Google has announced its new range of Pixel mobile devices, including its first foldable phone. Furthermore, the company is introducing an Android tablet that also functions as a smart display when docked and charging in the home. The devices were unveiled during Google’s annual I/O developer conference. They represent the company’s answer to offerings from rivals Samsung and Apple.
Pixel 7a
The first device is the Pixel 7a, a midrange smartphone with high-end hardware featuring a 6.1-inch OLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate, face and fingerprint unlocking, and wireless charging. On the back, it has a refreshed dual camera system and a larger sensor than previous iterations (by about 72%) to support long exposure modes and improved low-light photography.
The phone comprises 21% recycled material in weight, priced at £449 in the UK or $449 in the US. Specs-wise, it comes with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. The Tensor G2 chips that powered the Pixel 7 last year make a return.
The Pixel Fold
Sporting a folding screen similar to Samsung’s Z Fold series, the Pixel Fold has a 7.6-inch 120Hz OLED screen inside, a 5.8-inch display on the outside, and a fingerprint scanner on the power button. It is IPX8 water-resistant to depths of 1.5m, is 12mm when closed and 6mm when open, and has a hinge that can hold the screen at various viewing angles.
It has a triple camera system on the back, featuring a folding phone’s first 5x optical zoom capability. Software-wise, Google has tweaked its apps for the folding screen, including live translation, showing text on both screens simultaneously.
It features a Tensor G2 chip and 256 GB of storage. The starting price is £1,749 in the UK. It will ship in June and launch in the US, Germany, and Japan.
The Pixel Tablet
After a seven-year hiatus, Google is returning to the tablet game with its new Pixel Tablet, unveiled at the I/O 2022 conference. This sleek device boasts an 11-inch display, a quad-speaker setup, and a front-facing camera optimized for video calling, complete with auto-framing technology.
Crafted from recycled aluminium and coated in ceramic for a comfortable grip, the Pixel Tablet is an Android tablet for all your app, game, and video needs, complete with split-screen multitasking. However, its potential is unlocked when placed on its included magnetic charging speaker dock.
Dubbed “hub mode,” the Pixel Tablet transforms into a versatile smart display. From serving as a digital photo frame to a Chromecast screen for video, this tablet has it all. Plus, when it’s not in use, it doubles as a smart home controller. This should make it the perfect addition to any modern home.
The Pixel Tablet is available for purchase in the UK for £599 and will begin shipping on June 20th.
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