Google has confirmed when it will unveil its next-generation smartphone in a bid to take on the latest iPhone.
The Californian search firm will hold a media event in New York on October 9.
The latest ‘Made By Google’ hardware event is widely-tipped to include the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL handsets.
Google has previously used its hardware announcements to unveil updated Home smart speakers and new ChromeBooks, as well as its Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL phones.
In the launch event invitation, Google uses a numerical ‘3’ — hinting at the long-rumoured third iteration of the flagship handset designed by the company.
Google has revealed few details about the updated smartphones, however, a number of recent high-profile leaks suggest it will launch two handsets that feature dual front-facing cameras, wireless charging, and a ‘notch’ display like the iPhone X.
The Pixel 3 XL boasts a 6.7-inch display, almost an inch larger than the Pixel 2 XL, while the smaller Pixel 3 has a 5.3-inch display.
Pictured is the invite sent to media by Google for its next hardware launch event, which will open in New York on October 9. The company is expected to launch its Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL smartphones at the event
Google has suffered a flurry of leaks in the months leading up to the launch of its latest handset.
Pre-production units of the upcoming handset have surface for sale on a Ukrainian black market website for £1,500 ($2,000, or ₴55,728 Ukrainian hryvnia).
It is believed the prototype handsets were stolen from a shipping container.
The gadgets have been photographed from a number of angles, revealing details about the design and improvements planned by Google.
Specifications photographed from the Pixel 3 XL packaging has confirmed the handset will have a notch at the top of the all-screen design – similar to iPhone X.
There are currently three pre-production Google Pixel 3 XLs on sale, according to a message from the seller shared on an encrypted Telegram with blog 9to5Google.
The price for each stolen handset is currently $2,000 (£1,500), the seller stipulated.
According to a source close with knowledge of Google’s response to the stolen unannounced handset, legal and security teams inside the Mountain View-based company are discussing a plan of action to address the leaks.
A listing of the handset on a black market website says: ‘Remains only 3 pcs. Google Pixel 3 XL I answer immediately to the most popular questions. The price is 2000 $. Payment is possible via PayPal or Bitcoin.
‘The second is preferable because PayPal has a horse commission for international transfers. Dispatch is made from London via DHL or FedEx.’
It’s unknown point how the dealer obtained the units.
Details of the upcoming device, and the 3XL version, have been steadily leaked for several weeks and the latest revelations include details about the phone’s camera
The phone is expected to be officially revealed in October and the leaks are thought to come from one person who is selling potentially stolen devices online
According to the seller, as many as 10 pre-production Google Pixel 3 XL handsets have already been sold, suggesting the total number of handsets was much higher than the three units currently for sale.
The dealer claims the smartphones can not be remotely disabled by Google.
According to the details shared by the seller, the upcoming iPhone X rival with sport dual, front-facing cameras with one wide-angle sensor to allow users to take ‘Super Selfies’ that automatically blur the background behind the subject.
Wide-angle selfies were first introduced with by rival LG with its G6 smartphone.
A Russian tech blog believed to be affiliated with the seller has published leaks of the Pixel 3 XL itself this week, as well as images shot using the handset’s cameras.
It’s unknown point how the dealer obtained the Pixel 3 and 3XL units and how they are sold. One screenshot does reveal as many 10 units for one buyer, which suggests the total number at one point is significant
It is believed the devices’ will have a dual, front-facing cameras that will house one wide-angle sensor to allow users to take ‘Super Selfies.’ These cameras will also have an improved portrait mode.
It has an iPhone X-esque notch and a supposed high-quality OLED screen that measures 6.2inches, with a screen resolution of 1,440×2,960
According to a source close to the matter, the Google legal and security teams are aware of the matter and are involved in internal discussions about the leaks
According to the bloggers, Google’s new smartphone has a 12.2MP rear camera – the same as its predecessor, the Google Pixel 2 XL, which launched in October 2017.
Likewise, the next-generation Pixel handset has the same dual-tone case design and circular rear-mounted fingerprint sensor.
It has an iPhone X-esque notch and a supposed OLED display that spans 6.2 inches, with a screen resolution of 1,440×2,960 pixels.
Previous rumours suggest the phone will be powered by a Snapdragon 845 processor, coupled with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.
Google has not confirmed whether the Pixel 3 XL on-sale on the black market website is genuine, nor has it commented on the leaked specifications.
Earlier this summer, a series of images claiming to reveal the finalised design of the forthcoming Pixel 3 XL were shared online after a Lyft driver discovered the prototype device in the back of his car, left behind by a forgetful passenger.
It’s unclear exactly where the incident, first reported by Android Police, occurred.
Another set of images claiming to show the Pixel 3 XL has leaked – this time from a Lyft driver who discovered the device in the back of his car, left behind by a forgetful passenger
The driver discovered the phone in the back of his car minutes after his passengers exited and, being a Pixel 2 XL owner himself, immediately recognized what it was — because of the Google logo on the rear of the handset and the prominent notch at the top of the OLED display.
He then shot a few photos of the device before contacting the rightful owner and returning the as-yet unannounced smartphone.
The device had a number of identifying stickers, which Android Police censored.
The incident has drawn some comparisons to when Apple suffered an embarrassing leak in 2010, after a man accidentally left an iPhone 4 prototype behind in a bar.
The leak comes about less than a month ahead of the Pixel 3 XL’s release date on October 9 2018 in New York.
This isn’t the first time the Pixel 3 XL has been spotted out in the wild well ahead of its official launch.
