Google Pixel Tablet Review

The Google Pixel Tablet represents a series of milestones for Google. It is the company’s initial foray into the tablet market in almost five years, the first Android tablet release in nearly eight years, and notably, the first Google tablet aiming to blur the lines between an Android tablet and a smart home display.

Embarking on this ambitious journey, Google’s willingness to re-enter the tablet space is commendable, especially considering lukewarm responses to previous attempts such as the Pixel Slate and Pixel C. However, my experience of living with and using the Pixel Tablet for a couple of weeks has led me to believe that perhaps Google should have heeded its past lessons and refrained from reentering the tablet business altogether.

Google Pixel Tablet Design

Despite my initial reservations about the Pixel Tablet’s unremarkable appearance upon its 2022 announcement, I’ve come to appreciate several design choices. The tablet boasts an aluminum frame concealed by a “nano-ceramic coating,” providing a soft, inviting texture while retaining the rigidity of the underlying aluminum. The fingerprint sensor embedded in the power button offers a seamless experience, and the colour options, though subdued, serve their purpose well for a device primarily stationed on a kitchen counter or end table.

Charging Speaker Dock

The Pixel Tablet is complemented by a charging dock, intended to enhance its functionality. While the dock’s speaker quality earns praise, its magnetic attachment to the tablet proves disappointingly weak, leading to frequent accidental disconnections. Additionally, the dock’s limited utility when the tablet is not attached diminishes its overall appeal.

Screen and Audio

The Pixel Tablet’s 11-inch LCD display impresses with its resolution and brightness, offering a visually pleasing experience indoors. However, the 60Hz refresh rate becomes a noticeable drawback, causing sluggishness in navigation and system animations. The tablet’s four speakers deliver excellent audio quality, yet their placement, obstructed when holding the device, hinders the overall sound experience.

Google Pixel Tablet Cameras

The Pixel Tablet’s cameras, featuring an 8MP sensor with f/2.0 aperture for both front and rear-facing lenses, deliver satisfactory performance for casual use. While not exceptional, they adequately fulfill tasks such as taking selfies or participating in video calls.

Performance and Battery

Equipped with Google’s Tensor G2 chipset, the Pixel Tablet showcases commendable performance, handling various tasks smoothly. However, the device’s battery life raises concerns, particularly during resource-intensive activities like gaming or 4K video streaming. The charging setup, limiting the tablet to a 90% charge on the dock and requiring manual intervention for a full charge, adds an extra layer of inconvenience.

Google Pixel Tablet Software

Running on Android 13 (now upgraded to Android 14), the Pixel Tablet offers a familiar Pixel software experience optimized for its larger display. Multitasking features and a taskbar enhance productivity, but issues arise with third-party apps that lack optimization for tablet use. Furthermore, the dual nature of the Pixel Tablet, switching between Android tablet and smart display interfaces, introduces confusion and occasional glitches.

Bugs and Other Issues

The Pixel Tablet’s software experience is marred by various bugs and glitches. From apps refusing to open without unlocking the tablet to recurring dark mode issues and random software confusion, the overall software reliability falls short of expectations, even by Pixel standards.

Google Pixel Tablet Accessories

Notable among first-party accessories is a $79 case that, while expensive, impresses with its build quality and versatile stand. However, the absence of an official keyboard dock and stylus accessory diminishes the Pixel Tablet’s potential as a productivity device compared to competitors.

In conclusion, the Google Pixel Tablet’s concept is promising, combining a smart display with tablet functionality. Nevertheless, the execution leaves much to be desired, with a series of drawbacks, including audio issues, display limitations, a subpar charging dock, and software inconsistencies. When compared to similarly priced Android tablets like the OnePlus Pad or Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2, the Pixel Tablet falls short in several key areas, making it challenging to recommend in its current state.

While the Pixel Tablet concept has potential, it appears that significant improvements are needed in subsequent generations to establish it as a top-tier Android tablet. As the first tablet offering from Google in years, the Pixel Tablet leaves room for skepticism regarding its future trajectory in the market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: When was the Google Pixel Tablet released?

• The exact release date may vary, but the tablet was initially reviewed on June 20, 2023, with the review later updated in December of the same year.

Q2: What distinguishes the Google Pixel Tablet from previous Google tablets?

• The Pixel Tablet introduces several “firsts” for Google, including being the company’s first tablet in almost five years, the first Android tablet in nearly eight years, and the first Google tablet attempting to merge Android tablet functionality with that of a smart home display.

Q3: How is the design of the Google Pixel Tablet?

• The tablet features an aluminium frame covered in a “nano-ceramic coating,” providing a soft and welcoming texture. The design includes a fingerprint sensor embedded in the power button and offers multiple color options.

Q4: What are the main issues reported in the review of the Google Pixel Tablet?

• The review highlights several concerns, including crashing apps, UI freezes, overheating of the Tensor G2 chip, unreliable Google Assistant, suboptimal display refresh rate, speaker placement issues, and various bugs and glitches in the software.

Q5: How is the Pixel Tablet’s battery life and charging experience?

• The review notes concerns about the Pixel Tablet’s battery life, particularly during resource-intensive activities like gaming or 4K video streaming. The charging setup limits the tablet to a 90% charge on the dock and requires manual intervention for a full charge.