Google Pixel Watch 4: The Ultimate Android Watch
▼ Summary
– The Google Pixel Watch 4 is a repairable flagship smartwatch with upgraded hardware including a domed display, faster processor, and larger batteries.
– It features a brighter 3,000-nit display, significantly improved battery life lasting up to 45 hours, and faster charging capabilities.
– The watch includes new AI features like Gemini with a Raise-to-Talk gesture and improved fitness tracking with automatic activity detection and dual-frequency GPS.
– While Gemini functionality is inconsistent, the Pixel Watch 4 offers enhanced health features like a new sleep algorithm and is positioned as the best Android smartwatch available.
– Users must agree to five mandatory agreements from Google and Fitbit, plus numerous optional agreements for additional services and features.
The Google Pixel Watch 4 emerges as the most compelling flagship smartwatch for Android users this season, marking a significant evolution in both hardware and software. Just a few years ago, the Android wearable landscape felt fragmented and underwhelming, but this latest model confidently changes the narrative. Priced at $349.99, it builds upon the familiar design of its predecessor while introducing meaningful upgrades that enhance the user experience.
At first glance, the Pixel Watch 4 looks nearly identical to the Pixel Watch 3, but a closer inspection reveals thoughtful refinements. The device retains its 41mm and 45mm case options but now features a beautifully curved domed Actua 360 display. The bezels are 16 percent thinner, providing 10 percent more screen real estate, which becomes apparent when navigating menus. The display’s curve is especially noticeable on the larger 45mm variant, allowing software tiles and animations to hug the edges elegantly. Running Wear OS 6 with the Material 3 Expressive design language, the interface feels fresh and playful, with larger, rounded buttons and the ability to display more information at a glance. When paired with a Pixel phone, the watch automatically syncs its color theme for a cohesive aesthetic.
Battery life receives a substantial boost this year, thanks to larger batteries and more power-efficient processors. My testing with the 45mm model yielded an impressive 45 hours on a single charge, a notable jump from the 32 hours maximum I recorded with last year’s model. Even with the always-on display enabled, I consistently achieved between 36 and 42 hours of use. Charging speed is another area of improvement. In one test, the watch went from 14 percent to 97 percent in just 34 minutes. While it’s disappointing to see a third proprietary charger in four years, the rapid charging performance helps soften that blow.
A welcome hardware advancement is the introduction of repairability. Visible screws on the caseback allow users or technicians to open the watch for component replacement. The battery and display can be replaced by the user, with parts eventually available through iFixit, and official repair support provided by Google. This addresses a longstanding concern about the durability and serviceability of previous models.
The integration of Google’s Gemini AI brings both promise and frustration to the wrist. The new Raise-to-Talk gesture lets you activate Gemini simply by lifting your wrist, though it required some adjustment of voice sensitivity settings in my experience. Multi-step queries still suffer from latency, and the distinction between Gemini and Google Assistant isn’t always clear. However, the revamped Gemini Tile proves more practical, allowing you to save two shortcuts for frequent commands like “turn off all my lights” or “summarize my last email.” Other AI features include Smart Replies for more personalized message responses and Notification Cooldown, though the latter didn’t significantly reduce my Nest Doorbell alerts.
Fitness and health tracking sees meaningful upgrades, particularly with improved automatic activity detection. The watch can now automatically record certain cardio activities lasting at least 15 minutes, sending a notification and activity recap within an hour of completion. This worked reliably for walks and runs, accurately capturing activity type and duration. The AI can be trained to better distinguish between similar activities, such as trail runs versus road runs. A new sleep algorithm performs comparably to dedicated sleep tracking devices like the Oura Ring. The addition of dual-frequency GPS provides more accurate route mapping in challenging environments like cities or dense forests, though some discrepancies remain when compared to premium competitors.
Emergency satellite SOS functionality serves as a backup safety feature when cellular connectivity is unavailable, similar to offerings on other premium watches. While I didn’t encounter scenarios requiring this feature during testing, it provides peace of mind for outdoor adventurers.
The Pixel Watch 4 establishes itself as the Android smartwatch to beat, combining thoughtful design, impressive battery life, and comprehensive health tracking. While competitors may excel in specific areas like battery endurance or physical bezels, Google delivers the most complete package with a clear vision for the future of Android wearables. The combination of user-repairable construction, brighter 3,000-nit display, and refined software experience creates a compelling proposition for anyone invested in the Android ecosystem.
Using the Pixel Watch 4 requires agreeing to several mandatory agreements, including Google’s Terms of Service, Google Play Terms of Service, Google Privacy Policy, and two Fitbit agreements. Additional optional agreements apply for features like LTE connectivity, third-party app integrations, and specific services like Gemini, which requires permission for Google to collect app and contact information. The total comes to five mandatory agreements plus numerous optional ones, depending on your feature preferences and enabled services.
(Source: The Verge)
