What is Google Pixel AI?
Google’s Pixel series of phones is teeming with powerful handsets, whether you’re interested in photography or simply want a capable day-to-day device. The Pixel 8 range took the series forward with a greater emphasis on artificial intelligence, redefining the ‘smart’ in smartphone.
In this guide we’ll be taking a deep dive into the world of Pixel AI, looking at its defining features and ways you can use them to change up your smartphone usage.
If you’re curious about picking up the Google Pixel 8, Pixel 8a, Pixel 8 Pro or a different AI-enhanced phone, our dedicated AI range has everything you need.
Pixel AI explained
Pixel AI refers to Google’s suite of features on its Pixel smartphones that are powered by artificial intelligence. Similar to Galaxy AI from Samsung, these features leverage AI to not just automate certain tasks, but also improve efficiency by processing actions far more quickly than a human can.
What makes Pixel AI stand out, particularly when compared to traditional AI, is that many of its features are ‘generative’. This means the AI on supported Pixel phones can create on-the-fly, without requiring considerable input from the user.
Which phones support Pixel AI?
• Pixel 8
• Pixel 8a
• Pixel 8 Pro
Pixel AI features
AI wallpapers
If you like to change up your phone’s wallpaper, it can be time consuming to scour the Internet for one that takes your fancy. The AI Wallpapers feature uses generative AI to create an image from a prompt, making it incredibly easy to switch up your phone’s aesthetic.
Video Boost
First introduced as an exclusive feature on the Pixel 8 Pro, Video Boost can take a recording on your phone and enhance its colour levels via AI.
In low-light settings, this feature can be a lifesaver. Areas in a frame that might otherwise be obfuscated by darkness look clearer and more detail-rich; think of it as what Night Sight mode is to still photos.
Circle to Search
Circle to Search is an AI-powered feature introduced with the Pixel 8a that lets you search for anything on your screen by simply circling, highlighting, or tapping it. Just draw a circle with your finger around an image, text or video and Google AI finds it fast. This eliminates the need to switch apps and allows you to find information directly within what you're viewing.
Best Take
It's likely we've all taken a photo in which someone is looking away from the camera. In posed shots this can disrupt the entire scene, but Best Take solves this problem by using AI to generate a different facial expression.
The AI does this by using other images as a template, creating a new expression from that framework with the press of a button.
Magic Editor
The Magic Eraser tool found its way onto other Android devices, but Magic Editor made its debut on the Pixel 8. This feature enables you to edit photos with greater flexibility; you can adjust the time of day, the size of subjects in the frame, and add extra effects such as clouds.
Magic Audio Eraser
Continuing the ‘magic’ theme is Audio Magic Eraser; another feature that was introduced on the Pixel 8 series.
With a single tap, you can use the on-board AI to scan a video for distracting sounds, such as wind or passing cars, and reduce the impact they have on the recording; ideal if you’re filming in a noisy environment.
Recorder
The Recorder app on the Pixel series received a significant boost thanks to AI integration. Alongside recording videos or meetings, Pixel AI can also transcribe the conversation and summarise it into handy bullet points.
Zoom Enhance
Zoom Enhance works in conjunction with the Pixel 8 Pro’s 30x zoom to apply the finishing touches to photos. When editing an image, you can zoom in further and, with Pixel AI, tidy up any pixelation to smooth out the image.
Google Assistant
Google Assistant has existed for several years on Android phones, but the inclusion of AI enables the feature to respond far more intelligently than before.
An example of this can be found when browsing online; ask Google Assistant to read the page aloud, and the AI will do so in seconds.
Call Screening
The Call Screening feature utilises Google’s machine learning expertise to make dealing with calls far easier.
If you’re away from your phone when receiving a call, you can use Call Screening to automatically respond with a series of questions, such as who the person is and why they’re calling. Thanks to Pixel AI, the responses sound more human and lifelike compared to previous versions of the feature.
Clear Calling
Not only does Pixel AI help when screening a call, it can also improve the quality of calls when talking to someone.
Clear Calling filters out any distracting background noises during a conversation, enhancing the clarity of your call.
Google Maps improvements
Google’s long-standing Maps tool has received a few improvements via artificial intelligence. One of these improvements is Immersive View, which collects together Street View and aerial photos to create a fully-rendered 3D look at a location. This is a great way to more accurately see a place before visiting, or get a better idea of where to go.
When you want to learn more about a location’s restaurants or other amenities, you can also use Google Lens to plan your stay right from within Google Maps.
There you have it: a detailed rundown of Pixel AI’s best features and tools. If you want to learn more about other AI utilities you can use on your phone, our experts have gathered together the top AI apps you can download and start experimenting with.