Google to launch Pixel 2 and Pixel XL 2 on 4 October

New Pixel smartphone should at least seem cheaper following £999 iPhone X launch

Google's Pixel 2 and Pixel XL 2 smartphones will be officially launched on 4 October.

The launch date was confirmed via the medium of billboard advertising, spotted by Droid-Life in Boston (Massachusetts, not Lincolnshire) earlier this week.

Google hasn't been subtle about the confirmation, which comes just days after Apple launched its flagship iPhone X smartphone.

According to reports, the 4 October launch event could also see the unveiling of Google Assistant-powered headphones, which will be similar to Apple's AirPods, a new smaller version of Google Home and a new Chromebook Pixel laptop.

The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will likely be the stars of the show, although neither smartphone likely will have many surprises in store.

A recent FCC filing made by HTC, which will be building the smaller Pixel smartphone, suggests that the Pixel 2 will boast HTC U11-like squeeze functionality through its 'Active Edge' feature. This added functionality will reportedly enable users to, primarily at least, squeeze the handset to interact with Google Assistant in various ways.

Screenshots also show off the new Android O Settings app and reveal that the Pixel XL will run version 8.0.1 with August's security patch pre-installed.

Despite speculation that the Pixel 2 could be the first phone to pack Qualcomm's as-yet-unannounced Snapdragon 836 processor, the FCC filing confirms that the phone will feature the company's Snapdragon 835 "platform", thanks to its choice of WiFi chip.

Storage is listed at 50.66GB free when 21 per cent is used, revealing that the Pixel 2 likely will come with 64GB built-in as standard.

The Pixel XL 2, which is being made by LG, according to reports, will feature a 6in display, bigger than that on last year's Pixel XL, but with the same 2:1 aspect ratio as the LG G6.