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.

Ted Kritsonis
Ted Kritsonis
Editor Cellular/Mobile Technology
I’m a fortunate man in being able to do the fun job of following and reporting on one of the most exciting industries in the world today. In my time covering consumer tech, I’ve written for a number of publications, including the Globe and Mail, Yahoo! Canada, CBC.ca, Canoe, Digital Trends, MobileSyrup, G4 Tech, PC World, Faze and AppStorm. I’ve also appeared on TV as a tech expert for Global, CTV and the Shopping Channel.
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511 COMMENTS

  2. I had no idea that the power button doubles as a fingerprint sensor – which is really very useful, very ergonomic. Makes me feel way more comfortable choosing it to centre our smart home.

  4. What convinced me to want this over other tablets is that the the screen can turn into a giant clock or a screensaver that tells you info about the weather, or it can turn into a digital photo frame.

  8. This review made me learn the Google Pixel tablet has split-screen abilities. I had a tablet once that didn’t let me do this, but this feature would be epic to use. Work on one side, video on the other, or you can study or read about something and have two tabs to help you compare or work.

  9. What I learned from Ted’s review that helped me decide that the Google Pixel Tablet is for me, is the fact that it works like a Nest Hub when you talk to it

  10. I learned that Google enables this tablet to do something even when it’s not really doing anything. That’s a great feature.

  12. I learned from this article that the dock can act as a google home hub and speakers all in one, which makes it incredibly functional as a stand alone item.

  13. The dock changes how you integrate the tech into your home, and it becomes a central point. I learned about Continuous Framing for video calls. That would be great as I could dock it during a call and walk around, do kitchen work and small tasks while keeping centered on video.

  15. I learned that the dock can act as a chromecast, google home hub and speakers all in one, this is perfect to add onto as part of the Google ecosystem

  16. I have learned about the screen that 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. I would really appreciate that.

  17. 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.

  18. 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.

  19. I learned that the power button doubles as a fingerprint sensor for a quicker way to get past the lock screen.

  31. IN this review I LearneD that we can cast content to the tablet which is fantastic because it gives so MAny MOre oPTions

  35. I learnt from reading Ted’s review is that the screen can turn into one giant clock or a shared screensaver telling me info about the weather.

  38. I learned that this tablet has a finger sensor for speedier unlocking. And the docking station is feature rich too.

  40. I learned about the video call features – the continuous framing, 84 degree FOV and dock feature – which would make this a better tablet for me.

  41. The splitscreen functionality made me realize it was the perfect device. Amazing for playing games and watching videos at the same time. The g2chipset processing power and ergonomic mount are icing on the cake!

  43. So many great features I learned about.. fingerprint sensor (love this), Chromecast built in, when it’s on dock it turns into a security hub & smartscreen. Excellent product for sure!!!

  45. I learned that this tablet comes with a nice dock. I could pair a BT keyboard and mouse and use it as a mini PC LOL

  46. I learned that you can pair with a game controller, the on button also has fingerprint id, and when docked it can double as a nest hub

  47. I learned that the power button doubles as a fingerprint sensor for a quicker way to get past the lock screen.

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