Google Pixel Watch Review: An EyeCatching Android Smartwatch That Only Needs Polish
After years of rumors, Google has finally launched its first smartwatch. The long-awaited Google Pixel Watch is here, and I put it to the test immediately after the announcement, checking it out and learning every detail.
Pixel Watch runs Google Wear OS3 and is compatible with any Android phone running Android 8.0 or higher. While the sleek design is similar to the new Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro phones, you don't need a Pixel phone to use this watch's features. Just one feature exclusive to Pixel phones, which uses the watch as a camera remote.
However, it is not compatible with iPhone at all. Of course, this is not surprising, because the Apple Watch does not work with Android phones. The Pixel Watch is Google's answer to the Apple Watch for Android users, but is it an attractive option? Let's dig in and find out.
Google Pixel Watch: Specs
Price: $350 | Case size: 41 mm | Processor: Exynos 911010nm | Display: 450 x 450 pixels OLED, always-on display, 1000 nits peak brightness | Connectivity: GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, 4G LTE Cellular | Memory: 32GB | Battery: 24 hours with normal use Weight: 1.3 oz
best for
- Nice and stylish design
- Integrating Fitbit for fitness tracking
- Heart rate monitor
Jump because
- Round screen limiting text
- The wide frame distracts from the overall design
- Battery suffers from constantly turning on the screen
Google Pixel Watch Design: The most beautiful Android watch
The Pixel watch looks familiar to me. It has a round dial, which is preferred by most non-smart watches. The circular design makes a lot of sense: after all, the hands of the clock are circular. The watch face looks like a traditional watch compared to the Samsung Watch5 and Watch5 Pro, which is round and contrasts with the rectangular shape of the Apple Watch.
The bright OLED display looks sharp and sits in a round body that's sleek, sleek, and full of personality. It doesn't have a large flat screen like some smartwatches. Instead, it has a soft dome on the top and a matching dome on the back. The heart rate monitor on the back provides a solid connection between the sensor and your skin. Watches look sleek and attractive, but their rounded shape has a downside: rectangular screens, like the Apple Watch, don't allow you to display as much text as possible, making notifications difficult to read.
The Pixel Watch's small size doesn't help either. Some on-screen actions are more complicated than expected, such as entering a four-digit password. Google uses a clever visual trick: although the bezels around the display are quite thick – and take up less screen space – this watch has almost no bezels, thanks to the smart watch face to hide the bezels. This effect may be facilitated by the domed glass on the front panel, which covers the meeting point between the screen and the panel. Sometimes you can tell, but most of the time it looks great.
The Pixel Watch has a 41mm case, the same as the Apple Watch Series 8. Apple has also made one watch smaller (Apple Watch SE 40mm) and three larger than the Pixel Watch (44, 45, and 49mm). millimeter). This puts the Pixel Watch on the smaller end of the spectrum.
Like the Apple Watch and millions of dumb watches before it, the Pixel Watch has a crown centered on the right edge of the watch face. When navigating the features of the Pixel Watch, I use the crown to activate menus and scroll through them easily. I was out of luck with the large multifunction button right above the crown. You can long press the button to activate voice commands if you don't want to say "Hey Google". Or double press the button to open recent apps. I find this button quite difficult to press because it is parallel to the watch body, close to the wrist and in the middle of the watch. After a week of wearing it, my fingers never got used to this position.
Another mark on the case - microphone and speaker On the back of the watch, as usual on smartwatches, there are a number of sensors that allow you to track your heart rate, blood oxygen and ECG. As mentioned, the back has a curved shape, which makes it easier for the sensor to touch the wrist.
The final piece of the design puzzle is the bracelet, which seems to blend in perfectly with the watch case. Google has a variety of straps, and they all come together in a unique way: You press the tab to the left of the strap and slide the strap sideways to release it. Attach the next rope in reverse order.
The included band is made of silicone, similar to the Apple Watch sports band. It even has a similar pin and refill mechanism. (Tip: don't go too tight when inserting the stylus, as the end of the strap needs to be inserted, which makes things tighter.) The strap fits snugly and feels good on my wrist.
