The Pixel Watch is Google's first proprietary smartwatch. With a round design and its own Wear OS, the debut is a success and it positions itself in many areas as a real alternative to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5. However, you sometimes notice that it should have come onto the market much earlier.
Table of contents
- No Pixel smartphone exclusive features
- The Pixel Watch in detail
- 41 mm with or without LTE
- Battery life of 24 hours
- Round, bright AMOLED display
- But the edge is so huge?
- Exynos 9110 instead of W920
- 32 + 2 GB memory
- Crown, button, speaker and microphone
- Speaker and microphone for telephony and voice control
- The Pixel Watch also recognizes accidents and calls for help
- 5 ATM for swimming
- The Pixel Watch compared to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
- Setup and management very well solved
- Sensor for ECG, heart rate, SpO2 and Co
- SpO2 sensor still inactive
- Tracking for sports
- Fitbit Premium also for Google Watch
- Broad support of Google services
- Navigation with Google Maps and integrated GPS
- Smart Home with Google Home
- Music with YouTube Music and Spotify
- Find My Watch
- Clock as a camera trigger for Pixel smartphones
- Some standard apps are missing on Wear OS
- Quick access to third-party providers needs updates
- Sensors and vital signs< ol>
- Reliable sleep tracking without display shutdown
- Very good heart rate measurement
- Exact step count
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- < li>One watch for all Android smartphones
The Pixel Watch is Google's first proprietary smartwatch. With a round design and its own Wear OS in version 3.5, it will be launched tomorrow in two versions with GPS+WLAN or GPS+WLAN+LTE. The manufacturer does a lot of things right, even if you can tell that the Pixel Watch should have been on the market much earlier – but more on that later. The test also goes into the border around the display, which caused a lot of discussion before the start.
The Pixel Watch can already be pre-ordered from Google and, like the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, will begin shipping tomorrow, October 13th. The price for the Bluetooth/WiFi model is 379 euros in Germany. The recommended retail price for the LTE example is 429 euros.
- Stainless steel housing with a matte finish Black/Obsidian Sport Band
- Polished Silver Stainless Steel Case/Charcoal Sport Band
- Polished Silver Stainless Steel Case/Chalk Sport Band
- Champagne Gold Stainless Steel Case/Hazel Sport Band
In the test, the simplest color variant “stainless steel case in matte black/sports bracelet in obsidian” is used. Google provides a two-year warranty on the Pixel Watch.
No Pixel smartphone exclusive features
The Pixel Watch requires a smartphone running Android 8.0 or later. Google does not reserve exclusive functions for its own pixel smartphones. So whether you operate the Pixel Watch with a Pixel 7 Pro or a Samsung Galaxy A52, for example, is completely irrelevant to the possibilities and functions that it offers. This alone is now worth mentioning, because Samsung proceeds differently with its fiercest competitor, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 (test), and reserves the two functions of blood pressure and ECG for its own Galaxy smartphones – both functions cannot be used on other smartphones
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Conversely, the integration of Fitbit apart from Fitbit's own smartwatches is reserved exclusively for the Pixel Watch. Since Fitbit belongs to Google, it does not replicate the functionality of tracking vital data again, but uses the services already available in the company. In addition, no other Android smartwatch offers support for all Google services, which include Maps, Wallet, Assistant, camera shutter, Google Photos and Gmail. Google Photos can also be used on the Pixel Watch to create watch faces with your own photos.
The Pixel Watch in detail
41 mm optionally with or without LTE
The Pixel Watch always features a stainless steel case with a diameter of 41mm and a height of 12.3mm. As mentioned, it is available as a WLAN and LTE model with eSIM. In Germany, in addition to Telekom, Vodafone and O2 are also supported as mobile phone providers. Both variants offer Bluetooth 5.0, NFC and WLAN according to 802.11b/g/n with 2.4 GHz. Mobile payment is therefore possible with both versions and apart from the mobile phone connection and the resulting option of using all functions of the Pixel Watch without a smartphone nearby, there are no differences or restrictions. Without the strap, the Pixel Watch weighs 36 g and is very comfortable to wear on the wrist for its size and weight.
