Google dials up phone war

GOOGLE will launch the first supercharged 5G smartphone in Australia next week in a move that could land a serious blow against tech rivals Apple and Samsung.

The internet giant unveiled its much-anticipated Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro smartphones in a worldwide event Wednesday, (pictured), showing off the most advanced hardware released by the company to date.

In a show of how successful it could be, a version of the device sold out on Google’s Australian online store within hours.

In addition to next-generation 5G, Google’s new phones will feature big screens, 50megapixel cameras, advanced photo tools to delete unwanted subjects and – taking a page from Apple’s book – they will run on the company’s own chips.

Mobile industry analysts said the new models were likely to shake up the market during the busiest buying season of the year and could prove a serious threat to Samsung in particular.