Google: Pixel 8 and 8 Pro will support lossless audio via USB

Google has indicated through CEO Dave Burke that the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro smartphones will support lossless audio via a USB connection. It is not yet clear when the function will actually be added to both devices.

According to Burke, the feature enables ‘bit perfect audio’ on the Pixel smartphones. Google CEO says on Reddit that thanks to the function, audio signals will no longer have to be processed by an audio mixer and that, among other things, processing effects will be a thing of the past.

Google has enabled support for lossless audio via USB Android 14 added. This version of the mobile operating system was released in early October. The function may be baked into Android 14, but that does not mean that the lossless audio via USB can immediately be used in every Android app. According to Burke, manufacturers and app developers must first implement the function.

Google announced the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro in early October. The American tech giant gives the phones seven years of updates, feature drops and OS upgrades. The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro run on the proprietary Tensor G3 SoC, have received some camera upgrades and also come at a slightly higher price compared to the introductory price of last year’s Pixel 7.

Google Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro