Skip to main content

Leaked Pixel 8 Pro video reveals a feature no one was expecting

Google Pixel 8 Pro in a leaked hands-on video, showcasing its temperature sensor.
91Mobiles

We’re still months away from Google releasing the Pixel 8 Pro, but that hasn’t stopped the phone from showing up in a new hands-on video. On May 18, 91Mobiles and leaker Kuba Wojciechowski published a short video showcasing the Pixel 8 Pro.

This video provides our first look at the Pixel 8 Pro in the real world, confirming the design we saw in previously leaked Pixel 8 Pro renders. But even more interesting is that the video also highlights a very unusual feature that no one expected.

The Pixel 8 Pro has a … temperature sensor

Google Pixel 8 Pro design and thermometer feature leaked

That unusual feature is none other than a temperature sensor. The 40-second video shows that the sensor is a small circle on the back of the phone below the LED flash. We saw this before in the Pixel 8 Pro renders from March, but at the time, it was widely suspected to be a lidar sensor — similar to what the iPhone 14 Pro has.

To use the Pixel 8 Pro’s temperature sensor, it appears that you’ll need to remove any glasses and other accessories from your face so the sensor has an unobstructed view of your forehead and temple. You’ll then move the sensor as close to your forehead as possible (without actually touching your skin), tap a large button on the screen, and then move the sensor across your forehead and to your temple. The video shows the whole process takes about 4 seconds, and you’ll presumably see your temperature reading on the phone afterward.

What’s more, this temperature sensor will reportedly only show up on the Pixel 8 Pro and won’t be available on the regular Pixel 8. Considering leaked Pixel 8 renders from earlier this year didn’t show the extra sensor on the back, that checks out.

Google’s getting weird with the Pixel again

pixel 4 motion sense gestures
The Pixel 4’s hand gestures never took off. Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

It’s safe to say that this is an interesting development for the Pixel 8 Pro. On the one hand, there are bound to be some practical use cases for a dedicated temperature sensor. There’s value in being able to quickly check your temperature if you’re worried you may be sick or starting to come down with something, and it’s unlike anything else available on any other phone today. Plus, it’ll almost certainly have some tie-in with Fitbit and other health data collected from the Google Pixel Watch.

But even so, this seems like it’ll have pretty limited mass appeal. The last time Google tried something so out-of-the-box on a Pixel phone was with the Pixel 4 in 2019. It was the first — and the last — Pixel to have Google’s Soli technology for face unlock and hands-free gesture controls. It was a neat idea that Google abandoned after one generation, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see something similar happen here.

While I don’t want to be too negative about Google trying something new with the Pixel, I’m also not sure this is the creativity I was hoping for. Weirdness in the smartphone world is good, but this may be a little too out there.

The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are expected to launch sometime in October.

Editors' Recommendations

Joe Maring
Section Editor, Mobile
Joe Maring is the Section Editor for Digital Trends' Mobile team, leading the site's coverage for all things smartphones…
Google can create the perfect Pixel phone — if it changes one thing
The Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7a held in a person's hand.

A new Google Pixel A-series has launched, and it's sure to make reasonably priced phones quiver in their boots. The Google Pixel 7a introduces new features for the A-series, including a 90Hz refresh rate, the highest megapixel count ever on a midrange Google phone, and the Tensor G2 processor. It's a solid smartphone, and it puts up a good fight against a number of similar devices — including the Samsung Galaxy A54 and even the flagship Google Pixel 7.

But the fact that it's able to stand up against its flagship brethren highlights a concern -- the price. The Pixel 7a costs $499, which is only $100 away from the Pixel 7. That small disparity means there's a big gap underneath the Pixel 7a for another phone. The $349 Pixel 6a helps to fill some of that gap, but it's not enough. It's time Google embraced the budget phone market by creating a Pixel phone for those who want a truly cheap smartphone with the Pixel name. Not convinced? Let me make my case.
A budget Pixel would be good for everyone

Read more
Have an old Google Pixel? This camera test will make you want a Pixel 7a
The Pixel 7a and Pixel 4a's camera modules.

Three years separate the Google Pixel 4a and the Google Pixel 7a, and the internal specs and camera hardware are very different. But just how much do you notice when putting the two against each other and taking photos?

If you have a Pixel 4a and are thinking the Pixel 7a would be a good upgrade — or are interested to see how Google has advanced its camera and related software over the past three years — this test is for you.
How the cameras differ

Read more
What’s the inside of a Pixel 7a look like? This cool case shows you
Spigen Ultra Hybrid Zero One Pixel 7a case in hand

This year’s Google I/O 2023 conference has come and gone, but we got a slew of brand-new hardware announcements coming from Google. This includes the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet. However, there was also a new addition to the Pixel smartphone lineup that you can buy right now — the Pixel 7a. This is the budget version of the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, though you can still buy last year’s Pixel 6a as well.

Despite being the most affordable of the new Pixel lineup, it’s always a good idea to keep it safe in a case. But with so many options of great Pixel 7a cases out there, which one should you pick up? If you’re a techie and appreciate a teardown of the devices that you’re using (without actually tearing it down), then you should check out Spigen’s new Ultra Hybrid Zero One case for the Pixel 7a.
A teardown without the actual teardown

Read more