Google just saved the Pixel Tablet, but not in the way you think

When reports came out a couple of years ago that Google was scrapping plans for the Pixel Tablet 2, I was pretty disappointed. While the original Pixel Tablet wasn’t perfect, it was a solid starting point. And if Google had continued iterating on it the same way it has with its Pixel phones over the past decade, it easily could’ve grown into a real iPad competitor one day.

That said, even though a Pixel Tablet 2 doesn’t appear to be coming anytime soon, the original Pixel Tablet is still around. Its specs aren’t exactly cutting-edge anymore (it’s powered by the Tensor G2), but it’s still a decent Android tablet that doubles as a smart home hub. However, one big concern was looming.

Since the tablet launched in June 2023 and was only guaranteed three years of software updates, its support was set to end this June — and with no successor in sight, the Pixel Tablet was starting to feel like it might be left for dead. However, the good news is that Google has stepped in and saved it.

Recently, Google quietly updated the Pixel Tablet’s support page to extend its software support from three years to five years (via 9to5Google). Instead of going out of date this June, the tablet is now supported through June 2028 — a full two additional years of Android OS and security updates.

So if you own a Pixel Tablet, this means you should get Android 17, Android 18, and potentially even Android 19. That’s honestly not bad at all for a tablet that launched in 2023 with Android 13.

The Pixel Tablet is now receiving fairer treatment

Newer Pixel phones receive even better support with seven years of updates

With the Pixel Tablet now set to receive five years of software support, it aligns with the five-year support period that other older Pixel devices got from Google, such as the Pixel 6 series, Pixel 7 series, and Pixel Fold.

Starting with the Pixel 8 series, which came out in late 2023 after the Pixel Tablet, Google actually extended its Android OS and security update commitment to seven years. So the Pixel 8 series, Pixel 9 series, and Pixel 10 series all get seven years of update support, rather than five. While the Pixel Tablet won’t be getting that, unfortunately, at least it’s getting five instead of three.

As for what the future holds for the Pixel Tablet, it could be a long time before we see a successor. In an interview with Bloomberg shortly after the Pixel 10 series was announced in August, Google executives confirmed that development of a new tablet has been put on hold until the company can figure out a “meaningful future for the category.”

Google is currently working on Aluminium OS, which unifies ChromeOS and Android and is meant to replace ChromeOS on PCs. So perhaps once Google has that sorted out and has successfully brought Android to PCs in a more exciting way to take on macOS and Windows, it may shift its attention back to the tablet scene. But that’s just speculation on my part.

Hopefully, Google will one day revive the Pixel Tablet lineup, but until then, at least the Pixel Tablet will receive Android OS and security updates through 2028.