Google Pixel Tablet vs. Apple iPad Air (2020): Which Tablet Should You Buy?
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPad Air (2020) generally offers superior performance and a more mature ecosystem. However, the Pixel Tablet's integrated smart home capabilities and included dock make it a compelling choice for those seeking a versatile home entertainment and control center. It depends on your priorities!
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Google Pixel Tablet | Apple iPad Air (2020) |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2324 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 - A2072 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, May 10 | 2020, September 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, June 20 | Available. Released 2020, October 23 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 258 x 169 x 8.1 mm (10.16 x 6.65 x 0.32 in) | 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.24 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 493 g (1.09 lb) | 458 g (Wi-Fi) / 460 g (3G/LTE) (1.01 lb) |
| Stylus support | Stylus support | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~276 ppi density) | 1640 x 2360 pixels (~264 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.95 inches, 347.7 cm2 (~79.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.9 inches, 359.2 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Hexa-core (2x3.0 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm) |
| Chipset | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G710 MP7 | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) |
| OS | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15 | iPadOS 14.1, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 7 MP, f/2.0, 31mm (standard) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS (LTE model only) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2 (Gen 1), magnetic connector | USB Type-C, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (accessories only) | Fingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
| Ultra Wideband (UWB) support | - | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 7020 mAh (27 Wh) | Li-Ion 7606 mAh (28.93 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Porcelain, Hazel, Rose | Space Gray, Silver, Rose Gold, Green, Sky Blue |
| Models | GA06156-EU, GA06157-EU, GA06158-EU | A2324, A2072, A2325, A2316, iPad13,1, iPad13,2 |
| Price | About 670 EUR | About 640 EUR |
Google Pixel Tablet
- Unique smart home integration
- Included charging dock
- Google Assistant integration
- Good value for the price
- Clean Android experience
- Slower performance than iPad Air
- Charging speed is slow (15W)
- Camera quality is average
- Tensor G2 can throttle under sustained load
Apple iPad Air (2020)
- Powerful A14 Bionic chip
- Excellent display quality
- Mature app ecosystem
- Strong performance for creative tasks
- Good camera system
- Higher price point
- No included accessories (dock)
- Apple ecosystem lock-in
- Design is a bit dated compared to newer iPads
Display Comparison
The iPad Air (2020) boasts a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with excellent color accuracy and brightness. The Pixel Tablet has a 10.95-inch LCD display. While both are sharp and vibrant, the iPad Air's display generally offers a slightly better viewing experience due to its superior technology and potentially higher brightness.
Camera Comparison
The iPad Air (2020) features a 12MP rear camera and a 7MP front camera. The Pixel Tablet has an 8MP rear and front camera. Image quality is decent on both, but the iPad Air generally captures slightly better photos and videos, especially in low light. The iPad Air also has better video recording capabilities.
Performance
The Apple A14 Bionic in the iPad Air (2020) is noticeably faster than the Google Tensor G2 in the Pixel Tablet. The iPad Air excels in demanding tasks like video editing and gaming. The Pixel Tablet is capable for everyday use, but may struggle with more intensive applications. The iPad Air's GPU is significantly more powerful.
Battery Life
Both tablets offer all-day battery life under typical usage. The iPad Air (2020) has a slightly larger battery capacity, potentially giving it a small edge in longevity. Real-world battery performance is comparable, however.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Google Pixel Tablet? Users seeking a smart home hub with tablet functionality, those invested in the Google ecosystem, and those who value a bundled dock for easy viewing. Who should buy the Apple iPad Air (2020)? Users prioritizing raw performance, access to a vast app library, and integration with the Apple ecosystem, especially for creative tasks and productivity.