Google will supposedly launch a new 7.0-inch tablet before the year ends. However, instead of it being a Nexus 7 refresh, the slate is likely to be part of the Pixel lineup.
Google has yet to confirm if it will rebrand the new tablet, let alone officially announce the launch. However, supposed specs for the upcoming tablet list flagship features, contrary to how the Nexus 7 was positioned when it launched. According to rumors, the upcoming Google tablet will feature a 7-inch AMOLED display. Under the hood, it will sport a Snapdragon 820 processor paired with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of native storage, expected to be expandable via microSD support.
In addition to flagship specs, speculations also suggest that instead of Android Nougat, Google will feature a new desktop-focused hybrid platform on the new slate. The Andromeda OS will reportedly debut in the upcoming slate, and it is a combination of Chrome OS and Android platform. With this specs list, it is said that Google is positioning its new tablet to be a task-intensive slate rather than a multimedia device.
With these specs and features, there is a high chance that Google will place the new tablet on the Pixel lineup, rather than it being a Nexus 7 follow-up. Google has already done this with its flagship smartphones. Previously, it is said that the recently-released flagships will be the follow-up to the Nexus 6P. However, Google rebranded the new iterations and launched it as the Google Pixel and Pixel XL. Should the slate follow this trend, fans are likely to see a Pixel 7 slate.
Having a Pixel 7 slate also dovetails with rumors that Google will launch a new Pixel laptop early next year. Dubbed as Pixel 3, the new laptop will also reportedly run on Andromeda OS. Should this happen, having a Pixel 7 will complete Google's flagship product releases, as the Pixel series will have flagship smartphones, laptop, and tablet under its lineup.
