A highlights the importance of GoogleThe Pixel 9 launch event is the introduction of the full Pixel portfolio to the Indian market, including both sizes Pixel Watch 3. Previous iterations of the Pixel Watch have come under criticism, particularly regarding battery life. While the second generation solved some of these problems, the Pixel Watch 3 confidently confirms Google’s serious intentions in the smartwatch arena.
Google spent a lot of time explaining the many updates that the Pixel Watch 3 brings over its predecessor, including new and improved sensors, a refined app experience and access to granular data to support the user’s fitness journey. This enhanced functionality seamlessly integrates the Pixel Watch 3 into Google’s growing Pixel ecosystem.
The Pixel Watch 3 is priced at Rs 39,900 for the 41mm model and Rs 43,900 for the 45 mm model. The small version is available in four color options: Matte Black Aluminum Case / Obsidian Active Band; Polished Silver Aluminum Case / Porcelain Active Band; Champagne Gold Aluminum Case / Hazel Active Band and polished Silver Aluminum Case / Rose Quartz Active Band.
The 45mm variant gets three color options: Matte Black Aluminum Case / Obsidian Active Band; Polished Silver Aluminum Case / Porcelain Active Band; Hazel Matte Aluminum Case / Hazel Active Ribbon. We reviewed the optional 41mm Champagne Gold Aluminum Case / Hazel Active Band version.
that is Google Pixel Watch 3 The ‘missing part’ that Google’s hardware ecosystem needs? Let’s find out.
Google Pixel Watch 3 design
Google Pixel Watch 3 does not look different from its predecessor, although it has a larger screen-to-body ratio compared to the old model. It has a round dial, a large crown and buttons on the right side of the strap and a speaker slot on the left. The overall structure is similar to fine gravel that can be found on the banks of rivers.
The soft silicone strap is attached to the dial in the best ‘Pixel’ way and it’s no problem to wear it all day, thanks to its light weight (31 grams). The crown can be ‘clicked’ to open the app drawer and navigate through installed apps.
Coming to the display, Google says that the Pixel Watch 3 screen is slightly larger (16%) than the Pixel Watch 2. If you’re using the Pixel Watch 2, it won’t make a difference in real-world usage, but it’s definitely different. good to have things going in a forward direction. All the glass screens just merge on the side and meet the aluminum frame.
The display got a lot of improvements. The Pixel Watch 3 gets the Actua display that has been seen on Pixel smartphones lately, a special AMOLED LTPO display with DCI-P3 colors, up to 2,000 nits (peak brightness) and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. The Pixel Watch 2 does not have an LTPO display and its brightness limited to 1,000 nits.
This display impresses with an extraordinary reader. Even in bright sunlight, we had no trouble reading the contents. In addition, the always-on display (AOD) function that intelligently dims to just 1 nit in dark conditions — such as midnight or in the theater — provides a subtle glow that’s just enough to show. his presence.
There is also a theater mode that — when activated — dims the screen to a minimum level and does not send intrusive notifications that usually make our wrists buzz most days. There are also other great features like Bedtime Mode which turns off the display, and Touch Lock.
Google Pixel Watch 3 performance
Google Pixel Watch 3 is powered by Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chip with Cortex-M33 co-processor. It runs on WearOS 5 – the latest operating system from Google for wearable devices and it delivers all the expectations it has. Navigating through menus and apps on the display is just as smooth and we didn’t notice any stuttering when navigating through notifications.
However, 41mm seems a bit small for us. While navigation seems easy, some tasks like replying to a WhatsApp message or choosing a watch face from a list in an online store on the 41mm screen feel tedious due to the small real estate. Pro Tip: If you have thick fingers and a wide wrist, go for the 45mm version.
One of the things that makes smartwatches different from analog watches is the watch face. It gives us the freedom to change the look as often as we want, let’s say, match our clothes. However, there are some issues with the Pixel Watch 3.
Frankly, many of the pre-installed designs are a major disappointment. They lack sophistication, sophistication and a sense of elegance. Though we got the option to download a lot. Of the several watch faces we have installed, we stuck to only one and had to scroll through hundreds of them in the app store to get the one we liked.
Overall, the design just doesn’t live up to the expectations set by the Pixel Watch 3’s premium hardware and features.
As expected, the Pixel Watch 3 really shines when paired with a Google account. Basic apps like Calendar, Google Maps, Assistant, Camera and more work smoothly. In addition, there are apps like WhatsApp, YouTube Music, and the Pixel Recorder app that can be controlled through the watch and then accessed on the phone.
