Tablets The future of Android tablets after Google quitting

[Sensamic]

Google officially admits that it's given up on tablets

Its reasoning is pretty weird, though. Google's Pixel Tablet launched back in 2023, and it's been all crickets from the search giant since then on the...

www.gsmarena.com

So Google will not develop a new tablet for a while (if ever again). This makes me think about the message they are sending to the rest of the Android community, specially developers. If Google quits the category, why would developers bother adapting their Android apps to tablet displays? Maybe Google will also stop developing new features for tablets and prioritize foldables instead?

They should have copied Apple in developing a base cheap tablet, like the iPad, and a high-end model, like the Pro. Maybe that would have helped the category, and push new features each year, just like iPadOS.

 

[martint235]

The Samsung and OnePlus tablets are well worth a look

 

[Heat_Fan89]

I don't think it really affects other tablet makers such as Samsung, Lenovo, OnePlus etc. The android tablet market is already established and those companies know they will never beat Apple.

Google is known to always have one foot out the door. That is how they operate. Their hardware is usually very good to good enough but never great. So I don't think any of those companies look at Google whether they should continue or stop making android tablets. The Pixel tablet was a flop because Google thought they could just add a dock and the product would fly off the shelf. The hardware specs were average and it did nothing that was exciting vs Samsung's product.

Currently my go to tablet is not my M2 iPad Air or the latest iPad Mini but my Galaxy Tab S10 Plus. It is in DEX Mode 100% and DEX essentially turns it into a Chromebook.

 

[throAU]

I don't think it really affects other tablet makers such as Samsung, Lenovo, OnePlus etc. The android tablet market is already established and those companies know they will never beat Apple.

Google is known to always have one foot out the door. That is how they operate. Their hardware is usually very good to good enough but never great. So I don't think any of those companies look at Google whether they should continue or stop making android tablets. The Pixel tablet was a flop because Google thought they could just add a dock and the product would fly off the shelf. The hardware specs were average and it did nothing that was exciting vs Samsung's product.

Currently my go to tablet is not my M2 iPad Air or the latest iPad Mini but my Galaxy Tab S10 Plus. It is in DEX Mode 100% and DEX essentially turns it into a Chromebook.

As far as I see it, google don't really make money on hardware. They're a services company. If someone is running android + Google services on a Samsung, Xaomi, or whatever, they don't care. The profit for them is not in hardware.

 

[HouseLannister]

Pixel Fold is their tablet strategy at the moment.

 

[Ludatyk]

As far as I see it, google don't really make money on hardware. They're a services company. If someone is running android + Google services on a Samsung, Xaomi, or whatever, they don't care. The profit for them is not in hardware.

Microsoft doesn't necessarily make much on hardware as well, but at least there is a presence in the tablet and laptop space. And even though I'm not interesting in buying an Android tablet... Google having one shows they are actually invested in the tablet platform.

Because it's always been the narrative that Android tablets are dead and there's poor dev support on the platform, so this decision is not making it any easier to fight those criticism. But maybe this is Google preparing to setup for the next phase with combining ChromeOS and Android (like some 2-1 device), and then they have some DeX equivalent for Pixel phones... so, we shall see.

But still, deciding to not continue making Android tablets... is a bad look. Since Android OEMs depend on Google when it comes to building hardware (in terms of firmware).

 

[aggie99]

Pixel Fold is their tablet strategy at the moment.

This is my thought as well with foldables becoming more mainstream. I'd much rather them concentrate their efforts on the software side to better optimizing Android for foldables. I'm sure if people just need a tablet Samsung and OnePlus will continue to offer some really nice devices. I haven't touched my Tab S8 Ultra or iPad Pro in a long time and not sure I'll ever see the need to buy a full size tablet again.

 

[Vegastouch]

Pixel Fold is their tablet strategy at the moment.

