from $499, store.google.com

4.5 5

Launched in late 2015, the Pixel C is the first Android tablet that's designed and manufactured by Google. Previously, the tech giant partnered with various top-tier hardware manufacturers on creating Android slates for the Nexus product family. The latter also includes smartphones and streaming devices co-developed with Google.

As its name suggests, the Pixel C shares similar design language and a premium anodized-aluminum finish as the range-topping Chromebook Pixel by Google. The device's hardware specs are also a match for its appearance — the Pixel C is currently the most powerful Android tablet available on the market.

A Few Nerdy Bits

Like we already suggested, the Pixel C stands head and shoulders above its Android competitors in terms of hardware. Below are the most important bits you need to know about the device.

The Pixel C features an NVIDIA Tegra X1 chipset with a quad-core CPU and Maxwell GPU. This is currently the most powerful processor available on an Android tablet by quite a margin.

The display of the tablet is a 10.2-inch LTPS IPS unit with a resolution of 2,560 by 1,800 pixels, 500 nits of maximum brightness, and a class-leading pixel density of 308 ppi.

The device's two variants feature 32GB or 64GB of built-in memory and 3GB of RAM.

Google has equipped the Pixel C with two cameras. They include an 8MP main unit with f/2.4 lens and a 2MP front-facing unit for video calls.

Connectivity features of the device include USB Type-C, Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, and Bluetooth 4.1.

The tablet weighs a tad over 1 pound and is only 7mm thick. It features side stereo speakers and a quartet of microphones.

The Pixel C runs the latest Android version by Google called Marshmallow, and will receive future OS updates directly from Google.

Google offers two optional keyboards for the Pixel C. One has the exact same finish as the tablet, while the other is part of a folio case.

In the Metal

Visually, the Pixel C tablet features the exact same design language as its Chromebook Pixel relative. The tablet is essentially an elegant slab of aluminum with precisely machined ports, speaker grilles, and a camera cutout. The front of the device is all-black, thus bringing all the attention toward its high-resolution display.

Like in the Chromebook Pixel, the coolest design feature the Pixel C tablet has is the LED light strip on its back. When the tablet has its screen on, the light glows with the colors of Google — blue, red, yellow, and green. With the screen of the tablet off, tapping twice on the light strip turns it into a battery indicator.

The tablet's build quality is nothing short of exceptional. The Pixel C has an aluminum shell crafted from a single piece of the metal, while its front is covered by Corning Gorilla Glass. The aluminum is anodized, so it is resistant against light scratches and dings.

The 10.2-inch high-resolution display of the Pixel C is easily among the best of its kind. In addition to offering class-leading resolution and pixel density, the screen also delivers accurate colors, great viewing angles, and, thanks to the implementation of Low Temperature PolySilicon tech, excellent power efficiency.

Speaking of power, the 34.2 Wh battery of the Pixel C delivers up to 10 hours of screen-on time, which is quite impressive considering the hardware on board. Charging the device is also a rapid affair thanks to the new USB Type-C adapter.

Pixel C Keyboard

The optional Pixel C keyboard has the same exact finish as the tablet. It features a sturdy magnetic stand with an adjustable viewing angle, and connects to the device over Bluetooth LE. There is no need to pair the keyboard with the tablet — the accessory does the trick all by itself as soon as you snap the tablet to it.

Despite its compact footprint, the keyboard delivers an excellent typing experience, thanks to its well-spaced keys with 1.4mm travel. It also supports common keyboard shortcuts, so it is quite a productive tool to have around.

Arguably the coolest feature of the keyboard is the way it charges. It lacks any connectivity ports, so it automatically fills up its battery when you snap it to the tablet.

The accessory's most notable downside is its weight. Because it has the same anodized aluminum shell as the Pixel C, the keyboard tips the scale at 399 grams.

Android Marshmallow

The Pixel C tablet runs stock Android Marshmallow out of the box. While it looks a lot like its predecessor, the latest Android iteration features a number of under-the-hood changes that result in better performance, improved battery life, and most importantly — better security.

Key security features introduced with Android Marshmallow include the user control over the data and hardware that apps can access, as well as monthly security updates. The latter are particularly important, as they deliver patches to any vulnerabilities discovered in the OS. They also put the Pixel C head and shoulders above its Android competitors in terms of privacy and security.

Another benefit of using stock Android is that it is essentially a blank canvas for user customizations. With a plethora of launchers and icon packs to choose from in the Google Play store, user can change the appearance of the Pixel C's user interface to their liking.

Split-sprint multitasking is the most notable omission in the stock user interface of the Pixel C. Google however, has confirmed that the feature is already well in the works, so it will almost certainly make its way to the tablet via a future update. Also, the device's powerful hardware ensures that users can switch between windows quite rapidly.

Cameras

The Pixel C is equipped with an 8MP main camera and a 2MP front-facing unit. Both snappers can capture Full HD video.

Even though it is not designed with photography in mind, the Pixel C can capture good-quality images in case your smartphone is not around. Because of the powerful processor on board, the tablet's camera is also quick to start and lock into focus.

Conclusion

The Pixel C is the best Android tablet that money can buy today. It seamlessly combines beautiful industrial design, superb craftsmanship, powerful hardware, and cutting-edge software, so it is easy to recommend to anyone with the budget to pick one up.

Performance-wise, the Pixel C is easily the fastest Android device around — it is noticeably speedier than any of its competitors. Its screen is among the best in the business too, offering color reproduction and viewing angles that perfectly complement its eye-popping resolution.

A lack of fingerprint sensor is the only major void in the device's specs. However, we don't find it to be the same deal-breaker as it would have been on a smartphone.

On the software side, we really wish that Google offered split-screen multitasking alongside Android Marshmallow. The tech giant however, is hard at work on delivering the feature to the Pixel C.

Notable Android tablet rivals of the Pixel C include Samsung's Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 and the HTC-made Nexus 9. The former is thinner, lighter, cheaper, and equipped with a fingerprint sensor. However, it is made of decidedly less premium plastic, has an inferior display and processor, and is an older Android build. The Nexus 9, on the other hand, will offer a similar Android experience as the Pixel C, but in a slightly more compact and affordable form factor — yet it's an inferior option to the Pixel C in term of hardware and build quality.

The two non-Android tablet options that rival the Pixel C in terms of performance, hardware, and craftsmanship are the Apple iPad Pro and the Microsoft Surface Pro 4. Apple's entry entices with a rich selection of tablet-friendly apps, while the Surface Pro 4 runs full Windows 10.

However, it must be noted that even though they can be more productive that the Pixel C thanks to their larger displays, both slates are considerably more expensive than the Pixel C. The iPad Pro starts at $799 before any accessories, while the Surface Pro 4 begins at $899 for a tablet and a stylus pen.

The Pixel C is exclusively available at the Google Store. Its pricing kicks off at $499 for a model with 32GB of onboard memory, and tops out at $599 for 64GB variant. The optional keyboard costs additional $149.

The $500 starting price tag makes the Pixel C the priciest Android tablet available today, but in light of the device's superb performance and build quality, stretching your budget might be well worth it.

Photos by Stefan Vazharov

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