Live as Google launches Pixel 8 and 8 Pro to challenge iPhone 15

That's all for now - shop the new Google Pixel 8 deals below

It's been a full-on day as Google announces its Pixel 8, 8 Pro and new Pixel Watch 2 devices. The most-talked about features include its eye-catching take on AI (some features will even block out spam callers), 24-hour battery life on the Pixel Watch in just one charge, and attnetion to its photography.

As we head off for the day you can read all about the latest and greatest Pixel 8 updates in our round up: 'Google's clever Pixel 8 gets magical camera and more power

Want to buy a new phone or smartwatch? Head to the retailers below to order one of Google's new gadgets:

SEVEN years of upgrades

As the Google event comes to an end we're left with a pretty big update - one which could influence any smartphone users to buy a new Pixel 8 phone. That's because Google has announced the devices will be supported for SEVEN years, meaning users will get software updates right up until 2030.

The Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Buds Pro (Made By Google )

It's a step no other brand, ahem Apple and Samsung, currently offer - is it enough to influence you into buying a Pixel 8 or 8 Pro?

If so, then you can pre-order the devices over at Amazon or Currys both of which are offering some unmissable deals - with freebies up for grabs. Both retailers will give you a free Pixel Watch 2 when you buy the Pixel 8 Pro or a free pair of Pixel Buds 2 Pro when you buy the cheaper Pixel 8 handset.

• Get a free pair of Pixel Buds 2 Pro at Currys

Pixel 8 Pro shoppers will get a free Pixel Watch 2

You can get the Pixel Watch 2 for free (Made By Google )

Ah the freebie deals have finally landed! And all-new Pixel 8 Pro shoppers can bag a free Pixel Watch 2, worth a huge £349, for absolutely free when they buy the £999 Pixel 8 Pro handset.

Kyrie Irving secures Dallas Mavericks trade as Brooklyn Nets receive huge offer

• Get a free Google Pixel Watch 2 at Amazon when you buy the Pixel 8 Pro

Triple camera system on the Pixel 8 Pro

The all-new Pixel 8 Pro in Baby Blue (Made By Google )

• Buy the Pixel 8 Pro at Amazon for £999

The Pixel 8 Pro device is the one to go for if a professional camera is on your list!

So, what’s new? The new 8 Pro control unlocks what it says on the tin ‘a pro camera experience’ - the type of stuff you usually get with mega camera lenses.

The all new 'Video Boost' changes the game on the Pixel 8 Pro, balances out skin tone and adds vivid colour and detail to 4K videos. Plus there’s some new brightening tools with its nightmode.

Amazon stocks new Pixel 8 for less than £700

• Order the new Pixel 8 at Amazon, here for £699

If you fancy getting your hands on the Pixel 8 handset you can order now at Amazon, as it becomes one of the first online retailers in the UK to stock the shiny new device - at £699.

Google Pixel 8 - it's AI will highlight spam calls

(Made By Google )

• Order the new Pixel 8 at Amazon, here for £699

The biggest new spec comes with the Tensor G3 and it's AI assistant - and as shown on screen it'll help users block scam callers thanks to its call assist.

Personally I think this will be a huge win for users and something Apple and Samsung may need to take a look at themselves, something which is a bit more glitch on Apple's iOS 17.

Now onto cameras, and as wanted by our own tech editor Dave Snelling, there's some huge improvements. The guided frame now works on the front and back camera to guide photographers as well as huge noise blocking features with the new Audio Magic Eraser - this blocks out any unwated sounds from captures.

The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro are here

WOHOOO! The newest (and shiniest) handsets from Google are here, so let's see what's on offer.

As Claude Zellweger explains the newest devices to the 'Pixel family'.

The standout new features are its colours, the new Porcelain colourway on the Pixel 8 Pro as well as a standout Baby Blue handset - oh and Pixel Buds Pro in the same colour to match... now that's fancy.

Now onto some new screen specs with its 'Actua Display' on the Pixel 8 - this gives real clarity on games, photos or anything on your screen. The Pixel 8 Pro will get a super version of the Actua Display, bringing HDR images 'true to life', even if you're sat using your phone in direct sunlight.

'Hopefully big camera upgrades'

This is what our Tech Editor Dave Snelling want's to see at the top of the Google Pixel 8 upgrades.... and I agree. It may just be Google's change of beating Apple and Samsung, there's nothing better than a professional, clear camera.

Excited for the Google event. Hopefully more big camera upgrades will keep the Pixel in the top spot for photography.

— Dave Snelling (@SnellingD) October 4, 2023

Best fitbit tracking in the Pixel Watch 2

'The best of Pixel and Google'

The new Pixel Watch 2

A stand out feature on the new watch is its take on sustainability as you don’t have to buy any new straps for the watch if you’re upgrading - a big tick from me! Last year's Pixel Watch bands will work with this smartwatch.

• Durable cover glass

• Aluminum housing more comfortable to wear

• A smooth snappier performance

• And 24-hours of use on a single charge - 12 hours in just 30 minutes

• Tracks stress over time

Biggest update yet to Pixel Buds Pro

There are huge updates to the Pixel Buds Pro, and a huge focus on quality of calls.

This is thanks to its new Bluetooth calling feature, in summary the buds will pause and turn on transparency mode when you start talking to other people - and as we've heard from the stream it's a lot clearer.