Lol, well I'm not spending $1599 or whatever they cost for a fold to be a Tablet. My Wife has a old iPad and needs a new one. It's like a 4th Gen and it's slow AF and the volume is bad.
Was going to look into a Google Tab as she has a Pixel but not now.
She never says she needs a new one, quite the opposite so I'll just have to buy one.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

Fire sale on the Pixel tablet. I used my $298 in Google credit and bought the 128 tablet for $249

 

[tbayrgs]

The issue with Android tablets, as it’s been for years, is primarily software. Google puts nothing behind them to get developers to work to support them. The tablet app ecosystem is terrible. And don’t bother coming at me that all the important apps are supported—they’re not. I have apps that on an iPad utilize the extra screen real estate but on an Android tablet are just giant phone apps. And then you’re lucky if the app even exists in the first place.

Google not following Microsoft’s model and making baseline hardware to encourage the other OEMs and more importantly devs to support the platform is a poor choice IMO, as mentioned by @Ludatyk.

If Google wants a full featured ecosystem that even approaches Apple and Samsung, they need to play in all the tech device sandboxes.

 

[Ludatyk]

The issue with Android tablets, as it’s been for years, is primarily software. Google puts nothing behind them to get developers to work to support them. The tablet app ecosystem is terrible. And don’t bother coming at me that all the important apps are supported—they’re not. I have apps that on an iPad utilize the extra screen real estate but on an Android tablet are just giant phone apps. And then you’re lucky if the app even exists in the first place.

We are not saying all? But most apps are supported, personally... I don't find Android tablet app ecosystem to be as bad as folks make it out to be (and I use both iPad & Galaxy Fold on a daily basis).

The apps I run to are tablet optimized... Discord, Telegram, Sync (by way of ReVanced), Apple Music, Pocket Casts and all the other entertainment apps like (Hulu, Netflix, Disney, etc.). But if you were to bring up apps in terms of exclusivity... then Apple certainly dominates in this area.

But that's attributed to the financial part of it... Apple users are willing to spend money on the platform versus Android users. So, if I'm a dev with not much resources behind me... I would target developing for the iPad. Therefore blaming Google doesn't make much sense to me. I want Google in the tablet hardware space more so for the optics, because from a software standpoint... their apps are tablet optimized.

 

[tbayrgs]

We are not saying all? But most apps are supported, personally... I don't find Android tablet app ecosystem to be as bad as folks make it out to be (and I use both iPad & Galaxy Fold on a daily basis).

The apps I run to are tablet optimized... Discord, Telegram, Sync (by way of ReVanced), Apple Music, Pocket Casts and all the other entertainment apps like (Hulu, Netflix, Disney, etc.). But if you were to bring up apps in terms of exclusivity... then Apple certainly dominates in this area.

But that's attributed to the financial part of it... Apple users are willing to spend money on the platform versus Android users. So, if I'm a dev with not much resources behind me... I would target developing for the iPad. Therefore blaming Google doesn't make much sense to me. I want Google in the tablet hardware space more so for the optics, because from a software standpoint... their apps are tablet optimized.

Of course not ALL but enough apps fall into this bucket.

And yes, you have to blame the owner of the OS for its lack of support. They’re playing from behind and the natural momentum of Apple’s lead means they have to go above and beyond to try to close the gap—and they’re simply not. It’s exactly why Windows Phone also died. If you want developers to support a product, offer a worthwhile product with compelling software. If that means opening the pocketbook to help encourage devs to put time towards Android, do that.

If it wasn’t for Samsung at least trying to add functionality in One UI, the Android tablets ecosystem would be even worse.

 

[Ludatyk]

Of course not ALL but enough apps fall into this bucket.

And yes, you have to blame the owner of the OS for its lack of support. They’re playing from behind and the natural momentum of Apple’s lead means they have to go above and beyond to try to close the gap—and they’re simply not. It’s exactly why Windows Phone also died. If you want developers to support a product, offer a worthwhile product with compelling software. If that means opening the pocketbook to help encourage devs to put time towards Android, do that.

If it wasn’t for Samsung at least trying to add functionality in One UI, the Android tablets ecosystem would be even worse.

Bringing up Windows Phone is a poor comparison when having a 3rd was tough for Microsoft to stand a chance when Google is only competing against Apple.

