Pixel Stand hands-on: doing what Home Hub does with your Pixel 3

That’s why we’ve put the two phones head-to-head, comparing their design, display, specs, camera, battery and price, so you can see exactly what a difference a year makes. On Google’s blog, the company called the Pixel 3 the “most helpful device in your life”, pointing out that the Smart Assistant can answer while the phone is charging and that the camera is designed so that it “won’t miss a shot”. An AI-powered feature called Top Shot avoids the problem of taking photos in which subjects blink, there is (allegedly) decent low-light photography, and enhanced zoom.

There’s no 3.5mm in or out, but the Home Hub has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and it works either as a Bluetooth speaker or as a “casting” target from Android phones. And, in the process, it gives you the opportunity to show anyone who would dare to disturb you with an actual phone call what you really think of them: Namely, that they’re an annoyance. Like previous Pixel phones, you can get the 3 or the 3 XL in a choice of “Just Black” or “Clearly White”.

The third generation of Pixel phones comes in two sizes, and both feature high-definition screens that span from one edge to another.

The Pixel 3 has a 5.5-inch full-HD+ display with a resolution of 1080×2160 pixels.

It will be offered in dark blue colour and features a touchscreen with a possible aspect ratio of 3:2.

The Pixel 3 phones have larger displays than the Pixel 2 counterparts, which were launched a year ago.

Although Google did not make any announcements about it on-stage, there’s a new Chromecast. The $599 iteration of the Pixel Slate will have an Intel Celeron processor with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of onboard storage.

You can join the waitlist for the Pixel Slate on the Google Store here.

The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL phones offer significant upgrades to prior models by adding a almost edge-to-edge screen on the larger model, more display area on both phones, faster processors and an improved camera.

Google uses the phones to highlight what it considers to be best features of its Android operating system, while challenging Apple and Samsung with a device tailored for affluent consumers.

Nearly all the technical details of the phones had been leaked before the event, but Google did unveil some clever new software features.

With the Pixel 3 relying on an internet connection to Google for many of its biggest features, the company also announced a brand new chip which brings the Titan Security used in Google servers to the phone, which it says makes the Pixel more secure than ever.

The US SIM-free price of the two devices starts at £739 for the Pixel 3 and £869 for the Pixel 3 XL. Add $100 to each to jump to 128GB of storage.

In terms of power, it appears the Pixel Slate is outgunned, at least in terms of the base model. The software, launching on U.S. Pixels only, answers calls, requests information about the nature of the calls and shares it as text with the recipient.

You can also snag the wireless charging Pixel Stand for $79; all three will arrive in stories on October 18 through Verizon and unlocked through the Google Store and Project Fi.

When it comes to performance and speed, the Pixel 3 XL and regular 3 are certain to be some of the best in the business. Strangely, Verizon charges more for the Pixel 3 XL if purchased directly from the carrier-it’s $930 or $38.74 per month. At the top of both screens reside dual front-facing cameras, redesigned to help take super-wide selfies that are just as clear and crisp as any photo taken on the Pixel 3. I never bottomed out as the keys popped right back up as soon as I pressed them.