Lossless Audio Quality Upgrades Coming to Google’s Pixel 8 Series
In the ever-evolving world of technology, Google continues to push the boundaries of innovation with its latest flagship offering, the Pixel 8 series. Comprising the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, this lineup has not only brought remarkable improvements to camera hardware and performance, thanks to the Tensor G3 SoC but is also set to delight audiophiles. Google is all set to introduce lossless audio quality upgrades to its latest flagships, enhancing the audio experience like never before.
Pixel 8 Series: Unveiling Excellence
Before we delve into the exciting realm of lossless audio, let’s take a moment to appreciate the Pixel 8 series. These devices mark Google’s commitment to delivering top-tier smartphones to its users. With remarkable camera enhancements and a powerful Tensor G3 SoC, these smartphones are already making waves. But Google isn’t stopping there; they’re determined to provide an unparalleled audio experience.
Lossless USB Audio: The Future of Audio Quality
Dave Burke, Google’s vice president of engineering, has shared that the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will soon receive lossless USB audio support. This is exceptional news for all music enthusiasts, as it promises an audio experience of unmatched quality.
Lossless USB audio works by allowing music files to bypass the conventional audio processing pipeline. Instead of compressing and altering the audio, it flows directly from your phone to your headphones in its original, uncompressed form. This ensures that you hear every instrument, every subtle detail, and every vocal inflection with crystal clarity.
What Sets Lossless USB Audio Apart?
The distinction lies in the “bit-perfect audio” it offers. The term ‘bit-perfect’ implies that the audio remains untouched and unaltered throughout the transmission process. You receive the music exactly as it was intended, with no loss in quality. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize the way we listen to music on our smartphones.
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Compatibility and Future Prospects
While this announcement is undeniably exciting, there’s a catch. Lossless USB audio will be available on the Pixel 8 series and other Android phones in a future release. App developers will need to adopt the new API for lossless audio to make this format accessible to users. However, reports suggest that Spotify is already gearing up to provide support for lossless audio.
The reason lossless audio hasn’t yet become mainstream is twofold. First, it has been associated with a premium price tag, typically requiring subscriptions to premium platforms like Tidal and Apple Music. Secondly, the availability of lossless audio files has been limited. It’s worth noting that Google has previously introduced OS-level support for this audio format with Android 14 Beta 2, which set the stage for this exciting development.
Conclusion
In a world where technological advancements continue to shape our lives, Google’s commitment to enhancing the audio experience for its users is commendable. The introduction of lossless USB audio support in the Pixel 8 series and future Android phones marks a significant leap towards an unparalleled auditory journey.
As we eagerly anticipate the availability of lossless audio on our smartphones, it’s clear that Google’s Pixel 8 series is poised to deliver excellence in both visual and auditory realms.
