Google’s I/O developer conference brought all kinds of new devices we’ve come to expect, one of which no one could have imagined — the Google Pixel tablet, and here’s what we know so far.
Indeed, the private-label Google tablet is finally here, and almost a decade later, Google launched the Nexus 7 with the help of Asus. It’s one of the best tablets ever made, but can the search giant replicate that success under the Pixel brand?
When is the release date for the Pixel tablet?
Although Google confirmed its return to the tablet market, fans are still waiting since the device won’t even be available this year.
At I/O, the company simply said it would share more details in 2023. On stage, Rick Osterloh said “our goal is to launch next year”, which doesn’t rule out its arrival in 2024, but we hope that’s not the case.
Assuming Google doesn’t run into issues, we expect it to be announced at Google I/O 2023 or the usual October event, when Android 14 (and possibly the Pixel 8) should arrive.
How much does a Pixel tablet cost?
Since the Pixel tablet is a long way off, it’s no surprise that Google didn’t reveal its price.
During the I/O keynote, the device was referred to as “premium,” either in reference to cost or hardware. From what we know so far, it’s certainly not like a competitor to the iPad Pro lineup or the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, so it’s sensible for Google to target an affordable price. The Pixel Slate line was too expensive, and the Pixel 6 phones succeeded mainly because they were competitively priced.
For the Pixel tablet to be a success, it should cost close to or less than the iPad 2021, which is £319/$329.
What are the specs of the Pixel tablet?
Such an early preview means we don’t have much information on specs and features. The only thing we know for sure is that the Pixel tablet is powered by Google Tensor, the company’s first-ever system-on-chip (SoC), which you’ll find in the Pixel 6a smartphone. And, of course, Android.
However, when the tablet arrives, it’s likely to be an updated version of the Tensor chip. From the brief preview Google gave us, we can tell that it has front and rear cameras for beginners. As spotted by 9to5Google, new information from version 8.5 of the Google Camera app for Pixel smartphones gives us the first information on the tablet’s camera.
The app code mostly suggests that the Pixel tablet will have nothing, starting with 4K video recording at 60fps, and most likely no 4K at all. It also doesn’t look like the device will offer audio zooms, slow-motion videos, and action panoramas.
The Pixel tablet “designed to be the perfect companion to your Pixel phone, our tablet will fit into your everyday life, helping you connect your moments on the go with those at home,” says Google.
The display appears to be about 10 to 11 inches – with sizable bezels – and there appears to be a four-speaker sound system with two drivers on each end of the slate.
There’s also USB-C and four metal contacts below the “G” logo on the back, possibly POGO pin connections, for things like keyboard cases, meaning you don’t need to connect accessories with Bluetooth.
What has happened since I/O is that Pixel tablets can support USI. NuGiz has discovered that a Google tablet codenamed “Tangor” has been certified by the USI.
Can’t tell if the Tagnor is a different device, but it seems unlikely. It’s unclear if that means Google will launch a Pixel tablet with a stylus, and it’s hard to say.
USI certification means the device can be used with any USI certified stylus, so probably not. Google has been part of USI since 2018, and Chrome OS supports it, but Android doesn’t yet.
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