Can Fitbit integration and a focus on design give Android fans an Apple Watch equivalent?
That’s what Google has set out to do.
In some ways, Google has had its hands in smartwatches for a long time.
Joe Fedewa / How-To Geek
Google evenpartnered with Samsungto launch Wear OS 3 in 2021.
That’s the situation Google enters with the Pixel Watch.
Samsung has cornered the Android smartwatch market, while Apple has been dominating the smartwatch world in general.
Joe Fedewa / How-To Geek
Hardware & Design
Smartwatches—perhaps more than any other gadget—have to look good.
The Pixel Watch’s design is about as minimal as you could get.
There are no sharp edges or angles to be found.
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It’s amazing how much that rounded design makes the watch look and feel petite.
I’ve never liked wearing gadgets while sleeping, but I barely noticed the Pixel Watch on my wrist.
The bands are comfortable, and there’s nothing for your clothes or sheets to catch on.
Joe Fedewa / How-To Geek
Speaking of bands, let’s talk aboutGoogle’s proprietary watch bandsand quick-release mechanism.
First of all, I don’t like proprietary bands.
Proprietary bands are also generally more expensive.
Joe Fedewa / How-To Geek
It’s one of the most disappointing parts of the watch for me.
To make matters worse, it’s not even that great of a mechanism.
There’s a small button that you press down so the band can slide over it.
Joe Fedewa / How-To Geek
I always feel like my finger is in the way when I’m doing this.
Putting bands on is easier, but I’ve had trouble removing them.
I think regular ol' quick-release bands (with a simple spring bar) are easier to use.
Joe Fedewa / How-To Geek
The last design feature to talk about is the buttons.
As a result, I haven’t used the button much.
Overall, I think the design is the strongest point of the Pixel Watch.
Joe Fedewa / How-To Geek
Google got this part right.
I really like how it looks, and it’s very comfortable to wear.
My biggest gripe comes from the proprietary bands.
Okay…what do I do with this?
Software: Misses the Mark
Let’s talk software.
This is Google’s strength, right?
On pure aesthetics, I like what Google is doing.
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Google’s watch faces and Tiles are nice, and I like how notifications look.
However, the way the software actually functions is a different story.
The Pixel Watch software feels like a completely different OS, and I’m not sure I like it.
- Joe Fedewa / How-To Geek
The Pixel Watch (and itscompanion app) take this approach too far.
I feel very restricted, and some important things are straight-up missing.
A few great examples are the Do Not Disturb and Bedtime modes.
When you enable either one, it isn’t reflected on the companion rig.
So if you turn on Do Not Disturb on your phone, notifications will still buzz the Pixel Watch.
Kinda defeats the purpose, doesn’t it?
This same feature works as expected on the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy watches.
Speaking of Samsung watches, there’s one thing Google changed that I like.
However, Samsung houses the Tiles on the right side of the watch face only.
You have to press the crown button to open it.
Samsung’s aforementioned app grid, for example, can be rearranged on the phone.
The Best of Google?
You would expect a smartwatch from Google to offer some sort of elevated experience with Google’s many services.
That’s not the case at all with the Pixel Watch.
Google’s Wear OS apps are available on Samsung Galaxy Watches too.
Otherwise,your Galaxy Watch can be just as Google-yas the Pixel Watch.
Wear OS can be much, much better than this.
All you have to do is look at a Galaxy watch.
It’s a little frustrating that this is the best Google could do.
Well, actually, “integration” is a strong word.
“With Fitbit” is an accurate description.
Integration aside, how does Fitbit actually work with the Pixel Watch?
Three Fitbit apps are installed on the gear: Fitbit ECG, Fitbit Exercise, and Fitbit Today.
Fitbit Exercise and Today are pretty standard fitness apps.
The Fitbit apps are well-designed and easy to use, and their Tiles are great too.
One thing the Fitbit integration is lacking is automatic workout detection.
While it may seem like a small thing, this is a glaring omission when compared to the competition.
Enough about integration; let’s talk data.
I went for a run with the Pixel Watch/Fitbit and the Galaxy Watch 5/Samsung Health.
The results were within what I would consider a reasonable deviation.
The Fitbit app shows far less information than Samsung Health.
That’s partly due to the Pixel Watch missing some sensors.
This is one thing the watch can automatically detect.
And in my testing, it seems to work pretty well.
The only problem with sleep tracking is battery life, butmore on that later.
The elephant in the room isFitbit Premium.
Pixel Watch users get six months of free Premium—just enough time to get you hooked.
There’s just too much missing.
That has been pretty accurate in my testing, but I wouldn’t say that’s a good thing.
The good news is the Pixel Watch charges very quickly.
One thing that absolutely hurts battery life is the 24/7 heart rate tracking.
This is yet another area where Google simply doesn’t give you enough control.
General performance is totally fine.
That could be thanks to the2GB of RAMand 32GB of storage.
Overall, I give battery life a passing grade, but just barely.
You will need to find a good charging routine if you use sleep tracking.
Performance isn’t something to worry about.
Should You Buy the Google Pixel Watch?
The last thing to talk about is pricing.The Pixel Watchcosts $350 ($400 for LTE).
There’s no getting around the fact that it’s an expensive smartwatch.
For comparison, theApple Watch Series 8is $400, and theSamsung Galaxy Watch 5is $280.
Frankly, the Pixel Watch is at least $100 overpriced.
Of the three watches mentioned above, the Pixel Watch is firmly in third place in terms of features.
On top of the upfront cost, you also have to think about the extras.
Google’scheapest band for the Pixel Watch is $50.
you’re able to get a comparableuniversal 20mm silicone bandon Amazon for less than $10.
Look, I’m usually willing to overlook some flaws for a first-generation product, but this feels different.
The Pixel Watch is not a Kickstarter project.
This is a unit from the third-largest tech company in the world.
The Pixel Watch feels like a quiz handed in by a kid who wasn’t paying attention in class.
Google did not check all of those boxes, but it priced the Pixel Watch as if it did.
The Galaxy Watch 5 is still the clear choice for an Android-compatible smartwatch.
Take notes, Google.
