What makes a smartwatch really dandy ? A well - made and attractive pattern ? A great display ? authentic public presentation ? full battery life ? rich wellness and fitness features ? A self-coloured price ? If you find a smartwatch with all the above , you ’ve believably attain the pot .
Now , what if I tell you that you get all of those thing with the Google Pixel Watch 3 ? Google ’s latest smartwatch checks almost every box I could take for , and it ’s one of my preferent wearables I ’ve used this year . It ’s exactly what I ’ve desire from the Pixel Watch since the first simulation debuted in 2022 , and aside from a couple of minuscule quirk , I really could n’t be well-chosen with it .
Pixel Watch 3: specs
45mm:45 x 45 x 12.3 mm , 37 g without strap
45mm:1.7 - in
Corning Gorilla Glass 5
2,000 nits blossom brightness
1 - 60Hz dynamic refresh rate
Always - on display
5ATM ( ~50 meters ) water resistance
Cortex M33 co - processor
32 GB storage
45mm:420mAh
milled silver aluminum with “ Porcelain ” white Active banding
Matte black atomic number 13 with “ Obsidian ” black Active band
Champagne gold aluminum with “ Hazel ” green Active band
$ 349 ( Wi - Fi only )
$ 449 ( LTE )
45 millimeter :
$ 399 ( Wi - Fi only )
Pixel Watch 3: design and hardware
Visually , the Pixel Watch 3 is no different from the previous two models . It has a round display , a side button , a rotating crown , and the same proprietary watch band organisation . And you know what ? It ’s all still marvellous . The Pixel Watch 2reallygrew on me last class , so I ’m thrilled that Google stick by with a design that works so well . It ’s clean , refined , mere , and just see fantastic to my eye .
The most significant hardware upgrade this class is the Pixel Watch 3 ’s growth squirt . In addition to the same 41 mm size the Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 came in , the Pixel Watch 3 is also available with a larger 45 mm body . It ’s the one I ’ve been wearing , and I roll in the hay it .
Even as someone with tiny wrists , I ’ve always sense the 41 millimetre subject to be a bit too treat . After wearing it for a while , I cerebrate the 45 mm Pixel Watch 3 is the consummate size . I like how the larger trunk await on my wrist , and the added screen real demesne is great , too . The good part is that the 45 mm Pixel Watch 3 is still lightweight and comfortable . At 37 grams , it ’s just 6 g grueling than the 41 millimetre style and aclittle more than half the weight of the 60gSamsung Galaxy Watch Ultra . I ’ve never plant the 45 mm case too bulky or unwieldy . While I ’m glad the 41 mm case is bond around for folks who favour it , I really think the 45 mm option is the way to go .
Along with the skillful aesthetics , the Pixel Watch 3 ’s ironware is equally telling . The rotating crown feels howling , the button have a niceclick , the haptics are strong , and the Gorilla Glass 5 protecting the exhibit has n’t attracted any detectable scratches after over two weeks of use . There are also IP68 and 5ATM ratings to keep you safe from dust and piddle .
My only complaint about the Pixel Watch 3 ’s computer hardware is that the back of the watch has picked up alotof scratches . you’re able to see some of them in the photo above , and under certain lighting , you’re able to see even more . It looks like I drag the back of the lookout across a bunch of rocks . I do n’t actively count at the underside of my smartwatch , so it ’s not that big of a mint , but it is concerning to see this much optic article of clothing and bust after just a duet of weeks — peculiarly giventhe repairability concerns around the Pixel Watch 3 .
Pixel Watch 3: screen
One of our chief complaints with the originalPixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2was the exhibit . The small screen size , paired with comically large bezels , make a pretty average screening experience . Thankfully , those complaints have disappeared with the Pixel Watch 3 .
This is the covert I ’ve want on the Pixel Watch for the last duo of years .
The 45 mm case size of it naturally result in a with child display — specifically , a 40 % larger one equate to the previous two Pixel Watches . It ’s an impressive act on paper , and you really do notice it . Select watch faces support additional complications , some tiles display more selective information , and you’re able to take more of your message / notifications before they get cut off . This is the concealment I ’ve wanted on the Pixel Watch for the last couple of years , and it was well deserving the wait .
The bezels aremuchsmaller this yr , too ; on the 41 mm Pixel Watch 3 , there ’s a 16 % simplification compared to previous generation . I favor the extra sieve I get with the 45 millimetre size , but no matter which one you choose , you still get more display than before .
Also new for the Pixel Watch 3 is up to 2,000 nits of luminosity — double that of the 1,000 nits on last year ’s Pixel Watch . I ’ve don the Pixel Watch 3 outside multiple times during the final cheery days of summer , and not once have I had trouble read telling , running stats , etc . Also , the covert ’s power to go down to just one nit has been adorable for checking my warning signal at night without blind myself right before layer .
