The Pixel Watch, when it first launched, delivered almost everything I could have asked for from an Android smartwatch, but with the new Pixel Watch 3, Google has finally hit a home run. The new iteration delivers a smartwatch that finally feels ready to compete with the best offerings from Apple and Samsung and manages to stay true to its concept even as it evolves. After two generations of refinement, the third iteration of Google’s wearable brings meaningful upgrades across the board while retaining the sleek, pebble-like design that made the original so visually appealing.
If you haven’t seen the previous generations of Pixel watches up close, you may not notice the difference this time around. Still, Google has put time into making this smartwatch a more impressive offering overall. The most noticeable change is the introduction of a larger 45mm size option alongside the previous 41mm size. This is something many of my friends have been asking for, especially those with bigger wrists, as the 41mm version felt uncomfortable to use. Keeping the same design, the 45mm variant provides a more substantial presence without feeling overly bulky, striking a nice balance between screen real estate and wearability.
While the core design remains essentially unchanged, Google has made some subtle refinements. The recycled aluminum body feels premium, and the colour options — particularly the new Matte Hazel and Rose Quartz — are attractive. The proprietary band attachment system is still a bit fiddly, but the growing selection of first- and third-party bands helps offset this minor annoyance. I still wish the Google Pixel watches allowed for standard bands, but thankfully, it’s less of a challenge compared to when the first iteration launched.
“…with the new Pixel Watch 3, Google has finally hit a home run.”
Google has taken time to refine what makes the Pixel Watches so impressive. Both sizes benefit from Google’s new Actua display technology, which pushes the screen closer to the edges and dramatically increases brightness. With a peak output of 2,000 nits (compared to 1,000 nits on the Pixel Watch 2), the Pixel Watch 3 is easy to read even in bright sunlight. The always-on display option is more usable than ever, and the variable refresh rate (1-60Hz) helps conserve battery when possible.
Under the hood, the Pixel Watch 3 features many of the same core components as the Pixel Watch 2. It still includes a Qualcomm SW5100 chip with a Cortex M33 co-processor, paired with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage to ensure smooth performance. Wear OS 5 feels snappy and responsive, with apps launching quickly and animations remaining fluid. The haptic crown provides precise scrolling, though some may still prefer the physical rotating bezel found on select Samsung models.
I’m also happy to see that Google has addressed one of my biggest gripes with past watches: battery life. In the past, if I missed a night of charging, I would struggle to even make it to breakfast before the Pixel Watch ran on empty. With the Pixel Watch 3, I could make it well into the second day before rushing to find a charger.
While it’s not at the level of the OnePlus Watch 2 or some of the Xiaomi smartwatches, it’s by far an improvement over what was offered before. With moderate use, it’s not a stretch to see the watch last two full days on a single charge. The new auto bedtime mode, which disables the always-on display and notifications while you sleep, contributes to this improved longevity. I will also note that while the 41mm variant has the same 306mAh battery, the 45mm features a 420mAh battery, giving you a bit more juice to extend the life of the watch.
The Google Pixel Watch 3 puts much more emphasis on health than past iterations, making it one of the core features this time around. While it is not overbearing in its implementation, it feels very well integrated into the watch’s core, making it easy to jump into one of the many Fitbit modes when you’re ready for a workout. Runners, in particular, will appreciate the new ability to create custom workouts with specific pace, heart rate, and distance targets. The watch provides real-time guidance during your run, alerting you if you’re falling behind or surpassing your goals.
The health tracking doesn’t stop there. The Pixel Watch 3 offers a range of post-workout analyses enhanced with AI-powered insights. It can now provide detailed metrics like vertical oscillation, ground contact time, and stride length — data points typically reserved for dedicated running watches. While it may not replace a high-end Garmin for serious athletes, it’s more than capable for the average fitness enthusiast.
“The Google Pixel Watch 3 puts much more emphasis on health than past iterations, making it one of the core features this time around.”
I’ll be honest: I only touched on many of these features, as I use the Pixel Watch 3 more as a tracking device to keep me on track during my day. However, I made sure to test some of the features while running around Berlin for IFA, and everything worked as I had hoped. It was great to quickly dive into the modes I needed without making it a chore to jump back to core features when necessary.
While I love how well Google has integrated Fitbit into the Pixel Watch experience, the need for Fitbit Premium for some of the features can get annoying. Thankfully, Google now includes six months of the service with every Pixel Watch 3 purchase, giving you a taste of what the full Fitbit experience can be like. This gives you ample time to decide if the advanced sleep analysis, guided workouts, and other premium features are worth the ongoing subscription.
I’m also happy to see Google offer features with the Pixel Watch 3 that go beyond standard fitness and address the many ways people today need help mentally as well. Stress tracking has been improved, with the watch now able to detect potential moments of stress or excitement throughout the day. It will prompt you to log your mood or engage in a mindfulness exercise. While the usefulness of this feature will vary from person to person, it’s a thoughtful inclusion that aligns with the growing focus on mental health in wearables.
I’m also impressed by the many ways Google has improved the overall smartwatch experience. The ability to use the Pixel Watch 3 as a remote control for Google TV devices is convenient, and enhanced Nest integration lets you view doorbell camera feeds right on your wrist. While these are minor features, these small quality-of-life improvements add up to make the watch feel more deeply integrated into the Google ecosystem and a more useful addition to your life, rather than just another accessory that will inevitably just gather dust after a month.
“For anyone who is already a Pixel phone owner, the Pixel Watch 3 smartwatch is truly a no-brainer.”
The company also promises three years of major OS updates and five years of security patches. While this may seem minor, when you’re spending money on a smartwatch, you want to know it will last at least a few years. This longevity helps justify the premium price tag, which starts at $349 for the 41mm Bluetooth/Wi-Fi model and tops out at $499 for the 45mm LTE variant.
But when it comes down to it, who is the Pixel Watch 3 really for? For anyone who is already a Pixel phone owner, the Pixel Watch 3 smartwatch is truly a no-brainer. The seamless integration and matching aesthetic make for a cohesive experience. However, the watch is compelling enough to consider even if you’re using a different Android device. The clean implementation of Wear OS 5, robust health tracking, and now-competitive battery life make it a strong contender in the Android smartwatch space.
For people who are currently using other Android brands, the answer is a bit less clear. If you like the look and enjoy the features it brings to the table, the Pixel Watch 3 is a solid offering — one that finally seems to have cracked the formula to make a watch worthy of its price tag. But in an already crowded market, there are plenty of options, including the Samsung Watch, OnePlus Watch 2R, and watches from brands like Xiaomi and more. Even so, the Fitbit integration makes this one of the best Android-based fitness watches, and it has a look all its own, standing out from the sea of generic-looking smartwatches currently available.
The Pixel Watch 3 represents Google’s most refined wearable offering to date. It successfully addresses most of the shortcomings of its predecessors while building upon their strengths. For Android users seeking a stylish, capable smartwatch with a strong focus on fitness, Google’s Pixel Watch 3 should be at the top of your list. It’s a device that not only meets expectations but often exceeds them, cementing Google’s place as a serious contender in the wearable market.
