The Pixel 5 and a variety of other Google gadgets are set to be unveiled at the company’s big virtual ‘Launch Night In’ event.
We’re expecting to hear more about the new smartphone, as well as the Google Pixel 4a 5G, and a variety of other products including a brand new Chromecast and a new Nest smart speaker.
Below, we’ll be talking you through the whole event as it happens including the unveiling of the new phones and any other details we hear throughout the event.
The event is set for September 30 (that’s today), and it’s due to start at 11am PT / 2pm ET / 7pm BST (that’s 4am AEST on October 1). You can find Google’s stream using the link below, or you can follow along with us on YouTube using the video below.
Leaks suggest Google won’t be changing the rear camera from the Pixel 4 much for the Google Pixel 5.
Mark Wilson, Cameras Editor at TechRadar, says “Google is so keen to flex its software muscles that recent Pixel cameras have had to fight their rivals with one arm tied behind their backs – and I’m expecting that to continue with the Pixel 5. The Pixel 4 finally relented and added a 2x telephoto lens to its main camera, but lacked a wide-angle equivalent.
And now rumors are suggesting that the Pixel 5 might ditch the telephoto for a wide-angle option, or just stick with the same camera hardware. This is a bit frustrating. Google’s computational wizardry can’t be doubted and the Pixel 5 will probably deliver some scarcely believable new tricks. But why not combine this with equally versatile hardware? Still, hopefully the Pixel 5 might surprise us.”
Can you expect Google Stadia news today? There’s not anything rumored so far.
Adam Vjestica, Senior Staff Writer for TechRadar, says “With Google expected to reveal a new Chromecast during today’s event, I’d be surprised if the tech giant didn’t at least give Stadia a passing mention. Competition has certainly increased in the cloud gaming space in recent months, and the announcement of Amazon Luna has made things a lot more interesting.
“Stadia could certainly benefit from some much-needed publicity, then. Firstly, to remind consumers that yes, it still exists – but it’s also a prime opportunity for Google to hammer home why Stadia is superior to its growing list of rivals.”
The name is confirmed already by Google, and it’s very likely we’ll be hearing about the Google Pixel 5 at this launch event. It’s a bit earlier than when Google usually unveils its new flagship device – in previous years they’ve been unveiled in October – and this year it’s expected to just be the one phone.
Rumors of a Google Pixel 5 XL did exist at one stage, but more recently leaks have pointed toward the company streamlining to the one device. It’s expected to cost
£615 (around $790 / AU$1,095) after a big price leak, and it may be out before the end of October.
One big thing is that it’s expected to sport a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765 chipset, which isn’t a top-end processor. If that’s true, this device may have lower specs than previous versions of Google’s handsets.
Other leaks point toward the same 12.2MP main camera and 16MP that we saw on the Pixel 4, and it’s expected to get a Full HD 6-inch display as well.
Since June, we’ve heard rumors that the new Chromecast (codenamed Sabrina) will use a remote and a rejigged interface, and we’re expecting to see it finally surface at Google’s Launch Night In event.
Details are incredibly sparse on the specs right now, but the thinking here is that Google is making a device for both its tech-savvy users who know how to Cast as well as some less technical folks who still enjoy using a remote control to peruse their streaming devices.
Early leaked images of the device show that it’s not a massive departure in terms of design from its predecessors and still connects to your TV through an attached HDMI cable. An XDA leaker says that the new Chromecast will come in three colors – white, black and peach – but couldn’t confirm if it would support high-end AV formats like Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.
No word on pricing or release date yet either, but if it’s anything close to the Chromecast 3rd-Gen ($35, £30, AU$59) or Chromecast Ultra ($69, £69, AU$95) then the new Chromecast could be the new de facto streaming device for most people.
So what else will we be seeing alongside the Pixel 5? Throughout the day we’ll be talking you through some of the gadgets expected, and we’re starting with the Google Nest Audio.
The so-called Google Nest Audio is rumored to be the company’s latest smart speaker, and it’s set to be the successor to its flagship speaker, the Google Home.
We’ve actually seen a lot of the Google Nest Audio in recent weeks, after the tech giant released a teaser video that showed off the wireless speaker’s new design, with a loaf-shaped build and fabric grille.
Said to offer superior sound to its predecessors, the Nest Audio has even been mistakenly sold by Walmart in the US, as one Redditor discovered.
“Audio quality blows the original Google home out of the water by a very, very wide margin,” the Redditor reports. “Highs are super clear and crisp, lows are remarkably delicate and defined whereas heavy bass items seem to have definition rather than just heavy output. Seems competitive with my Sonos IKEA Speakers at lower volumes.”
Of course, we’ll need to test it out for ourselves to find out whether the Nest Audio delivers in terms of audio quality – as well as its onboard Google Assistant’s smart home integration – but we’re excited to hear more about it at the big event.
The first of the last minute leaks are in, and this one gives us another look at the Google Pixel 5 before it’s unveiled properly on stage later today.
It from Jon Prosser – a leaker of a wide variety of gadgets – who has photos of the Google Pixel 5 in a hand.
We’re not sure if it’s his specific hand, but it largely confirms what we’ve seen from the most recent leaks so we think this is the final product:
What do you think of that look? Is it going to make sure you pick a Google Pixel 5 later this year?
Welcome to our live blog! We’ll be talking you through what to expect later today throughout the hours before the stream starts, and this is where we’ll share any last minute leaks or information that we can spot.
We’ll also then be here to talk you through the whole event itself so you’ve got the first information on the Google Pixel 5 and whatever else the company decides to unveil later today.
Want to tune in yourself? Try our how to watch the Google Pixel 5 launch explainer to find the links you’ll need.