Reviews
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.
Gadgets Buying Guide
Oppo Find X8 Ultra vs. Vivo X200 Ultra

Design & Build Quality
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: With its sleek 7.9mm thickness and weight of 193g, the Find X8 Ultra strikes a balance between form and function. The aluminum alloy body with Gorilla Glass 7i provides durability while maintaining a premium look. Its IP68 rating ensures it is both dustproof and waterproof up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
Vivo X200 Ultra: A slightly bulkier device at 8.0mm and 197g, it features a glass body that is also protected by Gorilla Glass, offering good resistance to scratches and drops. The X200 Ultra shares the IP68 rating, making it equally resistant to dust and water. Both phones use high-end materials, though the Vivo feels a bit more substantial.
Verdict: Both devices offer premium designs, but the Oppo has a slight edge with a more compact form factor and similar build quality.
Display
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: It sports a 6.59-inch AMOLED display with an impressive 1256 x 2760 pixel resolution, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and high contrast ratios. The display supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, making it great for high-quality video streaming. It also features a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and responsiveness.
Vivo X200 Ultra: The Vivo features a slightly larger 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1260 x 2800 pixels, also supporting HDR10+ but without Dolby Vision. Its 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth interaction, though the absence of Dolby Vision means it may not offer the same cinematic experience as the Find X8 Ultra.
Verdict: The Oppo Find X8 Ultra edges out slightly in display quality with Dolby Vision support, ideal for media consumption. The Vivo X200 Ultra, while excellent, lacks this feature.
Performance
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset, it offers an octa-core CPU with a 3nm architecture. Coupled with 12GB RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, the Find X8 Ultra provides fast and smooth performance for everyday tasks and intensive applications.
Vivo X200 Ultra: The Vivo X200 Ultra is equally equipped with the Dimensity 9400 chipset and offers the same RAM and storage configurations. Both phones are highly efficient in handling multitasking and heavy apps. However, Vivo’s optimizations in the OriginOS contribute to smooth performance, with slightly better thermal management reported.
Verdict: Both phones are very similar in performance, offering top-tier processing power. The Vivo may have a slight advantage in thermal efficiency due to its software optimizations.
Software & OS
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Runs on ColorOS 15, which offers a refined, feature-rich interface with customization options. It comes with extensive privacy controls, performance optimizations, and a user-friendly experience.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Utilizes OriginOS 15, which has a similar feature set but with a more pronounced focus on efficiency, streamlined multitasking, and system fluidity. Both OS versions are based on Android 15, providing users with a clean, modern experience.
Verdict: Both operating systems are excellent, with ColorOS offering more customization options, while OriginOS is lauded for its efficiency and smoothness.
RAM Management and Virtual RAM
Effective RAM management ensures smoother multitasking.
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Offers 12GB/16GB of physical RAM with an option for up to 8GB virtual RAM expansion.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Provides similar physical RAM configurations but supports up to 12GB virtual RAM, allowing greater flexibility for resource-intensive applications.
Verdict: Vivo provides slightly more headroom for heavy multitasking with additional virtual RAM.
Camera Systems
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Features a triple-camera setup with a 50MP primary wide-angle lens (f/1.8), a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP telephoto lens (f/2.6). It offers superb photo and video quality with features like Dolby Vision support for videos.
Vivo X200 Ultra: The Vivo X200 Ultra also boasts a triple 50MP camera array, including similar wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses, but with slightly different apertures (f/1.57 for the wide lens). It supports advanced Zeiss optics for superior image processing, particularly in low light.
Verdict: Both cameras are top-tier, with the Vivo offering slightly better low-light performance and optical processing, while Oppo’s Dolby Vision support offers a richer video experience.
Battery Life & Charging
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Comes with a 5630mAh battery, offering decent endurance. It supports 80W SuperVOOC fast charging but lacks wireless charging.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Features a larger 5800mAh battery, providing a bit more longevity. It supports 90W fast charging and 50W wireless charging, plus reverse wireless charging for added convenience.
Verdict: The Vivo X200 Ultra offers better overall battery performance, with faster wired and wireless charging options, as well as reverse charging.
Connectivity
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and USB Type-C 3.0, ensuring high-speed connectivity and future-proof networking.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Similarly equipped with 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.4, but with a USB Type-C 3.0 port. Both devices offer the latest in connectivity.
Verdict: Both phones excel in connectivity, offering similar features and future-proof technologies.
Speakers & Audio
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Features stereo speakers with enhanced Dolby Atmos support for an immersive audio experience.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Also equipped with stereo speakers, offering a comparable audio experience, though it lacks Dolby Atmos.
Verdict: Oppo’s Dolby Atmos support gives it a slight edge in sound quality.
Security & Biometrics
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Offers an in-display fingerprint sensor and face unlock for security.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Similarly equipped with an in-display fingerprint sensor and face recognition.
Verdict: Both offer comparable security features, with in-display fingerprint sensors being a standard for both.
Price & Value
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Priced around €550-560, offering a premium experience with Dolby Vision and excellent camera features.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Priced similarly, but with the added benefit of reverse wireless charging and slightly better camera optics, providing excellent value.
Verdict: Both phones provide excellent value at their price points, with the Vivo slightly edging out in battery and camera features.
Final Verdict
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Best for users prioritizing display quality, video features, and overall design.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Best for users who value better battery life, reverse wireless charging, and superior camera performance.
Reviews
Realme GT 7 Pro Specifications

Build and Design
Materials: Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus front and back
Dimensions: 163.2 x 75.9 x 8.8 mm
Weight: 210 g
IP Rating: IP69 dust and water-resistant
Display
Type: 6.78-inch AMOLED
Resolution: 1.5K (approx. 3040 x 1440 pixels)
Refresh Rate: 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
Peak Brightness: 6000 nits
Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Processor and Software
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm)
GPU: Adreno 830
OS: Realme UI 6 based on Android 15
Storage and Memory
Configurations:
-256GB with 12GB LPDDR5X RAM
-512GB with 16GB LPDDR5X RAM
Storage Type: UFS 4.1 Pro
Camera System
Rear Cameras:
-Main: 50 MP wide with OIS
-Ultra-Wide: 8 MP
-Telephoto: 50 MP periscope with 3x optical zoom
Front Camera: 32 MP under-display camera
Battery and Charging
Battery Capacity: 6500 mAh silicon-nitride
Charging: 120W wired fast charging
Audio and Connectivity
Audio: Stereo speakers, 3.5mm headphone jack
Connectivity:
-5G, Wi-Fi 7
-Bluetooth 5.4
-USB-C 3.2
-Dual GPS, NFC
Reviews
Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro Specifications

Build and Design
Materials: Aluminum body
Dimensions: 254 x 165.3 x 6.8 mm
Weight: 515 g
Color Options: Gray, Blue
Display
Type: 11.2-inch LCD
Resolution: 3.2K (3072 x 1920 pixels), 3:2 aspect ratio
Refresh Rate: 144Hz
Brightness: Peak brightness of 800 nits
Processor and Software
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
OS: Android 15 with Xiaomi’s HyperOS 2.0
Storage and Memory
Configurations:
-8GB RAM with 128GB storage
-12GB RAM with 256GB storage
-16GB RAM with 512GB storage
Camera System
Rear Camera:
-Main: 50 MP primary
-Depth Sensor: 2 MP for bokeh effects
Front Camera: 32 MP
Battery and Charging
Battery Capacity: 8,850 mAh
Charging Speed: 67W wired charging
Audio and Connectivity
Audio: Quad stereo speakers
Connectivity:
-Wi-Fi 7
-Bluetooth 5.4
-USB-C