The Pros of the Google Pixel Tablet
The Google Pixel Tablet stands out from other tablets in the market due to its unique approach and a few noteworthy features. One of the main advantages of this tablet is its integration with the Google Home ecosystem. It serves as a complement to your Google Home device, allowing for seamless connectivity and convenience. Furthermore, the tablet excels in catering to multiple users, making it ideal for families who want a shared tablet experience.
An Innovative Docking Station
One standout feature of the Google Pixel Tablet is its docking station. The tablet securely attaches to the dock magnetically, transforming into a Nest Hub Max display. The built-in speakers in the dock provide enhanced audio quality, delivering a satisfying sound experience. When connected to the dock, the tablet functions similarly to a regular Nest display and can be assigned to a specific room in your smart home.
The Freedom of Portability
One of the major advantages of the Google Pixel Tablet is its portability. While attached to the docking station, it functions effortlessly as a smart display. However, the tablet can be easily detached from the dock, allowing you to use it anywhere in your home or on the go. This freedom of portability enhances its versatility and convenience for users.
Software and User Profiles
Perhaps one of the standout features of the Google Pixel Tablet is its software. The tablet allows for the creation of multiple user profiles, providing a personalized experience for each member of the family. Each user can have their own settings, apps, and preferences, making it convenient for individual use. This feature ensures a smooth transition between users and eliminates the hassle of constantly changing settings.
Audio Quality and Limitations
While the Google Pixel Tablet offers impressive audio quality with its built-in speakers, it does have its limitations. The sound output is generally clear and loud, making it suitable for playing music and media. However, it falls slightly short in terms of bass response. Despite this slight drawback, the overall sound quality is reasonable and enjoyable.
Enjoy Personalized Profiles with Android
So maybe you want one for home and then one for work or if you’ve got a family of four. You can all have your own profile. Now. Switching profiles essentially gives you another version of Android with its own apps and setup. So what you install or how you customize, the tablet won’t affect the other users.
Perfect for Families
Now I think this is great if you’ve got a couple of kids and don’t want them to have a tablet, each or just a tablet for you and your partner to share there’s.
The Impressive Google Home Display
Also, a Google home display when you’re not using it now in terms of the rest of the software I’ve, always been a pixel fan and Google haven’t disappointed here. The initial desktop looks great with the pixel looking feel to it. We’ve got the clock. The Google TV widget, as well as the icons and the search bar we’ve, also got something new with the pixel taskbar and if you’re in an app like Google Chrome, you can just swipe it up from the bottom, and you’ve now got the taskbar and you can see all of your apps and open them from here.
Enhanced Multitasking
This works much better than going through a list of all of your open apps, but that’s also not so bad in more either with them split into four to fit more of them on the screen at once, we’ve also got a split screen mode, so you can browse the web or check in your emails and to be fair, this does work very well.
Additional Useful Features
And of course, we’ve got all of the other useful features like magic eraser and photo and blur now.
Google Pixel Tablet Review: A Mixed Bag of Performance and Camera Quality
The Google Pixel Tablet offers a promising experience with its responsive UI and powerful tensor G2 chipset. However, there are a few areas where it falls short, such as its display and camera quality.
Display: Smooth, but Not Quite There
While the tablet’s 10.95-inch LCD display with a resolution of 2560 by 1600 delivers smooth visuals, it lacks the smoothness of higher refresh rate displays. With only a 60Hz display, it feels a bit jerkier than what users may be accustomed to, considering the increasing prevalence of 90Hz and 120Hz displays. The overall experience is still good, but it may not meet the expectations of those who prioritize a super-smooth display.
Hardware: Underwhelming
The tablet’s hardware, powered by the tensor G2 chipset and accompanied by 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, is a little underwhelming. While it performs adequately, it lacks the wow factor that some users may be looking for. However, considering the tablet’s price point, it’s a reasonable compromise.