Pixel Watch
The sport band made of fluoroelastomer with a soft-touch coating has the same design as the Fitbit smartwatches, but is not exactly identical – the rounder design of the Pixel Watch requires a different recording, among other things, and Google's buckle and lugs are made of stainless steel . Google supplies a small bracelet for wrists with a circumference of 130 to 175 mm and a large bracelet for wrists with a circumference of 165 to 210 mm – so the buyer does not have to decide beforehand. In addition to the sports bracelet, the manufacturer also offers woven and elastic bracelets and two-tone or handmade leather bracelets for the Pixel Watch. In the spring of 2023, a Milanaise bracelet made of stainless steel in the three colors of the watch will also be launched. A silver and black metal link bracelet will also be available then.
Since you sweat a bit under the closed sports bracelet, the watch should also be taken off, which is necessary for charging anyway.
Battery running time of 24 Hours
Charging is a good keyword, because the Pixel Watch also has to be placed on the magnetic, wireless charging port after around 24 hours. Depending on usage, a few hours more or less are possible. However, Google's indication of 24 hours in everyday life corresponds pretty much exactly to the average achieved in the test when all functions and the always-on display are used. The 294 mAh battery can only be charged via the charging port, not via a Qi charger or via reverse charge from a Pixel smartphone. The Pixel Watch can be charged at up to 18 watts via a USB-C charger, allowing it to be 50 percent charged in 30 minutes, 80 percent charged in 55 minutes and fully charged in 80 minutes.
With the Pixel Watch, too, you have to look for a gap in the day when the watch is being charged – for example when showering or having dinner.
If you don't always find this gap, you can fall back on an energy-saving mode that can be activated at any time. It both disables the always-on display and turns off wrist-tilt activation of the display so it only responds to touch. The background functions are not affected, which is why the battery life increased to around 32 hours in the test. However, the runtime then depends heavily on how often you activate the screen and which functions you use.
When the battery charge is 20 percent, you always get a message on the watch and the battery icon will appear small on the watch face. When there is 15 percent remaining charge, you will be informed of the power saving mode by notification.
Round, bright AMOLED display
The Pixel Watch's round, curved display is based on AMOLED, offers 384 × 384 pixels with 320 ppi and is 1.2 inches in size. It shines up to 1,000 cd/m² brightly and is easy to read even in direct sunlight. In return, it offers a sunlight mode that temporarily increases the display brightness in direct sunlight. This setting can also be adjusted directly from the Pixel Watch options. The always-on display also switches the display resolution down a bit in dimmed mode to save energy. It is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5 – Samsung uses sapphire glass on the Galaxy Watch 5, so it is better protected against scratches than the Google smartwatch. At 1.2 inches, the display is just as large as the 40 mm model of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, which has 396 × 396 pixels and a pixel density of around 330 ppi.
But the border is so huge?
Leading up to the Pixel Watch's announcement and availability, there was a lot of discussion surrounding the bezel around the display, as it looked very wide in pre-leaked images. In fact, the screen of the Pixel Watch is surrounded by a comparatively wide bezel, whereby this impression is also reinforced by the fact that it does not have a bezel and the bezel also offers no functionality – Samsung uses the wide bezel as a touch surface for scrolling through menus.
The gradation between the edge and the display is actually only visible in direct sunlight. Otherwise, Google understands very well how to merge the OLED technology of the display and the black border so that you don't constantly notice it in everyday life. The dials have a black background and, insofar as they merge into the edge, are partially provided with a fading effect, i.e. they become darker towards the edge, so that the transition is less harsh. In menus, photos and third-party apps, however, the transition is always much more visible if graphics or areas with colored backgrounds are cut off hard on the display.
Pixel Watch: The edge around the display is sometimes visible
Nevertheless, the wide edge is much less disruptive in everyday life than the outcry on the Internet would have suggested in advance. At the same time, it can be seen as one of several points that show that Google has been planning the Pixel Watch for quite some time and has long wanted to bring it to market, as confirmed by Rick Osterloh.
