The Google Pixel Watch 3, the latest iteration of Google’s foray into the smartwatch market, arrives with high expectations. Building on the foundations laid by its predecessors, the Pixel Watch 3 promises enhanced performance, improved health tracking, and deeper integration with Google’s ecosystem. In this review, we will delve into every aspect of the Pixel Watch 3, evaluating its design, features, performance, and overall value to help you decide if it deserves a spot on your wrist.
Design and Build Quality
Aesthetic Appeal and Materials
The Google Pixel Watch 3 retains the sleek, minimalist design that has become a hallmark of the Pixel brand. The watch features a round face with a slightly curved AMOLED display, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass DX. The case is made from stainless steel, giving it a premium look and feel. Available in various finishes, including matte black, polished silver, and champagne gold, the Pixel Watch 3 can seamlessly fit both casual and formal attire.
Comfort and Wearability
Weighing in at 36 grams (without the strap), the Pixel Watch 3 is lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear. The included silicone strap is soft and flexible, with a convenient quick-release mechanism for easy swapping. Google also offers a range of third-party straps, allowing users to customize their watch to suit their style. The watch is water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming and other water activities.
Display
AMOLED Brilliance
The 1.4-inch AMOLED display on the Pixel Watch 3 is a standout feature. With a resolution of 454 x 454 pixels, it delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. The display is bright enough to be easily readable in direct sunlight, and the always-on mode ensures that you can glance at the time and notifications without having to wake the watch.
Touch Responsiveness and Interface
The touch response is smooth and accurate, thanks to the updated Wear OS 4.0 interface. Navigating through menus and apps is a breeze, with intuitive gestures and a fluid user experience. The side crown also doubles as a rotating dial, allowing for easy scrolling through notifications and menus without obstructing the screen.
Performance
Processor and Speed
Under the hood, the Pixel Watch 3 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100+ chipset, paired with 1GB of RAM. This combination ensures snappy performance, whether you are launching apps, tracking workouts, or using voice commands with Google Assistant. The transition between apps is seamless, and there is minimal lag even when multitasking.
Battery Life
One area where smartwatches often fall short is battery life. The Pixel Watch 3, however, offers a respectable battery performance. With typical usage, including notifications, health tracking, and occasional GPS use, the watch can last up to 48 hours on a single charge. Heavy users may find themselves charging it every night, but the included magnetic charger makes this a hassle-free process. Additionally, the watch supports fast charging, giving you a full day’s power with just 30 minutes of charging.
Health and Fitness Tracking
Comprehensive Tracking Features
The Google Pixel Watch 3 shines in the health and fitness department. It comes equipped with a wide array of sensors, including an optical heart rate monitor, SpO2 sensor, ECG, and accelerometer. These sensors provide accurate and comprehensive data, whether you are monitoring your daily activity, tracking a workout, or keeping an eye on your sleep patterns.
Fitness Modes and GPS
The watch supports a plethora of fitness modes, including running, cycling, swimming, and yoga, among others. The built-in GPS is precise, allowing you to leave your phone behind when going for a run or bike ride. The watch also integrates with popular fitness apps like Strava and Google Fit, providing a seamless experience for fitness enthusiasts.
Health Insights and Alerts
The Pixel Watch 3 goes beyond mere tracking, offering actionable insights and alerts. The heart rate monitor can detect irregularities and notify you of potential issues, while the SpO2 sensor helps monitor your blood oxygen levels. The sleep tracking feature provides detailed reports on your sleep stages, helping you understand and improve your sleep quality.
Smart Features and Integration
Google Assistant and Voice Commands
One of the highlights of the Pixel Watch 3 is its deep integration with Google Assistant. With a simple “Hey Google” command, you can set reminders, control smart home devices, send messages, and more. The voice recognition is highly accurate, and responses are quick, thanks to the powerful processor and improved microphone array.
Notifications and Apps
The watch handles notifications from your smartphone seamlessly, allowing you to read messages, emails, and social media updates without reaching for your phone. You can also respond to messages using voice dictation, pre-set replies, or the tiny on-screen keyboard. The Google Play Store offers a growing selection of apps optimized for Wear OS, enhancing the watch’s functionality.
Contactless Payments and Connectivity
The Pixel Watch 3 supports Google Pay, enabling you to make contactless payments directly from your wrist. NFC connectivity ensures that the process is quick and secure. The watch also features Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi, ensuring reliable connectivity for syncing data and downloading apps. LTE variants are available, providing cellular connectivity for calls and messages even when your phone is out of reach.
User Experience
Wear OS 4.0 Enhancements
Wear OS 4.0 brings a host of improvements to the user experience. The new interface is more intuitive, with better organization of settings and apps. Google has also enhanced the performance of Wear OS, making it faster and more responsive. The addition of customizable watch faces allows users to personalize their watch to match their style and preferences.
Customization and Personalization
Google has placed a strong emphasis on customization with the Pixel Watch 3. Users can choose from a variety of watch faces, each offering different complications and widgets. The watch faces are highly customizable, allowing you to display the information that matters most to you. Additionally, the watch supports third-party watch faces, giving you virtually endless options for personalization.
Accessibility Features
The Pixel Watch 3 includes several accessibility features to ensure that it can be used by everyone. These features include voice guidance, larger text options, and customizable gestures. Google has also improved the haptic feedback, providing a more tactile experience for users with visual impairments.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Elegant Design: The Pixel Watch 3 boasts a sleek and premium design, making it suitable for any occasion.
- Bright and Vibrant Display: The AMOLED display is sharp, vibrant, and easily readable in various lighting conditions.
- Robust Performance: The Snapdragon Wear 4100+ chipset ensures smooth and responsive performance.
- Comprehensive Health Tracking: Advanced sensors and fitness modes provide detailed and accurate health data.
- Google Assistant Integration: Seamless integration with Google Assistant enhances the watch’s functionality.
- Customizability: Extensive customization options for watch faces and straps.
- Contactless Payments: Google Pay support for convenient and secure payments.
Cons:
- Battery Life: While improved, the battery life may still require daily charging for heavy users.
- Limited App Ecosystem: Although growing, the Wear OS app ecosystem is not as extensive as some competitors.
- Price: The Pixel Watch 3 is on the pricier side compared to other smartwatches with similar features.
Conclusion
The Google Pixel Watch 3 represents a significant step forward in Google’s smartwatch lineup. With its elegant design, vibrant display, robust performance, and comprehensive health tracking features, it is a compelling choice for anyone in the market for a new smartwatch. The deep integration with Google Assistant and the broader Google ecosystem enhances its appeal, making it more than just a fitness tracker.
While the battery life may not be the best in its class, and the Wear OS app ecosystem still has room to grow, the overall experience offered by the Pixel Watch 3 is highly satisfying. Whether you are a fitness enthusiast, a tech-savvy user, or someone looking for a stylish accessory, the Pixel Watch 3 is worth considering. It strikes a balance between form and function, making it a versatile and valuable addition to your daily life.