This watch also feels luxurious on my wrist with its sleek stainless steel finish. While Apple has three metallic finishes (aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium), Google only has one, which helps Google offer the Pixel Watch at a lower price than the Apple Watch Series 8, which starts at $399. And if you want to compare the stainless steel models, the Apple Watch (which comes standard with LTE cellular in this configuration) costs $699, while the Pixel starts at $350 or $400 with LTE connectivity. (For perspective: The Pixel Watch's closest competitor for Android, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, starts at $280 for the 40mm aluminum model.)
Like the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra, the Pixel Watch has the option to set the screen to always turn on instead of waking up when you lift your wrist. This feature is useful, and once you get used to it, it can be difficult to turn it off. But be careful: leaving the screen on all the time will drain your battery significantly.
Google Pixel Watch Features: Fitbit Integrated
Google bought Fitbit in 2019, and the Pixel Watch was the first product to integrate its health and wellness features. With Fitbit built in, it makes sense that Google would include a six-month subscription to Fitbit Premium so you can try out the full plan. For example, it's easy to store all your fitness data on the watch face AND you get high accuracy from the Fitbit device on the Pixel Watch body. While Fitbit's interface looks good on Google devices, the app looks outdated.
The Pixel Watch's heart rate monitor continues to run in the background, so you can see your heart rate at a glance. It's pretty cool, something the Apple Watch can't match. On Apple Watch, you need to tap the screen to see the last number. Accuracy on the Apple Watch and Pixel looked nearly identical, with readings within one bpm when the two sat side by side on my wrist.
The Pixel Watch's gesture-based interface is simple, with swiping up, down, left, and right produces different results. You can access the app by tapping and turning your head to scroll through the list. It's better than the Apple Watch, where you first get small round app icons or (much better) a list of options to navigate.
One feature of the Pixel Watch only works with Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro phones: you can use the watch as a remote camera shutter, adjust settings, and trigger the phone's camera shutter from your wrist. I found this a handy alternative to using the camera's self-timer function.
Google Pixel Watch Performance: Lagging
The first Apple Watch in 2015 was often too slow to respond. That's sad. Unfortunately, the Pixel Watch suffered a similar fate: slow response that ruined the overall experience.
For example, I clicked on the watch face to open the Settings app and there was a long delay before something happened until I clicked again. The same thing happened when the app finally opened and I clicked to select an option.
This delay is annoying and prevents you from using your watch. Apple fixed this issue with the first Apple Watch software update, so Google can improve responsiveness over time. But now it's no fun. Likewise, I found it difficult to change the watch face, requiring a series of unintuitive swipes and taps. The watch face looks great when you finally find what you're looking for.
Google Pixel watch battery life: 24 hours of enjoyment
While some fitness trackers have a battery life of several weeks, smartwatches usually require a longer charge. The Pixel Watch requires a daily charge, but in my opinion it lasts about 24 hours with normal use and about two days with the screen off.
While the listed battery life for it and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is the same, the Pixel Watch lasted a bit longer in my tests. Plus, the Pixel Watch lasts longer than the Apple Watch Series 8, and I think the battery is strong enough to keep you going all day, even though I forgot to charge it overnight. It's powerful enough to track your sleep throughout the night (which consumes about 20% of your battery while you sleep).
Google Pixel Watch Verdict: Beautiful, but green
The Google Pixel Watch is an attractive device that looks good and is comfortable to wear. Its responsiveness and slow performance can sometimes overwhelm you and will definitely make you feel like you're on a first-generation device (here it is). But the Pixel Watch's 24/7 heart rate measurement is excellent, and the Fitbit integration, while imperfect, works flawlessly. Battery life is reduced with the always-on display, but the watch still has enough power to keep you going through the day comfortably.
The Google Pixel Watch is cheaper than the Apple Watch, but a stark contrast to Android-compatible smartwatches like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5. The Watch5 is cheaper and includes a blood pressure monitor (not available on the Pixel Watch) and an aluminum body. , unlike the Pixel Watch with stainless steel. Looking at both models, the battery life of both is pretty much the same, but Google's smartwatch adds Fitbit compatibility which is well managed.
While the Pixel Watch isn't quite as flimsy as Google's Apple Watch, it's arguably the best-looking smartwatch, certainly more attractive than Samsung's alternatives. Overall, it is way ahead of the competition for Android users.