Exynos 9110 instead of W920
Another point where you can tell the actual age of the Pixel Watch is the processor used. Because for the SoC of the Pixel Watch, Google surprisingly still relies on the Samsung Exynos 9110, which is now four years old. With the Exynos W920, Samsung introduced a faster successor about a year ago, which the group already uses in the Galaxy Watch 4 and also in the new Galaxy Watch 5 (test). There is no confirmation that the SoC is due to the long-term development of the Pixel Watch. But more important is whether it is a problem in everyday life because it lacks performance.
And the all-clear can also be given on this point, because the Pixel Watch does not feel slow or overwhelmed. Menus and views are loaded briefly the first time they are called up, but then react smoothly. There are numerous cheap smartwatches that can do less and react much more sluggishly and slowly. Whether this is due to the coprocessor in the form of a Cortex-M33 cannot be said. In terms of energy efficiency, however, the newer Exynos W920 was probably the better choice.
32 + 2 GB memory
When it comes to storage, the Pixel Watch offers more than Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5. With 32 GB of internal storage and 2 GB of RAM, the 16 and 1.5 GB of the Samsung model are surpassed. Google does not differentiate between the memory configurations depending on the model, but all variants, whether with or without LTE, always offer the same memory equipment.
Crown, button , speakers and microphone
In addition to the display, the haptic crown and a small side button, which sits in the housing above the crown and starts the assistant if it is held down, or calls up the menu for the last used apps, can also be used for operation. When swiping, the well-known Wear OS navigation comes into play. If you swipe from right to left across the display, you navigate through the views or tiles that the user can define himself. A maximum of 15 tiles can be defined for this quick access. A swipe from the left into the display jumps back. Swiping from top to bottom opens quick settings, and swiping from bottom to top opens notifications. If you press the crown, you always jump back to the dial. In menus or apps, the crown can be rotated to scroll through it.
Pixel Watch
loudspeaker and microphone for telephony and voice control
In addition to a speaker for the audio output via the smartwatch, there is also a microphone so that the Pixel Watch can be used to make calls if desired. In addition, voice input can be used via the microphone not only for general inquiries via the Google Assistant, but also for searches in the Play Store, which can be carried out directly on the Pixel Watch. A full on-screen keyboard is also offered, but it's not always the fastest option on the small display.
Wireless headphones can be connected directly to the watch via Bluetooth, so that with the LTE model you can listen to music, for example during sports, without a smartphone. >The Pixel Watch also recognizes accidents and calls for help
While Apple presented the Watch Series 8 and Watch Ultra as well as the iPhone 14 (Pro) with accident detection, the Pixel Watch can also come up with one and automatically call the emergency services in the event of a serious fall. However, this function is not yet available at the start, but is to be submitted later via an update in winter. It detects forces of up to 32 g. In addition, the smartwatch then offers international emergency calls, provided it is the LTE model.
However, the emergency call can already be made manually by pressing the crown five times in quick succession. An acoustic signal then sounds and the user has 5 seconds to cancel the emergency call before the emergency call is dialled. Instead of calling the local emergency number directly, an individual emergency contact can be specified to be called by this function.
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5 ATM for swimming
The Pixel Watch is certified for 5 ATM. It can therefore be worn without hesitation when bathing, showering or washing your hands and it also survives swimming in shallow water. When diving, however, it must be discontinued at the latest. Because 5 ATM does not mean that it is waterproof to a depth of 50 m, but that it can withstand the pressure of a water column of 50 m. When swimming, however, higher pressure can arise due to the movements, so that only watches for 10 ATM are fully suitable for this activity.
The pixels Watch vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
Wear OS and 1.2-inch circular display (40mm model): At first glance, the Galaxy Watch 5 from Samsung and the Pixel Watch have a lot in common, which will make many wonder which model is the better choice.< /p>
A first look at the technical data shows differences, some of which have already been discussed in the test. On the one hand, this is the sapphire glass of the Galaxy Watch 5, on the other hand, the Galaxy Watch 5 is 9.8 mm but also 2.5 mm thinner and at 28.7 to 36 g lighter than the Pixel Watch. There are no relevant differences in WLAN, NFC, Bluetooth and location services. Even the battery is similarly sized, with the Galaxy Watch 5 lasting around 1.5 days in the test, while the Pixel Watch is over after one day.
