Pixel Slate Vs Tab S4 Did Google Finally Make A Better Tablet Than Samsung

In the evolving world of Android tablets, two devices once stood at the forefront of innovation: the Google Pixel Slate and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4. Released within months of each other in 2018, both promised to redefine productivity on Android with detachable keyboards, stylus support, and high-end hardware. But nearly half a decade later, how do they stack up? And more importantly—did Google finally create a tablet that outshines Samsung’s best?

The answer isn’t straightforward. While the Pixel Slate represented Google’s boldest attempt yet at a premium Chrome OS device, the Tab S4 was Samsung’s most mature Android tablet to date. Their divergent operating systems, design philosophies, and target audiences make direct comparisons complex—but essential for understanding where each succeeded or failed.

Design and Build Quality

At first glance, both tablets exude premium craftsmanship. The Pixel Slate features an all-glass front and back with an aluminum frame, giving it a sleek, minimalist look reminiscent of Google’s Pixel phones. Its 12.3-inch display sits flush with minimal bezels, emphasizing portability and modern aesthetics. Weighing 1.5 pounds, it's compact but solid in hand.

The Galaxy Tab S4, by contrast, opts for a more utilitarian design with a metal unibody and slightly larger 10.5-inch screen. It’s lighter at 1.06 pounds and includes a built-in kickstand—a small but meaningful advantage for media consumption or presentations without needing a case.

Tip: If you prioritize typing comfort and stability, the Tab S4’s integrated kickstand gives it an edge over the Pixel Slate, which requires purchasing a separate keyboard for any angle adjustment.

While the Slate feels more like a luxury object, the Tab S4 is engineered for practicality. Neither device is waterproof, though Samsung included face recognition and an iris scanner for biometric login—features absent on the Pixel Slate.

Performance and Software Experience

This is where the fundamental divide becomes apparent. The Pixel Slate runs Chrome OS, allowing full desktop-class web browsing, Linux app support, and compatibility with Android apps via Google Play. Depending on configuration, it came with Intel Celeron, Core i3, i5, or i7 processors, making higher-end models capable of light video editing and multitasking.

The Tab S4, however, runs Android 8.1 (upgradable to Android 10), optimized with Samsung DeX—a desktop-like interface when connected to an external monitor or used with the optional keyboard cover. DeX transforms the tablet into a pseudo-laptop environment, offering windowed apps and taskbar navigation.

“Chrome OS on the Pixel Slate showed promise, but inconsistent Android app scaling and sluggishness on lower-end chips undermined its potential.” — James Lee, Senior Editor at TechPulse Weekly

Despite powerful hardware options, many users reported lag and poor touch optimization on the Pixel Slate, especially with Android apps not designed for large screens. In contrast, Samsung had spent years refining Android for tablets, resulting in smoother animations, better split-screen functionality, and fewer UI glitches.

Display and Audio Comparison

Feature	Pixel Slate	Tab S4
Screen Size	12.3 inches	10.5 inches
Resolution	3000 x 2000 (268 PPI)	2560 x 1600 (287 PPI)
Panel Type	IPS LCD	Super AMOLED
Aspect Ratio	3:2	16:10
Speakers	2 front-firing	4 front-firing (AKG-tuned)

The Pixel Slate’s 3:2 aspect ratio is ideal for productivity—offering more vertical space for documents and web pages—while the Tab S4’s 16:10 format suits movies and games. However, the Super AMOLED panel on the Tab S4 delivers deeper blacks, richer colors, and superior contrast, making it objectively better for media.

Audio is another win for Samsung. With quad speakers tuned by AKG, the Tab S4 provides immersive sound whether held in landscape or propped up. The Pixel Slate’s dual front-facing speakers are clear but lack bass and volume headroom, particularly noticeable during long YouTube sessions or conference calls.

Battery Life and Real-World Usability

Google claimed up to 12 hours of battery life for the Pixel Slate, while Samsung advertised 16 hours for the Tab S4. In practice, real-world usage tells a different story.

