When you buy through affiliate links in our content, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn 
Google has quietly unveiled a $399 version of the Pixel Tablet that doesn’t include the signature Charging Speaker Dock.
Tucked into the Pixel 8a launch, the new configuration is functionally identical to last year’s Pixel Tablet, just without the bundled accessory that turned the device into a smart display. The move slashes $100 off the price.
AI features like Circle to Search are coming to the tablet later in May, Google added.
The Pixel Tablet is built on the same Tensor G2 chip as Pixel 7 series phones, and revolves around an 11-inch, 2,560 x 1,600 display. It offers 8MP front and rear cameras, and ships with either 128GB or 256GB of storage.
The variant might signal a change in Google’s strategy. It revived its tablet line last spring by bundling the large-screened Pixel with a dock. This helped it stand out by making the tablet useful as a Google Assistant device when it’s stationary. However, that also put it at a $499 price that pitted it against the iPad and other higher-end tablets.
Google hasn’t broken out Pixel Tablet sales, and it’s not clear how well the hardware performed in the market. However, a $399 version suggests the company is willing to trade some originality for a more competitive price.
The switch may have been well-timed. Apple just cut the price of its 10th-generation iPad to $349. While there’s still a $50 price gap, this keeps the Pixel Tablet viable if Android or Google’s AI features are enough to justify a slight premium.