Graphite, Sapphire, Silver (44mm) Black Titanium, Gray Titanium Size 41mm 40mm, 44mm 44mm Dimensions 41×41×12.3mm 40mm: 39.3×40.4×9.8mm
44mm: 43.3×44.4×9.8mm 45.4×45.4×10.5mm Weight 36g 40mm: 28.7g
44mm: 33.5g 46, 5g Display 1.2″ OLED, 384 × 384, 320 ppi 40mm: 1.2″ OLED, 396 × 396
44mm: 1.4″, OLED, 450 × 450 1.4″, OLED, 450 × 450 Processor Samsung Exynos W9110 Samsung Exynos W920 RAM 2GB 1.5GB LPDDR4 Storage 32GB 16GB Connectivity Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo Cellular LTE (optional) Battery 294 mAh 40 mm: 284 mAh
44 mm: 410 mAh 590 mAh Charging Wireless charging WPC wireless charging Operating system Google Wear OS 3.5 Google Wear OS 3.5 with Samsung One UI Watch 4.5 Sensors optical heart rate, multipurpose electrical sensor, oxygen saturation meter, altimeter, compass, accelerometer, gyroscope, light sensor BioActive sensor: Optical heart rate, electrical heart signal, bioelectrical impedance analysis, temperature, acceleration sensor, barometer, gyro sensor, geomagnetic sensor, light sensor Compatibility from Android 8.0 with 1.5 GB RAM Price 379 euros (GPS/WLAN)
429 euros (GPS/WLAN/LTE ) 40mm: 299 euros (BT)
40mm: 349 euros (LTE)
44mm: 329 euros (BT)
44mm: 379 euros (LTE) 469 euros (BT)
519 euros (LTE)
The differences in the sensors are more interesting. Although the Pixel Watch is also packed with sensors to record the wearer's vital data and surroundings, the Galaxy Watch offers one more sensor with the temperature sensor. However, only on paper, because so far it cannot be used at all by users of a Galaxy Watch 5. In addition, the Galaxy Watch 5 can also measure blood pressure after a calibration process – a function that the Pixel Watch does not offer at all. The same applies to measuring body composition on the Galaxy Watch 5 to determine muscle and fat mass. As already mentioned, the blood pressure measurement function, like the ECG on the Galaxy Watch 5, is reserved for Samsung Galaxy smartphone owners. If you don't have one, the Pixel Watch with the ECG function offers you even more in this respect.
The bracelet of the Galaxy Watch 5 can be exchanged for any 20- mm copy can be exchanged. With the Pixel Watch, on the other hand, it has to be one specifically for this smartwatch.
If the Galaxy Watch 5 is certified for 5 ATM and IP68 and MIL-STD-810H against dust and other influences, Google only specifies 5 ATM as certification.
In terms of price, the Galaxy Watch 5 is clearly superior to the Pixel Watch as a 40 mm model. Samsung only charges 299 euros for the WLAN and 349 euros for the LTE model. Google, on the other hand, is asking 379 euros for the WLAN and 429 euros for the LTE model, i.e. 80 euros more in each case, so that even the LTE model of the Galaxy Watch 5 is cheaper than the WLAN model of the Pixel Watch.
What speaks in favor of the Pixel Watch compared to the Galaxy Watch and what against is discussed again in the conclusion of the test.
Setup and administration solved very well
To set up the Pixel Watch, Google relies on Fast Pair and a Google account to be able to put the device into operation as quickly and easily as possible. After logging into your own Google account, you only have to configure whether you want to use the Google Assistant and whether you want to install additional apps directly on the smartwatch before the most important functions are presented in a tutorial and updates are installed. Anyone who has chosen the LTE variant can activate a MultiSIM directly on the watch so that it always switches to LTE when the smartphone is not nearby.
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Setting up and configuring the Pixel Watch
After that, the Pixel Watch is ready for use and can be configured and adjusted as you wish. The watch face can be customized at any time on the Pixel Watch itself by pressing and holding the current one. Then not only the mentioned one can be edited, but also another one can be selected and adjusted. Unlike Apple, there is no need for a detour via the smartphone. As on an Android smartphone, you can also update all apps at once or only individual apps on the Pixel Watch in the Play Store, unless you decide to keep all apps up to date anyway.
