The Google Pixel 8 Pro is the first phone with Google Gemini built in, making the AI powerhouse even more capable.

Specifically, the Pixel 8 Pro features Gemini Nano, a lighter version of Google's newly announced AI model Gemini. This version, unlike the two more muscular Pro and Ultra versions, can run entirely on the device without an Internet connection for convenient and secure use.

Currently dedicated to Google's latest and greatest smartphone, the Gemini Nano first supercharges the Pixel 8 Pro's two signature features, the recorder app's Summarize function and Gboard's Smart Reply.

Summarize allows users to condense the gist of what they capture in the Recorder app into a simpler, more readable form, and as for Gboard, an enhanced version of Smart Reply suggests entire sentences in the autocomplete bar based on the message being sent This is now available. However, this is only available as a developer preview and must first be turned on in the Settings app. Also, only WhatsApp is currently available for testing, but Google says more apps will be supported in the new year.

The Gemini Pro and Ultra will appear on Google Bard early next year and will apparently be available via Google Assistant. These will require an Internet connection, unlike the Gemini Nano's functionality, but the Assistant with Bard seems to be looking forward to future Pixel updates.

Google announced further AI enhancements for Pixel phones in the form of a December feature drop. These include a new Video Boost feature to improve clips on the Pixel 8 Pro by uploading them to the cloud for enhancement, Night Sight time-lapse mode on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, a camera viewfinder on the cover screen Dual Screen preview on the Pixel Fold, and several other updates we cover separately.

We have yet to try the Gemini Nano on the Pixel 8 Pro, but given how much we liked the phone's AI capabilities at launch, we are again impressed as Google adds more capabilities to Gemini and offers it on more devices We expect it to do so. That said, Samsung's Galaxy S24 is also said to be fully equipped with AI, and Google may soon face stiff competition in this area.