Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet presented: Large displays for Android 14
10/5/2023
Translation: machine translated
Google adapts Android 14 for large displays and delivers suitable flagship devices with the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet.
Google presents its first foldable smartphone with the Pixel Fold. The Pixel Tablet paves the way for a return to the tablet sector after eight years. With the Pixel 7a, the company also presented a classic smartphone at its I/O developer conference.
Pixel Fold: smartphone and tablet
Google is delighted with its first foldable. Anyone already using a foldable smartphone will smile wearily, but could still benefit from customisations to Android or apps for larger displays.
Google is also showing a "Dual Screen Interpreter Mode", in which the translator uses both displays to enable a direct conversation. There is a split screen mode to use two apps side by side. Their arrangement is also retained in the multitasking view. If you swipe down from the top edge, the quick settings and notifications appear next to each other on the inner display.
Source: Google
Folded out halfway, the Pixel Fold offers a tabletop mode on YouTube, for example. The video runs on the top half, while the controls appear at the bottom. On a slide at the I/O keynote, there was also a brief mention of astrophotography without a tripod. Next to it was a half-opened Pixel Fold.
Google describes the unfolded Pixel Fold as a tablet. But it would be a small tablet. The Pixel Fold's outer OLED display measures 5.8 inches and has 2092 × 1080 pixels. The inner OLED display measures 7.6 inches and displays 2208 × 1840 pixels. The maximum refresh rate for both screens is 120 Hertz. Despite the moving parts, the Pixel Fold has been confirmed to be waterproof with IPX8.
Source: Google
Google uses its latest Tensor G2 chipset in the Pixel Fold with all the AI functions that are part of the Pixel devices. It is supported by twelve gigabytes of RAM. The internal memory of the foldable smartphone is 256 gigabytes.
There are three cameras on the back of the Pixel Fold. The 48-megapixel main camera is complemented by an ultra-wide-angle camera and a telephoto camera (fivex optical zoom), each with a resolution of 10.8 megapixels. Each display of the foldable smartphone has a front camera for selfies. The one on the outer display takes selfies with 9.5 megapixels and the one on the inner screen employees 8 megapixels.
Source: Google
The 4821 mAh battery can be charged with up to 30 watts via the USB-C port. Wireless charging via the Qi standard is also possible. The Pixel Fold runs Android 13 out of the box, which will receive security and operating system updates for five years.
The Pixel Fold will be available in Germany from June for a recommended retail price of 1899 euros.
Pixel Tablet to be more than just a tablet
The Pixel Tablet cannot be folded, but has an even larger 11-inch display than the Pixel Fold when unfolded. 2560 × 1600 pixels are spread across the LCD screen. The recycled aluminium casing has a nano-ceramic coating.
Source: Google
Google wants the Pixel Tablet to be more than just a tablet. Together with the Charging Speaker Dock, which is included in the scope of delivery for the time being, it should also be a centre for the smart home, an entertainment device, a voice assistant and a digital picture frame. Ok, Apple's promise of the iPad as a PC sounds cooler. But with the Pixel Tablet, it also depends on what you do with it.
The Pixel Tablet is the first tablet with Chromecast built-in. This means you can send music or video streams from your smartphone to it, just as you might already do with your TV.
Source: Google
Google has adapted 50 of its own apps to larger screens, among other things. Google TV and Google Home were cited as examples at the I/O keynote. Typical Pixel functions such as Magic Eraser or Photo unblur are also on board. So that the tablet can be used by several people in the household, it supports multiple user accounts - including their own apps and data.
Depending on the model variant, 128 or 256 gigabytes of storage space are available - for all user accounts combined. With the Tensor G2, Google is also installing its latest chipset in the tablet and providing it with eight gigabytes of RAM. The cameras on the front and back each have a resolution of eight megapixels. That should be enough for video calls - and you shouldn't be taking photos with a tablet anyway.
Source: Google
The 27-watt-hour battery should last for twelve hours of video streaming. It is charged either via USB-C or the Charging Speaker Dock. The latter with a maximum of 15 watts. The Pixel Tablet is expected to receive security and operating system updates for at least five years.
The Pixel Tablet will be available from June. The recommended retail price in Germany is 679 euros - including the Charging Speaker Dock.
Pixel 7a: the affordable smartphone from Google
Although the Pixel 7a is more expensive than its predecessor, the Pixel 6a, but still the most affordable model from the 7 series. And with a 6.1-inch Full HD+ OLED display, it is also the smallest current smartphone from Google. The screen has a refresh rate of up to 90 hertz and is protected by Gorilla Glass 3.
Source: Google
The Tensor G2 is also used in the Pixel 7a. It ensures that the affordable smartphone has all the AI features of the Pixel series. It is supported by eight gigabytes of RAM. The internal memory comprises 128 gigabytes and cannot be expanded.
The main camera sensor on the Pixel 7a is said to be 72 per cent larger than its predecessor. The resolution is 64 megapixels, whereby four adjacent pixels are combined into one. Among other things, this should increase light sensitivity and improve image quality. There is also a 13-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera on the back and a 13-megapixel front camera.
Source: Google
The 4385 mAh battery can also be charged wirelessly. Android 13 runs on the Pixel 7a out of the box.
Cover photo: Google
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