Google is back in the tablet game with the Pixel Tablet, making a strong argument that it’s the kind of device you want to keep within reach. While it’s not Google’s first kick at the can in making a tablet, this one feels fresh and versatile.
Part of that has to do with the included dock, which makes the device more convenient in a number of ways. Anyone making an Android tablet these days knows that you have to add an incentive, usually by adding a peripheral or two to make it more interesting and competitive. Curiously, Google chose not to include a pen or keyboard, but the more I used this thing, the more I understood why.
Design and setup
Tablets aren’t all that spectacular on the surface, generally speaking. The Pixel Tablet looks fine—well constructed with a ceramic-style finish, lightweight and with suitable brightness for varying situations. Not to mention responsive and straightforward.
The power button doubles as a fingerprint sensor for a quicker way to get past the lock screen. Google designed the Pixel Tablet to be accessible when the 11-inch screen is locked, which explains why it resembles a Nest Hub when planted onto the dock. It’s interesting because it puts the device in a functional position, either parked as a canvas or interface to look at, or mobile as an interactive way to get things done.
It takes little to set it up, but there are a few points to note. First, there’s no headphone jack, so you’ll want Bluetooth headphones or earbuds to listen to audio in private. There are stereo speakers on both sides, though the dock takes over once you’ve placed it on there. Metal charging pins align with magnets to also charge the device wirelessly. Anytime you want to just take the tablet off, grab it and go.
Acting as a smart display
The dock can play an active role when you need it to. As an example, you can cast content from it to other compatible devices, like a Chromecast connected to a TV, for instance, but you can also cast to the Pixel Tablet as well. That means it also works as part of the Nest ecosystem in the Google Home app where you can add it and play music simultaneously, making this a connected speaker in its own right. You can’t cast to the dock on its own though—you need to place the tablet on it for it to appear as a casting selection.
That’s all on top of the fact it works like a Nest Hub when you talk to it. Set up Google Assistant and the Pixel Tablet listens for all of your commands, basically turning the tablet (when docked) into a smart home hub of sorts.
Most tablets sit idly by laying flat on a table or couch, but Google wants the Pixel Tablet to do something even when it’s not really doing anything. That’s why the screen can turn into one giant clock or a shared screensaver that tells you pertinent info about the weather, while also pulling images from your Google Photos to turn it into something like a digital photo frame. If you’re familiar with the Nest Hub, this will look and feel a lot alike.
Performance and experience with the Pixel Tablet
Google’s own Tensor G2 chipset—the same one in the Pixel 7 series phones—powers the Pixel Tablet’s overall performance, and while it’s nothing groundbreaking, it’s still pretty effective. I didn’t just use the tablet to watch shows or movies, I wanted to try various use cases. That included reading books and comic books, editing photos and playing games via Xbox Game Pass.
Editor’s note: to learn how this tablet helps integrate with and control your smart home devices, read Andy’s detailed article on the Best Buy Blog.
You could do all of those things with any Android tablet, but the dock changes the convenience in doing so. Propping up the tablet made many tasks feel that way for me, especially when watching a show or playing a game. I would’ve liked if Google threw in a pen for the benefit of editing photos or drawing, but third-party ones should work fine with the Pixel Tablet.
It also proved to be a pretty good multitasker with split-screen letting me use two apps at once. The most widely known apps are optimized for the tablet, though many Android apps simply stretch out from their phone versions, so it’s won’t always appear seamless. Mutitasking also takes on a different form in that the tablet supports multiple user accounts. If you want to share it with one of your kids, for instance, you can set up the Kids Space app to maintain a separate experience appropriate for your kid. The lack of headphone jack complicates things, unless you get wireless headphones for them.
Bear in mind the Pixel Tablet either comes in 128GB or 256GB storage sizes with no memory card slot, so sharing also means dipping into the same storage. And I would expect partners or kids wanting to share this. The 11-inch display is beautiful, only making all this easier to appreciate and work with.
The Pixel Tablet for video calls
The rear camera is nothing to write home about, whereas the front camera is far more useful for video calls. Like the iPad’s Center Stage, it has a similar feature called Continuous Framing that automatically pans to keep you centred in the frame during video chats. Again, with the dock in tow, it’s easy to do these calls hands-free, though it’s much easier to do so on a table rather than sitting the dock on your lap.
While I tend to do video calls on my laptop, I could see the benefits with the Pixel Tablet, especially if I was talking with someone beside me. The 84-degree field of view is reasonably wide enough for group chats, so if you plan on using this device to talk to others on video, you won’t have a problem here.
Final thoughts on the Google Pixel Tablet
The Pixel Tablet is one of the best ways for Google to prove Android works in tablet form. Other options from Samsung and Lenovo work well in their own right, except this is stock Android on a larger screen. There’s nothing revolutionary going on with this device, yet its simplicity feels refreshing. It has an 11-inch screen without a big footprint, even if you throw in the dock, and if you choose to travel or commute with it, you can take the dock or leave it.
I expect Google will continue to update the device to add or improve features, possibly broadening what it can do. It’s also possible Google doesn’t make a tablet to succeed this one, leaving the Pixel Tablet to roll on its own for a longer while. Time will tell.