The driver discovered the phone in the back of his car minutes after the passengers exited and, being a Pixel 2 XL owner, immediately recognized what it was, due to the Google logo on the back and the prominent notch at the top of the screen
A closeup of the device’s notch. The unit lines up with what analysts have predicted for Google’s upcoming phones. The firm is expected to launch two new phones in October
In July, a savvy leaker shared images that purportedly show the yet-to-be-released Pixel 3 XL in a white colorway, according to XDA-Developers.
They reveal that the Pixel 3 XL is likely to include a large notch, as well as a sizable ‘chin,’ or space at the bottom of the phone’s display.
The photos provide more details after another leak in early June claimed to show the Pixel 3 XL in black.
Like the photos shared earlier this year, these show off a Pixel phone with a larger form-factor, an orange power button on the right side of the device, single-lens rear camera, dual front-facing cameras and stereo speakers.
Additionally, the device shows a logo on the back panel that’s different than the typical ‘G’, indicating that it’s more than likely a prototype model.
Critics of the notch on Apple’s iPhone X are likely to be peeved by Google’s next smartphone. New images claim to show the upcoming Pixel 3 XL with a massive notch and chin design
The photos were leaked by XDA-Developers user ‘dr.guru’ on Sunday.
‘Unfortunately the phone doesn’t boot because it was remotely erased by Google,’ the user wrote in a blog post.
The prototype Pixel device shows that it has 4 gigabytes of RAM, as well as 64 gigabytes of storage.
Last week, photos leaked that claim to show what Google’s smaller Pixel 3 smartphone could look like.
An anonymous Reddit user shared several detailed shots of the seemingly legitimate device, as well as a few screenshots of its specifications.
It’s the latest case of Google being been hit by savvy leakers who claim to have photos of the tech giant’s yet-to-be-released flagship phone.
An anonymous Reddit user shared several detailed shots of the seemingly legitimate device, as well as a few screenshots of its specifications. It appears to be the smaller Pixel 3 phone
Google typically releases two variants of its Pixel smartphone each year. This year, it’s expected to release a Pixel 3 base model, as well as the larger Pixel 3 XL.
The leaked photos seem to depict the smaller Pixel 3.
The phone appears to have a 5.5-inch display with a 2160×1080 resolution, making it about 10% bigger compared to the 5-inch Pixel 2.
Small bezels can be seen at the top of the device, as well as a chin at the bottom.
Consumers will likely be happy to find that it doesn’t have a notch cutout.
Making the phone seem more legitimate is the Google logo on the back, as well as the matte finish of the rear panel.
Screenshots show that the phone will have a 2,915mAh battery, which is a noteworthy jump in capacity from the Pixel 2. It also shows two 8 megapixel front-facing cameras
The leaked spec photos also give a glimpse of what could be coming in the smaller Pixel 3.
Screenshots show that the phone will have a 2,915mAh battery, which is a noteworthy jump in capacity from the Pixel 2.
It also features wireless charging and two 8 megapixel front-facing camera. It appears that users may be able to switch between f/1.8 and f/2.2 apertures.
Previous reports have indicated that the Pixel 3 will come with 4 gigabytes of RAM and a Snapdragon 845 processor. The screenshots don’t confirm this, however.
Like the photos shared earlier this year, these show off a Pixel phone with a larger form-factor, an orange power button on the right side of the device, single-lens rear camera, dual front-facing cameras and stereo speakers. It has 4 gigabytes of RAM and 64 gigabytes of storage
The feature that’s generated the most attention is the XL prototype’s ‘deep notch’ and massive chin.
Apple first popularized the notch, which houses facial recognition sensors and cameras, in the iPhone X.
At the time, the controversial design received feedback from users who both loved and hated the notch, with some claiming it was an ugly feature that distracted from the phone’s edge-to-edge screen.
More and more smartphone vendors have worked to minimize the notch to make way for a truly bezel-less display, but if the prototypes prove accurate, the Pixel 3 XL will move in the opposite direction.
The feature that’s generated the most attention is the XL prototype’s ‘deep notch’ and massive chin. Pictured is a closeup of the notch design, which likely houses front-facing cameras
The large chin at the bottom of the device is expected to house dual front-facing stereo speakers.
It’s also unclear whether the phone features an organic LED display or the Active Edge squeeze feature that’s appeared on previous Pixel devices.
Active Edge first appeared on the Pixel 2 and can be used to activate Google Assistant, as well as other helpful features, such as silencing incoming calls.
Along with the Pixel 3 XL, analysts have projected that Google will launch a smaller Pixel device that’ll be reminiscent of the Pixel 2.
It will feature sizable bezels at the bottom and top of the screen.
Savvy Twitter user @PhoneDesigner created renderings of what the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL could look like based on leaked images of what claim to show their screen protectors
Google is expected to release two Pixel models at its October hardware event later this year. A nearly bezel-less Pixel 3 XL (pictured in a rendering) will be released, along with a Pixel 3
Google typically features different designs for its base Pixel model and the XL model, so it’s unsurprising that the notch may only make it onto the larger of the two devices.
It’s also believed that Verizon will be the exclusive carrier of the Pixel 3 devices.
Unlike Apple, Google’s next smartphones are expected to retain a single-lens camera design on the back panel.
It may take a page from the iPhone maker in other areas, however, as new leaked images show off a ‘Pixel Stand.’
The device, also leaked by XDA-Developers, is believed to be a wireless charging device for some upcoming Google devices. It’s unclear if that includes the new Pixel phones.