Google launched the original Pixel Tablet in 2023 as its first device in the segment. While it’s a good tablet, it feels a bit lacking in productivity features compared to what its rivals offer. The company is reportedly working to address those issues for a second generation. The Pixel Tablet 2 and a “Google keyboard cover” accessory may arrive in 2025.
In recent years, tablet makers have been working hard to develop features not just for entertainment, but for productivity. Basically, Android tablets are now closer to pseudo-laptops than large-screen smartphones. However, Google took a simpler route with the original Pixel Tablet, not offering too many exclusive features. The company promoted it as a hub for your smart home devices by attaching it to the charging dock speaker. Maybe it was designed with that approach in mind.
The Pixel Tablet 2 leak mentions a potential Google keyboard accessory
The Pixel Tablet is a device that offers good performance but is more useful for multimedia consumption. That said, according to Android Authority’s Mishaal Rahman, the Pixel Tablet 2 could arrive with a first-party keyboard accessory. The report claims that Google is testing a prototype of the device with a keyboard cover. The accessory could connect via pogo pins on the rear and could also act as a horizontal stand.
Rahman has no details on whether Google has plans to offer a stylus of its own. The company left all responsibility for launching productivity accessories for the Pixel Tablet to third-party vendors. However, the fact that the company is testing a first-party keyboard cover increases the chances of seeing a “Google Pencil.” According to the report, the Mountain View giant intended to launch a first-party keyboard cover and stylus for the Pixel Tablet. However, the accessories failed quality tests.
There are no details on the chipset that will power the Pixel Tablet 2. A leak last month claimed that the 2027 Pixel Tablet 3 will use a nerfed version of the Tensor G6 chip. The Tensor G7 should be available that year, but Google could resort to a more affordable version of its chip from last year. So, it’s possible that the Pixel Tablet 2 will use a Tensor G4 chip, either regular or slightly less powerful.
There’s a New camera sensor and a slightly tweaked design
The source mentions that the next-gen tablet will feature an improved camera sensor. There are no details yet about the specs of the new sensor. Anyway, cameras have never been the main focus of a tablet. For reference, the original Pixel Tablet uses a fairly basic 8 MP sensor for both the front and rear cameras.
Lastly, the Pixel Tablet 2 could feature some slight design changes. The prototype under test includes a different placement for the physical buttons and the rear camera, but everything else remains practically the same.
