Google Pixel Watch 4: One-minute review<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Blue Pixl Media)<\/p>\n Google<\/a>‘s latest crop of hardware, released at its Made by Google 2025 <\/a>event, including phones, earbuds, and of course, the Google Pixel Watch 4. Similar to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8<\/a> or Apple Watch Series 10<\/a>, the latest generation of the Pixel Watch 4 is less about earth-shattering changes and more about refinements to a working formula.<\/p>\n Google is sticking with the now-iconic and really quite lovely polished pebble circular build that comes in two sizes \u2013 the addition of a 45mm option alongside the 41mm model was the big change last year. That means more choice for you if the Pixel Watch<\/a> sparks your interest, and ultimately lets you get the one that\u2019s the right size for your wrist.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Google is also mostly sticking with the same prices as last year (there’s a small increase for the 45mm version in Australia). And despite the outward similarities there are some significant upgrades here, including a healthy dose of AI smarts powered by some new silicon, a forthcoming AI coach that\u2019s part of a larger Fitbit<\/a> rollout, replaceable parts, a refreshed user interface, and a new domed display that\u2019s physically raised to the touch.<\/p>\n It’s a slick piece of kit, and one we really like using for the most part. It looked great, although it was thick on the wrist it was comfortable, and the Material 3 Expressive software design is a joy to use. Fast charging works as described, and the battery on our 45mm unit stands up to its 40-hour claim with moderate use. The Fitbit app, which got a redesigned this year, is intuitive and works very well, although it’s irritating that some features are locked behind the Premium paywall.<\/p>\n Testing the PW’s heart rate against a chest strap during a workout showed a small amount of inaccuracy: not enough to bother those who just want an estimate of how well they’re doing during the day, but enough to make serious athletes looking for pinpoint accuracy slightly wary of trusting the Pixel Watch 4 in the same way they do Apple<\/a> or Garmin<\/a> when looking at heart-based metrics.<\/p>\n Google Pixel Watch 4 (Black) at Amazon for $349.99<\/a>Google Pixel Watch 4: SpecificationsSwipe to scroll horizontally<\/p>\n Component<\/p>\n Google Pixel Watch 4<\/p>\n Price<\/p>\n Starting at $399 \/ \u00a3349 \/ AU$579 <\/p>\n Dimensions<\/p>\n 41 x 41 x 12.3mm \/ 45 x 45 x 12.3mm<\/p>\n Weight<\/p>\n 31g \/ 36.7g without straps<\/p>\n Caze\/bezel<\/p>\n Recycled aluminum<\/p>\n Display<\/p>\n 320ppi always-on display AMOLED with up to 3,000 nits brightness<\/p>\n Operating System<\/p>\n Wear OS 6.0<\/p>\n Processor<\/p>\n Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 processor with an ML coprocessor<\/p>\n Memory<\/p>\n 2GB of RAM<\/p>\n Storage<\/p>\n 32GB<\/p>\n GPS<\/p>\n GPS (Dual-Frequency), Galileo, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS<\/p>\n Battery life<\/p>\n Up to 72 hours with battery saver enabled or up to 40 hours with always-on display enabled<\/p>\n Connection<\/p>\n Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LTE<\/p>\n Water resistance<\/p>\n WR50, IP68<\/p>\n Google Pixel Watch 4: Price and AvailabilityFrom $349 \/ \u00a3349 \/ AU$579 for the 41mmFrom $399 \/ \u00a3399 \/ AU$669 for the 45mmCellular connectivity costs extra as usual<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking to upgrade from, say, a Pixel Watch 2 or 3, maybe another Android smartwatch, or even getting your first one, there is a wait for when you\u2019ll actually receive a new Pixel Watch.<\/p>\n Unlike other gadgets that have seen price hikes year over year, the Pixel Watch 4 sticks with the same price as the Pixel Watch 3. Meaning it\u2019s priced at $349 \/ \u00a3349 \/ AU$579 for the 41mm Pixel Watch 4 with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, or $449 \/ \u00a3449 \/ AU$749 for cellular connectivity. The larger, 45mm Pixel Watch 4 is $399 \/ \u00a3399 \/ AU$669 for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, or $499 \/ \u00a3499 \/ AU$839 for connectivity.<\/p>\n Beyond accessing the internet with the cellular connectivity model, you\u2019ll also need to spend more to get emergency satellite functionality on the Pixel Watch 4. There isn\u2019t an extra monthly or annual cost \u2013 at least for two years, that\u2019s what Google provides out of the box \u2013 but it needs to make use of the bands found in the cellular version of the watch. That could be a reason alone to get it right there.<\/p>\n Google Pixel Watch 4: Design<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Future\/Lance Ulanoff)Domed displayNew Material 3 Expressive software lookRedesigned charger<\/p>\n The first thing I noticed during my hands-on time with the Pixel Watch 4 was that the display itself is not flat like on the Pixel Watch 3<\/a>. Sure, we\u2019ve seen smartwatches on which the display slopes down the sides towards the watch case, such as the Apple Watch<\/a> Series 10, but the glass display here is actually domed to the point where, as you swipe across the screen, you\u2019ll feel the surface rise or lower.