Pixel Watch 3: health/activity tracking
Like the previous two Pixel Watches , the Pixel Watch 3 uses the Fitbit app for wellness / fitness tracking . Every major health feature / sensor is here , including all - day activity tracking , sleep tracking , auto exercising detection , a tegument temperature sensor , SpO2 monitoring , an ECG app , irregular substance rhythm notifications , high / low heart charge per unit telling , and heart charge per unit zone trailing during workouts .
Google is introduce two new health metrics on the Pixel Watch 3 : Cardio Load and Readiness . Cardio Load takes all of your natural process throughout the day — including tracked workouts and other oecumenical movement — and turns it into a number rating . The more you move and the harder you work out , the high your Cardio Load routine give way . This is initially presented as a standalone number , but after wearing your Pixel Watch 3 for 14 day , you get a Cardio Load goal to progress to for each 24-hour interval . That goal ( called your Target Load ) is based on your previous activity , remainder , and your Readiness score ( more on that below ) .
I ’ve never been a fan of Fitbit ’s accent on track things like stone’s throw and floor , but I think Cardio Load is vivid . On the surface , it ’s a unsubdivided , easier - to - empathise fitness destination , similar to the Apple Watch ’s activity tintinnabulation . However , you’re able to also turn over into the Fitbit app for more granular information about your bodily process — include a breakdown of your Cardio Load and whether you ’re undertraining , overtraining , or just proper .
Readiness , on the other bridge player , is a new calculation of how “ ready ” your body is for the day onwards . before long after you arouse up after wearing your Pixel Watch to bed , you get a Readiness grade between 1 and 100 base on your heart rate unevenness ( HRV ) , past two weeks of sleep , and remain ticker pace ( RHR ) . It ’s very similar to the Readiness score you get from theOura Ring , and I ’ve find it to line up nicely with how I in reality feel . For example , after nearly six - and - a - one-half hours of sleep and an easy start the day before , I had a Readiness grade of 76 . Meanwhile , after a Nox with just four 60 minutes of eternal sleep and advertise well above my Cardio Load the premature day , I had a Readiness score of just 15 .
Also unexampled for the Pixel Watch 3 is a suite of sweet running features . During a run , you now have helpful qui vive for time interval and splits . Additionally , if you ’re running with a pace or heart rate goal , you get real - metre coaching to lease you be intimate if you ’re in compass of or above / below your finish . It ’s a really courteous - look port that I ’ve been quite happy with .
After your run , the Fitbit mobile app has a new Running Dashboard that highlights your past running game activity on a dedicated page . Here , you’re able to view your progress for your weekly run goal , look at all of your retiring trial , catch your personal running record , and see detailed breakdowns for numerous gene — such as your distance , duration , tempo , cadence , stride length , and more . It may be overkill for some hoi polloi , but for an avid runner like myself , it ’s a dream come true .
The other new running feature is Fitbit ’s “ AI - powered ” running testimonial . From the Coach yellow journalism of the Fitbit Mobile River app , you now get a day-to-day run recommendation base on your Readiness score , Target Load , and running goals / orientation . you may go with the runnel as it ’s lay out to you , tailor-make it with different goals / intervals , and use the same run - building tool to make runs from incision .
As someone who often baffle in a working rut , having my watch tell me on the nose the kind of run I should be go on has been tremendously helpful . It ’s greatly improved the variety of my running , has made me more consistent with warming up and cool down , and assist my run be far more enjoyable than it usually is . It ’s irritating that you involve a Fitbit Premium subscription to access these recommendation , but I ’ve been good well-chosen with them .
Elsewhere , the rest of the Pixel Watch 3 ’s wellness / fitness cortege is top - notch . automobile physical exertion signal detection is incredibly accurate , often discover walks with my dog that myApple Watch Ultra 2regularly give way to recognize . The sleep - trailing data point often lines up with that of my Oura Ring and provide an accurate , comprehensive view of my residue . I also love the new Morning Brief screenland , which shew you a few key health metrics right after you wake up in the cockcrow . in the end , the new Loss of Pulse Detection feature , which can alert emergency services if you lose your pulse rate , is an ingenious improver . It ’s disappointing that it ’s not yet available in the U.S. , but for nation where it is useable , it ’s something that could prove to be legitimately lifesaving .
Pixel Watch 3: performance and software
Inside the Pixel Watch 3 is the same Snapdragon W5 chip that power thePixel Watch 2 . Just like its predecessor , the Pixel Watch 3 is fast and responsive with whatever I ’m doing . Animations are smooth , apps open up apace , and I get notifications from my phone with little to no postponement . It ’s a very fast , very reliable chipset .
likewise , the Wear OS 5 software system is sluttish to navigate and pleasurable to use . You swipe leave and right to see your tiles ( aka widgets ) , sneak down for your Quick preferences , and swipe up to view your apprisal . It ’s effectively the same interface you get on theSamsung Galaxy Watch 7 , though I prefer Google ’s simpler and cleaner aesthetics . Google ’s sentinel faces are alsomuchnicer to my eye , with some really majuscule analog and digital styles to choose from .
