Google, known for introducing flagship-level hardware on its Pixel phones, has been working on its first-ever flagship Pixel Tablet from a very long time. They first started teasing it in May 2022, and later teased once again in late 2022 during the launch of Pixel 7 duo phones. While it’s still not official, the device reportedly even went for sale on Facebook Marketplace in last month. Now, we’re getting new information about the upcoming tablet, courtesy of Android researcher and leaker Kuba Wojciechowski.
According to Kuba, Google is working on only one Pixel Tablet. We’ve been hearing about Pixel Tablet’s codenames, Tangor, and Tangorpro. The high-end “Pro” model, which was giving us signs that the company had been developing with Tensor G2 SoC, which was also featured in the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro.
Kuba claims no ‘vanilla’ and ‘Pro’ separation here, clearing up the confusion about the supposed “Pixel Tablet Pro.” the primary difference between vanilla and Pro is that the former runs on the first generation Tensor chip, while the latter runs on Tensor G2. It seems the lower-end model with the original Tensor chipset apparently got canceled, and may not be released at all, while the high-end Pro model with Tensor G2 chipset is staying as the one and only Pixel Tablet.
Kuba sheds some more light on the upcoming tablet’s specs, that it will sport a 2,560×1,600px resolution screen made by China Star Optoelectronics, and a Richtek RT4539 six-channel LED driver, which is basically user for LCD screens’ backlights. Does it mean we don’t expect to see an AMOLED screen on Google’s upcoming tablet?
As per the leak, the Tensor G2 SoC on the Pixel Tablet will reportedly be paired up with 8 GB of Samsung-made LPDDR5 RAM and 256 GB of Kioxia UFS storage, on at least one model. It will also have a side-mounted fingerprint reader, which is presumably embedded into the power button.
I have also been provided with a few photos of the device. pic.twitter.com/ctKWQoVDCT
— Kuba Wojciechowski⚡ (@Za_Raczke) January 26, 2023
He also went on to provide some newly leaked images of the Pixel Tablet and its dock. A handful of images are embedded in his Twitter feed. The device has a sticker on its rear side, saying it is “only compatible with EVT2 K6 and EVT Y4.” The acronym “EVT” generally refers to “Engineering Validation Test” which is an usual step while building and testing a new device.
Back in October 2022, we heard that Google was working on two docks for the Pixel tablet, under the codenames “Korlan” and “Yuzu.” That means the latest leak confirms Google is still working on both docks, and the full-fledged tablet should work with either one. Google already confirmed the Pixel Tablet will be able to double as a Google Assistant smart display. At the moment, there is no info on whether the dock will be included in the box or sold as an optional accessory.
Source: Twitter