<\/p>\n This makes the sides of the display and the graphics appearing on the edges even more sloped, a feature the new Material 3 Expressive interface uses in its animations. However, it also noticeably increases the thickness on your wrist. The domed 360 Actua display still looked rich and vibrant with crisp text or numbers, and it got considerably brighter in the demo room, which wasn’t brightly lit. Google says it can hit up to 3,000 nits, a jump of 1,000 nits compared to the Pixel Watch 3.<\/p>\n The third-generation Pixel Watch got a larger display than its predecessor, and the fourth-gen model goes bigger again, with 16% smaller bezels and 10% larger active display area, which Google says is made possible by the domed display.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Future\/Lance Ulanoff)<\/p>\n We think the physical touch and interaction with the watch might take some time to get used to, but the new design delivers a theoretically more durable surface \u2013 as is the case with some dome shapes \u2013 and more space to hit touchpoints or see items presented on your wrist is certainly a win. It enhances what we described in our Pixel Watch 3 review last year as the ‘polished pebble’ effect of the Pixel Watch\u2019s looks.<\/p>\n The Pixel Watch 4 still boasts Corning Gorilla Glass to protect against drops or scratches, and the rest of the build here is aerospace-grade aluminum. It\u2019s also water-resistant up to 50 meters. Another major change this year is a redesigned back, which has resulted in the moving of the charging ports in order to make this smartwatch repairable and serviceable.<\/p>\n Yes, you\u2019ll notice several screws, which allow the battery to be replaced for a more sustainable design. This isn\u2019t something that’s common for major smartwatch brands, as most devices are sealed units, so it\u2019s a welcome step in the right direction from Google.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Future\/Jacob Krol)<\/p>\n This also means a pretty significant change in charger design, as you\u2019ll no longer place this on a proprietary puck with prongs as you would the Galaxy Watch, Apple Watch, or any Pixel Watch before this. The Pixel Watch 4 charges on its side in a dock, and if you\u2019re charging it on a nightstand this should make it easier to use the smartwatch as a small alarm clock \u2013 it\u2019s even perfectly positioned so that you can tap the crown to snooze.<\/p>\n Google is also taking advantage of these charger and design changes to speed up refueling. You can now charge the Pixel Watch 4 from 0% to 50% in just 15 minutes, and Google is promising longer battery life for both sizes \u2013 up to 30 hours for the 41mm and up to 40 hours for the 45mm. Your mileage will, of course, vary depending on usage, but it\u2019s a good step beyond the Pixel Watch 3.<\/p>\n Google Pixel Watch 4: Features<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Future\/Lance Ulanoff)On-wrist GeminiUsual suite of health and fitness featuresTons of third party apps<\/p>\n Gemini powers a ton of new features. Google\u2019s new Smart Replies feature looks like a welcome innovation, especially if you\u2019re tired of suggested replies that often lack context and are unsuited to the conversation. The Pixel Watch 4\u2019s silicon can power an on-device large language model to generate appropriate suggested replies based on what a message says.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve already seen Gemini arrive on-wrist courtesy of the Galaxy Watch 8, but Google is serving up something special for its watch, and that\u2019s a \u2018raise to talk to the AI assistant\u2019 functionality. Simply raise your wrist, and a glowing bar appears at the bottom of the display, which indicates that Gemini is listening and that you can start your request. You don\u2019t need to say \u2018Hey Gemini’ \u2013 Google has us pretty well trained in that department \u2013 and it worked well in practice, quickly pulling up the weather.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Future\/Lance Ulanoff)<\/p>\n Google\u2019s shipping the Pixel Watch 4 with a familiar suite that includes general activity, heart-rate, blood oxygen (SpO2), and sleep tracking. You can also take an ECG or Electrocardiogram, and there\u2019s an improved Skin Temperature sensor for more accurate readings. You can also track over 40 workouts with the Pixel Watch 4.<\/p>\n The real big potential leap, though, is a promised \u2018personal AI health coach\u2019 that\u2019s powered by Gemini and set to arrive at some point in October as a preview in the United States at first. It should go beyond \u2018Workout Buddy\u2019 on the Apple Watch and some AI features on the Galaxy Watch, but we don\u2019t know exactly what it entails just yet. Google is promising it to be a coach of sorts that bases recommendations on your health data and that you can chat with, maybe something similar to that of Oura Advisor<\/a>.