There are also some welcome Google app update debut with the Pixel Watch 3 . you could now get at a virtual Google video remote right on your watch , letting you navigate your TV from your wrist . you may also now see a hot aspect of your Nest security system camera , and you may download maps from Google Maps for offline viewing — including turn - by - turn navigation .
One of my favorite characteristic is the new Ultra - Wideband ( UWB ) chip , which allows you to unlock your Pixel smartphone when the Pixel Watch 3 is connect to it . This is a feature Google vagabond out last year , though , at the time , it only used Bluetooth . If you have a Pixel Watch 3 and a compatible Pixel sound ( Pixel 9 Pro/9 Pro XL , Pixel 9 Pro Fold , Pixel 8 Pro , or Pixel 7 Pro ) , the Watch Unlock feature article uses UWB instead . The bragging benefit to this is that Watch Unlock is fast than ever — almost instantaneous . It ’s a relatively small touch , but I ’ve really revel it .
And that ’s not all ! Google ’s excellent Recorder app is now on the Pixel Watch 3 , letting you grab an audio transcription when your phone is n’t within reach . The television camera app has an improved port , there ’s a new tile for quicker access to Google Home ascendency , and if you ’re getting a speech sound call , you may tap a Modern “ Ask to hold ” button that use the Google Assistant to expect the other somebody on the line to wait for you . They ’re a lot of pocket-size touches , but they make the Pixel see 3 sense much well integrated with Google services and Pixel earpiece than before , and it ’s all bully to see .
Pixel Watch 3: battery life
The Pixel Watch 3 ’s bombardment life history has beenimpressive . Google promises 24 hour of use of goods and services per charge , but I ’ve seenmuchbetter results . A gizmo rarely outmatch its battery title , so it ’s always a treat whenever this happens .
In my examination , the Pixel Watch 3 consistently lasts around a day - and - a - half between charges . That ’s with the always - on display ( AOD ) enabled , multiple get across workouts during the calendar week , wearing the watch to bottom each night , and have a firm stream of notifications from myGoogle Pixel 9 Pro .
As an representative of my usage , I started one daytime at around 9 a.m. with 100 % battery . I did n’t track any workouts that twenty-four hour period , but still used the AOD and got plenty of notifications . At 11 p.m. that dark , my ticker still had 66 % stamp battery . After don the sentry to bottom to track six - and - a - half minute of rest , plus recording two workouts the follow 24-hour interval ( a manually - tracked 28 - instant run and an auto - tracked 17 - minute manner of walking ) , I was down to 14 % at 2:30 p.m.
The Pixel Watch 3 ’s battery life has beenimpressive .
This excellent length of service is likely attributed to the new Cortex - M33 coprocessor inside the Pixel Watch 3 . The Snapdragon W5 chip go apps , bit - by - turn sailing , and other intensive tasks , while the M33 chip handles background obligation such as ongoing wellness / bodily process trailing . It ’s a hybrid chipset access similar to theOnePlus Watch 2 , and while the Pixel Watch 3 ’s battery life is n’t quite as fabled as OnePlus ’ , it ’s still very , very good .
What about charge fastness ? The Pixel Watch 3 starts charging speedily — going from 12 % to 62 % in 30 minutes , and getting to 100 % in a little over an hour . The battery charger puck also works well . It ’s lightweight , plugs into a rampart battery charger via USB - C , and latch onto the Pixel Watch 3 firmly and easily .
Pixel Watch 3: price and availability
The Google Pixel Watch 3 is useable now . It take off at $ 350 for the 41 mm modelling and lead up to $ 400 for the larger 45 mm sizing . The LTE variance bestow an extra $ 100 to each price ( $ 450 and $ 500 , severally ) .
you’re able to buy the Pixel Watch 3 from most major retailer ( Amazon , Best Buy , etc . ) , though I ’d urge control out the Google Store — specially if you want the LTE Pixel Watch . For a limited time , if you buy an LTE - equipped Pixel Watch 3 from the Google Store , you get two years of LTE connectivity included for devoid . It ’s an incredibly effective go and one you should seriously consider taking advantage of .
Pixel Watch 3: should you buy it?
The Google Pixel Watch 3 is the smartwatch I ’ve always need Google to make . The first Pixel Watch , while challenging in some respect , fumbled so many of the smartwatch basics and was mostly a letdown . The Pixel Watch 2 fix much of what its herald die at , though still left some clear room for advance . The Pixel see 3 mending the few lingering issues of the 2d - gen model and adds helpful new feature film I was n’t expect — and the close result is really special .
If you have an Android speech sound — especially a Google Pixel — the Pixel Watch 3 is one of thebest smartwatchesyou can buy . It has phenomenal hardware , a gorgeous display , fast carrying out , foresightful bombardment life-time , top - snick health feature , and a militant cost . It checks all those of import boxes I mentioned at the starting line of this review , and it does so with ease . It ’s Google ’s good smartwatch to date , and it ’s a watch I ca n’t wait to keep on my carpus for a while to come .
