It took a few years for Google to produce smartwatch hardware to go with their pre-existing wearable ecosystem, WearOS. Google Pixel Watch is fashionably late to the party but doesn’t turn up empty-handed.
Along with years of experience with smartwatch software, Pixel Watch features a refined and streamlined design aimed at the higher end of the market. To that end, it’s a beautiful piece of industrial design that wears its Google minimalism well.
Slim Smartwatch
Google Pixel Watch is quite small next to practically any ‘full-size’ smartwatch. Some companies offer a smaller 42mm version of their devices, Pixel Watch’s 41mm standard is dainty next to those.
It’s also quite slim. The device stands around 12mm deep which matches the refined radius to produce a very unobtrusive smartwatch.
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The simple visual design and choice of materials are very ‘Google’. It’s a minimalist, almost cold design that relies on contrast to create detail. The black watch face contrasts with the polished silver rear along a defined edge. The two meet half around the circular silhouette creating a futuristic clamshell design.
Our Polished Silver review model comes with a middle grey and manages to meet the black and mirrored surface halfway and create a gentler but no less eye-catching gradient.
Neo-Classical
While it’s not a traditional style, Pixel Watch uses a familiar round face. Although this reduces the space on which you can display or select, it also creates a more pleasing looking device. The round form also creates a more comfortable watch that allows more wrist articulation.
To Google’s credit, they seem to have created a specific UI and menu set with the size and shape of Pixel Watch in mind. One standout feature is a surprisingly usable keyboard for jotting down notes, searching Play Store or even replying to emails or texts.
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Info and text is generally confined to the middle of the screen. Apps tend to shrink the font to fit this ‘safe’ area and so far, it’s worked really well on the 1.2-inch display. Users can also adjust the base font size.
A smaller font is available for those who want more info and have the eyesight to read. There are three larger sizes than the default to accommodate those whose eyesight isn’t as sharp.
The crown’s placement at 3 o’ clock doesn’t cause it to prod the wrist, mostly due to the device’s smaller form. That placement also allows for the secondary button to be placed simultaneously easy to reach and difficult to accidentally activate.
The crown is easy to move with precision and haptics give its rotation some reliable feedback. It’s also a handy way to navigate some of the list-heavy menus you’ll come across, especially since there isn’t a huge display area to swipe our way down without covering what we are perusing.
Sharp, Searing Display
Despite a screen size of just 1.2 inches, Google Pixel Watch’s AMOLED display has a display resolution of 450 x 450. The pixel density allows for fine detail and surprisingly legible tiny fonts for those who choose to use them.
A lot of Pixel Watch’s faces and menus take advantage of the deep blacks to fuse the screen with the dark bezel running around the display. This propensity to go dark also makes the flashes of colour pop.
Google Pixel Watch’s love of contrast and reserved vibrancy combined with the display’s potential for searing brightness are downright gorgeous at times. They’re also useful while out in the sunlight. There is also a ‘boost mode’ for the sunniest of days which hits around 1,000 nits.
Fully Stocked App Store
Google Pixel Watch arrives with well-stocked App Store. With years of Android WearOS devices bringing developers to the watch’s store, it’s probably no surprise. Google’s own suite is mostly pre-installed while a helpful list is drawn up from your Android phone app selection.
On startup, Pixel Watch fetches of apps from the list, ready to sign you in. It’s a nice way of streamlining the setup process while offering what Google feels you need to feel connected.
Agenda and Messages apps replace dedicated Calendar and Gmail apps. Messages gathers notifications and communications for an array of apps under one umbrella. Many common social media and instant messaging apps populate Messages and it helps keep the number of necessary apps down.
Easy Sign-In
Despite its huge range of functions, including a robust FitBit integration, Google Pixel Watch was notably easy to set up. While Apple users are excluded from the Pixel Watch party, Android users get a seamless experience from start to finish.
Most of your settings are saved on the Google account. Once you set permissions, select which companion apps to install and allow the device around one minute to set itself up on your account – it’s done.
I was quite impressed at just how little Google Pixel Watch wanted from me beyond the comforting safety stuff while setting up such a fully featured device.
Easy FitBit
Another ace up the Google Pixel Watch’s silicone wristband is its FitBit support. Those of you versed in FitBit’s ecosystem will appreciate Google Pixel Watch’s use of the FitBit app.
The FitBit app allows for a hefty integration with the device, including electrocardiogram support. Though, it must be pointed out that ECG support is not available in all regions.
There are a few differences in functionality between a bona fide FitBit watch. Some of the health monitoring features track intermittently rather than the 24-hour monitoring offer in the FitBit range.
Specifications – Google Pixel Watch (2022)
| RAM: | 2GB |
| Storage: | 32GB |
| Display: | AMOLED, 1.2″, 320dpi – 384 x 384, Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| OS: | WearOS 3.5 |
| Sensors: | Accelerometer, Gyro, Heart rate, Altimeter, Compass, SpO2, ECG |
| Connectivity: | – Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, LE – NFC – GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/Beidou -LTE/eSIM |
| Dimensions: | 41 x 41 x 12.3 mm |
| Weight: | 36 grams excluding strap |
| Water Resistance: | 5ATM, up to 50 metres depth |
| Charging: | Magnetic 10W charging puck included |
| Battery: | Li-Ion 294 mAh, Qi Wireless Charging at 10W |
| Chassis Colours: | Matte Black, Polished Silver (reviewed), Champagne Gold |
Google Pixel Watch Pricing and Availability
Google Pixel Watch Wi-Fi model is available now from €379/£339/$349 direct from Google. Ireland does not have have mobile carriers who allow eSIM so the LTE model is not available here.
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For those of you in continental Europe, the UK, or the US, Google Pixel Watch LTE (eSIM) model is available now from €419/£379/$399.
Review unit provided by Google