And can you name some apps that you use on the iPad that is not supported for Android? There could be some iPad apps that are not available on Android tablet... but they have an equivalent to it because you make it seem as if it's Android tablet apps are non-existent lol.

I like using DaVinci Resolve on the iPad... there's LumaFusion available on Android (not on the same level of DaVinci Resolve), but it does the job. And I like using Affinity Suite on the iPad.. but Photoshop is coming into the space, I think Krita is pretty good.

 

[HouseLannister]

Bringing up Windows Phone is a poor comparison when having a 3rd was tough for Microsoft to stand a chance

But also they were fifth behind BlackberryOS and webOS.

 

[klasma]

Google probably realized that Chromebook tablets are serving them better than Android tablets.

 

[Ludatyk]

But also they were fifth behind BlackberryOS and webOS.

Regardless if they were 3rd, 4th or 5th... it would have been tough to compete with Android and iOS during those days.

Right now, Google has to compete with only Apple in this tablet space... others have conceding that there's no point in showing up. I like using my Galaxy Fold... because of the tablet UI, if there was a lack of tablet optimized apps I would have been gone.

But if anything... I rather be in the tablet space than not exist in it, that has to mean something. Now on the topic of functionality, yeah... I agree with @tbayrgs that Samsung deserves credit on pushing the Android tablet forward.

 

[scott craft]

Of course not ALL but enough apps fall into this bucket.

And yes, you have to blame the owner of the OS for its lack of support. They’re playing from behind and the natural momentum of Apple’s lead means they have to go above and beyond to try to close the gap—and they’re simply not. It’s exactly why Windows Phone also died. If you want developers to support a product, offer a worthwhile product with compelling software. If that means opening the pocketbook to help encourage devs to put time towards Android, do that.

If it wasn’t for Samsung at least trying to add functionality in One UI, the Android tablets ecosystem would be even worse.

Windows Phone was amazing but no app support was a deal breaker for most people so it's dead now.

 

[Sensamic]

I just don't think Samsung bringing new tablet features in OneUI from time to time will be enough for the Android tablet ecosystem to progress at the same speed as iPadOS.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

I just don't think Samsung bringing new tablet features in OneUI from time to time will be enough for the Android tablet ecosystem to progress at the same speed as iPadOS.

I think if you are basing on anything to move the Android tablet base forward you might be missing the point. It's long been over and Apple won. There won't be an Android victory ever. Now that doesn't mean that Android tablets will or need to disappear.

I have owned pretty much every iPad tablet since the iPad 2. I have owned several Samsung tablets and currently use a Galaxy Tab S10 Plus. I use that tablet in DEX Mode and it is the tablet experience I prefer. It essentially turns my Galaxy Tab into a Chromebook.

I currently have an M2 iPad Air and the latest iPad Mini. Both have keyboard and touchpad cases. The experience is rather underwhelming tbh. It feels like all I did was add a keyboard with a touchpad. The iPad experience is basically the same.

On the Samsung, it is a massive difference once it enters DEX Mode. It runs and operates like a hybrid Chromebook. So we shouldn't sell Android tablets short because they can and do offer a different experience to the iPad.

 

[tbayrgs]

I think if you are basing on anything to move the Android tablet base forward you might be missing the point. It's long been over and Apple won. There won't be an Android victory ever. Now that doesn't mean that Android tablets will or need to disappear.

I have owned pretty much every iPad tablet since the iPad 2. I have owned several Samsung tablets and currently use a Galaxy Tab S10 Plus. I use that tablet in DEX Mode and it is the tablet experience I prefer. It essentially turns my Galaxy Tab into a Chromebook.

I currently have an M2 iPad Air and the latest iPad Mini. Both have keyboard and touchpad cases. The experience is rather underwhelming tbh. It feels like all I did was add a keyboard with a touchpad. The iPad experience is basically the same.

On the Samsung, it is a massive difference once it enters DEX Mode. It runs and operates like a hybrid Chromebook. So we shouldn't sell Android tablets short because they can and do offer a different experience to the iPad.

