In the Google Pixel device ecosystem, an element unknown to most people, but especially notable and highly valued by those who already use Google devices, Pixel Feature Drops, generally referred to as Pixel Dropsand that adds a bit of extra cheese and truffle flavor to Google’s proposition in the device market, especially if we focus on smartphones, although it actually applies to its entire catalog of Pixel devices.

To preview this exclusive Pixel feature, Google temporarily loaned us the Pixel 8, which also allows us to show you firsthand the Mint version which was added to the catalog last January. There is no difference, as you can see below, with the ones that hit the market last October, but we take the opportunity to check their technical specifications.

Google Pixel 8 Mint: technical specifications

As you can see, there are no changes compared to the models introduced in October, apart from the color of course, which I personally think is the most beautiful of all availableand which was also added to the color designs of the Pixel 8 Pro, in which my favorite so far was blue.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a green Google Pixel, we have the precedent of the Pixel 5 in “sorta sage” color mode, which, yes, was matte (in this case, it’s glossy, in both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro) and had a pretty attractive visual texture. , which reminded me a bit of granite. In this case, the tone of green is more subtle, to the extent that it is the palest in bright conditions, unlike the blue of the Pixel 8 Pro, which is somewhat more intense and therefore more permanent.

On tastes, colors, of course, but while I understand the predominance of more… let’s say serious colors (variations on black and gray), for some time now I like those that, without being flashy, provide a color tone , and this is exactly what I find in the blue and green designs of the current generation of Pixels.

In a quick overview of its specifications, let us remind you that its appearance is the Act With Mode screen always onbuilt on a 6.2-inch OLED panel with FullHD+ resolution (1,080 x 2,400 pixels) in an aspect ratio of 20:9 and with a density of 428 pixels per inch. Its refresh rate can range between 60 and 120 Hz, and its brightness can go up to 1,400 nits in HDR mode and up to an impressive 2,000 in peak. Its contrast ratio is >1,000,000:1, it has 24-bit color depth, and it has the proven protection provided by Gorilla Glass Victus for shock and drop protection.

We already find inside SoC Google Tensor G3which, as you already know, excels in its training in normal operations in AI tasks and is accompanied by 8 gigabytes of LPDDR5X RAM and 128 or 256 gigabytes of UFS 3.1 storage (only available with 128GB in the Mint model) This kit is powered by a 12V battery. 4,575 milliamps which supports 30-watt fast charging, capable of providing more than 24 hours of autonomy in standard use, which can be extended up to 72 hours with the Extreme Battery Saving function.

If you want more information about the Google Pixel 8, you can find it in the news we published about its launch, as well as on its official website.

Pixel Drops

Software, although it is usually forgotten in many cases, plays a vital role in our daily activities with our devices. Without an operating system, we would only have very expensive paperweights (albeit nice ones, yes), plus a set of functions, tools and applications that make them more or less useful and adapt to a greater or lesser extent to our needs, specific needs.

How could it be otherwise, Google smartphones probably run Android one of the “cleanest” versions of the operating systemAs you already know, many manufacturers add their own layer of customization, which in some cases can completely change the interface and user experience. I’m not saying it’s bad, mind you there are some great layers of customization, but it’s undeniable that Pixel smartphones bring us closer than virtually any other device to the Android experience as originally conceived.

Now at Google, they realize the importance of software when it comes to making a device stand out in a market as competitive as smartphones, and their answer to this challenge is found in Pixel Feature Drops, which as and how they can infer from its name These are the elements that “fall” on the Pixel device.

At the end of 2019, specifically in November, some Pixel users were surprised to see that they were not receiving any updates on their smartphones, despite the fact that some leak indicated the arrival of new features. A mystery that was clarified when Google presented in early December of that year the first Pixel Feature Drop update that added new features to the Pixel 2, 3 and 4. Now, in the opening text of his blog post, the most important thing was found:

«Now your Pixel will also get bigger updates with new Pixel features [Pixel Feature Drops, en la versión sin traducir]. The first to arrive this monthincludes a new way to take portraits, easier Duo calling and automatic call filtering.»

By doing this, they made it clear to us that we are not facing a specific update, but rather a new Properties exclusive to your device, which would regularly receive new features over time. However, this publication does not clarify the frequency of these updates, although they have been separated from operating system and security updates.

Time has clarified this point for us, because with some exceptions we can summarize its frequency as quarterly with something extra, and as we already told you a few days ago when we talked about the latest Pixel Drop, They are not limited to the last generationand not into smartphones because They may also arrive with improvements for the Pixel Watch, Pixel Buds and in markets where available, on the Pixel Tablet. That means its reach spans the entire Pixel ecosystem.

So, Since 2019, Google has been regularly releasing Pixel Drops, like the one that brought us Circle to Search in January, which made the jump to multiple devices this week, and which is also soon to add a new feature that makes it even more useful. But as I say, this new improvement is only the latest in a very large set, like the one last March that added features to the first generation Pixel Watch, the one from October 2023 (released practically with the launch of Android 14 and Pixel 8) that brought a redesign camera app, added customization options and more, the March 2023 one with some visual changes… the list is very, very extensive and with very notable new features.

With the arrival of the Pixel 8, Google has vowed to deliver you will enjoy seven years of updates, which is mainly limited to security, but may eventually extend to the operating system, software and features, and in this commitment Pixel Drops can play a very important role. Of course, it will be understandable that not all features will make it to all devices, but if Google shows that this commitment goes beyond the basics, it will be the strongest bet yet in the fight against planned obsolescence.

The installation of Pixel Drops is integrated with system updates, so if you have automatic updates configured, you won’t have to worry about anything. However, if you want to make sure that there are no pending updates, go to Settings -> System -> Software update and check if this section, as you can see in the image above, indicates that you have an update available. If so, you’ll just need to confirm that you want to install it and follow the steps in the wizard.