The Pixel Watch 3 is the third incarnation of Google’s smartwatch line to be officially available in Finland. Despite its somewhat inflated price, the device is a reliable choice.
Key specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | 450 euros |
| Dimensions | 41 x 41 x 13.6 mm |
| Display | 1.4-inch AMOLED, 320 PPI |
| Battery | 420 mAh |
| Processor | Qualcomm SW5100 |
| Connectivity | GPS, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi‑Fi 802.11n, NFC, UWB |
| OS compatibility | Android 10.0 or newer |
| Sensors | Heart rate, ECG, blood pressure, BIA, SpO2, skin temperature |
| Water resistance | 5ATM, IP68 |
Sizes, pricing, and what I tested
Google has introduced the Pixel Watch 3 in a variety of sizes for the first time. A larger 45 mm version has been introduced to complement the original 41 mm model, which offers 40% more display area than the Pixel Watch 2. The cost of the lesser model is 400 euros without LTE and 450 euros with LTE. The 45 mm version is priced at 500 euros without LTE and 550 euros with LTE. This device is the 41 mm LTE model that was tested.
Competition
The Pixel Watch 3 is in direct competition with other Wear OS devices, such as the Samsung Galaxy Watch7 (which is priced at 369 euros) and the OnePlus Watch 2 (269 euros). The Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro, Suunto Vertical (469 euros), and the older Garmin Fenix 7 (389 euros) are other competitors in the same price range. The Apple Watch Series 10 is priced at 409 euros on the iPhone side.
Design and display
The casings of the Pixel Watch 3 are constructed from recycled aluminum in both sizes. The Actua AMOLED displays on the watches are capable of producing a maximal brightness of up to 2,000 nits, and their refresh rates range from 1 to 60 Hertz. The pixel density of 320 PPI is shared by both displays. The thickness of the 41 mm and 45 mm models is 12.3 mm. The smaller watch weighs 31 grams without the bracelet, while the larger watch weighs 37 grams.
The display curves toward the edges, and Google reduced the screen bezels by 16 percent in comparison to the previous model. The curved screen is a personal preference; I personally favor flat displays. An additional programmable button and a rotatable crown are located on the right edge, which by default reveals the recent apps view. Button feedback is advantageous.
The Pixel Watch 3’s appearance is reminiscent of its antecedent. The design is straightforward and practical, although some individuals may perceive it as slightly toy-like in comparison to more conventionally styled watches, such as the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro or the sportier Galaxy Watch7 Ultra. That is, of course, subjective.
Strap and fit
A side clip is used to secure the harness. It does not immediately bend downward at the watch junction, which can result in a small gap forming where the watch joins the strap on smaller wrists, which can affect the fit. Other than that, the strap remains secure during exercises and the watch is comfortable. The device is sufficiently lightweight to be discreetly worn on the wrist.
Sensors and hardware
In addition to conventional sensors like a gyroscope and barometer, the Pixel Watch 3 incorporates optical heart rate measurement, SpO2, ECG, skin temperature, and skin conductance sensors.
The watch is equipped with a Qualcomm SW5100 chipset, a Cortex M33 co-processor, 32 GB of storage, and 2 GB of SDRAM. It is equipped with IP68 and 5ATM water and dust resistance ratings. Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 802.11n, NFC, and UWB are among the connectivity options. Use cases such as vehicle keys with BMW cars that support Digital Key Plus are enabled by ultra-wideband.
Battery life and charging
The Pixel Watch 3 is rated by Google for a 24-hour battery life when the always-on display is activated. This can be extended to a maximum of 36 hours by utilizing a power-saving mode. The duration of real-world use is significantly influenced by GPS activity and utilization; however, it is typical to require a daily charge. The included charger requires approximately one hour to charge from empty to full, and Qi wireless charging is not supported.
Compatibility and pairing
Android devices that are running Android 10 or later are compatible with the Pixel Watch 3. It is not possible to connect it to an iPhone. The Pixel Watch app facilitates a rapid and effortless pairing process with Android devices. The camera remote function is a feature that is exclusive to Pixel phones.
Software and apps
The Pixel Watch 3 is powered by Wear OS 5, which is positioned at the pinnacle of smartwatch platforms, alongside Apple’s watchOS. Spotify and Strava are among the numerous third-party applications that are supported by Wear OS 5. YouTube Music, Wallet, Gmail, Google Home, and Google Maps with offline navigation are among the Google-owned applications that are accessible on the watch. Directly on the watch, the Pixel Recorder is capable of capturing voice snippets.
You can respond to messages from the watch and view images that have been sent to messaging applications directly on the display.
The Wear OS 5 app launcher employs diminutive program icons. The watch accommodates swipe gestures, the rotating crown, and an additional button in addition to touch. The navigation is responsive and intuitive.
Health ecosystem
Two phone applications are necessary for the watch. The Pixel Watch app is responsible for the operation of the watch and its various watch faces. Fitbit manages health and exercise data, including runs. Fitbit is a user-friendly and contemporary device that can scale the difficulty of cardio workouts and the time required for recovery. It also monitors sleep, stress, and activity objectives.
Fitbit provides an optional paid Premium subscription that includes guided workouts, more advanced sleep monitoring, and additional mindfulness content. By purchasing a Pixel Watch, you will receive six months of Premium access. Fitbit is functional without Premium; however, some purchasers may find the subscription to be an inconvenience.
Fitness and tracking in practice
The Pixel Watch 3 is an excellent jogging companion. It offers comprehensive running statistics, including stride length and cadence. The data are beneficial for casual runners; however, they do not necessarily result in improved technique in the absence of concrete coaching advice.
A tempo alert can be established to notify you if you lag behind a predetermined objective. This is advantageous for athletes, and I would appreciate the inclusion of a comparable feature for cyclists.
Heart rate, GPS and sleep
The Pixel Watch 3’s optical heart rate monitoring is more precise than that of numerous other smartwatches; however, it still falls short of a dedicated chest strap when worn on a narrow wrist. Erratic traces are a common issue with optical sensors, as they can be produced by activities such as mountain bicycling and rapid heart rate changes. External chest attachments are not compatible with the watch.
The location is rapidly locked in and the GPS accuracy is reliable. The watch automatically transitions to a night-friendly UI and power-saving mode when it detects slumber, and sleep tracking functions effectively. That is, provided that the watch did not remain on a charger overnight due to its inadequate battery life.
Safety features
The Pixel Watch 3 is equipped with safety features, including the ability to autonomously summon assistance in the event of a fall or crash. Additionally, Google is developing a feature that is designed to identify users who experience a loss of consciousness.
Pros and cons
Good
- Wear OS 5 and its broad software ecosystem
- Accurate wrist-based heart-rate tracking
- High-quality display
Bad
- Only about a day of battery life
- High price
- Fitbit’s paid subscription
Verdict
In general, the Pixel Watch 3 is a competent Wear OS timepiece that is competent; however, it is priced at a premium. The Galaxy Watch7 is the most direct competitor, as it is less expensive. Owning a Pixel or Galaxy phone is likely to impact your purchase decision, as both Google and Samsung reserve specific features for their own phones.
The watch’s battery life is its most significant practical limitation, despite the fact that it is comparable to Samsung’s product. Comparable essential features, including GPS and heart-rate sensing, are accessible in watches that are significantly less costly, such as the OnePlus Watch 2. In some instances, the battery life is significantly improved.
A more rugged watch with chest-strap support, such as the Suunto Vertical, may be a more suitable option for sports-focused consumers. Additionally, the Pixel Watch 3 is not an option for those who own an iPhone due to compatibility constraints.
