Pixel 8 Pro Introduces Body Temperature Measurement Feature: The other night, I noticed that I was feeling slightly feverish before retiring to bed, so I deemed it prudent to take my temperature. Nonetheless, I was spared the effort of retrieving my thermometer from the disorganized medication cabinet in the bathroom. On the contrary, I simply retrieved my smartphone from its perch on the nightstand, launched an application, and proceeded to gradually traverse it from the apex of my hairline to the temple.
I’ve been using Google’s Pixel 8 Pro’s January update, which incorporated body temperature tracking. The phone previously only measured the temperature of nearby things like hot coffee or tea. Yet, the US Food and Drug Administration granted Google the De Novo classification for body temperature, enabling its use on people. On the app, Google emphasizes that the tool provides information and should not be used for diagnosis or to replace medical advice.
Pixel 8 Pro’s temperature-sensing features demonstrate medical-consumer technology integration. These health functions are more widespread in fitness bands and smartwatches than smartphones. These devices stay on the wearer’s wrist and have modern sensors that can take ECG readings and identify sleep apnea and stress. The Pixel 8 Pro is not the first smartphone with a temperature sensor.
I found a slight difference between Pixel 8 Pro and contactless forehead thermometer readings. Google states that the Pixel 8 Pro measures the temporal artery instead of only the forehead center, making it more accurate than a forehead thermometer.
However, my primary concern remains as to whether temperature-sensing capabilities are essential for a smartphone. The Pixel 8 Pro’s new FDA categorization justifies the temperature sensor, but I won’t use it unless in rare cases.
Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8 Pro: All you need to know
Temperature detection via the Pixel 8 Pro
When you first use the body temperature feature in the Thermometer app on the Pixel 8 Pro, you will see important guidelines outlining how the tool works. This illustration does not analyze extremely low hypothermic temperatures or determine the body temperatures of premature infants.
The software has a reading tutorial video. I didn’t realize I needed an instructional clip. When measuring body temperature, the Pixel 8 Pro requires more activity than conventional contactless thermometers, which aim at the forehead. Start by placing the sensor next to the camera on the back of the smartphone, far enough from your skin to avoid direct contact. Find the temporal artery by dragging the sensor from the forehead to the temple.
Notably, the phone alerts you with a buzzing sound when it is ready to take a reading since the screen is not visible. As the device moves across the forehead, it generates haptic signals.
I found this task more challenging than I had expected after a few attempts. An error message kept appearing, stating that the sensor was out of range, no matter how close I held it to my forehead. However, once I mastered the process, I executed numerous scans without any complications.
Taking a temperature in front of a mirror or computer webcam is easier. Other than that, I had trouble determining the phone’s alignment. I also had to cut or press my bangs to align the sensor. You may save your temperature data to Fitbit and view recent results in the Thermometer app. To prevent tampering with your wellness trends and temperature data in Fitbit, don’t keep Pixel 8 Pro temperature readings of family members on your account.
You need a US carrier SIM card to use this function on the Pixel 8 Pro, and it’s only allowed for use in the US. You can use the feature without requiring an internet connection. I activated my phone on a US plan and used the thermometer app’s body temperature feature in airplane mode.
The GoodBaby No-Touch Thermometer, which has over 16,000 Amazon reviews, had similar temperature readings to the Pixel 8 Pro. In seven body temperature readings, the Pixel 8 Pro averaged 97.7 degrees, and the forehead thermometer 98.2 degrees.
Wearable temperature detection versus the Pixel 8 Pro
The Pixel 8 Pro is merely the most recent technological device to facilitate body temperature monitoring. Temperature sensing was introduced to the Apple Watch with the Apple Watch Series 8 in 2022. Additional examples of wearable technology that incorporates temperature sensors include the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and the Oura ring.
The main difference is that these wearable gadgets measure body temperature by touching the wrist or finger. In a blog post, Google explains how the Pixel 8 Pro calculates temperature using an algorithm and infrared sensor.
Both the technology and its implementation are unique. Unlike the Pixel 8 Pro’s on-demand temperature sensor, most wearables with temperature sensors passively monitor baseline temperatures when sleeping. The metrics can be used to determine readiness scores or cycle monitoring.
Though unusual, the Pixel 8 Pro’s body temperature sensor is useful. I checked into bed with a little cold and wanted to rule out a fever, but my body temperature was normal.
However, temperature sensors appear to be more suitable for wearable devices than handsets, at least for the time being.
