The Google Pixel Watch 3 is a big leap forward in size and battery

I have been testing the Pixel Watch 3, the second generation of Google watches in Spain, for the last two weeks, and I think it is a leap forward that will convince all users thanks to its new sizes and that it now competes head-to-head with Apple and Samsung.

In a first-generation product there are always things that can be improved, as has historically been the case in the world of technology. Google watches in Spain are no exception, and the Pixel Watch 3 has recently been added to the range, being advertised together with the new Pixel 9.

Technically, the Pixel Watch 3 is the third generation of Google watches following the purchase of Fitbit, but it is only the second to arrive in Spain after the debut of the Pixel Watch 2 last year.

I have been able to test the Pixel Watch 3 for two weeks and, although it maintains many of the features that were already successful in its predecessor, Google has managed to create a format in this new model that is capable of convincing all users and a huge improvement in battery life that is very noticeable.

Design and screen: Google hits the mark with a new size

Last year, the watch surprised many with Google’s decision to sell only one version of the Pixel Watch 2 with a 41-millimeter face, an ideal size for those who are used to compact models, but which can be a bit small for people with wider wrists.

Although after a few days it ended up overcoming my initial reservations, I think Google got it right this year by giving its users the option of choosing two different watch sizes for the Pixel Watch 3: one of 41 millimeters, identical to last year’s; and a new, wider one of 45 millimeters.

In my case, I was able to try the larger model, the 45 mm, and I was surprised that, despite the increase in size, it was just as comfortable and did not bother me at any time of the day, not even when I slept or exercised with the watch on.

The performance of the screen is also surprisingly good. I have the feeling that not only has it increased in size in this 45 mm model, which is undoubtedly also one of the great attractions of the new generation of watches, but that it also makes better use of the surface and, although it does not reach the curve of the glass, it comes very close.

With a maximum brightness of 2000 nits, it is also an AMOLED screen that is better seen in sunlight, and functions such as LTPO technology, which reduces the frequency to 1 hertz, also make it more comfortable to look at when you are in the dark and use the always-on screen mode, as I do. It’s still a 320 pixels per inch screen, so you won’t be able to see the photos you receive on WhatsApp very well, but I don’t think you can ask much more of a watch.

As for the rest of the design, the Pixel Watch 3 is an exact copy of its predecessor, as it maintains the round shape and curved glass surrounding the screen, something that I think Google got right from the first model and is good to keep. This round and curved design makes it more comfortable than other watches of the same size, in my experience.

The Pixel Watch 3 is one of the most beautiful watches in the Android ecosystem today in my opinion, with a design that also includes a rotating crown that acts as a button and just above it, on the case, another physical button that serves as quick access to the most used applications.

Even in the version I have analyzed, with a black case and a dark gray silicone sports strap, which has the same reliable and simple system as last year (the straps are compatible if the dial is the same size), I think this design combines the modern and the classic very well and can be worn in practically any situation.

The 45 mm model is more limited in colors, only in 3 (black, lichen green or silver), while the more daring combinations are in the 41 mm model (silver-porcelain, gold-lichen green, black and silver-pink).

Operating system and connectivity: maintains excellent integration with Android

One of the great attractions of the Pixel Watch 3 is its operating system, as its manufacturer is also the developer of Wear OS, the operating system for Android-compatible watches.

The new watch runs on the new version of the operating system, Wear OS 5.0, which in turn is based on Android 14, the most recent update of the mobile system, with Android 15, coming soon.

Wear OS needed a facelift, but the truth is that its latest updates, including 5.0, mean that, in my opinion, Google’s system is on a par in terms of functions and ease of use with what you find in the Apple Watch with watchOS and the Samsung Galaxy Watch with Tizen. In many cases, I even think it’s more intuitive for those of us who are regular Android users.

I like some of the touches that Google has included in the system that are designed for the 45 mm screen, such as the possibility of configuring the list of applications in tiles instead of in a list, to reduce the need to scroll, taking advantage of the larger panel.

The integration of Google applications is very good on the Pixel Watch 3, with an interface well adapted to the round screen and the watch format, but also other external applications such as Amazon Music or WhatsApp make their apps move like fish in water on this watch, which is not lacking in power thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 5100 chip, 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of memory.

Another new feature in which progress has been made in Wear OS 5.0 is the possibility of personalizing the watch faces much more, which now can not only be changed in color, but also in design and in the data that each widget displays. Of course, for my taste, the list of predefined watch faces on the Pixel Watch 3 still seems a bit scarce.

In terms of connectivity, I like that Google has also opted to allow for as much variety as possible and offer more options than last year.

The Pixel Watch 3 is available in two connectivity versions: one Bluetooth and one LTE with 4G. The model with mobile data is 100 euros more expensive, but if it’s something you need, I’m sure you’ll appreciate this option.

