Surprise, Googleâs Pixel C tablet is here! And just in time for Christmas.
But this isnât a tablet for the kids. No, this is going to be waiting under the tree for Mom and Dad to unwrap. The Pixel C is Googleâs answer to other recent tablet releases that pull off a laptop imitation â Microsoftâs Surface, and Appleâs iPad Pro.
My first impressions of the device are that itâs a very solid Android tablet. But Iâm not convinced that Google has gone far enough to make this something youâd be happy to replace your laptop with.
When Google unveiled the Pixel C at the end of September, it spent a lot of time hyping up the keyboard. To be a real productivity device, you just need a keyboard. Google promised this particular tablet keyboard would be better than others already available.
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Why? Magnets, thatâs why.
You attach the Pixel C tablet to its keyboard dock simply by laying it down on its back. It firmly sticks in place. The best part is that you can adjust the exact angle of the screenâs tilt. The magnetic connection is super solid, but itâs not too hard to detach the tablet when you want too.
The keyboard feels great to type on. While itâs super slim, the keys offer a satisfying tactility as you hammer on them. In fact, Iâm writing this script on it right now! Itâs just the right size for the 10-inch screen, but the keys feel like a good size. Google says it moved five rarely-typed symbols from the physical keyboard to the on-screen keyboard. I havenât figured out what they are yet.
The keyboard can also attach to the front of the tablet as a cover. While in this mode, the keyboard recharges its battery, drawing power from the tablet. That way, you only have to worry about plugging in one device.
The hardware looks great. Itâs a solid, stainless steel rectangle from the back and the bordering around the screen on the front is jet black. The sides are spartan, offering only a USB-C port, a headphone jack, and a volume rocker. Along the top youâll notice four holes for microphones on the tablet. Also noteworthy â the display offers a high resolution of 2560 x 1800. Plus thereâs 3 GB of RAM.
While it looks good, and the specs are very high end, I have some doubts on whether Android is really a great tablet platform. Whereas Microsoftâs Surface was made to showcase Windows 10, this is just another device that can run core Android. Thereâs some clunky interactions. For example, using it docked with the keyboard is great until you inevitably launch an app that only works in profile orientation.
Also, developers just havenât taken to making premium tablet apps on Android like they have for the iPad. So you wonder where all that Nvidia Tegra processor power is going to get used. Honestly, this device seems best for people who do most of their work in a web browser.
The price may be where it has an advantage. Starting at $649 for the 32 GB model, it undercuts the iPad Pro and the Surface by a good margin. Then again, itâs on the high end for Android tablets.
Here are the official Google Pixel C specs.
Operating SystemAndroid 6.0 MarshmallowDisplay10.2 inches2560 x 1800 (308 PPI) 500 nits â2 aspect ratio sRGB color gamut 1500:1 contrast ratio LTPS LCD In-cell touchscreenDimensions242 x 179 x 7 mmWeight0.517 kgMaterialAnodized AluminumColorSilverProcessorNVIDIA Tegra X1 with Maxwell GPUMemoryRAM: 3 GB LPDDR4 Internal storage: 32 GB or 64 GBCamerasRear: 8 MP Front: 2 MPAudio Google Pixel SlateStereo speakersQuad microphones 3.5 mm audio outBattery34.2 WhPower15W USB Type-C adapterWirelessWi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac², 2Ã2 MIMO, dual-band (2.4 GHz, 5.0 GHz) Google Pixel C Price Tablet Canada FreeBluetooth 4.1 + HSPortsUSB Type-C, 3.5 mm audioSensorsGyroscopeAccelerometer Ambient Light Sensor Proximity Sensor Compass Hall Effect Sensor
MobilityAndroid, Google, Pixel C, tablet
Google has announced the Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL at Google I/O 2019. As numerous rumors had suggested, the anticipated handsets pack almost all of the goodness of the regular Pixel 3 series smartphones for about half the price â weâre going to be talking about them for weeks to come.
Weâve already had the opportunity to put the phone through its paces for our full Pixel 3a review; in this article, youâll find out how much the phones cost, where youâll be able to buy them, and when theyâll arrive.
Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL release date![]()
The Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL went on sale on May 7 in the U.S., on May 8 in the U.K., and on May 15, in India.
Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL price
The Pixel 3a and 3a XL specs arenât as high end as those of the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3XL; as such, their prices arenât as high either. The regular Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL start at $799 and $899 respectively, while the Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL prices are as follows:
U.S.
U.K.
