- VERDICT
The Google Pixel Tablet is a multi-talented product that offers the convenience of a smart speaker, the portability of a tablet, the content possibilities of a mini smart TV and a dashboard for your smart devices. And it provides an excellent experience no matter what mode you’re using.
The Google Pixel Tablet is a bit of an allrounder – it’s great for entertainment and running your favourite apps and, when attached to the included dock, can turn into a smart speaker, smart home hub and a mini smart TV.
The Android tablet has a 10.95-inch LCD display with a 2560 x 1600 resolution, 60Hz refresh rate and has a soft touch rear panel and edges.
It is also powered by the Google Tensor G2 chip which offers excellent performance and speed to make using the tablet a breeze. Onboard is 8GB RAM and either 128 or 256GB internal storage. There is no microSD card slot.
Included with the device is a charging dock which serves a few purposes.
First off it keeps the tablet charged when not in use. How many times have you grabbed a tablet that’s been laying around in your home and found there is no charge left?
It can also position the tablet comfortably so you can view apps and content, make and receive video calls and keep an eye on your smart home devices.
Inside the hub are four speakers that can enhance the viewing and listening experience whether you’re listening to music, watching YouTube or watching a movie.
The tablet has the same design language and look and feel of a Pixel smartphone and that applies to the Android 13 OS that’s onboard as well.
There’s a volume rocker key on the top edge alongside a lock button that also doubles as a responsive fingerprint reader.
Also onboard is a USB-C port so you’re able to charge with a cable as well as through the charging dock.
Included with the Pixel tablet is Google TV so it offers the same options in your hand as you’d see on a smart TV running Google so you can access your favourite streaming services.
It would have been nice to have a screen capable of more than 60Hz refresh rate.
The tablet has great resolution for a crisp and bright picture, but a higher refresh rate would have made things a lot smoother when watching videos and playing games.
The Pixel 7 Pro smartphone supports 120Hz refresh rate and has a much smaller screen than the Pixel Tablet.
That aside, watching video content was still enjoyable – it just could be better.
On the audio side the tablet’s speakers are impressive on its own but when you place the device back on the magnetic charge hub and watch your content you get the benefit of better speakers which instantly kick in when connected so you can enjoy even better sound including respectable bass response as well.
It was loud enough to easily fill a room.
Music also sounds great so it can also supply your background audio or the soundtrack to your next party,
And it’s a handsfree experience as well so when you don’t have access to the family TV or just want to watch things in another room or on your own, the Pixel Tablet offers a great alternative.
For video calls the front 8-megapixel camera offers full HD 1080p quality. The rear camera is also 8-megapixel, but we can’t imagine you’d be using this to take photos when you have a much better camera in your pocket with your smartphone.
The charging hub itself is small enough to carry into another room and plug it in.
We found we wanted to use the tablet attached to the dock more often than just on its own.
But like a regular tablet you can take the Pixel anywhere, but it will only connect wi-fi when you’re out and about – it’s doesn’t have a 4G/5G option.
We think the Pixel Tablet is a homebody though because of its ability to act as a smart speaker and smart home hub.
You can use Google Assistant and ask Pixel Tablet for information and to find content.
And when it’s docked, the Pixel Tablet looks just like the Nest Hub smart display and speaker.
When the tablet is docked it can also be used a digital photo frame so you can view your favourite images all the time. Or you can choose to display the time.
But add to that the Pixel Tablet can also be your smart home hub as well to control lights, view camera feeds, set up automations and view notifications.
Automations are centred around times of the day like bedtime, when you arrive home, when you leave home and when you wake up.
The onboard battery will allow up to 12 hours of video viewing if you decide to take this with you on a flight or a road trip.
But when it’s a home – battery life isn’t an issue thanks to the dock which can recharge it or keep it powered while it’s resting there.
It’s also smart enough while on the dock to keep the charge level between 80-90 per cent to maintain the health of the battery.
The Google Pixel Tablet is priced at $899 and certainly offers plenty of versatility so you can use it on the move, in the dock, as a smart speaker and a smart hub.
VERDICT
The Google Pixel Tablet is a multi-talented product that offers the convenience of a smart speaker, the portability of a tablet, the content possibilities of a mini smart TV and a dashboard for your smart devices. And it provides an excellent experience no matter what mode you’re using.
