Over the years, we’ve become accustomed to receiving frequent device updates.
New smartphone models launch every year without fail, while other devices like headphones, tablets, and laptops are updated at least once every few years.
That’s what makes Google’s current lineup of smart displays so frustrating to so many users; no modern devices are available.
The most recent Google smart display that you can buy launched in 2021. But seriously, how much longer does Google expect us to wait?
Google smart displays are getting old
A lot has changed since 2021
Google currently offers two smart displays: the Google Nest Hub (2nd gen) and the Google Nest Hub Max. The second-generation Google Nest Hub launched in March 2021, making it over five years old.
If the display on the Nest Hub is too small for you — which it is because seven inches is brutally miniature — you can go with the Google Nest Hub Max, which sports a larger 10-inch display.
However, the Nest Hub Max launched in 2019. That’s seven years ago, making it even older than the pandemic. Time really does fly!
Google smart display age is showing
It’s more than just a number
Some technology is built to last more than half a decade, but the Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max don’t seem to fall into that category.
As an owner of both devices, I’ve seen the problems become more frequent over the last year.
The smart displays regularly disconnect from our Wi-Fi network, often requiring a power cycle or a full factory reset to fix it.
Even worse, reconnecting the devices isn’t as easy as it should be, with regular glitches and error messages getting in the way of the seamless connection I remember from many years ago.
It’s even worse with the first-generation Google Nest Hub that launched in 2018. Users have reported that the device has been completely bricked, with software problems like an inability to connect to Wi-Fi networks.
What about the Pixel Tablet?
That doesn’t really count
The Pixel Tablet came out in June 2023, making it the youngest “smart display” in the Google ecosystem. It’s also Google’s latest addition to its graveyard.
At just over three years old, it still has a few years left, but it’s a more modern hardware option than either Google Nest Hub available in 2026.
However, while the Pixel Tablet offers a unique and convenient hybrid experience, it falls short when it comes to smart display functionality.
For example, the lack of personalized responses via voice and video recognition is a bummer for anyone who doesn’t live alone.
Additionally, the Pixel Tablet is not a Thread border router, so it may not fully replace dedicated Nest Hubs as the command center for all smart home protocols.
More importantly, the Pixel Tablet dock doesn’t work as a smart speaker when the tablet isn’t present, which means that every time you use it on the move, you’re giving up a smart hub at home.
The importance of a healthy Google Home ecosystem
A modern device needs to lead the pack
Outdated Google Home devices are the backbone of any comprehensive smart home.
They let you add more devices for better room coverage without costing you an arm and a leg.
I’m still using my first-generation Google Home speaker, which launched in 2016, as the white noise machine in my daughter’s bedroom.
However, a good smart home needs an up-to-date smart display to lead the pack, because it acts as the central node, the hub, the command center of your other devices.
If your smart display regularly disconnects from your Wi-Fi network, the rest of your ecosystem will suffer.
New Google smart displays are coming
How long will it take, though?
Google has hinted that new smart displays are on the way, but it’ll be a long time before we see anything readily available to customers.
The new smart speakers equipped with Gemini officially launched in June 2026.
Google announced the new smart speakers more than six months in advance, and we still haven’t heard an official peep about new smart displays.
So it’s safe to assume we won’t get any new smart displays for at least a year, if not longer.
