Google Pixel 3 goes on sale ahead of launch

Google's latest flagship smartphone has gone on sale, days before it is even officially launched.

The Google Pixel 3 and the Google Pixel 3 XL are set to be unveiled on Tuesday, 9 October, however tech bloggers spotted an XL device for sale in Hong Kong.

The 6.3-inch smartphone features 128GB of internal storage space, 4GB of RAM, wireless charging, and a screen resolution of 2,960 x 1,440 pixels – as well as a notch at the top of the screen.

The phone also features Google's latest Android 9.0 mobile operating system, known as Android Pie.

The inclusion of wireless charging is part of an industry-wide shift towards the technology, according to industry experts.

“Google was an early adopter of wireless charging in its Nexus series, but integrating the technology into its flagship product signifies something much bigger - the tech giant’s commitment to a wireless world," said Dan Bladen, CEO of wireless power firm Chargifi.

"Both Apple and Google have fuelled the demand for ubiquitous wireless charging this Autumn– a trend that is set to continue as competitors bring new products to the market."

Samsung is also rumoured to be introducing wireless charging to its mid-range selection of smartphones before its higher-end devices.

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It is not the first time one of the devices has been spotted in the wild. Last month, a driver of the Lyft ride-hailing service discovered a high-end Android device that had all the hallmarks of being the next flagship Google Pixel.

The leaked images shared by the Lyft driver revealed that Google is planning a dual-lens camera at the front of the device – presumably for improved selfies.

The rear camera, however, bucks the trend of other high-end smartphones by sticking with a single-lens setup.