The variety of options and the depth with which you the Pixel Watch can configure is very good. However, if you just want a phone-connected watch that throws notifications to your wrist and collects some vital signs in the background, you don't need to bother with all of that. The balancing act between “can be adjusted” and “must be adjusted” is very well done.
Pixel Watch: Changing and customizing the watch faces
Sensor for ECG, heart rate, SpO2 and Co
Using the sensors on the back of the Pixel Watch, it is possible to measure heart rate and blood oxygen saturation, record an ECG of the wearer to detect atrial fibrillation, or analyze sleep including sleep phases. The heart rate is measured by the Pixel Watch every second and already shows a graph with the exact course on the watch.
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The recording of the ECG lasts 30 seconds, whereby one finger of the hand on whose wrist the watch is not worn must be placed on the crown and one should sit and not move during the measurement. The recording can be viewed in the Fitbit app on the smartphone and also saved as a PDF for a doctor.
The watch also offers an altimeter, a compass, an accelerometer, a gyroscope and a light sensor.
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SpO2 sensor still inactive
A little perplexed, one is initially faced with the problem that the Pixel Watch is supposed to be able to measure blood oxygen saturation, but there is no tile or app anywhere that can be used to display this value. The Fitbit app on the smartphone also reports that no blood oxygen measurements were recorded. Google does not go into this topic in detail anywhere, but the sensor is listed in the technical data without further reference.
As it turned out during the course of the test and after hours of trying to read the sensor via some third-party app, the Pixel Watch does have a blood oxygen saturation sensor, but it is not yet accessible. It can only be used after an update – it is not yet clear when this will come. Google just hopes to offer it in the future. An incomprehensible point, after all, SpO2 sensors are not a novelty and Google, along with Samsung, is no less than the developer behind Wear OS. In addition, including it in the specifications if the activation does not yet seem certain opens the floodgates for revocations and refunds for consumers.
Tracking in sports
The Pixel Watch continuously measures the user's steps and heart rate. But it can also be used specifically to record vital signs during sport. Around 40 training modes are available, during which vital signs can be recorded. In this area, Google relies on the expertise of Fitbit. However, the user is not bound to it, but can also use any other apps that are available for Wear OS. Google Fit can also be easily used on the Pixel Watch for training.
To use Fitbit on the Pixel Watch, you need to launch the app on it and then pair it with the app on your phone. Existing Fitbit devices must be disconnected from Fitbit, as with your own smartwatches, but existing statistics and data will not be lost.
Workouts are not recognized automatically, but the user always has to manually select and start the appropriate workout from the list of 40 workouts before training. Each workout displays appropriate metrics and parameters. When cycling, for example, the heart rate, the time ridden and the current speed. The three displayed values can also be adjusted before the start if desired, and during training you can view all the values recorded in a list by swiping to the right. If you have set yourself a goal such as the distance covered, a progress bar is displayed as a ring around the screen.
Fitbit measures a lot in “active zone minutes”. Active zone minutes are earned for time spent in the fat burning, cardio, or peak zone during exercise. One minute in the fat burning zone equals one active zone minute. A minute in one of the other two zones, on the other hand, brings two active zone minutes. When heart rate is set as the primary goal of the workout, heart rate zones are shown directly on the display as outer rings.
For training, you can always manually activate a touch lock for the display. It's on by default for the swim and surf workouts, which makes sense since the Pixel Watch's display is relatively sensitive to water input.
After your workout, you can See a workout summary right on your Pixel Watch. The Fitbit app on the smartphone then offers detailed views.