Camera Quality: Good, but Not Exceptional
The Google Pixel Tablet features an 8-megapixel camera on both the front and rear. While the photos captured by these cameras are of good quality and benefit from the impressive Google camera software, they don’t reach flagship camera levels. This is understandable as equipping a tablet with top-notch cameras would significantly increase its price. Overall, the camera quality is decent and should satisfy the average user’s needs.
Video Capabilities: Limited Options
When it comes to video recording, the Google Pixel Tablet imposes some restrictions. Both the front and rear cameras are restricted to recording videos at 1080p resolution, and the frame rate is limited to 30 frames per second. While these limitations may deter those seeking advanced video recording capabilities, they should be sufficient for casual use.
Exploring the Pixel Tablet’s Camera
One thing I noticed straight away is I’ve got my arms at full length here, so you really do have to hold this away. It does look okay again. The only thing for me is this Zoom you have to hold it quite far away. You do get a choice of 1.4 times, Zoom Fact one but that’s a front-facing camera. So this is a video from the rear camera of the pixel tablet.
Examining Video Quality and Resolution
Again, it doesn’t tell me the resolution it’s taking it in. I didn’t have to check on the computer. There’s a lot of noise for cars going by, so we’ll see how that comes out. We’ll also just do a slow pan in the viewfinder, which also looks okay, but it does look to be a little bit low quality. However, we’ll see more when we put it onto the computer.
The Power Behind the Device
Now it’s all powered by a 27 watt-hour battery, which easily lasts a day, and it, of course, charges with the included docking station. We’ve got a USB-C port on the bottom. Additionally, we’ve got a fingerprint scanner built into the power button, and this works well and it seems to work every time. Unfortunately, there’s no option for Face Unlock.
Connectivity and Additional Features
We’ve got Wi-Fi 6 with Dual Band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, and an ultra-wideband chip for things like nearby share. Interestingly, it’s got Chromecast support with the pixel tablet. You can cast media to another display, but you can also use another device and cast media to the pixel tablet.
In conclusion, while the pixel tablet offers some impressive features, such as a powerful battery and convenient fingerprint scanner, there are also some limitations, such as the lack of Face Unlock and the lower quality of the rear camera. However, with its advanced connectivity options and Chromecast support, it still remains a versatile device for media consumption and sharing.
The Overall Performance of the Device
When it comes to using the device for accessing your usual apps and social media, it performs exceptionally well. All of the apps have worked as expected, and you have the flexibility to use them in either portrait or landscape mode. However, it’s worth mentioning that most of the social apps are optimized for portrait mode, and in this mode, they take up the entire display and work flawlessly.
Media Viewing Experience
The device provides a great media viewing experience. Whether you are watching Prime video, Netflix, or YouTube, the large display and full speaker system enhance your enjoyment. Both landscape and portrait modes are well supported by the YouTube app, and it performs incredibly well. Watching media content on this device is a pleasure due to the immersive experience it offers.
Gaming Performance
The gaming performance of the device is impressive. Although the 102 G2 chipset may not be on par with the top flagship chipsets, it is still a capable chip that can handle any game you throw at it. Games like Asphalt 9 run smoothly on this device, and the larger display adds to the overall gaming experience. The graphics look great, and there are no dropped frames, ensuring a seamless gameplay experience.
Another game that was tested on this device is Call of Duty Mobile. Even with the graphic settings set to very high and the frame rate set to very high, the device handled the game without any issues. The large display made playing the game much easier, and the frame rate remained smooth and steady throughout the gameplay. It is evident that gaming on this device is both visually appealing and enjoyable.
The Versatility of Multi-Orientation Gaming
Gaming has become an integral part of our lives, providing us with entertainment and escapism. However, one limitation that many games face is the inability to switch orientation while playing. This means that if you start playing in landscape mode and want to switch to portrait mode, you are left with black bars on a smaller display. Nevertheless, there is a solution in the form of an on-screen button that allows you to restart the app and change the orientation while playing.
