Even when it was model new, the Google Pixel Pill wasn’t the very best of its variety, and with its excessive worth, not the very best worth pill you might purchase both.
But, with 2026 nicely underway, I’ve realized the Pixel Pill is the pill I’ve most recurrently used because it was launched, regardless of it developing on 3 years outdated and having a number of upper efficiency, longer-lasting, extra succesful options round me.
Why? It’s my sous chef and my kitchen leisure hub all-in-one, and I exploit it greater than some other due to its distinctive magnets and unbelievable dock.
Justified hate
Lower than customary
The Pixel Pill wasn’t superb when it was launched, and that hasn’t modified in any respect. It price twice as a lot because it was actually price. The Tensor G2 underperformed, the software program and chip pairing was unreliable, and the LCD display was common at finest.
There’s no official keyboard case, so engaged on the Pixel Pill is a ache and an additional expense. Android has by no means appeared or operated all that nicely on a pill, and Google did little to customise it for its personal mannequin, which means there was little motivation to purchase it over some other.
In comparison with the Apple iPad fashions of the time, it was far behind in energy and efficiency. Since then, it has been shuffled to the sidelines by tablets just like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 and the Poco Pad X1. The Pixel Pill wasn’t what all of us wished from a Pixel-era Google pill.
My most used pill?
All for 2 causes
Regardless of all this, and looking out again over the previous couple of years, I’ve used the Pixel Pill extra constantly than some other, however for a really particular cause. It’s all because of the magnets contained in the pill, and the unbelievable dock which got here bundled with the pill when it was launched.
The Pixel Pill doesn’t transfer from my kitchen, the place it serves as my sous chef and my leisure hub. More often than not, it’s hooked up to the dock, which sits out of the way in which, and excessive up on a cabinet.
From right here, the delicate microphones work their magic and I exploit Gemini for timers, reminders, and cooking recommendation. It virtually by no means fails to do what it’s requested, and by no means wants bodily enter at any time. It’s saved out of the way in which so it doesn’t get soiled, knocked, or broken, however this by no means impedes its performance.
The Dock ensures the battery stays charged, and the clock is all the time proven on the display, but additionally does its finest to handle the cost course of, and even after a few years, the battery nonetheless delivers good standby and use time.
Shifting it round
A function no different pill has
The Pixel Pill attaches to the Dock utilizing magnets, but it surely’s not the one alternative to make use of them. Because of the structure of my kitchen, I can connect the undocked Pixel Pill to the door or aspect of my fridge, the place the magnets firmly maintain it in place.
Right here, it turns into an exquisite leisure hub. I can watch long-form movies whereas I cook dinner or work within the kitchen, with out the pill resting on a floor or being shuffled out of the way in which, and with no likelihood of it getting knocked on the ground.
The audio efficiency is superb on the Dock, however nonetheless superb for spoken phrase when the Pill is hooked up to the aspect of my fridge.
As a result of Android has tried to handle the charging cycles whereas hooked up to the Dock, the battery hasn’t suffered an excessive amount of, and battery life is rarely a problem when it’s undocked.
Fairly merely, no different pill has these two mixed options, which work to make sure I by no means take into consideration battery, storage, or performance, making the Pixel Pill indispensable to me.
On a regular basis use
No different pill comes shut
Due to the Pixel Pill’s Dock, magnets, microphones, audio efficiency, and Gemini performance, plus its placement in my house, I exploit it virtually on daily basis, and have finished so for the previous couple of years.
This makes it my single, most frequently used pill by an extended, good distance. Except for evaluate fashions, I typically use my iPad Air for gentle work once I don’t wish to carry my laptop computer, and can typically play video games or use Chrome, however once I all the time have my cellphone, laptop computer, and tv someplace close by, it’s not all that usually.
As a reviewer, the Pixel Pill is one in every of my least favourite Google merchandise. I’ve had points with the software program, and know others who’ve had much more of them, but it has turn into one of many Google merchandise I’d by no means wish to be with out.
Can you continue to purchase it?
Sure, and no
It has taken some time to seek out its place, however I’ve discovered myself appreciating the Pixel Pill greater than some other pill. Nevertheless, for my fundamental use, its authentic $600 worth with the dock ought to be thought-about outrageously costly.
Google dropped the worth to $500, after which dropped the Dock — a necessary a part of its enchantment, for my part — to make the Pixel Pill $400 by itself. That is presently the one means you should purchase the Pixel Pill via Google.
Google just lately tried to incentivize purchases by extending the software program replace dedication to mid-2028. Does this, together with my continued use and delight, imply I’m about to say one of many least fascinating tablets of the previous couple of years is an efficient purchase in 2026?
It’s nonetheless not one I’d advocate
Different selections work nicely
Sadly, I can’t advocate shopping for the Pixel Pill with out the Dock. It’s a elementary a part of what makes it work so nicely for me, and with out it, it’d turn into a burden to recollect to cost it, and in addition discover someplace to maintain it in my kitchen.
It’s an actual disgrace the Dock has turn into a factor of the previous. The Google Nest Hub Max and Amazon Echo Hub care for the voice assistant duties, however lack the general versatility of the Pixel Pill’s detachable pill show and built-in magnets.
Nevertheless, I’m happy to have lastly been in a position to respect what makes the Pixel Pill particular. It’s only a little bit of a disgrace it’s a low-tech set of magnets fairly than something extra spectacular.
- SoC
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Google Tensor G2
- Show kind
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IPS LCD, 60Hz
- Show dimensions
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10.95″
- Show decision
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2560 x 1600
- RAM
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8GB
- Storage
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128GB or 256GB