Google Pixel Tablet 256GB WiFi Gray + Back Cover Gray

To get straight to the point, the Google Pixel tablet is definitely recommended provided you are okay with certain compromises in screen type and CPU. This means that the price is slightly lower than the competition on the Android side such as the Samsung Tab S9 (and Plus and Ultra). For many people, these compromises are absolutely fine and the average user wouldn't even notice.

I have been using Google Pixel phones and accessories for years and when this Pixel Tablet was announced I was initially sold. This decreased slightly upon release, largely due to the price. But if you keep in mind that Pixel phones and accessories often go on sale, it was only a matter of time before this happened with the Tablet.

My first weeks with the Pixel Tablet are very positive. The software (Pixel Android) is fast, fluid and aesthetically pleasing to my taste. Android apps, and especially social media apps, are not always optimized for a large screen. I immediately saw that with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Reddit. It's a shame, but when you turn the tablet to portrait you get a reasonably working large smartphone app. Other apps, especially Google's own apps, work great on this tablet. Gmail, Calendar, Chrome, Youtube etc. all with a tablet interface which uses a larger screen as you would expect. Using all the apps mentioned, including social media, also works nicely in split screen mode. You can quickly put 2 apps next to each other and then social media apps suddenly work amazingly well. For example, you could put Instagram and Twitter side by side and scroll until you drop, if you wanted to. Furthermore, in terms of software, you don't actually notice that this is a cheaper tablet than one from Samsung, which costs around 1000 euros. The only place where you can see this is probably gaming. Heavy games could highlight the Tensor G2 CPU's weaknesses, namely graphics power. In my limited gaming sessions on the tablet with Clash of Clans, I don't notice this at all. The game runs just fine.

In terms of hardware, I didn't have very high expectations with the Pixel Tablet and this was mainly because of the screen. I'm now used to the Pixel 8 Pro's screen and it is excellent. To be honest, the IPS screen of the Pixel Tablet wasn't too bad for me. Yes, it is a 60 Hz IPS screen, but a good screen by IPS standards. There is no "backlight bleed" or any spots on the screen on my copy. The screen is bright enough and the only disadvantages I see are related to the fact that it is not an OLED screen with 90 Hz or more. The hardware is also surprisingly nice and well thought out. The back of the tablet has a soft-touch coating so a case isn't even necessary. For the size, I also think the tablet is on the light side, which makes it easier to hold for a longer period of time. In the box, in addition to the tablet, you also get a speaker dock. This allows the tablet to be transformed into a kind of Nest Hub Max. We have a Nest Hub in the same room at home and I expected the Hub to always be faster than the tablet in Hub mode. To my surprise, the tablet is often as fast or faster than the Nest Hub. This makes it a matter of where you are in the room or which way you are looking when you ask a question. Furthermore, this gives the Pixel Tablet a nice purpose when not in use. Mine shows a slideshow of my photos and can control my smart home with a tap on the Google Home app icon.

All in all, a complete tablet with extra functionality. If you like the Pixel Android experience and appreciate all the additions, this tablet is actually a very easy buy. For a die hard gamer, or someone who wants to turn their tablet into a laptop replacement, I don't think the Pixel Tablet is the best choice.