As sour as I am on many things Apple at the moment, the upcoming changes to iPadOS 26 are pretty cool. I’ve been running the beta for much of the summer and, no, it’s not perfect, but it basically creates a freeform windows environment à la macOS and really changes how you can use the iPad. I’ve never tried Dex , but I would wager it’s something similar.

 

[arthurlee]

Google officially admits that it's given up on tablets

Its reasoning is pretty weird, though. Google's Pixel Tablet launched back in 2023, and it's been all crickets from the search giant since then on the...

www.gsmarena.com

So Google will not develop a new tablet for a while (if ever again). This makes me think about the message they are sending to the rest of the Android community, specially developers. If Google quits the category, why would developers bother adapting their Android apps to tablet displays? Maybe Google will also stop developing new features for tablets and prioritize foldables instead?

They should have copied Apple in developing a base cheap tablet, like the iPad, and a high-end model, like the Pro. Maybe that would have helped the category, and push new features each year, just like iPadOS.

We actually have a lot of nice android tablets back in China. But no one is as competitive as iPad. The main problem of all these Chinese android tablets is that they don’t have a clear product positioning. Except for some of the extremely unique gaming tablets that are super competitive when it comes to gaming. (Due to apple’s disappointing performance regarding mobile games)

 

[Ctrlos]

If you want a windowed productivity environment than buy a laptop. Tablets masquerading as such are a poor substitute. Tablets are good at all sorts of cool things that laptops are not but neither Dex nor iPadOS are a functional replacement for MacOS or Windows.

If you have an Android phone and want a great tablet with brilliant apps that supports all your Google services then buy an iPad.

 

[Ludatyk]

If you want a windowed productivity environment than buy a laptop. Tablets masquerading as such are a poor substitute. Tablets are good at all sorts of cool things that laptops are not but neither Dex nor iPadOS are a functional replacement for MacOS or Windows.

Use my iPad as a laptop with the Magic Keyboard, enjoying the new windowing environment in iPadOS 26… enhances productivity for me.

I won’t claim that it works for everyone, because I don’t speak for everyone… folks have their own preferences and workflows.

If you have an Android phone and want a great tablet with brilliant apps that supports all your Google services then buy an iPad.

Certainly, iPad is the best tablet… but there are some good alternatives on the Android side from Galaxy Tab to OnePlus Pad. I even like that RedMagic Astra tablet, and if someone wants to buy an Android tablet… go for it.

 

[TechRunner]

Use my iPad as a laptop with the Magic Keyboard, enjoying the new windowing environment in iPadOS 26… enhances productivity for me.

I won’t claim that it works for everyone, because I don’t speak for everyone… folks have their own preferences and workflows.


Certainly, iPad is the best tablet… but there are some good alternatives on the Android side from Galaxy Tab to OnePlus Pad. I even like that RedMagic Astra tablet, and if someone wants to buy an Android tablet… go for it.

I had never heard of the RedMagic tablet you refer to, so I checked it out. It has pretty impressive specs for something that's iPad Mini-sized. I don't game, so the horsepower would be pretty much wasted on me, but it's a solid Mini alternative for the Android space.

 

[mjschabow]

We are not saying all? But most apps are supported, personally... I don't find Android tablet app ecosystem to be as bad as folks make it out to be (and I use both iPad & Galaxy Fold on a daily basis).

The apps I run to are tablet optimized... Discord, Telegram, Sync (by way of ReVanced), Apple Music, Pocket Casts and all the other entertainment apps like (Hulu, Netflix, Disney, etc.). But if you were to bring up apps in terms of exclusivity... then Apple certainly dominates in this area.

But that's attributed to the financial part of it... Apple users are willing to spend money on the platform versus Android users. So, if I'm a dev with not much resources behind me... I would target developing for the iPad. Therefore blaming Google doesn't make much sense to me. I want Google in the tablet hardware space more so for the optics, because from a software standpoint... their apps are tablet optimized.

Agreed. I actually compared my Z Fold 7 to my son's iPad Air and pulled up several apps and they looked exactly the same, so I definitely thing that's an old argument.