<\/p>\n While the Pixel Watch 4 doesn\u2019t usher in a tremendously radical redesign, it\u2019s mostly about polishing and the addition of a healthy dose of AI functionality \u2013 something that Google is a big fan of. It\u2019s likely that you don\u2019t need to rush out for it if you already have a Pixel Watch 3, as you’ll get many of the same features and the same smorgasbord of third-party app availability there.<\/p>\n Google Pixel Watch 4: Performance<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Amanda Westberg)Zippy and fast day-to-dayBattery charges fast and lasts as describedHeart rate accuracy fine, but not as accurate as an Apple Watch Ultra 3 or Garmin Venu 4<\/p>\n The Pixel Watch 4 felt like a modern-day smartwatch that was responsive and zippy fast. Under the hood it\u2019s powered by Qualcomm\u2019s Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 Wearable Platform and a next-gen ML CoProcessor, both of which ensure that the new Material 3 Expressive interface design runs well here. It was easy enough to swipe between tiles, and we especially liked the more vibrant nature of the colors, which you can, of course, customize. Overall, this watch feels speedy compared to previous years.<\/p>\n We tested Gemini with a message that referenced delays on my local train service, and the Pixel Watch 4 delivered an appropriate response. It took a few seconds, but it\u2019s much better than the list found on previous Pixel Watches, the Galaxy Watch, or the Apple Watch. However, we also had a couple of mishaps: it once directed me to a disused train station, not the closest operating one.<\/p>\n We tested the heart rate tracking against an accurate chest-mounted heart rate monitor, the Polar H10, during a four-mile run. The Google Pixel Watch 4 had an average heart rate difference of around 13bpm during our tracked test. Not awful, but the Garmin Venu 4 had a 5bpm difference, while the Apple Watch Ultra 3 had just 1bpm difference to the chest strap.<\/p>\n It’s more accurate than the Garmin Instinct 3, which had 18bpm difference, but worth understanding that during our test, the Pixel Watch 4 was more in ‘ballpark’ territory rather than ‘pinpoint accuracy’, and perhaps best used as a guideline for activity-based metrics rather than gospel.<\/p>\n However, the watch was extremely comfortable to wear despite its thickness, very useful day-to-day, easy to navigate and a joy to use. Battery performed as described, and charging was very fast. I loved the redesigned charger, especially as the watch feels like it now has a nightstand place.<\/p>\n ScorecardSwipe to scroll horizontally<\/p>\n Category<\/p>\n Comment<\/p>\n Score<\/p>\n Value<\/p>\n Same price as last year, a win!<\/p>\n 4.5\/5<\/p>\n Design<\/p>\n Iterates on the iconic pebble with smart choices, like the domed screen & new charger.<\/p>\n 5\/5<\/p>\n Features<\/p>\n All the third party apps you want, workout tracking and AI.<\/p>\n 4\/5<\/p>\n Performance<\/p>\n Some early glitches & accuracy quibbles, but generally a joy to use.<\/p>\n 4\/5<\/p>\n Google Pixel Watch 4: Should I buy?<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: iFixit)Buy it if…Don’t buy it if…Also consider<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Future)Swipe to scroll horizontally<\/p>\n Component<\/p>\n Google Pixel Watch 4 (41mm)<\/p>\n OnePlus Watch 3 (43mm)<\/p>\n Garmin Venu 4 (41mm)<\/p>\n Price<\/p>\n From $399 \/ \u00a3349 \/ AU$579 <\/p>\n From \u00a0$499 \/ \u00a3269.99 \/ AU$TBC<\/p>\n From $549.99 \/ \u00a3469.99 \/ AU$949<\/p>\n Dimensions<\/p>\n 41 x 41 x 12.3mm<\/p>\n 43.2 x 43.2 x 11mm<\/p>\n 41 x 41 x 12 mm<\/p>\n Weight<\/p>\n 31g without straps<\/p>\n 37.8 without straps<\/p>\n 46g with band<\/p>\n Caze\/bezel<\/p>\n Recycled aluminum<\/p>\n Stainless steel<\/p>\n Stainless steel\/Polymer<\/p>\n Display<\/p>\n 320ppi always-on display AMOLED <\/p>\n 466 x 466px 1.3-in AMOLED display<\/p>\n 390 x 390px 1.2-in AMOLED display<\/p>\n Operating System<\/p>\n Wear OS <\/p>\n Wear OS<\/p>\n Garmin OS<\/p>\n GPS<\/p>\n GPS (Dual-Frequency), Galileo, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS<\/p>\n Beidou, GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, QZSS<\/p>\n GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, SatIQ<\/p>\n Battery life<\/p>\n Up to 72 hours with battery saver enabled or up to 40 hours with always-on display enabled<\/p>\n Up to 60 hours, 7 days in power saver<\/p>\n Up to 10 days<\/p>\n Connection<\/p>\n Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LTE<\/p>\n Bluetooth, Wi-Fi <\/p>\n Bluetooth, Wi-Fi<\/p>\n Water resistance<\/p>\n WR50, IP68<\/p>\n 5ATM<\/p>\n 5ATM<\/p>\n How we tested<\/p>\n We wore the Pixel Watch 3 for days, tracking our sleep, performing ECG tests and working out with a chest-mounted heart rate monitor. We also tested AI systems like smart replies and on-device Gemini searches. We loaded our favorite third-party apps onto the watch, like Strava and Spotify, drained the battery down and examined the speed of its fast charging.<\/p>\n![\"Google](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/6nqpyRXpCtbdCW5yLpjdTZ.jpg\")
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