Although there are no announcements made yet, rumors about Google's third-generation Pixel smartphones have already begun to spread. The search engine giant introduced the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL to the public about four months ago, and the latest reports suggest that the successors to these premium devices are now underway. The Google Pixel 3 is said to launch in three variants in October, with two models set to take on Apple and Samsung's latest flagship devices.

Tech enthusiasts expected the Google Pixel 2 to boast high-end specs and features to catch up with the trend started by the latest iPhone and Samsung Galaxy S handsets. While the final product is impressive, some people could not help but think that the Pixel 2 could have been more on par with the iPhone X and Galaxy S8. This time around, Google is reportedly going to step up its game with the Pixel 3, which is expected to sport an all-screen display with an edge-to-edge design. The display panel will be taller, keeping in pace with the current premium smartphones having 18:9 aspect ratio.

Google appears to be taking the smartphone race more seriously this year, as the company is said to match Apple's three new iPhone 2018 models. The Pixel 3 is also expected to arrive in three variants, with codenames Albacore, Blueline, and Crosshatch. The recent leaks hint that the Albacore and Crosshatch variants will be the high-end models of the Google Pixel 3, with Blueline likely to be the budget-friendly version.

To note, it was also rumored that the Google Pixel 2 would come in three variants, but there were only two models — the regular-sized Pixel 2 and larger Pixel 2 XL — that were launched last year. Anything can still change as the Google Pixel 3 is still under development, and there is a chance that the smartphone will end up having only two variants, just like its predecessor.

Meanwhile, it is expected that the Google Pixel 3 will follow the previous launch dates of its predecessors. The first Pixel handset was officially unveiled on Oct. 4, 2016, and the announcement of the Pixel 2 came in exactly a year after. It is possible that Google will also use the same October 4 release date for the Pixel 3 this year.