Fitbit Premium also for the Google Watch
The Pixel Watch is the first smartwatch that can use Fitbit Premium apart from Fitbit's own smartwatch. When purchasing the Pixel Watch, users get a six-month premium membership for free, as is the case with Fitbit's smartwatches themselves. Fitbit Premium is a paid extension to the Fitbit app that provides exercise and coaching guides. In addition, you get an estimate of the daily form summarized in a value, which should say whether today is a good day for training or you should take it easy. This value is based on sleep behavior, activity and stress and is only available when the watch has been worn for at least 14 hours four days and nights. In addition, Fitbit Premium includes guided meditations, hundreds of video and audio workouts, advanced sleep analytics with a monthly sleep profile, and a wellness report based on Fitbit stats. Fitbit Premium costs EUR 8.99 per month or EUR 79.99 as an annual subscription. In view of the functions that are also included free of charge in Fitbit and the other apps that are available on the Pixel Watch, the subscription is not necessary for meaningful use of the Pixel Watch.
Broad support of Google services
Google's own services are extensively supported on the Pixel Watch. In addition to Maps, Gmail, Home, Photos, Calendar and Wallet, the Google Assistant and Google Music are of course also directly accessible via the Smartwatch. With the LTE model, you can pay on the go and control the smart home without a smartphone nearby. You can also send messages and listen to music.
Navigation with Google Maps and integrated GPS
The Pixel Watch has built-in location services, specifically GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, and Galileo. In this way, navigation via Google Maps can be started and used directly on the watch. In addition to the smartphone function of selecting work or home as a saved destination, destinations can be set by voice input or keyboard. The means of transport can also be selected on the Pixel Watch in such a way that you can choose between “On foot”, “By bike” and “By car”. The Watch itself does not offer “By public transport”. You can then display the map or turn-by-turn navigation. Starting the navigation via the Pixel Watch also starts the navigation on the smartphone, if connected. The map can be zoomed using the crown or a pinch gesture. In the future, a compass mode will also be offered in Google Maps on the Pixel Watch.
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Google Maps on Pixel Watch
Positioning and navigation via Google Maps on the Pixel Watch are accurate and reliable in the test. There were no problems in finding the exact location and maintaining it while navigating in Berlin. However, Google Maps is also the service on the Pixel Watch that could occasionally be a little smoother if you zoom out of the map or pan it.
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Google Maps on Pixel Watch
Smart Home with Google Home
The smart home can also be controlled via the wrist if the smart devices are set up in Google Home or at least linked, because many brands can be easily connected to Google Home. On the Pixel Watch, the devices are sorted by room, so you first have to navigate to a room and then select the appropriate device.
However, not every function is supported by every device. The image from a Nest Cam could not be transferred to the Pixel Watch in a small preview in the test. With this device, the smartwatch refers to the smartphone. With thermostats, however, the temperature can be increased or decreased, lights and lamps can be switched on and off or, if supported, the brightness can be adjusted. And speakers can be controlled, Yale smart locks unlocked via Google Home.
Devices that only appear under “Linked to me” in the Home app on the phone cannot be controlled from the Pixel Watch. For example, the Nuki Smart Lock cannot be controlled via Google Home – even if the services are linked. Instead, the Nuki app must be installed and used on the Pixel Watch.
Music with YouTube Music and Spotify
Buyers of the Google Pixel Watch get three months of YouTube Music Premium free of charge and can thus access the music library of the streaming service with more than 100 million tracks. Music and playlists from YouTube Music can also be downloaded locally to the Pixel Watch for offline playback without the need for a smartphone, nearby WiFi or LTE version.
With “Smart Downloads”, the Pixel Watch can always download up to 500 tracks based on the user's listening habits when loading in the background, so that at best you don't have to worry about putting music on the watch yourself to load.
In order to use YT Music on the Pixel Watch, however, YT Music Premium is absolutely necessary – it is not possible without a subscription. But if you want to use Spotify on the Pixel Watch, for example, you can also find the app for this in the Play Store. However, apps from Deezer and Amazon Music for Wear OS are currently still missing for the Google Smartwatch.
The Pixel Buds Pro (test) can automatically switch between the smartphone and the Pixel Watch switch when music is playing from either device.
Find My Watch
The Pixel Watch offers a location function in two directions. On the one hand, after installing “Find Device”, the smartwatch can be located via the smartphone, showing its current or last known location on a map, and then ringing, locking or resetting the watch remotely. On the other hand, it is also possible to locate the smartphone via the Pixel Watch. The latter can then be made to ring at full volume via the clock.
