Google’s flagship Android tablet and iPad rival has been on sale for over a year. Will there be a second generation? We take a look at the Pixel Tablet 2.
Last year, the Pixel Tablet entered the tablet market with an unusual and unique concept. Its charging dock and Chromecast capabilities made it stand out from the competition.
However, without the option to buy the tablet without the dock (now resolved), it was something of a hard sell with its initial £599/$499 price tag.
What is the release date of the Pixel Tablet 2?
It is well known that Google will unveil the Pixel 9 lineup (including the Pixel 9 Pro Fold) at its upcoming Made by Google launch event.
This happens on August 13 and the hardware event could be the launch date for other new Google devices like the Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds.
It’s also possible that we could see the Pixel Tablet 2 join the party, but it seems the least likely to make an appearance.
Despite Phone Arena reporting that the Pixel Tablet 2 “will be among the new devices” citing industry insiders such as Marques Brownlee (MKBHD), leaks regarding the tablet have been few and far between, which isn’t a good sign.
We’ll know for sure in a few days, but I wouldn’t be shocked if we see the Pixel Tablet 2 later this year at the earliest or even next year on a 2-year refresh cycle.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
How much will the Pixel Tablet 2 cost?
While there is no leak on the price of the Pixel Tablet 2 yet, it is widely believed that Google will follow the same pricing structure as the original.
That means it costs £599/$499 for 128GB storage and includes the dock (which is £139/$129 for the Pixel tablet). Then the 256GB storage will be £699/$599.
However, I’m not convinced that Google will follow this path again.
Many reviews, including mine, have criticized Google for not offering the tablet as a standalone product. Google seems to have learned from this mistake, I hope they continue to offer this option from the start for the second generation.
Offering the Pixel Tablet 2 at around £399/$399 on its own and leaving the dock as an option (with a bundle discount) would be the smarter move in my opinion.
This would at least help the device compete with the iPad.
What we want to see in the Pixel Tablet 2
Since there are no rumors about the Pixel Tablet 2 regarding its specs, design, and more, here’s what we’d like to see Google change and upgrade.
An improved screen
The Pixel Tablet’s display is decent, but it could definitely be improved. I’d like to see Google move to an OLED display with a higher peak brightness as well as a 90 or 120Hz refresh rate.
This could be an upgrade to be offered as a Pixel Tablet 2 Pro at a higher price, which could happen this time around.
In the Android 14 beta, 9to5Google spotted mentions of “Clementine” and “Kiyomi,” which are hybrid citrus fruits. The original Pixel Tablet was codenamed “Tangor,” which also refers to the same horticultural idea, suggesting that these new codenames relate to the Pixel Tablet 2.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Better sound
While the sound is good on the Pixel Tablet, the charging speaker is disappointing, especially compared to the Nest Hub Max which is essentially the same device but with a fixed screen.
More and better drivers are needed, especially if Google plans to price the dock similarly.
Faster loading
Google, along with rivals like Samsung, is among the tech companies dragging their feet when it comes to charging speeds.
The Pixel tablet only charges at 15W via USB-C, which is very slow by modern standards, so it should upgrade to 25W or more.
Chromecast without needing the dock
The Pixel tablet is the only tablet to offer Chromecast functionality, which means you can cast content from your phone to it from streaming services like Netflix and others.
However, it does need to be docked for it to work, which I think is a shame. I want to be able to move the tablet around the house and use this feature when I take it on vacation without the dock.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Docking station can be used without the need for the tablet
Conversely, it’s also not possible to use the dock without the tablet connected, which is another missed trick.
It’s 2024, why can’t it appear as a device that I can use from Spotify or similar apps? Sure, Google should add a little more technology to it so it doesn’t depend on the tablet, but that doesn’t seem like a big ask.
We’ll keep an eye on any news and rumors regarding the Pixel Tablet 2 and update this article as they emerge.
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