The Google Pixel Watch LTE offers a sleek, circular Android smartwatch option with responsive performance, robust activity tracking courtesy of Fitbit, and the convenience of cellular connectivity. As Google‘s inaugural smartwatch release, it shows promising potential. But how does it stack up in the here and now against the reigning Apple Watch? And what improvements can we expect from the Pixel Watch line in 2024 and beyond? This in-depth review provides analysis you won‘t find in the quick product blurbs and addresses buyer considerations for the months and years ahead.
Design and Display
Let‘s start with the Pixel Watch‘s most apparent edge over the Apple Watch – its eye-catching design. The rounded, domed glass display cascades beautifully into the smooth stainless steel body for a much more stylish look compared to the boxy, robotic aesthetic of the Apple Watch. And at just 12.3mm thick with a 36 gram weight excluding bands, the Pixel Watch profile hugging your wrist with no awkward bulk.
Google also nailed comfort by using soft, pliable fluoroelastomer for its active band included with the Pixel Watch. Even ambient temperature swings don‘t faze this thermostable material. The quick release mechanism makes fitting perfect a breeze too.
The domed Gorilla Glass 5 face not only looks stunning but also offers durability and scratch resistance. The always-on, circular 1.2" AMOLED display posts an ample 450 x 450 pixels for this compact smartwatch real estate. Colors appear richer thanks to DCI-P3 compatibility, and screen brightness ratchets up to 1000 nits for superb visibility even under direct sunlight. The bezel proportions also keep content unobstructed in any wrist orientation.
Performance and Software
Navigating Google‘s WearOS 3.5 software on the Pixel Watch proves mercifully straightforward compared to the often convoluted Galaxy Watch interface. Simply press the crown button to call up an app drawer with intuitive scrolling and selection. Google pre-loads 19 customizable watch faces too, with many more available for download.
The Samsung Exynos 9110 SoC and 2GB of RAM deliver suitably smooth performance whether you‘re tracking workouts, setting timers, checking notifications, or summoning Google Assistant. The Pixel Watch also stores music for LTE streaming if you want to leave the phone back.
Health Tracking and Fitbit Integration
Where the Pixel Watch truly shines is its deep Fitbit integration. Key health metrics like continuous heart rate, blood oxygen levels, sleep patterns and more feed into the highly detailed Fitbit app. And with FDA clearance, you can even take clinical-grade ECG readings from the Pixel Watch to monitor for irregular heart rhythm issues like atrial fibrillation.
This puts the Apple Watch on notice when it comes to advanced health tracking. Fitbit Premium integration also unlocks guided health programs and workout videos for taking your wellness commitment to the highest level. My only gripe is the lack of voice guided coaching and sometimes spotty auto-detection on more casual workouts. But these capabilities will undoubtedly strengthen over time with software tweaks.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life remains the Pixel Watch‘s Achilles heel for now. The 294 mAh capacity only lasts about 24 hours with heart rate tracking, SpO2 and sleep monitoring enabled. Bump up the screen brightness, stream some music over LTE and track an outdoor run with GPS, and you‘ll be lucky to squeak out 12 hours on a charge.
The good news? Rapid charging gives you a 50% boost in just 30 minutes. A full charge from empty takes about 80 minutes. Warming can be an issue during charging, but it quickly levels off once topped up. Wireless charging would have been a nice addition too.
Software optimizations, a more efficient second-gen processor and perhaps a slightly thicker case to accommodate more battery should allow the 2024 Pixel Watch revision to last 36-48 hours between charges with typical use. That would match what Samsung‘s Galaxy Watch line offers.
Pixel Watch vs. Apple Watch Series 8
So how does the Pixel Watch LTE stack against the also-new Apple Watch Series 8? Apple still holds the upper hand in areas like smartphone app integration, voice controls via Siri, and third-party app support. The Apple Watch also tends to do better tracking less vigorous workouts and activities thanks to sophisticated machine learning.
But for Android loyalists, the Pixel Watch provides a much smoother crossover experience compared to using an Apple Watch with an Android phone. And the Pixel Watch retail price undercuts that of the equivalent cellular-enabled aluminum Series 8 Apple Watch by about $100 when you factor in monthly connectivity fees.
For those less invested in the Apple ecosystem, the Pixel Watch presents an attractive, more affordable alternative with its gorgeous circular display, stylish design and market-leading Fitbit health/fitness features. And given Google‘s vast resources and AI expertise, they could easily catch up to Apple in smartwatch OS capabilities within a generation or two.
Should You Buy the Google Pixel Watch in 2024?
The Pixel Watch LTE makes the most sense if you already rely heavily on Google services and own an Android phone. The watch sets up seamlessly, syncs notifications and reminders, and gives you quick access to Google Assistant and core phone functions like dialing and text via LTE connectivity.
Diehard athletes and health nuts will also appreciate the best-in-class tracking courtesy of Fitbit. And if you appreciate cutting edge design along with smart functionality, the Pixel Watch aesthetic far outshines the clinical Apple Watch.
Those locked into iOS or expecting multi-day battery life on a single charge may want to hold off for now. My advice? Jump on the Pixel Watch if you see a good holiday 2023 or early 2024 sale. By the slated fall 2024 launch of the Pixel Watch 2, Google will likely address current shortcomings like battery life while expanding the feature set. This watch has too much potential given Google‘s resources. 2024 could very well be the year Pixel Watch conquers the Android smartwatch landscape.