| Key Specs | |
|---|---|
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Processor | Google Tensor G3 |
| Rear Camera | 50 MP + 12 MP |
| Front Camera | 10.5 MP |
| Battery | 4575 mAh |
| Display | 6.2 inches (15.75 cm) |
| General | |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | October 4, 2023 (Official) |
| Operating System | Android v14 |
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Chipset | Google Tensor G3 |
| CPU | Nona Core (3 GHz, Single core, Cortex X3 + 2.45 GHz, Quad core, Cortex A715 + 2.15 GHz, Quad core, Cortex A510) |
| Co-Processor | Titan M2 |
| Architecture | 64 bit |
| Fabrication | 4 nm |
| Graphics | Immortalis-G715 MC10 |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| RAM Type | LPDDR5X |
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Display Type | OLED |
| Screen Size | 6.2 inches (15.75 cm) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels |
| Aspect Ratio | 20:9 |
| Pixel Density | 424 ppi |
| Screen to Body Ratio (calculated) | 87.1% |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass, Glass Victus, Scratch-resistant glass |
| Bezel-less display | Yes with punch-hole display |
| Touch Screen | Yes, Capacitive Touchscreen, Multi-touch |
| Brightness | 2000 nits |
| HDR 10 / HDR+ support | Yes, HDR 10+ |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
| Design | |
|---|---|
| Height | 150.5 mm |
| Width | 70.8 mm |
| Thickness | 8.9 mm |
| Weight | 187 grams |
| Build Material | Back: Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Colours | Hazel, Rose, Obsidian |
| Waterproof | Yes, Water resistant (up to 30 minutes in a depth of 1.5 meters), IP68 |
| Ruggedness | Dust proof |
| Camera | |
|---|---|
| Main Camera | |
| Camera Setup | Dual |
| Resolution | 50 MP f/1.68, Wide Angle (82° field-of-view), Primary Camera (25 mm focal length, 1.31″ sensor size, 1.2µm pixel size) |
| 12 MP f/2.2, Ultra-Wide Angle Camera (2.9″ sensor size, 1.25µm pixel size) | |
| Sensor | S5KGN2, ISOCELL Plus |
| Autofocus | Yes, Phase Detection autofocus, Laser autofocus |
| OIS | Yes |
| Flash | Yes, Dual LED Flash |
| Image Resolution | 8150 x 6150 Pixels |
| Settings | Exposure compensation, ISO control |
| Shooting Modes: Continuous Shooting, High Dynamic Range mode (HDR), Macro Mode | |
| Camera Features | 7x Digital Zoom, Auto Flash, Face detection, Touch to focus |
| Video Recording | 3840×2160 @ 24 fps, 1920×1080 @ 30 fps |
| Video Recording Features | Slo-motion, Video HDR, Macro Video, Audio Zoom, Stereo recording |
| Front Camera | |
| Camera Setup | Single |
| Resolution | 10.5 MP f/2.2, Ultra-Wide Angle, Primary Camera (20 mm focal length, 3.1″ sensor size, 1.22µm pixel size) |
| Autofocus | Yes, Phase Detection autofocus, Fixed Focus |
| Video Recording | 3840×2160 @ 24 fps |
| Battery | |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 4575 mAh |
| Type | Li-ion |
| Removable | No |
| Wireless Charging | Yes |
| Quick Charging | Yes, Fast, 27W: 50% in 30 minutes |
| USB Type-C | Yes |
| Storage | |
|---|---|
| Internal Memory | 128 GB |
| Expandable Memory | No |
| USB OTG | Yes |
| Storage Type | UFS 3.1 |
| Network & Connectivity | |
|---|---|
| SIM Slot(s) | Dual SIM, GSM+GSM |
| SIM Size | SIM1: Nano, SIM2: eSIM |
| Network Support | 5G Supported in India, 4G Supported in India, 3G, 2G |
| VoLTE | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes, Wi-Fi 7 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/be/ax) 5GHz 6GHz, MIMO |
| Wi-Fi Features | Mobile Hotspot |
| Bluetooth | Yes, v5.3 |
| GPS | Yes with A-GPS, Glonass |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB Connectivity | Mass storage device, USB charging |
| Multimedia | |
|---|---|
| FM Radio | No |
| Stereo Speakers | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes |
| Audio Jack | USB Type-C |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is lossless audio?
Lossless audio refers to audio files that are transmitted and played without any compression or alteration, preserving the original audio quality.
How does lossless USB audio work?
Lossless USB audio allows audio to flow directly from your device to your headphones without any compression or alteration, ensuring that you hear every detail with crystal clarity.
When will lossless audio be available on the Pixel 8 series?
Lossless audio will be available on the Pixel 8 series and other Android phones in a future release, pending adoption by app developers.
What are the advantages of lossless audio?
Lossless audio ensures that you hear music in its purest form, with no loss in quality, allowing you to enjoy every instrument and detail with exceptional clarity.
What apps are planning to support lossless audio?
Reports suggest that Spotify is working on bringing support for lossless audio, making it more accessible to users in the near future.
