Pixel Tablet on trial: Google's tablet is a gadget for the home
5/10/2023
Translation: machine translated
The Pixel Tablet is good, but it's not a revelation. It's not so much the device as Google's intended use that's at issue.
With the Pixel Tablet, Google is primarily targeting the connected home and media consumption, as revealed by the accessories on offer. Productive or artistic work plays a secondary role. Styli and keyboard cases are only available from third-party suppliers. The advertising for the Pixel Tablet also talks about home automation. The emphasis is on Google Assistant, video calling, Google TV and Chromecast as well as its compatibility with Pixel smartphones.
The stand ensures a fixed location
Google is selling the Pixel Tablet with a docking station that includes a built-in speaker, a combination reminiscent of the Nest Hub Max. However, it is not possible to remove the screen from the connected speaker.
The stand allows you to charge the Pixel Tablet and gives it a fixed location in the home. This is useful if you're using it as the central hub for your smart home system.
Source: Jan Johannsen
For me, however, the stationary location is a drawback. I don't use the tablet as a home automation centre, but to consume media and play games. I'd like to be able to place it in different places around the house, for example to watch the latest videos from the YouTube channel Calcio Berlin. Without a protective shell with an integrated stand, you're reduced to improvising by leaning it against the wall, bottles or other objects. I'd prefer the tablet to come with the Pixel Tablet Case instead of the charging station, or at least have the choice of accessory.
The sound: already good without the docking station
The sound is decent to my ears. The four speakers guarantee balanced stereo sound. I have no hesitation in listening to music or watching videos on the tablet. Still, it doesn't come close to "real" speakers.
Source: Jan Johannsen
Hence the point of the docking station. When I put the tablet down, it takes a few seconds for the sound to switch over. It then comes out of the docking station speaker with much more volume and significantly more bass. Too much for my taste. On the other hand, the highs and mids are a little lacking.
I don't find the sound a good enough reason to use the docking station. I'd rather listen to the Pixel Tablet on its own.
Beautiful screen, practical form factor, but annoying fingerprint sensor
With its 10.95-inch screen, the Pixel Tablet is of average size. The LCD screen makes a good impression and achieves a brightness of 500 cd/m². That's good enough for use in direct sunlight and, in terms of colours, the rendering is colourful and natural. I'm even happy with the black, even though it's not an OLED. The resolution of 2560 × 1600 pixels corresponds to 276 pixels per inch. The image is very sharp.
With its 493 grams, the Pixel Tablet is easy to carry from room to room and you can hold it in your hand for a long time. Its rounded edges make it comfortable to hold. The wide bezel on the front prevents me from inadvertently touching the touchscreen.
Source: Jan Johannsen
On the other hand, I don't like the position of the fingerprint sensor or the power button. Whether I'm holding the tablet in landscape or portrait mode, I have to change my hand position to reach it on the top edge. It's only when the Pixel is on its dock that I can reach it just about easily.
Lots of power and a good battery
Google has taken the Tensor G2 from smartphones like the Pixel 7 Pro or the Pixel Fold. The SoC also offers plenty of power on the Pixel Tablet. It comes with eight gigabytes of RAM and you can choose between 128 or 256 gigabytes of internal memory.
To be able to measure the Tensor G2's performance in numbers, I ran two performance tests on the Pixel Tablet: Geekbench 6 and PCMark's Work 3.0.
Compared to other tablets, the Tensor G2 fares very well when it comes to processor performance. On the graphics power side, it's outdone by the Dimensity 9000 in the OnePlus Pad. When it comes to productive work, it's unsurprisingly the Dimensity 7050 in the Lenovo Tab P12 which scores highest on PCMark. On Geekbench, on the other hand, it scores the worst in this comparison.
You can charge the 7020mAh battery not only via the dock, but also through a USB-C port. However, neither is particularly fast. With the cord - the power supply must be purchased in addition - the tablet doesn't exceed 15 watts. This reinforces the assumption that Google has designed its tablet for use at home and not on the move.
In PCMark's battery test, the Pixel Tablet lasts 5hrs 59mins with brightness at maximum. That's not bad, but not extraordinary. Google itself promises 12 hours of video streaming on a single battery charge.
Compared with other tablets, it's worth noting that the Pixel's battery is rather small. The MatePad has a capacity of 7700 mAh, almost 10% more, and the Lenovo Tab P12 even reaches 10,200 mAh. That's around 50% more than the Pixel.
The front-facing camera benefits
The Pixel Tablet's two cameras are identical: 8-megapixel definition, f/2.0 aperture, 1/4-inch sensor, 84-degree angle of view and Full HD video. But only the front-facing camera benefits from video stabilisation, Live HDR+ and improved voice quality.
In daylight, there are only slight differences in image quality. I do find, however, that the video from the front camera is a little sharper and the colours more vivid. On the other hand, the difference is more obvious when it comes to sound. It's much clearer with the front-facing camera. This gives rise to a side effect outdoors that doesn't occur in closed rooms: the wind can be heard well.
If there is little light - which can already be the case during the day in rooms with medium-sized windows - video quality diminishes rapidly.
Software: Android 14 is no panacea
The Pixel Tablet comes with Android 13 from the factory. As for updates, Google is being rather vague with "Pixel updates for 3 years". Are these updates up to Android 16? Or just security updates? Other manufacturers are less stingy with details on the matter.
Android 14 should be available soon for the Pixel Tablet. Google expects the update to bring further improvements to Android devices with larger screens, which therefore includes tablets.
Android 14 is expected to be available soon for the Pixel Tablet.
Source: Jan Johannsen
I've installed the beta version of Android 14 on the Pixel Tablet and my enthusiasm is limited. So far, there aren't any big changes from Android 13. With its new operating system, Google has given application developers new tools. These should enable them to better adapt their programmes to larger screens. It's quite possible that in the coming months, many applications will become easier to use on Android tablets.
Verdict: a good tablet, but one that doesn't work miracles
With the Pixel Tablet, Google is offering a good tablet, but one that doesn't fulfil its role as the flagship Android tablet. That could change, however, if Android 14 allowed more applications to be optimised for larger screens.
The hardware, screen and speakers are convincing. The Pixel Tablet can be used as a connected home powerhouse with Google Home as well as for media consumption and gaming. The front-facing camera also gives you good sound and picture during video calls, provided there's enough light.
Source: Jan Johannsen
Google certainly offers services adapted to productive work and applications adapted to artistic activities. But for both, there is no suitable original device. In this respect, Samsung's Galaxy Tab S9 and the iPad are better.
Headline photo: Jan Johannsen
As a primary school pupil, I used to sit in a friend's living room with many of my classmates to play the Super NES. Now I get my hands on the latest technology and test it for you. In recent years at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, now at Digitec and Galaxus.