In all other respects, the Pixel Watch 3 has everything you would expect from a high-end watch in 2024: WiFi 6, ultra-wideband, NFC sensor for payments, Bluetooth 5.3 and a GPS system that, in my experience, is quite accurate. It also has a speaker and microphones for answering calls, with acceptable quality. Personally, I haven’t missed anything.

Health and sport: good monitoring continues, but so does dependence on Fitbit

Health monitoring is one of the great attractions of today’s smartwatches, packed with sensors and biometric measurements, and in this Pixel Watch 3, although there are no major innovations compared to its predecessor, you can tell that Google has done a good job and that it is one of the best general-purpose watches.

As for sports use, the Google Pixel Watch 3 together with its silicone strap has seemed to me a very comfortable watch even in racket sports where other models can be uncomfortable, such as tennis and badminton, and in general it is not at all uncomfortable in the gym, as I have been able to verify.

It also supports a wide variety of health sensors, which are the same as last year but which I think are more than enough for the average user and athlete: compass, altimeter, oxygen saturation (SpO2), electrocardiogram (ECG), multipath heart rate sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, cutaneous electrical conductance (cEDA) sensor, barometer and magnetometer.

It is also quite resistant thanks to its IP68 certification for water and dust resistance and its resistance to up to 5 ATM of pressure, so you can use it without problem for water sports except diving and other sports, for which you will have to resort to extreme sports watches such as the Apple Watch Ultra 2 or the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra.

Most of the measurements are taken through the app of Fitbit, a company that Google acquired in 2020 and integrated into its hardware division to co-design its Pixel Watch.
I love how Fitbit works and how visual it is when it comes to showing you information about your health and activity level, but it has one big drawback: you have to pay a subscription if you want access to a significant part of the data.

The watch includes 6 months of Fitbit Premium for free, but after that the subscription costs 8.99 euros per month for personalized data and analysis that may be worthwhile for many because they are quite comprehensive, but may not be so convincing for users who expect everything to be included already in a watch that costs 400 euros or more, depending on the version.

Battery life: finally lasting more than a day 

Battery life was undoubtedly the Achilles heel of its predecessor, but Google has managed to do a good job in all related areas to achieve a very significant improvement in the battery of this Pixel Watch 3.

It had been a long time since I had seen such a significant advance in a single generation, and this can be attributed above all to the use of the LTPO panel in its screen, which reduces the frequency when it is not necessary, as is the case with the always-on screen, and to a Wear OS 5.0 system that has introduced new ways of reducing energy consumption by up to 20%.

In the 45 mm version I tested, the Pixel Watch 3 has a battery with a capacity of 420 mAh, 113 mAh more than the small model. Although the screen is larger and I was a bit concerned about its impact on autonomy, the increase in battery life compared to last year is very noticeable.

Whereas last year the battery rarely reached more than 30% over the course of a full day and had to be charged every day without fail, with this model I have managed to reach between 50 and 60% overnight most of the time. All this despite using an always-on screen, receiving hundreds of notifications a day, calls and even monitoring training sessions of up to 90 minutes.

The Google Pixel Watch 3 is still not perfect in terms of battery life, far from it. In my experience, it is not enough to last two full days, because even using sleep mode you will always start the next day with approximately 40-50% capacity, as it uses around 10% per night, but at least you can last a few more hours without the anxiety of having to go through the charger as soon as you wake up.

As for charging speed, I’ve noticed that the increased capacity of the 45mm model I’ve tested means that it takes a little longer to charge than last year, and now takes about 80 minutes, while the small version takes just under an hour. In that sense, I think it’s acceptable, considering that it charges up to 50% in less than half an hour.

Google has kept the same charger as last year, with a magnetic system that attaches to the back of the watch and connects via USB type C to another device or to the power adapter for plugging it directly into the wall. If you want to charge your phone directly from a wall socket, bear in mind that you will need an adapter with a USB type C port, not A, and if not, you will have to buy one with this port that has Power Delivery and fast charging.

Last year I had a lot of problems with the Pixel Watch 2 connecting to the charger and this year’s model seems much more reliable, as it adheres better to the back, although there are still some problems that can be solved by unplugging it and plugging it back in.

Conclusion: is the Google Pixel Watch 3 worth buying?

For all the above reasons, I believe that the Pixel Watch 3 is an ideal option for those who want a smartwatch that is as advanced as possible for both everyday use and for sports. It is highly recommended, especially if you have an Android phone, and with the cost of Fitbit Premium after the 6-month free trial as the only notable drawback.

It is not a cheap smartwatch at all, starting at 449 euros for the 45-millimeter model and 399 euros for the 41-millimeter model (the same as its predecessor), but it is a similar price to the watches that are its real competition: the Samsung Galaxy Watch and the Apple Watch, which are the top of the range.

The improvements in the battery and in Wear OS 5. 0, combined with a design that I think Google had already got spot on last year but which it has expanded with more possibilities and a splendid 45mm model, make it more than just an iteration and for me it is a second model available in Spain in which most of its imperfections have been polished away and which will ensure that you won’t regret your purchase.