Impressive Synthetic Benchmarks
For those tech enthusiasts who prioritize performance, let’s delve into the synthetic benchmarks of the popular Geekbench 6. With this device, you can expect a single-core score of 1440 and a multiple score of 3438. Moving on to the Wildlife Benchmark, it garners an overall score of 6103, while maintaining an average frame rate of 36.5. These figures showcase the impressive capabilities of this device in terms of raw processing power.
Aesthetically Simplicity and Functionality
As aesthetics play a significant role in the overall user experience, it’s important to note the elegant and simplistic design of this device. The device features evenly distributed bezels, which although not the thinnest, strike an appealing balance. Additionally, the rear panel boasts a matte finish that not only adds a pleasant tactile element but also prevents fingerprint marks. The tablet as a whole embraces a minimalistic approach, with the display dominating the front and a single camera occupying the rear.
The Price Tag Debate: Is It Worth It?
Now comes the crucial question: is this device worth its price? For starters, it comes with a dock included, making it a more enticing option for consumers. The 128 gigabyte version is priced at $499 in the USA, 599 in the UK, 679 in the EU, and $699 in Canada. While some may argue that the price point is steep, the inclusion of the dock and the range of features and performance make it a worthy investment for gamers and tech enthusiasts alike.
In conclusion, the ability to switch orientations while gaming sets this device apart from its competitors. Its impressive synthetic benchmarks and elegant design further solidify its appeal. Although its price may seem a bit high, the inclusion of the dock and the overall functionality make it a justifiable purchase. With its versatility and power, this device opens up a world of possibilities for gamers seeking an enhanced gaming experience.
Is It Worth the Money?
The tablet in question is a mid-range device with average specifications. There is nothing truly remarkable about its hardware. Therefore, the value of this tablet lies in its software and features.
A Tablet for the Family
If you do not have a tablet in your household and are looking for a device that can be shared among family members, then this tablet is worth considering. Its user-friendly interface and features make it ideal for multiple users.
The Benefits of Google Home Display
Additionally, if you plan to use the Google home display and dock it when it is not in use, this tablet becomes even more appealing. It seamlessly integrates with your smart home and provides a positive user experience.
Not Ideal for On-the-Go Use
However, if you are looking for a tablet primarily for individual use and intend to take it with you when leaving the house, there are better options available such as the iPad or Galaxy tab. These devices offer a more satisfying experience outside of the home.
An Indoor Tablet for Smart Home Interaction
In conclusion, this tablet is a great value for those who primarily use their tablet indoors and want to integrate it with their smart home system. Its unique features set it apart from other tablets on the market, and the fact that Google controls both the software and hardware allows for a cohesive ecosystem. Additionally, the guaranteed five years of updates from Google ensures that the device will remain up-to-date. However, if these specific requirements do not align with your needs, it may be worth exploring other tablet options. Overall, I appreciate the effort to bring something new to the market and commend Google for their commitment to software updates.
Conclusion
The Google Pixel Tablet presents a unique approach to the tablet market with its integration with the Google Home ecosystem and its multi-user capabilities. The innovative docking station and the freedom of portability make it a versatile device that can cater to different needs. Furthermore, the software features, such as user profiles, enhance the user experience and provide convenience for families. While there are some limitations in terms of audio quality, the overall performance of the Google Pixel Tablet makes it a worthy contender in the tablet market.
The Google Pixel Tablet offers a mixed bag of performance and camera quality. Its responsive UI and tensor G2 chipset provide a smooth user experience, albeit not as smooth as high-refresh-rate displays. The tablet’s hardware is underwhelming but functional, given its price point. The camera quality is good enough for everyday use, although it falls short of flagship standards. Overall, the Google Pixel Tablet is a solid option for those seeking a reliable tablet with decent performance and camera capabilities.
In conclusion, this device offers an excellent overall performance. From accessing apps and social media, to enjoying media content and playing games, it delivers a seamless experience. The large display, optimized portrait mode, and capable chipset contribute to the device’s impressive performance. Whether you are a media enthusiast or a mobile gamer, this device ensures your satisfaction with its functionality and visual appeal.
