Google Pixel 3 release – as it happened: Price, release date and features revealed for new Android phones and more

Google launches flagship Pixel 3 phone

Google has launched the latest version of its flagship Pixel phone – and plenty more besides.

The two new phones includes vastly upgraded specs, new selfie features, and a completely re-designed look. As well as the two phones – the smaller and bigger version – there was a new version of the Google Home voice assistant that has a screen, as well as a new tablet.

Most of the new devices had already been leaked ahead of the official unveiling, but Google still managed a few surprises, especially with its exceptional camera.

A full round-up of the event can be found below.

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[9 October 2018 16:51 · Andrew Griffin]

It's Pixel 3 time!! (And Google says "finally", suggesting this is the last thing we're going to get: no Pixel Watch or Chromecast, as some reports had suggested.)

[9 October 2018 16:53 · Andrew Griffin]

The strangest thing Google has announced so far is the coral coloured Pixel 3: a sort of soft pink on the body, and a bright peach on the side, it looks a little odd. And it sounds even more odd: Google is referring to it as "not pink".

Is that a dig at Apple, who refers to its pink phones as "rose gold", and sometimes doesn't even use the "rose"? Maybe – probably, knowing Google's track record of sly digs and cheeky names – but it's a bad name for a strange colour.

[9 October 2018 16:55 · anthony.cuthbertson]

Liza Ma and Brian Rakowski are telling us about what seems to be an incredible camera. So good, in fact, that Conde Nast has been shooting magazine covers with them. 

[9 October 2018 16:58 · Andrew Griffin]

The Pixel's best feature has always been the camera. The Pixel 3 is obviously the best of those cameras yet – and is a stunning advancement on existing technology.

There's brilliant photos, of course: so brilliant that Conde Nast has used the phone to take front covers for seven of its magazines that are on their way to news-stands now.

But there is incredible new forms of "computational photography" – that is, pictures where the phone does the work to make them better – too. Those are even more stunning. Like a feature called Top Shot that takes a range of pictures and picks out the best. Or another called Night Sight that can make dark pictures actually useable without bothering with the flash.

Not clear what other features there will be in this phone. But Apple mostly only upgraded the camera for the iPhone XS, and Google seems to have done an even better job.

[9 October 2018 16:59 · anthony.cuthbertson]

A video showing a series of comical photo mishaps is played, which will apparently now be a thing of the past thanks to the machine learning utilized by the Pixel 3 camera.  

So you see "smiles instead of sneezes," Ma says.

Personally, I'm going to miss those pictures...

[9 October 2018 17:07 · anthony.cuthbertson]

More on digital wellbeing, with something called "Flip to shhh," which means it switches into a 'do not disturb mode' when you lay it face down. A handy feature that's been borrowed from HTC.

[9 October 2018 17:10 · Andrew Griffin]

We have prices: Pixel 3 is available for $799. The stand (which does a whole load of stuff) will be $79.

[9 October 2018 17:12 · anthony.cuthbertson]

More on the Pixel Stand that Andrew just mentioned, which is described as "the smartest wireless charger ever." 

It transforms your phone into a photo frame, or an alarm clock, or basically just a miniature Google Home. "Pixel Stand isn't just a charger, it changes the UI of the entire phone."

[9 October 2018 17:14 · anthony.cuthbertson]

That's the last product to be announced. Stay tuned for more analysis, a wrap up of everything we've learnt today, and a hands on with the devices.

[9 October 2018 17:16 · Andrew Griffin]

Here at the UK event they're doing the prices for Britain so here we go:

Google Home Hub

£139

Pre-order today from Google Store & Currys PC World

On sale from 22nd October

Comes with free YouTube Premium

Pixel Slate

From £549

Keyboard for £189

Order from November

Pixel 3

From £739

XL for £869

Pre-order today

On sale from 1st November

Google says it has more than tripled its partners so it should be much easier to find in shops and through your network

Pixel Stand

£69 RRP

Order from 1st November