The Google Pixel Tablet is available in either 128GB or 256GB in porcelain or hazel.
I learned that the power button doubles as a fingerprint sensor and that would allow for a quicker way to get past the lock screen. Very useful.
I like the idea of a split screen
the Dock charges the tablet, holds the tablet up and contains a speaker! Brilliant!!!
The wireless charging is super handy! Definitely love the advancements made by google
Wow, didn’t know that this is the only tablet with Chromecast built in.
I didn’t know that tablets could have fingertip sensors, until I read the article.
I learned that you can cast to this tablet! That is a VERY important feature to me!
I learned about the split-screen which lets me use two apps simultaneously.
So many great factors. Love the split screen.
I learned that this tablet is so handy and convient to use and the docking station enables the tablet to do so much more
I learned that you can cast to the Pixel Tablet
I learned It’s the only tablet with Chromecast built in!
So when I find a great recipe video while on my phone, I can just stream it to the tablet.
Awesome!
Even when the Pixel Tablet’s is idle, the screen can turn into a clock or display weather info or display images from my Google Photos making it a digital photo frame.
would be a great tablet for me,,,in kitchen,,,,,all the above comments sounds like it is a winner,,,,hope I win
Ted’s review provided me with enough information to decide if this was the tablet for us. Because we travel a fair bit what was the clincher was that it has an 11-inch screen without a big footprint, even if you throw in the dock and you need not take that if you don’t want to!
I learned that there’s a fingerprint sensor for a quicker way to get past the lock screen which helps in my decision!
Continuous framing during video calls sounds cool
I love that the Tensor G2 chipset allows you to play quality games as well as watch great video, AND that the dock makes it so much easier to use.
Really like the idea of the dock and making it a smart display when not in use.
I like that it can be wirelessly charged and connected to my existing Google home set up.
It wouldn’t be just another electronic. I would like to use it in the kitchen or bedroom. These places I would feel more comfortable being able to access the other hubs while I was cooking or relaxing
I have a Google pixel phone and a Google home so I’m super excited to try this tablet
Making the 11-inch screen accessible even when locked.
What a great prize. I would use this for casting/ streaming movies, music and monitoring activity on my smart cameras while in my bedroom or while cooking. Handy because I don’t always hear the doorbell when I am at the other end of the house.
I learned from Ted’s review that this is a versatile and innovative device you want to keep within reach. It comes with an included dock which takes over the tablets stereo speakers when Google Pixel Tablet is placed on it. It looks like and works like a nest hub when tablet is placed on it. Has a fingerprint sensor, turns into a clock or screensaver when sitting idly. Has 11 inch display, split screen capability to use two apps at the same time, bluetooth connectivity, Tensor G2 chipset and comes in 128GB or 256GB. Overall this is a very versatile device that allows you to do video calls casting, streaming, multitasking and monitoring.
This is a gift I would love to have and I am sure ever would be extremely pleased to receive this!
Good luck everyone. Be sure to enter.
I learned about the split-screen which lets me use two apps simultaneously.
We learned that the tablet – when docked – turns it into a smart home hub with all of the controls at your fingertips!
So many things! The dock is fantastic, you can cast to anything else, and easy for a senior to set up would be important to me
I learned if I were to get one, since it doesn’t have an expansion slot for memory, id need to get the 256gb model. This would be a shared device after all, and it sounds like it could be quite useful.
I learned that it can be used as a smart display.
My favorite thing is that Multitasking also takes on a different form in that the tablet supports multiple user accounts.
I like that it has a camera set up for digital calls and would be a good choice.
I learned that this tablet can be connected to other google items and be a smart home hub. This makes it attractive as we already own several google products
I learned that the tablet (when docked) turns it into a smart home hub of sorts. That’s just great!
My favorite thing is that it has wireless charging so I can grab it on the go! That’s a great feature for me since I’m always in a hurry.
I learned about the ease and convenience to mount it on the dock for charging.
The fingerprint sensor and split screen have me very interested in this tablet.
Love his review on using the Pixel Tablet for video group calls. It will keep all the family members center on the screen.
I learned it had a dock
Love that he power button doubles as a fingerprint sensor. Such convenience!
I like the continuous framing feature for video calling
I love how I can connect with our other google smart home stuff!
The Tensor G2 chipset would give me great pictures so I could use it for streaming movies or just for superb clarity when reading books. This would be great for any visual work I needed to do.
I had no idea it could work as a smart home hub! That is a really great feature. Thanks Ted!
I like the idea of not being idle so that the Pixel Tablet’s screen can turn into a giant clock or impart weather info, or even pulling images from my Google Photos to become a digital photo frame.
The split screen feature looks fantastic!
I like that it can be used as a Nest hub for your home.
I learned that it’s a good multitasker with split-screen. This would be so helpful for me because I’m always doing more than one thing at a time, it seems.
the split screen feature is innovative
I learned that when not in use, the tablet still remains functional (i.e., acting as a clock/screensaver with information about weather/photo album).
The basement of my house
I learned that it doesn’t just sit idle when not in use and can be a clock, Screensaver etc – neat!
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