At the recent Made by Google event, where the new Pixel 10 smartphone, Pixel Watch 4, and Pixelsnap accessory were all unveiled, a key product was missing: a new Pixel Tablet. Turns out, Google has paused work on a follow-up, leaving fans of a next-gen tablet hanging.
A detailed Bloomberg report reveals Google executives talking about how Pixel hardware highlights the company’s software innovations. It also dives into Google’s current approach — or rather, its lack of focus — when it comes to tablets.
Google has confirmed it has no tablet in the pipeline, hinting that the category has slipped off its priority list. The company’s take is that today’s oversized phones and foldables already handle most of the jobs tablets once did (via Android Authority).
The news isn’t exactly unexpected. Earlier reports already suggested that Google scrapped the Pixel Tablet 2. That makes the 2023 release look more like a standalone effort, with no clear timeline for when, or if, a successor will arrive.
Two years later, still no real tablet push
It’s been over two years since Google last made a real push in the tablet space. While the first Pixel Tablet had its shortcomings, it showed enough promise to spark interest in a follow-up. Google later ditched the hybrid smart speaker angle and sold it as a standalone device instead, a shift that gave it a clearer identity and a more appealing price.
The takeaway here is that the Pixel Tablet didn’t sell well enough for Google to justify a sequel. Instead, it looks like the Nest team may take charge of Google’s bigger-screen plans, putting more energy into products like the Nest Hub and Hub Max rather than standalone tablets.
Google’s track record with tablets has been rocky, marked by inconsistent efforts that haven’t built much momentum. Even after several tries, it still hasn’t put out a device that can seriously challenge the iPad’s lead in sales or everyday popularity.
