, and expect to receive it by October 12.

The Pixel 8 still has a metal frame and a distinctive camera bar on the back, but its corners are more rounded than the Pixel 6 and 7, giving it a softer look. The phone is also slightly smaller than the Pixel 7, with a 6.2-inch OLED screen instead of a 6.3-inch display. It supports a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animations. However, unlike the Pixel 8 Pro, the Pixel 8’s screen does not have an LTPO technology that can dynamically adjust the refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz depending on the content. This means that the Pixel 8 may consume more battery power than the Pixel 8 Pro when displaying static or low-motion content.

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Google Pixel 8 series to get 7 years of OS updates

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Google Pixel 8 series debuted without too many unexpected surprises, except possibly for one. Google's biggest surprise for the phones' official announcement today: the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will get seven years of operating system upgrades. That’s a huge leap from the three years of OS upgrades and five years of security support Google offered for its previous flagships. And it potentially matches the lifespan Apple provides for its iPhones. That is, if Google delivers on it. 

Now, if there’s one thing that makes a higher price more palatable, it’s the promise that you’ll get many more years of use out of your device. And if Google stays true to its word, we finally have that option in the Android space. We're curious to see if other Android manufacturers, like Samsung, will follow suit.

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Google rumoured to aim for longer lifespan, better support with Pixel 8 series

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Google Pixel phones are known for their excellent update support. For example, the Pixel 7 series offers five years of updates, including three OS upgrades and quarterly feature drops. But the next Pixel 8 series could surpass that. The Pixel 8 devices will likely receive more OS upgrades, extending their lifespan beyond Samsung phones. Rumours claim Google seems to be competing with Apple in terms of update support. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro could set a new standard for future Pixel phones.

The upcoming Tensor chip could help Google achieve better support. With rumours of a custom in-house chipset (possibly the Tensor G5 coming in 2025), Google aims to have complete control over hardware and software for enhanced longevity. This is similar to what Apple does with its iPhones through its A-series chips. Apple has provided many years of operating system updates, even for eight-year-old iPhone models.

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