Clock as a camera release for pixel smartphones
The Pixel Watch can also act as a trigger for a connected smartphone's camera, with a preview of the Pixel smartphone's image displayed on the smartwatch's screen next to the shutter with a countdown. In order to be able to use the function, the “Google Camera” app must be installed on the smartwatch. When it is started, the camera on the smartphone is automatically activated. Functions such as zoom and switching between the front and main cameras are also accessible via the Pixel Watch.
Some standard apps are missing on Wear OS
However, the Pixel Watch also reveals that some standard apps and APIs are still missing under Wear OS. The Pixel Watch offers a compass, but a suitable app is not preinstalled. There are numerous compass apps available in the Play Store that can be installed later. Nevertheless, a standard Google app without advertising and data forwarding seems appropriate for such a function. The same applies to an altimeter and the already mentioned display of blood oxygen saturation. For the latter, there is not a single app that could use the Pixel Watch's sensor, as there was no standardization for a long time. Even the Fitbit app, which is designed to do this, cannot collect blood oxygen saturation data from the Pixel Watch.
Pixel Watch: The apps on the smartwatch
Third party quick access needs updates
Third-party apps are also not yet optimally integrated into Wear OS, so that their functions can be integrated directly into the dials. What Apple has made possible for years via “complications” and is used by many developers is only possible on the Pixel Watch with some apps and to a lesser extent. An example already mentioned is again Nuki, where calling up the unlocking of the door lock on an Apple watch can be integrated directly into the watch face. Wear OS, on the other hand, only offers an app link, which is used to first call up the app and then select and unlock the lock in it. So more steps are necessary and it becomes more cumbersome. In general, every app – such as Strava and Spotify – can be integrated into the watch face for quick access, but usually not specific functions of individual apps.
Pixel Watch
Sensors and vital values< /h2>
Reliable sleep tracking without display switchoff
Fortunately, no intervention by the wearer is required for sleep tracking with the Pixel Watch. Neither a special mode has to be activated nor a fixed schedule has to be configured. The Pixel Watch automatically detects when and when the wearer falls asleep and wakes up and provides the corresponding analysis on both the watch and the Fitbit app a few minutes after waking up. Waking phases are demonstrably reliably recorded. The details of the individual sleep phases (REM, awake, light and deep sleep) can be viewed graphically and in time units directly on the Pixel Watch.
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Pixel Watch: Sleep Tracking
The Pixel Watch does not yet offer a mode that switches off the display when sleep is detected or automatically at a certain time and locks inputs. The always-on display also lives up to its name at night. However, the user can choose to turn on bedtime or cinema mode at bedtime via quick settings to turn off the screen and disable notifications.
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Sleep summary on Pixel Watch
Very good heart rate measurement
The measurement of vital data by the Pixel Watch also has to be compared to other smartwatches such as the Apple Watch Series 8 (test) and Amazfit GTS 4 in the test in order to be able to assess its accuracy. Inexpensive smartwatches in particular often measure a lot, but also a lot of crap.
The heart rate measurements are carried out several times with no, light and heavy loads and with an Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Series 6, Amazfit GTS 4 and a Polar chest strap (reference).
The Pixel Watch convinces with a precise heart rate measurement, the accuracy of which is one of a kind even at a high heart rate Apple Watch Series 8.
Comparisons to measure blood oxygen saturation are currently not possible because, as mentioned, the sensor in the Pixel Watch cannot yet be read.
Exact step count
The Pixel Watch also impresses with reliable step counts that hardly deviate from the distance actually covered. For the test, a distance of exactly 1,000 steps was run three times, trying to walk as exactly as possible each time. All smartwatches were worn on the left arm.
Conclusion
One watch for all Android smartphones
With the Pixel Watch, Google has successfully entered the smartwatch market. In everyday life, the watch convinces with both software and hardware. Although the latter does not rely on the latest processors, you do not notice this on the smartwatch in everyday life. Navigating through the menus is fluid and smooth, only Google Maps initially tolerates a few stutters when zooming and panning the map on the Pixel Watch. The much-discussed wide edge of the Pixel Watch around the AMOLED display, which is excellent by the way, is undoubtedly present and no longer quite up-to-date, but by no means a knockout criterion in everyday life, since it is usually not visible at all. In strong, direct sunlight, however, it becomes apparent. And it's also clear with apps that have a colored background right up to the edge of the display, but then again it's not annoying.
