We almost got more cool features along with the Google Pixel 8, three of them got scrapped before launch. Mishaal Rahman went into detail on this, sharing what we missed on.
Three interesting Pixel 8 features got scrapped before launch
These features include “two minor camera features, and one major productivity feature”, as he put it. So, let’s start with that one major productivity feature. It’s a desktop mode, actually, that many people wanted to see.
Back in June, it was reported that the Pixel 8 will get support for DisplayPort over USB-C. At least that’s what the code indicated. It would allow you to connect your Pixel 8 to external displays, and get a proper desk mode layout. Something like Samsung DeX.
Well, that didn’t happen, obviously, for whatever reason. Google opted to ditch it for the launch, but that doesn’t mean it won’t come to Pixels later on. That’s a shame, because even the new iPhone 15 Pro and its sibling come with a mirror function when connected, at the very least.
Two of those features were camera-related
The other two features are both camera-related. The first one is an 8K video recording. 8K video at 30 fps was expected to make its way to the Pixel 8 series. Both the camera sensor and the Tensor G3 support it.
So, why didn’t it? Well, because of the software, Mishaal says. The software is seemingly not ready for it. There is a slim chance it will happen down the line, but it’s more realistic to expect the Pixel 9 series to bring it forth.
The last feature we’ll talk about is super slow-motion video. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro can record slow-motion video, don’t get me wrong. They can record slow-mo video at up to 1080p/240 fps.
Google did plan to offer 720p/480p slow-motion videos too. Google opted to not proceed with it for whatever reason. So we didn’t really get the super slow-motion video support.
The Google Pixel 8 series does bring a ton of great software features, though. We got the Magic Editor, Best Take, and many more.