It’s a It’s crazy to think about where Google’s Wear OS was three years ago and how far it’s come since then. The user interface wasn’t fluid, there were barely any first-party (or third-party) apps, and the health and fitness tracking features weren’t as robust or reliable as what Samsung and Apple offered on their respective smartwatches.
Now, the Pixel 3 watch It’s as stylish as you get from the big boys — it’s a big comeback for Google’s wearable platform, which marked its 10th anniversary this year. The changes on this model aren’t dramatic compared to the Pixel Watch 2, but plenty of new little features add up to make it truly feel like a “smart” watch that delivers the at-a-glance information we want on our wrists.
The big change? There are now two sizes to choose from, and even if you have delicate wrists, I highly recommend sticking with the new 45mm size. This larger Pixel Watch 3 has much better battery life than its 41mm counterpart, and still doesn’t feel nearly as big.
Healthy charging
A core part of today’s smartwatches is their health and fitness tracking capabilities, and after several weeks of using the Pixel Watch 3, the results have been accurate compared to the Apple Watch Series 9. Heart rate measurements have been nearly identical, even during workouts, my sleep data is fairly similar, and the Pixel Watch has reliable automatic workout detection.
Much of this draws on Fitbit’s extensive experience in this space, but this year the focus of Google’s smartwatch is on running. These features revolve around the idea of ”Plan, Run, Reflect,” which offers the ability to customize runs (including getting AI-powered run recommendations), advanced run analytics, as well as information on how hard your heart is working and whether that level is right for you.
Photography: Julian Chokkattu
I’m not a runner, though. As a newbie to the field, I liked the basic, low-intensity running plans Fitbit offered me after the watch realized I’m lazy. My colleague Adrienne So runs regularly and tests dozens of fitness trackers a year; she tried out the new running features. I highly recommend you read her experience, which wasn’t great.
Ultimately, these running features are just another tool in the kit and that’s exactly how they should be treated. Experienced runners should turn to Coros or Garmin for more useful training algorithms.
Pulse loss detection is the next new health-related feature on the Pixel Watch 3, and it could be a lifesaver… if it works. I didn’t stop to try it out, but I don’t think it would work either. The bad news is that it’s only been authorized in Europe so far, though I hope it won’t be too long before it’s authorized in the US.
Photography: Julian Chokkattu
Smartest watch
I’ve said it a few times, but the Pixel Watch is still the best-looking smartwatch on the market (round rather than square). The gentle curves around the case and the way the bulging crystal reflects light make it look sleek enough for even James Bond to sport on his wrist, though I suggest splurging on alternative straps. The default ones are plain and don’t do the watch justice. I’m still a little resentful of Google’s proprietary path to its straps, and many of the first-party straps The options are quite expensive.
Photography: Julian Chokkattu
