Google Pixel Watch 4 review: Google on your wrist

Raise your hands if, like me, you’re also deeply entrenched in the Google ecosystem. From core essentials like Gmail and Google Maps, to work-oriented stuff like Keep Notes, Google Meet and Gemini, plus smart home stuff including Google Home, and so much more, Google’s bouquet of services is vital for many of us, helping us get through our daily lives. And if you use an Android phone, this ecosystem becomes up front and centre. Wear OS is Google’s way of bringing this ecosystem to your wrist, and the latest Pixel Watch 4 is the latest offering from the Mountain View company that enables this. Let’s check it out a little more in detail.

Table of Contents

Design and display


The latest smartwatch from Google follows its predecessor, the Pixel Watch 3 (review), in terms of the core design language, retaining the same circular case, the same proprietary band mechanism, and the rounded pebble look. Available in 41mm and 45mm sizes, the Pixel Watch 4 is available in different hues. I have the 45mm variant with the Satin Moonstone Aluminium case and a matching Moonstone Active band, and it looks quite nice. The overall aesthetic is clean and minimalistic, so if you’re looking for a smartwatch you can flaunt, this might not fit the bill. That said, it should go with any attire, whether you choose to dress up or dress down.


The watch features a dome-shaped display which is more rounded than the previous model, noticeable when you video it up close or run your finger over it. The domed 360 Actua display can go up to 3,000 nits in terms of brightness, and boasts 16 percent smaller bezels than before, resulting in 10 percent more screen area. It’s nice and vibrant too, bringing out Google’s Material Design in all its glory. There’s Gorilla Glass for protection against scratches, and the watch is water-resistant up to 50 meters.


A significant design change this year, even though it’s not immediately apparent, is the move to a charging dock instead of the puck that was used by its predecessor (similar charging pucks are also used by rivals such as Samsung and Apple for their premium smartwatches). So the Pixel Watch 4 charges on its side, and if you place it on your nightstand, you can use it as a bedside alarm clock too.


I found the Pixel Watch 4 quite comfortable to wear all day long, and even while sleeping. This is despite its large size. The watch doesn’t weigh down the wrist, and the silicone strap is quite comfy as well. Maybe I’ll change my mind in the summer, but in the current cold Delhi weather, I didn’t have any issues wearing the Watch 4 for long durations at a stretch.

Features


The Pixel Watch 4 brings Google’s bouquet of apps and services to your wrist, and if you’re invested heavily in the ecosystem, the device could prove to be a handy companion. Turn-by-turn navigation using Google Maps, unlocking your Pixel phone using the watch, recording voice memos, playing and downloading music, remote controlling Google TV, controlling smart home devices, viewing your upcoming schedule on Google Calendar, and accessing and replying to your emails via Gmail are just a few of the things you can do directly on the watch.


Gemini on the wrist is super useful as well. The health and fitness capabilities are where it absolutely shines, though. The features on offer include physical activity monitoring, heart rate, sleep tracking, SpO2, ECG and skin temperature, among others. The watch can track over 40 different types of workouts.

UI and app connectivity


If you’re an iPhone user, you’re out of luck if you want to use the Pixel Watch 4 to its fullest. On the Android side, Google has done well to ensure seamless operation with all smartphones, not just its own. If you’re a Pixel phone user, you won’t need to download the apps (there are two of them) to pair and sync your Pixel Watch 4, since they’re already built in. Others can download the Pixel Watch app and the Fitbit app, with the former handling pairing, configuration and settings, and the latter managing all the health data and insights.
The Fitbit app is where all the action is. Divided into tabs labelled Today, Coach and You, the app lays out all the captured data neatly, and you can dive deeper to view detailed metrics on your activity, sleep, etc. The Readiness score, which is calculated based on a bunch of different metrics including your physical activity, stress, sleep, etc, can be a handy indicator of how prepared you are for the day, and whether you should push hard or take it easy. Of course, the longer you wear the watch, the more useful the trends and insights get. And while the Pixel Watch 4 is reasonably accurate, the numbers shouldn’t always be taken at face value, and treated as indicative for the most part.

Usage, performance and battery


Powered by the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chips, the Pixel Watch 4 works smoothly and without any jitters. The tight haptics deserve special mention and elevate the user experience significantly. Google’s Material-designed UI and apps not only look great, but they also work well. The strong integration with Google’s suite of apps and services, such as Gmail, Maps, Calendar, Wallet, etc, is quite evident, and that’s one of the strong points in favour of the watch. In fact, if you have a Google Nest camera, you can even view its live feed directly on the watch. Auto workout detection works quite well, and the GPS locks on very quickly, too.


Talking about battery life, I ended up charging it every third day, with the watch delivering two full days and two nights of use, complete with always-on display and a couple of 30-minute GPS-enabled walking sessions. Charging via the new proprietary dock is zippy, and the device juices up to full in just about 45-50 minutes.

Verdict


The Pixel Watch 4 will set you back by Rs 39,900 for the 41mm version, and Rs 43,900 for the 45mm model. While the wearable scores high in many aspects, inexplicably, Google has chosen not to launch the LTE variant in India. This, I think, is a missed opportunity, as built-in LTE allows one to use the watch standalone for basic tasks without relying on a paired smartphone. In terms of rivals, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 is probably the closest, though it’s more suited for Samsung phone users. The OnePlus Watch 2 and 2R are also worthy contenders running Wear OS. Where the Pixel Watch 4 shines is the Google integration, the gorgeous display, the Fitbit platform, Gemini on the wrist, and the health features. While Samsung users can consider smartwatch options from the same brand, I’d say that if you use an Android smartphone and covet a feature-rich, premium smartwatch, you can’t do better than the Pixel Watch 4.

Editor’s rating: 8 / 10

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