'Making AI most helpful for everyone'

Rick Osterloh is here and it seems AI and faster speeds are its focus for the new Pixel 8 handsets.

"State of the art AI to reach its full potential..."

New smartphones and smartwatch any minute now

The elavator music has stopped which means we're seconds away from seeing the new Pixel 8, 8 Pro and Pixel Watch gadgets!

If you're watching the live stream you should be seeing Rick Osterloh on your screen now who's taken to the stage to share its AI breakthroughs and introductions.

There's just TEN minutes to go

The new Pixel 8 and 8 Pro handsets are just minutes away from being launched. Remeber, you can tune into the live stream to see all the updates - and it may bag you a big saving.... queue the freebies!

A cheaper Pixel 8 alternative

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE (SAMSUNG)

There’s rumours the price of the handsets could go up by £150 today - although we’ll wait on official announcements. Although there’s a rival smartphone that could win you over today, and yes it’s from huge rivals Samsung.

After months of swirling speculations the brand has confirmed it’s bringing out a more affordable version of the S23 - the S23 FE (or Fan Edition).

You can read all about the new Galaxy device here in our round-up.

Why the Google Pixel 7 should still be on your list

(Google)

Don’t rule out the older model just because the shiny new 8 and 8 Pro handsets are launching. In fact, now’s one of the best times to snap up the 2022

And these are the huge price drops:

• Get £192 off the Pixel 7 here
• Get £122 off the Pixel 7 handset at eBay

The Pixel 7 was launched last year with a high refresh-rate screen, a Magic Eraser tool to remove unwanted people from the background of your shots, and a faster processor for some clever AI tricks.

If you're not fussed about owning the latest from Google, or simply fancy a good bargain, Pixel 7 is a great choice.

The Pixel Watch 2 - what to expect

It’s the second-ever smart watch from the brand, the first ever Pixel Watch seems to go down a treat so the brand has added another model to its 2023 updates.

According to industry experts, including , Google honing in on battery updates, energy efficiency, and faster speeds with a new Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 processor - although we’ll have to wait until the official unveiling to see what’s packed inside.

Want to buy the older Pixel Watch to save money? Then Amazon's latest deal is for you as it snaps £63.51 off the price - which you can buy here.

This is the one 2 watch.

Meet #PixelWatch 2 live at #MadeByGoogle in days and sign up for updates at the Google Store: https://t.co/HXgTytwqYn pic.twitter.com/E4KWJmevDU

— Made by Google (@madebygoogle) October 2, 2023

Where's the best place to order a new Pixel 8 in the UK?

There's just under an hour to go until Google take to the stage and unveil its flashy new smartphones, but where's the best place to buy one. Of course the official Google store is an option but it's not the only retailer we expect to launch eye-watering deals.

You may want to keep refreshing these landing pages to spot the best price drops as soon as the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro launch.

Amazon, Currys, Mobiles.co.uk and John Lewis

Is it the best phone for you? Tech expert shares details

Thomas Husson, the Vice President and Principal Analyst at Forester has shared his thoughts of the new Google Pixel 8 handsets ahead of the launch. If you're weighing up ordering one of these flagship devices later today you may way to take a look.

He said: "Despite a declining smartphone market overall, Google has slowly but surely managed to establish Pixel smartphones in the high-end premium smartphone category, mostly to demonstrate Google’s ability to integrate hardware, proprietary chips, AI and software.

"No doubt the new Pixel 8 and Pixel Pro flagship devices will integrate Google’s own Tensor chips, the latest version of Android 14 and Google AI software optimization.

"The main new feature could be the integration of a built-in thermometer enabling future health and contextual services’ use cases. However, leveraging the AI hype, I’d expect Google to insist on Google AI and how it helps optimizing the picture quality."

What could be coming on the Pixel 8 Pro

The bigger Pixel 8 Pro can be seen in Porcelain colourway

The flagship model of this year, bigger and ‘better’ than the standard Pixel 8. The 8 Pro is expected to get a mighty upgrade to its processor and a bulk of new storage.

Here are the new specs to expect:

• Tensor G3 processor
• 12GB of RAM
• 6.7-inch Super Actua OLED display
• 16MP front camera
• 50MP wide lens, 48MP ultrawide lens with Macro Focus and a 48MP 5x telephoto lens

What we could see with the new Pixel 8

(Made By Google )

The Google Pixel 8 is one device on the launch card today and here’s what it could have. Thankfully Google is never too hush hush about its launches so we already have a pretty good idea.

Here are the new specs to expect:

• Tensor G3 processor - it’ll boost the speed and performance
• 8GB of RAM
• 120 Hz OLED display
• Dual camera set-up
• 50MP wide lens and 12MP ultra wide lens with autofocus

How to watch the ‘Made By’ event LIVE

The above link is the one to save!

The event starts in just a few hours time (at 3pm) but viewers all over the world will be able to watch thanks to its live stream. You can join from the Google site or from its official youtube channel.

Welcome to the Google Pixel launch

Today’s the day Google launches its new 2023 devices.

I’m your tech writer Harriet, here to bring you all the dazzling updates from the event today. For all avid Google shoppers, or soon to be shoppers, the event kicks off at 3pm today.

Gr8 things are coming.

Tune in to #MadeByGoogle on October 4th at 10am ET and sign up for updates at the Google Store: https://t.co/sPT67T3LsR pic.twitter.com/yZt2qAkjV2

— Made by Google (@madebygoogle) September 7, 2023