Google Discontinues the Pixel Tablet, Removing It From Its Store
Google has officially taken the Pixel Tablet down from its online store, which means that the company has ended its tablet range, as noted by Jetstream after spotting the listing change.
The device had previously been shown as out of stock until a few days ago, and its product page has now been completely removed. The Pixel Tablet is also no longer available at major retailers such as Amazon and Best Buy, so there is now no official way to purchase a new one. However, current owners will still receive software updates until mid-2028.
It is reported that Google has called off its plans for the second- and third-generation models because of concerns regarding sales and profitability.
Why Google Ended the Pixel Tablet and What Owners Should Know
The Pixel Tablet was launched in 2023 as a hybrid device that functions as a conventional Android tablet and also acts as a smart home display when it is placed on its charging dock. Although it presented an intriguing combination in theory, the response following its launch was mixed.
It is reported that Google had intended to launch a second-generation model in 2025 and a third-generation model in 2027, but withdrew those plans in 2024 due to weak sales and concerns about profitability. The first-generation Pixel Tablet was still available via the Google Store and through retailers for a while before it was taken off sale.
The Pixel Tablet can no longer be bought on the Google Store and is also unavailable at Amazon and Best Buy, so there is now no official means of purchasing a new Pixel Tablet. Although some of the existing stock might still be obtainable via smaller online retailers or resellers, Google's own inventory has been removed.
The good thing for those who currently own a Pixel Tablet is that software support will not be ending any time soon; Google is expected to carry on providing updates for the device until mid-2028.
If Google does not revive its ambitions regarding tablets, then the Pixel Tablet will not be replaced. The idea of having a single device that functions as both an Android tablet and a smart home display was in keeping with Google's ecosystem, but it failed to achieve commercial success.
The Pixel Tablet is no longer available for purchase at the Google Store or through the big retailers. Current owners will get software updates up to mid-2028. Google has not announced any successor, and the fact that future models are said to have been cancelled indicates that the range has come to an end for the time being.
It’s so sad
Google’s main problem is Android is unable to attract desirable developers to their platform. If I wanted to replace a laptop with an Android tablet for example (say a Samsung Galaxy S Ultra tablet), it would not be viable because either the software I want is not available, or it’s available but is buggy and severely gimped.
Apple does better in that regard, for example Affinity and DaVinci Resolve are on iPad, but still suffers because something like Blender isn’t.
Then I’m not sure how well Android apps scale for big screens, for example connecting the tablet to a monitor and using Samsung DeX or Google Desktop Mode to try and replicate running the software on a desktop.
Form-factor wise, a 2-in-1 touchscreen laptop – while bulkier/heavier – is more versatile/flexible.
Not forgetting the price, higher-end tablets are pretty poor value compared to laptops.
Then there’s Google’s poor reputation of not seeing something through without ditching it on a whim…
So, while I think it would be potentially possible for Android tablets to take a big chunk out of Windows laptop market share (particularly as Samsung tablets come with seven years of support now), the reality is Windows laptops provide much better value for the money, are more versatile and they can already do everything (and also get ten years of support).
That said, if I was Microsoft I would be wary of iOS and Android taking over everything eventually – they’re lucky Google fumbled it.
I just never saw the point of a large tablet as a home device. Actually I think tablets in general have become less of a need since smartphones have become the go to mobile device. Even the iPad has lost sales from its peak days. It’s not really an impulse buy anymore and upgrades are further appart for those who use a tablet.