The tablet market is brimming with options, but choosing the right one can be tough. Today, we're pitting the Google Pixel Tablet, Google's smart home hub and tablet, against the Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e, a long-standing favorite for its balance of features and price. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Pixel Tablet offers a unique smart home integration and a more modern chipset, but the Tab S5e remains a compelling choice with its excellent display and proven reliability. For smart home enthusiasts, the Pixel Tablet wins. For budget-conscious users prioritizing a great screen, the Tab S5e is a strong contender.
| 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, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, May 10 | 2019, February. Released 2019, April |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, June 20 | Discontinued |
| 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) | 245 x 160 x 5.5 mm (9.65 x 6.30 x 0.22 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 493 g (1.09 lb) | 400 g (14.11 oz) |
| | Stylus support | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~276 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~288 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.95 inches, 347.7 cm2 (~79.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.5 inches, 319.7 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| Chipset | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) | Qualcomm SDM670 Snapdragon 670 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G710 MP7 | Adreno 615 |
| OS | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm, 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm, 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| | - | Tuned by AKG/HARMAN |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2 (Gen 1), magnetic connector | USB Type-C 3.1, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (accessories only) | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Ultra Wideband (UWB) support | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 7020 mAh (27 Wh) | Li-Po 7040 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Porcelain, Hazel, Rose | Black, Gold, Silver |
| Models | GA06156-EU, GA06157-EU, GA06158-EU | SM-T725, SM-T720 |
| Price | About 670 EUR | About 410 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 1.03 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 152610 (v7)
GeekBench: 5684 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 6.4fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Google Pixel Tablet
- Unique smart home integration
- Modern Google Tensor G2 chipset
- Good overall performance
- Clean Android experience
- LCD display not as vibrant as AMOLED
- Slower charging speed
- Higher price point
Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e
- Excellent Super AMOLED display
- More affordable price
- Proven reliability
- Slim and lightweight design
- Older Snapdragon 670 chipset
- Less powerful performance
- Fewer software updates compared to Pixel Tablet
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e boasts a vibrant 10.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600, offering excellent color accuracy and deep blacks. The Pixel Tablet has a 10.95-inch LCD display with a resolution of 2000 x 1200. While the Pixel Tablet's display is good, the Tab S5e's AMOLED panel provides a noticeably richer and more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel Tablet features an 8MP front and rear camera, while the Galaxy Tab S5e has an 8MP front and a 13MP rear camera. The Tab S5e's rear camera offers slightly better image quality, especially in well-lit conditions. However, both tablets are primarily for video calls and casual photography.
Performance
The Pixel Tablet's Google Tensor G2 chipset provides a significant performance boost over the Galaxy Tab S5e's Snapdragon 670. The Tensor G2 excels in AI tasks and offers smoother multitasking. The Tab S5e is still capable for everyday tasks, but it will struggle with more demanding games or applications. The Pixel Tablet's CPU and GPU are considerably more powerful.
Battery Life
Both tablets offer all-day battery life. The Galaxy Tab S5e has a 7,040 mAh battery, while the Pixel Tablet has a 7,000 mAh battery. Real-world usage will vary, but both should comfortably last a full day with moderate use. Charging speeds are similar, both supporting 18W charging (Tab S5e) and 15W (Pixel Tablet).
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Google Pixel Tablet? Users seeking a seamless smart home experience, those invested in the Google ecosystem, and those who appreciate a modern processor. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e? Budget-minded buyers, students, and anyone looking for a reliable and well-rounded Android tablet with a fantastic display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Pixel Tablet worth the extra cost?
If you value smart home integration and a more powerful processor, the Pixel Tablet is worth the investment. However, if you're on a budget and prioritize a stunning display, the Tab S5e remains a strong contender.
❓ How long will the Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e receive software updates?
Samsung typically provides around 3-4 years of software updates for its tablets. The Pixel Tablet is expected to receive longer software support from Google.