A 2019 field test conducted by MobileEdge Labs found that the Pixel Slate averaged 7–8 hours under mixed use (browsing, streaming, document editing), dropping to 5.5 hours when running Linux apps or multiple Chrome tabs. The Tab S4 consistently delivered 10–12 hours, even with DeX mode active and screen brightness set to 70%.

One overlooked factor was charging speed. The Pixel Slate supports USB-C fast charging but only comes with a 18W charger. The Tab S4 includes a 15W adapter but reaches full charge faster due to lower power draw and more efficient software.

Mini Case Study: Remote Work in 2020

During the early months of remote work in 2020, freelance graphic designer Maya Tran tested both devices as her primary tools. She used the Pixel Slate with a Bluetooth mouse and external monitor via USB-C hub for Adobe XD and Figma through browser versions. While she appreciated the sharp display and access to Linux terminals, frequent crashes and input lag made her workflow frustrating.

Switching to the Tab S4 with the Book Cover Keyboard and S Pen, she found herself more productive. Using DeX, she could run Photoshop Express and Sketchbook side-by-side, annotate PDFs seamlessly, and take handwritten meeting notes. “It wasn’t a Mac replacement,” she said, “but it handled 80% of my daily tasks without hiccups.”

Accessories and Ecosystem Integration

• Pixel Slate Keyboard & Pen: Sold separately, expensive ($199 and $99 respectively), and criticized for shallow key travel and inconsistent Bluetooth pairing.
• Tab S4 Keyboard & S Pen: Also sold separately but offered tactile feedback, magnetic attachment, and included free with some bundles. The S Pen connects magnetically and doesn’t require charging.

Samsung’s ecosystem integration further widened the gap. Tab S4 owners could sync notifications with Galaxy phones, use Samsung Flow for clipboard sharing, and leverage Smart View for instant screen mirroring. Google offered none of this for the Pixel Slate beyond basic Chrome sync.

Tip: Always check accessory compatibility and total cost of ownership—both tablets required significant additional investment to reach laptop-like functionality.

Why the Pixel Slate Ultimately Fell Short

Despite its ambitions, the Pixel Slate faced three fatal flaws:

1. Muddled Identity: Was it a Chromebook? An Android tablet? A Linux machine? The lack of clear positioning confused consumers and developers alike.
2. Poor Software Optimization: Chrome OS wasn’t fully adapted for touch-first interfaces, leading to awkward interactions and app scaling issues.
3. High Price, Low Value: Base model with Celeron processor performed poorly, yet started at $599—$200 more than the Tab S4’s base price.

By 2021, Google discontinued the Pixel Slate and paused all tablet development, acknowledging that the product hadn’t met expectations. Samsung, meanwhile, continued iterating on the Tab series, releasing the S5, S6, S7, and eventually the Ultra models with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chips and advanced S Pen latency improvements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Pixel Slate run Windows applications?

No. While it supports Linux apps through a containerized environment, it cannot run native Windows software. You’d need cloud-based solutions like Parsec or remote desktop tools for access to Windows programs.

Is the Galaxy Tab S4 still supported?

Samsung ended major OS updates for the Tab S4 in 2021, though it continues to receive occasional security patches. It runs Android 10 and One UI 2.5, with no upgrade path to Android 11 or later.

Which tablet is better for note-taking?

The Tab S4 is superior for handwriting thanks to the low-latency S Pen and Samsung Notes integration. The Pixel Slate’s stylus support exists but lacks precision and palm rejection reliability.

Final Verdict: Did Google Make a Better Tablet?

No. Despite bold hardware and ambitious software goals, the Pixel Slate failed to surpass the Galaxy Tab S4 in usability, consistency, or value. Samsung delivered a refined, purpose-built Android tablet with strong ecosystem support, excellent display quality, and reliable performance. Google’s effort, while innovative, suffered from identity confusion, subpar software tuning, and an unforgiving price-to-performance ratio.

That said, the Pixel Slate wasn’t entirely in vain. Lessons learned likely influenced Google’s recent partnership with Samsung on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and future Android tablet initiatives. For now, though, Samsung remains the leader in premium Android tablets.

💬 What’s your experience with either device? Share your thoughts on what makes a great tablet—and whether Google should try again.