Google has announced that they will indeed bring Gemini Nano support to the regular Pixel 8!

For reference, earlier this month, a Googler during #TheAndroidShow said that Gemini Nano wouldn't be coming to the Pixel 8 because of "some hardware limitations." The limitation in question is memory: the Pixel 8 has 8GB of RAM while the 8 Pro has 12GB.

Gemini Nano is the mobile optimized version of the Gemini LLM that's currently available on the Pixel 8 Pro and Galaxy S24 series. Gemini Nano powers the summarization feature in the Pixel Recorder app as well as Smart Reply in Gboard when using messaging apps likes WhatsApp.

Google says that Gemini Nano will roll out to Pixel 8 users as a "developer preview" in the "next Pixel Feature Drop", ie. the June 2024 Pixel Feature Drop which will also bring Android 14 QPR3. Gemini Nano on the Pixel 8 might not perform as well as it does on the Pixel 8 Pro due to differences in memory specs, which is likely why it's being offered as a developer preview.