Google has officially released its latest innovation, the Pixel Tablet, which first made its debut at Google I/O 2022. The device was fully revealed at I/O 2023, alongside the Pixel 7a and Pixel Fold. Combining the functionalities of a tablet and a smart display, the Pixel Tablet became available for purchase on June 20.
Our team has reviewed the Pixel Tablet, giving it a 7.5 out of 10. As Google’s first tablet in years, we appreciated its ability to transform into a smart display when not in use. However, we noted that the execution could have been better. For more details, be sure to check out our full Google Pixel Tablet review.
Sleek Design and High-Quality Display
The Google Pixel Tablet sports a relatively simple design with an 11-inch display. It is available in three colors: Porcelain (white), Rose (pink), and Hazel (greenish-gray). The Porcelain and Rose variants feature white bezels around their displays, while Hazel’s bezels are black.
The tablet’s display utilizes a 10.95-inch, 2,560 x 1,600 LCD panel. Although LCD screens cannot achieve the perfect black levels and high contrast of OLED displays, the Pixel Tablet’s intended use case – essentially never turning off the display – does not align with OLED technology, which is susceptible to image burn-in when displaying static elements for extended periods.
Constructed from aluminum, the tablet’s backside is coated with Google’s nano-ceramic material, providing a textured feel and improved grip. The restrained design resembles the Pixel 5 more than the newer, bolder Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series.
Each Pixel Tablet comes with a color-coordinated Charging Speaker Dock, similar in appearance to the base of existing Nest Hub devices. The tablet magnetically attaches to the dock for charging and enhanced audio output, offering smart display-like features such as Google Photos slideshow screensavers and lock screen-accessible Google Home device controls.
Specifications
Equipped with the Tensor G2 chipset (also found in Google’s Pixel 7 phones) and 8GB of RAM, the Pixel Tablet promises ample power for a variety of tasks.
Additional specifications include storage options of either 128GB or 256GB (with no SD card slot), an 8MP camera on both the front and back, and a 27 watt-hour battery that Google claims will provide up to 12 hours of continuous use.
Software
The Pixel Tablet runs on Google’s Pixel-enhanced version of Android 13. Google collaborated with major app developers to optimize the tablet experience, with apps such as Spotify, Disney+, and Minecraft specifically tailored for the Pixel Tablet.
When connected to its bundled dock, the tablet enters Hub Mode, enabling Nest Hub-like features. In this mode, the Pixel Tablet can display photo slideshows, respond to “Hey Google” voice commands, manage smart home devices, and play music and video through Google Cast.
Release Date and Price
The Google Pixel Tablet is available for purchase now. Pre-orders for the device began on May 10, 2023, in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. Additional market availability has yet to be announced.
In-store availability started on June 20, and the device is priced at $499 in the US, including the Charging Speaker Dock.
