Google announced its first Pixel Watch in 2022 and it was exciting. Before that smartwatch arrived, there had been a range of third party options that ran Google’s Wear OS software, but none from Google itself (unless of course you count Motorola that it owned until 2014).
The point is, Apple has always done well with its devices – including Apple Watch – because it has control over both hardware and software. With smartwatches and fitness trackers, it’s not all about the fancy sensors under the hood, it’s also about the end user experience.
For the Google Pixel Watch 3, that synergy of form and function really starts to show. The design hasn’t strayed too much from the original Pixel Watch but there are some big improvements overall in the Pixel Watch 3 and while there are still a couple of niggles, this is a great smartwatch. Here’s my review.
The Disconnekt Downlow
Pros
+ Stunning display
+ Great fitness features
+ Elegant design
Cons
– Strap mechanism
– Some features require subscription
The Google Pixel Watch 3 is a great smartwatch for Android users. It has a simple and elegant design, a stunning display and there’s good battery life too. It’s the health and fitness features that stand out the most, however. The way Fitbit presents data is exceptional compared to its rivals and the Pixel Watch 3 offers not only accurate heart rate tracking, but great sleep tracking and stress tracking too. Some features are locked behind Fitbit Premium and the strap changing mechanism is certainly not what I would call user friendly but otherwise, there’s very little to complain about here. Overall, the Google Pixel Watch 3 is a super smartwatch, and third time really is a charm here.
The reasons you should choose Google Pixel Watch 3
The first thing you’ll notice about the Google Pixel 3 is how simple and elegant the design is. The pebble-shaped, polished aluminium casing has soft and clean lines that make for a lovely looking smartwatch and it’s comfortable too. I was testing the 45mm model (new for the Pixel Watch 3) and while the smaller 41mm one would have been preferable on my wrist, I barely noticed the larger one, night or day, unless I wanted to, and that to me is a good thing.
When I did want to notice it, the Actua (what Google calls OLED) display really catches the eye. The bezels surrounding the screen have been reduced compared to the Pixel Watch 2, resulting in a larger screen, which is of course even truer of the new bigger model. The colours are vibrant with plenty of pop, and there’s ample brightness, with a jump there compared to the Pixel Watch 2.
IMAGE CREDIT: THE DISCONNEKT
Responsiveness is excellent too, whether using touch or the simple controls. That also applies to the fitness tracking. The Pixel Watch 3 was quick to pick up that I was working out, acknowledging my dog walk in the exact same spot every single evening, which was always exactly 10 minutes into my stroll.
I was also impressed by the Pixel Watch 3’s ability to respond quickly to peaks and troughs in heart rate. Fitness trackers aren’t always brilliant at responding to the heart rate fluctuations during HIIT workouts, but the Pixel Watch 3 was brilliant, and fractionally faster than the Apple Watch Series 10 I had on my other wrist when testing this device.
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It also feels as though the integration with Fitbit has been fully realised with the Pixel Watch 3. I’ve reviewed Fitbit trackers for years and I’ve always thought the presentation of data offered in the Fitbit app was top class.
It also feels as though the integration with Fitbit (which Google bought in 2021) has been fully realised with the Pixel Watch 3. I’ve reviewed Fitbit trackers for years and I’ve always thought the presentation of data offered in the Fitbit app was top class. It’s clean, concise and simple to interpret and trust me when I say that’s not the case for all fitness devices. I’ll talk more about the Pixel Watch 3’s features in a second, but the Cardio Load score is great, as is Daily Readiness Score – which is similar to Samsung’s Energy Score – and if you’re a fan of sleep tracking, then Fitbit is superb here too.
What the Google Pixel Watch 3 could do better
There are a couple of areas the Google Pixel Watch 3 could improve on. The strap mechanism is, frankly, an absolute pain. Sure, you get used to it, but it could be so much better. You have to push a button on the Pixel Watch 3 and then slide the strap across to change it. To reattach a strap, you line up the grooves and then slide the strap in. For the Apple Watch Series 10 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, you just press one button to pop the strap out, and the straps just click back in when you’re done – both are a lot less faff than the Pixel Watch 3.
The Pixel Watch 3 is only compatible with Android devices too, and that’s a bit of a shame. It’s not overly surprising as the Apple Watch is only compatible with iPhone so it’s not the only smartwatch to be locked down in terms of compatibility, but the Pixel Watch 3 marks the new era of Fitbit smartwatches and in the past, Fitbit has always been compatible with both Android and iOS.
IMAGE CREDIT: THE DISCONNEKT
Plus, until Samsung and Google teamed up for the launch of Wear OS 3, the Wear OS platform was compatible with both iPhone and Android so it’s disappointing that’s no longer the case. If you have an iPhone and you want a smartwatch with Fitbit’s suite of fitness features, why shouldn’t you be able to opt for the Pixel Watch 3? Especially as the Fitbit Sense 2 and Fitbit Versa 4 are the last of their generation and both now over a year old.