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When it comes to software, Wear OS shows a lot of very good approaches, reacts quickly, is well structured and can be operated intuitively. In detail, however, there are still a few places where functions or apps are missing. The fact that Google has not pre-installed any of its own apps for functions such as the compass, there is no automatic display switch-off during sleep and many third-party apps cannot be integrated into the dial with direct functions for quick access are the most noticeable problems in everyday use. As noted with the Galaxy Watch 5, Wear OS is currently the best operating system for an Android smartwatch.
However, it is incomprehensible that Google has not yet activated basic functions such as the blood oxygen saturation sensor at the late launch of the Pixel Watch. The manufacturer has to improve this within a very short time.
Google services directly on the clock
Otherwise, the Pixel Watch and all Android users benefit from the best support for Google services on a smartwatch. Unlike Samsung, buyers are also not restricted, because all functions are available to all owners of an Android smartphone – it doesn't have to be a Google Pixel smartphone to be able to use the Pixel Watch to its full extent. With speakers, microphone, Bluetooth and LTE in the test model, the Pixel Watch is even suitable for telephoning or listening to music while exercising without a smartphone.
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Daily charging is mandatory
However, the Pixel Watch is one of the smartwatches that needs to be charged every day Need to become. The battery is empty after around 24 hours, and even earlier with a lot of GPS use and sports tracking.
Head to head with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
In addition to the lower price of the 40 mm model, which has the same display size as the Pixel Watch and has even fallen below the RRP in retail, the more up-to-date hardware, the sapphire glass and the more extensive Vital functions if you own a Galaxy smartphone. In addition, the bracelet can be exchanged for any model, while a bracelet with matching lugs must always be selected for the Pixel Watch. What speaks against the Galaxy Watch 5 is that the temperature sensor has no function at all and the ECG and blood pressure measurement can only be used with a Galaxy smartphone.
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The choice between the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and the Google Pixel Watch is therefore not always clear and easy. Anyone who owns a Galaxy smartphone will continue to use the Galaxy Watch 5. However, anyone who owns another Android smartphone will get a very good alternative with the Pixel Watch, which sometimes offers more, sometimes less, but does not conform to “I can't use all features.
The fact that the price of the Pixel Watch is likely to remain more stable than the price of the Galaxy Watch 5 does not make the decision any easier, because the Galaxy Watch 5 is available as a 40 mm model without LTE from 230 euros. Even the 44 mm model of the Galaxy Watch 5 is significantly cheaper at around 260 euros. The difference and thus savings of 150 euros to the recommended retail price of the Pixel Watch for 379 euros is very high and can only be justified with individual design preferences and the full support of all Android smartphones. Irrespective of this price comparison, however, the Pixel Watch also deserves the editors' recommendation.
Google Pixel Watch (LTE) Product group Smartwatches, 10/12/2022
- Excellent display
- Fluid Wear OS 3.5
- Google services
- Very good processing quality
- High wearing comfort
- ECG
- Exact vital data
- Replaceable strap
- Telephony and music via the smartwatch
- Good app
- LTE
- SpO2 measurement (only with update)
- Accident detection (only with update)
- Short battery life
- No iOS support at all
Now continue to develop consistently
The Pixel Watch should be the beginning of an annual new edition for Google, as the company now does with its own Pixel smartphones. The first product launch hurdle has been cleared, although the Pixel Watch should have been launched earlier. If Google improves the details of the operating system and expands the hardware with features that some of the competition already offers while maintaining the same quality, the Pixel Watch 2 will be the best Android smartwatch without restrictions.
As already mentioned, the Pixel Watch requires an Android smartphone with at least Android 8.0. Unlike the Fitbit smartwatches from Google, it cannot be used with iOS and an iPhone.
ComputerBase was loaned the Pixel Watch by Google under the NDA for testing. The only requirement was the earliest possible publication date. The manufacturer did not influence the test report, there was no obligation to publish it.
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