2 months ago
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The Google Pixel Watch 3 is officially in its Apple Watch era. I’m not saying that because of any new features introduced with this model or because I’m trying to incite violence among the Android vs. Apple crowd (I see those comments!). Just look at this third-generation Pixel Watch 3. It looks exactly like the Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2, down to the dome circular display and the pop-out digital crown. At least this time, you get the option for a bigger size. But unless that’s what you’d rather have, there’s no immediate need to upgrade.
And that’s kind of like the Apple Watch, too. Every year, there’s a new model. It usually has the same square-but-rectangle shape, sometimes smaller and sometimes more rugged. But the point is you can rely on a new Apple Watch every year, and when you see it from afar, you know that the person is in that ecosystem. The same goes for the Pixel Watch: it’s established as the watch to wear if you’re carrying the Google freak flag. It means you’ve committed to an aesthetic and chose the Fitbit suite over Samsung Health or another third party.
If you already own a Pixel Watch, much of what you’re about to read might sound like a recap to you. For the most part, it is. Most of what is new is a part of Fitbit or Wear OS. Most of what the Pixel Watch 3 improves on is stability and battery life. There will be more to this Pixel Watch 3 review in a future update. We still need to test the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, and since Google bumped its hardware release up against Apple, we figured we’d wait for the Apple Watch Series 10 to see what ten years offers over three.
At least I can report that the Pixel Watch 3 remains a pleasant experience for Android users who don’t like what else is on the market. The larger display only makes it better.
Same, great domed circle
Since the design is mostly a reprise of what the Pixel Watch has had going on for a few generations, the biggest takeaway from this year’s Pixel Watch 3 release is that there are finally two sizes to choose from. The 41mm and the 45mm sizes boast the smallest bezels in the lineup’s history. They’re also refreshed with a new Actua display that is twice as bright as before, up to 2,000 nits. That’s all good for the flashlight mode if you’re navigating unlit farmland in the middle of the night. I’ve yet to experience how the watch feels in the hot, broad daylight as it’s trying to show the time.
Google says that battery life on both versions of the Pixel Watch 3 is up to 45 percent longer than its predecessor. The smaller one has a 307mAh battery, while the bigger Pixel Wach 3 has a 420mAh battery. After a full charge, they claim up to 24 hours of battery with the always-on display and 36 hours without it. I noticed the difference in longevity between the third-gen and second-gen Pixel Watches during my brief period of use. After nearly two days off the charger, I’m at 43% on the 45mm Pixel Watch 3. It still does not have a 100-hour battery like the OnePlus smartwatches. Those have a system to take the onus off the battery-sucking processor inside for basic tasks.
What’s new in Fitbit?
Fitbit is good. I’ve genuinely enjoyed tracking my routine with the health and wellness suite and the Pixel Watch 2 this last year. The new features launched as part of the Pixel Watch 3’s debut will at least make all that data it’s aggregating a little easier to follow. The Morning Brief is the latest significant feature addition to the ecosystem. It summarizes what you might feel like for the day ahead and how much energy you might have based on how well or poorly you slept. The watch gives you a little nudge, and then you can peek at the Fitbit app for more detailed information.
Cardio Load is the primary metric for this Morning Brief. It factors in how you sleep, your overall readiness score based on the activities you’ve logged, and your target load, which is how much you want to hit if you want to feel it. I’m still accumulating data for this feature to show up. I’m curious how it will manage with my three weeks on/two weeks off movement schedule. More on that soon. At the very least, this feature doesn’t require a Fitbit Premium subscription.
For that $10 monthly fee, you will get Fitbit’s sophisticated Running Dashboard. This feature helps you build custom runs with AI help. From my reading, this is a massive boon for runners dissatisfied that the feature isn’t more sophisticated on other ecosystems, like the Apple Watch.
A remote on your wrist
Wear OS 5 improves with every new feature added to the Pixel Watch. This time, there’s a built-in Chromecast remote to take advantage of. It lives as its icon in the app launcher on the watch, or you can add it as a tile. It lets you control playback on a nearby screen, volume, and content, just like on the Chromecast Remote app for your phone.
Google Home shortcuts have also improved. Now, you can see security camera previews from the watch instead of grabbing your phone to open the preview, only to see no one you wanted to be at your door. At least this way, you’ll know sooner, though the function works best if you’re at home and everything is on Wi-Fi.
Call Assist is the last little feature on the Pixel Watch 3 that’s intrigued me. I haven’t encountered it organically yet, but the way that Google explains it, you can answer the phone from your watch, but it’s an automated voice that lets the person on the other line know you want to talk with them; you don’t have your phone in-hand yet. Many times, the hand-off between the smartwatch and the phone when trying to take a call has faltered to absurdity. I usually hang up and try calling back, but you can’t always do that. Hopefully, this will mean fewer missed calls from the watch.
Should You Buy a Pixel Watch 3?
Google’s smartwatch platform has exponentially improved over the past few generations. You don’t need the Pixel Watch 3 to be a part of it, but there is something about using it in Google’s form. Mostly, the Pixel Watch 3 feels like an apt extension of what’s going on with the rest of Google’s Android form. It’s the perfect mini command center for accessing smart home and media controls or checking in on notifications. We’ll have more on how the Pixel Watch 3 performs as a fitness and wellness companion in the coming weeks.
I don’t think you should run out and buy the Pixel Watch 3 if you’ve already got one of the first two generations on hand. But if that larger screen seems worth the added information density from all it does, you might consider a trade-in. Having that extra screen real estate for going through notifications and Fitbit data is nice. After spending some time with Samsung and OnePlus’s larger smartwatches this year, I’m not so afraid of taking up wrist space with a larger display.
