Google’s hardware hustle: colors, GPUs, and a shift to laptops

Pixel 11’s green tease and the Buds Pro 2 reveal

Google is teasing the Pixel 11 series with a splash of green. Leaks show the color on the phone and on the upcoming Pixel Buds Pro 2. The twin reveal hints at a coordinated palette across devices.

The green option arrives just weeks before the official launch, according to 9to5Google. That timing suggests Google wants a visual hook to cut through the crowded flagship season.

Pixel 6’s GPU upgrade: a potential gaming lift

A deleted XDA note on Google’s internal bug tracker mentions a device called P21, presumed to be the Pixel 6, paired with a Mali‑G78 GPU. The Mali‑G78 powers the Snapdragon 888 found in the Oppo Find X3 Pro.

If the Pixel 6 adopts that GPU, it could finally match the graphics bandwidth of the Samsung Galaxy S21. The Pixel 5 struggled with a mid‑range Snapdragon 765G and an Adreno 620 GPU, a mismatch for a $699 flagship.

Mobile gamers will notice the difference. The leak also references Android 12’s game mode, which should smooth frame rates. Rumors of a Samsung‑sourced “Whitechapel” custom chipset add another layer of intrigue, though the exact configuration remains unknown.

Retail reality: the Pixel 2’s rocky rollout

When the Pixel 2 and 2XL hit stores last week, the sales experience was uneven. At a Verizon outlet, the salesman pushed a Samsung Galaxy S8 and offered little enthusiasm for the Pixel 2.

A later visit to a Bay Area Best Buy revealed a similar gap. The manager unlocked a cupboard, produced a boxed Pixel 2, and dismissed screen‑burn concerns with, “There may have been a few, but I don’t think it’s a big deal.” He added, “We’re selling them as fast as they come in.”

The manager’s personal bias showed. He preferred the Galaxy line, calling the iPhone “a phone for dummies,” yet admitted his household runs Apple devices. His lack of knowledge about the Pixel’s plastic back—​the Pixel 2 actually uses glass—​underscored a broader issue: retail staff often lack depth on Google hardware.

One Verizon employee later told a TechCrunch writer, “Advertising may be heavy on a particular device because it is new, but that’s only to drive new consumer growth.” The comment reflects a sales culture that rewards pushing familiar brands over newer Google offerings.

From tablets to laptops: Google’s hardware pivot

Google announced it will no longer pursue Pixel Slate successors. A spokesperson told Business Insider that the company will focus on Chrome OS laptops while still supporting the existing Slate.

Hardware chief Rick Osterloh confirmed on Twitter: “Google’s HARDWARE team will be solely focused on building laptops moving forward… Android & Chrome OS teams are 100% committed for the long‑run on working with our partners on tablets.”

The cancellation ends the rumored Pixel Slate 2 and any other in‑development Pixel tablets. Employees who worked on those devices have reportedly moved to Pixelbook development.

The original Slate launched late last year with Intel Core processors up to an 8th‑gen i7, weighed 1.6 lb, and started at $599. Early performance woes gave way to software patches, but critics questioned the tablet form factor for Chrome OS.

Meanwhile, the Pixel 7 line, released in October, carries the Tensor G2 chip and Android 13. It offers a 6.3‑inch display at 90 Hz, a solid camera array, and AI‑enhanced features, but it lacks the Pro’s 120 Hz panel and telephoto lens. Pricing starts at $599 for 128 GB and $699 for 256 GB, with no power adapter in the box.

The Pixel 7’s modest upgrades contrast with the bold hardware shift away from tablets. Google appears to be consolidating its resources around laptops and phones, betting that the Chrome OS laptop market can sustain its ecosystem.

What to watch

The next few months will reveal whether the Mali‑G78 lands in the Pixel 6 and how it performs against Samsung’s Exynos‑based GPUs. Retailers’ handling of the Pixel 2 suggests that staff training will be crucial for the upcoming Pixel 11 launch, especially as green color variants hit shelves. Finally, keep an eye on Google’s laptop roadmap; the first post‑Slate device could set the tone for Chrome OS hardware’s future.