Speaking of Fitbit, that is the last area I’ll complain about. Despite its accolades, some of the features and insights offered by Fitbit sit behind the Fitbit Premium subscription. That means you will have to pay a monthly cost to access them following the six month free trial you get with the purchase of the Pixel Watch 3. Neither Samsung, Garmin or Apple have monthly subscription fees for data insights so it’s annoying the Pixel Watch 3 does, but it is what it is and you can decide for yourself if you think the data is worth the monthly fee.
Four Google Pixel Watch 3 specs
2,000
Nits
The Google Pixel Watch 3 has a display brightness of 2,000 nits which is double that of the Pixel Watch 2.
IP68
Rated
The Google Pixel Watch 3 is IP68 rated and waterproof to 5ATM, which is 50 metres.
307
mAh
The Google Pixel Watch 3 41mm comes with a 307mAh battery, and the Pixel Watch 3 45mm has a 420mAh battery.
31
Grammes
The Google Pixel Watch 3 41mm model measures 41mm x 12.3mm and weighs 31g. The 45mm model measures 45mm x 12.3mm and weighs 37g.
Google Pixel Watch 3 features
The Google Pixel Watch 3 packs a punch when it comes to features and while much of that is down to the Fitbit integration, there are some other things worth mentioning. If you have a Nest doorbell or cameras (Google owns these too), you can view a live feed directly on your Pixel Watch 3. You can also start a voice recording on your Pixel phone directly from your Pixel Watch 3 and if you have Google TV, you can use your Pixel Watch 3 as a remote.
IMAGE CREDIT: THE DISCONNEKT
While they are all useful, they wouldn’t be the reason I’d buy the Pixel Watch 3. Nor would the fact you can use it as a remote camera capture button if you are using it with a Pixel phone, though that is handy, as it is on the Apple Watch Series 10 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 7.
The reasons I’d buy the Pixel Watch 3 are the fitness features. If you’re a runner, the Pixel Watch 3 can give you daily run recommendations, real-time run guidance and there’s a running workout builder too, as well as advanced run form tracking and a run performance dashboard.
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For the non-runners out there, I loved the Cardio Load and Target Cardio Load. Both come in the from of a simple score, like the Daily Readiness Score and the Sleep Score that the Pixel Watch 3 also offers though the Fitbit app. The Cardio Load score tells you how much of a toll what you are doing is taking on your body, while Target Cardio Load advises what you should be aiming for on each given day. The Morning Brief is also great for giving you a run down of how you slept and what the weather is like for that day, similar to Samsung’s offering.
Fitbit Premium will give you a full library of workouts through the Fitbit app, along with insights into your Sleep Score and Stress Score. You also get a Wellness Report and recipes. None of it is necessary as such, but if you’re interested in learning more about what affects your sleep and stress, it’s useful to have.
IMAGE CREDIT: THE DISCONNEKT
Should you buy the Google Pixel Watch 3?
The Google Pixel Watch 3 is a great smartwatch for Android users, and especially Pixel phone users. The design is simple and elegant, the display is gorgeous and responsive, and there’s good battery life too, with over a day of use without an issue. I appreciate that might not sound like a lot, but it’s decent compared to most smartwatches. It’s the health and fitness features that sealed the deal for the Pixel Watch 3 and me though.
The way Fitbit presents data is exceptional compared to its rivals and the Pixel Watch 3 offers not only accurate heart rate tracking, but great sleep tracking and stress tracking too. It’s a shame some features are locked behind Fitbit Premium and the strap changing mechanism isn’t user friendly, but otherwise, there’s very little to complain about here. The Google Pixel Watch 3 is a super smartwatch, where form meets function beautifully and third time really is a charm.
IMAGE CREDIT: THE DISCONNEKT
FAQs
The Google Pixel Watch 3 comes in 41mm and 45mm size options compared to the 41mm option on the Pixel Watch 2. The Pixel Watch 3’s display also has reduced bezels, there’s double the brightness compared to the Pixel Watch 2, and it will drop to 1 nit too. The Pixel Watch 3 also fully embraces the Fitbit features, adding to those already available on Pixel Watch 2, there are new running features and there are other extras features too, like being able to view Nest cameras directly on your wrist.
The Google Pixel Watch 3 starts at £349 in the UK and $349 in the US. That’s for the 41mm model with Wi-Fi connection only. The 45mm model starts at £399 in the UK and $399 in the US. If you want 4G LTE connectivity – which means you can use your Pixel Watch 3 without your phone – it will cost you an extra £100 or $100 on top of whichever model you buy.
It will depend on how you use your smartwatch, but the Pixel Watch 3 45mm saw me through a day and night easily when it came to battery life. Officially, the Pixel Watch 3 45mm has a 420mAh battery, while the Pixel Watch 3 41mm has a 307mAh battery.