India
Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL availability
As well as the U.S., U.K., and India, the duo will be released in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Spain, and Taiwan in the coming weeks.
The phones will be available in three colors: Clearly White, Just Black, and Purple-ish, though the latter variant wonât hit the Indian market.
Somewhat disappointingly, they are coming in only one memory configuration: 4GB RAM with 64GB of internal storage. They also lack expandable storage options like microSD card support; youâll have to be really okay with 64GB ROM if you want to own one.
U.S.
The Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL are available at the Google Store and select partners. Itâs compatible with major carriers Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T, and of course, Google Fi. Unlike the others, AT&T wonât sell Pixel 3a and 3a XL through its own retail channel, though.
Google Express
You can pick up the 3a and 3a XL via Google Express at their respective $399 and $479 retail prices. To sweeten the deal for a short time, youâll also be able to save $20 off either device by using the code âMAYSAVE19â at the checkout.
Amazon
Amazon is also selling both the Pixel 3a and 3a XL in all three colors.
Best Buy
Best Buy has rolled out a couple of early deals on the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL. They start at the standard $399 and $479 prices, but you can get up to $100 savings in bill credits or a free Google Home Mini if you take a new line with a qualifying carrier. Find out more at the button below.
B&H Photo
B&H Photo stocks the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL for $399 and $479 prices, but for a limited time, youâll receive a pre-paid Mint Mobile SIM Card kit with three months of unlimited talk and text and 8GB of data per month thatâs worth $60.
Verizon
Verizon is stocking the Pixel 3a and 3a XL in Just Black and Purple-ish at the following prices:
T-Mobile
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T-Mobile has the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL in Just Black and Clearly White for:
T-Mobile is also offering up to $400 trade-in on eligible devices â it basically means you could get the Pixel 3a for free with 24 months of bill credits.
Sprint
At Sprint, you can get the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL for:
Visible
Carrier Visible has also confirmed it will sell the new Pixel 3a for $408 â or as low as $17 per month â and the Pixel 3a XL for $480 â or as low as $20 per month â from June.
U.K.
U.K. customers will find the new phones at the Google Store, Carphone Warehouse, EE, Argos, Mobile Phones Direct, A1 Comms.
Carphone Warehouse
Carphone Warehouse has a couple of good offers you can take advantage of, including trade-in deals and a free Chromebook deal. The Pixel 3a prices are:
Buy either device at Carphone Warehouse and you can redeem an Acer Chromebook 16GB 11-inch (ACERCB3-132 11) worth 199.99 pounds. Meanwhile, you can trade in an eligible device to shave as much as 270 pounds off the total. Of the deals weâve come across so far, Carphone Warehouse is the standout in terms of value.
Argos
Argos has rolled out an attractive Pixel 3a offer, giving away a free Google Home Hub with purchases of either phone. However, the deal doesnât appear to be available anymore. The phones themselves are priced at:
EE
EE is giving away a free Google Home Hub with the purchase of the Pixel 3a or 3a XL, though youâll have to pick up the phones on contract. Contracts start from 25 pounds per month and 50 pounds up front.
Mobile Phones Direct
Order a Pixel 3a or Pixel 3a XL from Mobile phones direct and youâll be looking at the following prices:
The contracts above come with unlimited talk and text and 5GB of data for the 3a and 60GB for the 3a XL.
India
India customers can head to Flipkart if they want to pick up one of the new Google handsets where the phones are exclusively sold.
Flipkart
Flipkart is selling the 3a and 3a XL in Just Black and Clearly White colors. Here are the prices:
With either phone, youâll be able to take advantage of no-cost EMI starting at 6,667 rupees per month, and save five percent when using Axis Bank Buzz Credit Cards. Terms and conditions apply.
Thatâs all we have on the Pixel 3a and 3a XL availability so far but weâll update this page with more information as we get it.
Find more Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL coverage at the links below:
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Google's latest tablet is its greatest yet. In fact, the Pixel C hands down is the most powerful Android tablet I've ever used. The real question here isn't if the Pixel C is the best tablet, it's 'who cares'?
The Pixel C starts at $500 and has a high-end design, spectacular screen, fast performance and long-lasting battery. (UK and Australian pricing has yet to be announced, but the US price converts to around £335 or AU$695.) But with interest in tablets decreasing more and more every year, Google's best effort at a high-end tablet may fall upon deaf ears.