The watch also gets GPS, so if you want to leave your phone while exercising, you can easily do so. For example, we go for an exercise session and do not want to take our phone with us. We downloaded YouTube Music playlists on the watch and connected them with the Pixel Buds for a full training session without annoying calls and messages.
The assistant, which can be held via a button above the crown, works like it does on Pixel phones. Loud and clear built-in speakers for audio calls. Tight integration with the Google ecosystem improves the overall user experience and streamlines daily tasks.
Now talking about the hardware, the Pixel Watch 3 is the most powerful and the cleanest to use from Google. This is mainly due to the compatibility with Pixel smartphones, showing that Google is really going for the concept of ‘ecosystem’ that has been made famous by Apple. You get a lot of features, including Find My Device, Car Accident Detection, Google Wallet, Fall Detection and Emergency Sharing as well as SOS.
Beyond its core functionality, the Pixel Watch 3 offers a variety of practical features designed to improve convenience, user experience and health monitoring. Health and fitness tracking on the Pixel Watch 3 is facilitated by the Fitbit ecosystem, which Google has integrated into WearOS in an influential way.
A special feature of the Pixel Watch 3 is its seamless integration with Google Fit. This integration allows for continuous data collection, even when the watch is charging. When we leave the Pixel Watch 3 on the charger and walk the dog, the Google Fit app on our Pixel phone takes over, so there are no gaps in activity and health data.
This intelligent interplay between watch and phone ensures a complete and uninterrupted recording of our fitness regime. The Google Fit app clearly differentiates between data collected directly by the watch and data imported from the Fitbit app with icon indications.
Coming to other health features, there is a great feature called Connected Fitness that allows users to pair the watch with compatible exercise machines, facilitating the sharing of real-time data, such as heart rate information.
An always-on heart rate sensor provides comprehensive monitoring of our cardiovascular fitness. We set up irregular, high and low heart rate notifications to keep you informed about your heart health. While there are pre-loaded ranges that you can track, you can also set up a custom range.
There are many other features that allow us to customize our routines according to our goals. There are 6 main categories that allow us to take granular control: Running, Strength, Mindfulness, Cardio, Yoga, and Mobility and recovery. We can choose each mode and set individual goals.
For example, the Running Mode is impressive and allows us to set personal goals for distance, time and heart rate targets. Another comprehensive routine includes warm-ups, cool-downs and intervals.
If you have a lot on your mind and need some quiet time, the Mindfulness feature can guide you through breathing exercises while monitoring your heart rate variability. Sleep tracking is another area where the Pixel Watch 3 excels.
Google Pixel Watch 3 battery and Fitbit app
While all of this is also accessible on the watch itself, the Fitbit app allows us to dive deeper into the data. Provides details on sleep stages, including Deep, Light, REM and wake times, displayed in clear and informative graphs. But to get that access, you need to have Fitbit Premium, which is bundled free (for 6 months) with the Pixel Watch 3.
There are many great benefits to a Fitbit subscription (Rs 999 annual) if you are serious about your health and fitness. In addition to providing deeper personal insight into your goals and performance, it provides features such as daily exercise routines customized by Google AI, sleep scores, exercises guided by expert trainers, and other benefits.
When it comes to battery life, the Pixel Watch 3 is in the typical range for smartwatches. During a moderate daily routine with the watch — which included some exercise — we got a full day of battery life. At the weekend, however, we can squeeze out a maximum of a day and a half from the battery.
One of the significant advantages is the fast charging capability of the Pixel Watch 3. It replenishes the battery quickly, minimizing downtime. After the watch is charged, a notification appears on the phone telling you that the watch has been recharged.
Google Pixel Watch 3 Verdict
The Google Pixel Watch is late to the party, just like the Pixel smartphones. But on the features front, it has been used for Google smartwatches. And unlike the Pixel Watch 3, priced at Rs 39,900, the Google Pixel Watch 3 is an important step for Google in the smartwatch market. It has a beautiful design, a vibrant display, seamless integration with the Google ecosystem, and powerful health and fitness features.
If you’re deep into the Google ecosystem and prioritize seamless integration and health tracking, the Pixel Watch 3 is a solid choice. We feel that the Pixel Watch 3 is not just an incremental upgrade but a statement of Google’s ambition to become a major force in the smartwatch market. So the short answer to the question, “Can Google compete with Apple and Samsung in the smartwatch market?” is “Big Yes”.
