Google’s flagship Android tablet and iPad rival has been on sale for over a year, but will there be a second generation?
Last year, the Pixel Tablet arrived, as an unusual and unique concept in the tablet market. Its Charging Speaker Dock and Chromecast abilities made it stand out from the crowd.
However, with no initial option to buy the tablet without the docking station – now remedied – it was something of a hard sell with its original price of £599/$499.
While the original Pixel Tablet still has its flaws, many users hoped that most of them would be fixed in its successor.
Unfortunately, however, the latest news is very pessimistic about the future of the Pixel Tablet 2.
When is the Pixel Tablet 2 release date?
Google unveiled the Pixel 9 range (including the Pixel 9 Pro Fold), Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds at its Made by Google launch event on 13 August 2024.
However, despite Phone Arena previously reporting that the Pixel Tablet 2 ‘will be among the new devices’, citing industry insiders such as Marques Brownlee (MKBHD), the device was missing from the launch.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Furthermore, Android Authority reported that the Pixel Tablet 2 has been cancelled altogether and Google has no plans to release the device.
The only comforting news, however, is that the same report claims that the Pixel Tablet 3 is still planned.
How much will the Pixel Tablet 2 cost?
Although there are no leaks on the Pixel Tablet 2’s price yet, it’s widely thought that Google will follow the same pricing structure as the original.
That would mean it costs £599/$499 for a 128GB storage capacity and includes the docking station (worth £139/$129 for the Pixel Tablet). The 256GB will come in at £699/$599.
However, I’m not convinced that Google will go down this path again.
Many reviews, including my own, criticised Google for not offering the tablet on its own. Now Google seems to have learned from that mistake, I’m hoping it offers both options from the start for the second generation.
Pitching the Pixel Tablet 2 at around £399/$399 on its own, and leaving the docking station as an optional extra (with a bundle discount), would be the wisest move in my opinion.
It would help the device to rival the iPad at least.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
What’s more, according to Android Authority’s report, one of the Pixel Tablet 2’s key features will be the inclusion of a keyboard case, although it’s unclear whether this will be bundled with the tablet or sold as a separate accessory.
We also don’t know how much this accessory will cost.
What we want to see in the Pixel Tablet 2
Although the Pixel Tablet 2 has reportedly been cancelled, Android Authority has shared a lot of information about its specifications and the features it could offer.
While neither official nor confirmed, this information reveals what the Pixel Tablet 2 could be.
Design
The Pixel Tablet 2, codenamed ‘kiyomi,’ retained the foundational design of its predecessor but included thoughtful improvements.
Google planned to enhance the accessory ecosystem with a first-party keyboard and stylus, making it more versatile for productivity and creativity.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
The device also aimed to maintain its dual functionality as both a tablet and a smart display, aligning with its role in smart home setups.
Display
A significant upgrade for the Pixel Tablet 2 was its 10.95-inch LCD panel, now offering a 120Hz refresh rate compared to the original’s 60Hz.
The resolution remained at 2,560 x 1,600, but brightness was slightly increased to 550 nits from 500 nits.
While still an LCD, chosen to avoid burn-in issues common with OLEDs, the smoother refresh rate promised a better visual experience.
Performance
At its core, the Pixel Tablet 2 was planned to run on the Tensor G4 chipset, using an Integrated Package on Package (IPoP) design. Though slightly thicker and warmer than the Fan-Out Panel Level Packaging (FOPLP) variant, it offered cost efficiency.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
This represented a solid leap forward from the Tensor G2 of the original Pixel Tablet. Google also prepared the device for DisplayPort output, supporting up to 4K resolution, a step toward improved connectivity and external display capabilities.
Cameras
The camera setup saw moderate improvements. The front camera would have been upgraded to a 10Mp Samsung sensor (from 8Mp), while the rear camera was planned to include an 11Mp autofocus sensor – up from the previous, fixed-focus 8Mp.
Despite these enhancements, face unlock was not included, even though the selfie camera was the same as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Battery & Charging
The Pixel Tablet 2 was set to receive a modest boost in battery capacity, increasing from 6,900mAh to 7,200mAh.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
While not groundbreaking, this enhancement complemented the higher refresh rate display and improved performance, likely extending its usability for both tablet and smart display functions.
Software
The software improvements were likely tied to Google’s broader efforts to optimise Android for tablets.
The addition of Thread support for IoT device integration showcased Google’s intention to deepen the Pixel Tablet’s role in smart home ecosystems.
However, some planned features, like 5G and GPS support, were reserved for the cellular variant, leaving the Wi-Fi model comparatively limited.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
We’ll be keeping an eye out for Pixel Tablet 2 news and rumours and will update this article when they appear.
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