As a standalone tablet, its aluminum design is both elegant and solid. When combined with its optional magnetic Bluetooth keyboard ($150), which is made of the same material, the tablet turns into a productivity-geared hybrid. Its duality -- and $500 starting price -- makes it ripe to compete against the Microsoft Surface 3 and the iPad Air 2. The problem is, that's like comparing apples and oranges. The Surface is powerful enough to replace a laptop, whereas the iPad works best for leisure activities, like gaming and streaming video. The Pixel C exists somewhere between the two.
The Pixel C is hands down the best Android tablet today. It earns a place near the top of the charts and rivals the iPad Air 2 for the title of overall best tablet. If you're interested in a tablet for work, the strength of its performance will depend on your needs. But if I had to pick between the two, I'd go with the Google Pixel C due to its exceptionally designed keyboard, gorgeous screen and speedy performance.
Where can I buy this and what's the price?
The Pixel C is available now at Google's Store starting at $500 with 32GB of onboard storage. There's also a 64GB version priced at $600, which converts to £400 or AU$835.
The optional keyboard is also available at Google and costs $149, which converts to about £100 or AU$205.
Specs versus the competitionThat's one good-looking tablet
Google has consistently released great Android tablets in partnership with the likes of Asus and HTC, but this is the first time the company has built its own model from the ground up. From the looks of it, Google should've been designing its own tablets all along.
The Pixel C has an anodized aluminum frame that looks as luxe as any Apple tablet. It's fashionably matte, smooth and solid. In order to allow space for a large battery, the Pixel C is thicker and heavier than the iPad Air 2, though the difference isn't dramatic to the naked eye. I found both similarly comfortable to hold for long periods of time.
One of the best things about the Pixel C is its optional Bluetooth keyboard. It's magnetic and charges inductively. For such a skinny little thing, it's surprisingly comfortable. The main keys are almost full-sized, and the tab and enter keys are sized down. Typing on it doesn't feel as cramped as other Bluetooth keyboards -- it's small yet spacious, and compact enough to use even in the most confined spaces.
Once you magnetically attach the keyboard onto the tablet, it automatically connects over Bluetooth and hides the on-screen keyboard. This worked without a hitch most of the time. In a handful of instances, it took 10-20 seconds for it to work. It still automatically connected without me having to go into the Bluetooth settings, it just sometimes took a little longer than usual.
The keyboard doubles as a removable cover, which makes it look more like a laptop, or a tablet with armor. It's probably the most protective keyboard cover around -- built from the same aluminum as the tablet, which makes it both stylish and sturdy. The magnetic connection between the keyboard and tablet is freakishly strong. I never had to worry about them disconnecting, even if I shook it or held it upside down. Once attached, it's almost like they're superglued together.
Despite its excellent construction, I have a few gripes about the Pixel C's design. There's no trackpad, the keyboard makes it a bit heavy, separating the keyboard from the tablet can be awkward when it's being used as a cover and it's hard to tell which ends of the tablet to magnetically attach. You can solve the latter problem by flipping one of them around until they click into place since there are only two ways the tablet and keyboard can fit together -- open like a laptop or closed.
Personally, I didn't miss the trackpad that much. Maybe that's because I never lost sight of the fact that I was using a tablet, not a laptop-like device. In fact, aside from the keyboard, the tablet isn't an attempt to replace your laptop. It does, however, carefully consider how an Android tablet with a keyboard should work.
Unfortunately, the keyboard suffereddd from frequently stuck keys. They weren't physically stuck, but letters and key functions dragged out on the screen as if they were. IIt was slightly comical how it elongated letters to create an unintentionally dramatic typing of a word, but it was less funny when the stuck key was the backspace button and I unintentionally deleted an entire sentence instead of a few words. The bugginess was inconsistent, and didn't seem to be affected by the number of apps that were open in the background. Sometimes letters also lagged and took a while to appear on screen. This might just have been a problem with the keyboard that came with my review unit. Regardless, it made an otherwise pleaaaasant experience into a needlessly frustrating one. On the other hand, our CNET Espanol reviewer didn't have this issue.
(Editor's note: These are real typos caused by the Pixel C's sometimes-misbehaving keyboard.)
Heck yeah, Google
The Pixel C runs the latest version of Android Marshmallow 6.0. The interface revolves around Google apps and, as a heavy user of those services, I found it very convenient.
Unsurprisingly, the tablet works seamlessly with the OK Google voice search. The top of the tablet's edge houses four microphones -- that's three more than most tablets. This makes it easy for the Pixel C to hear you say 'OK Google' even if it isn't in your hands at the time.
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