The Google Pixel Watch is coming soon. The long-rumored smartwatch was confirmed during Google I/O earlier this year, but now it’s less than two weeks away from a full reveal.
We know the Pixel Watch will be shown off on October 6 alongside the Google Pixel 7 series. We also know that it’ll run Wear OS 3, possibly becoming the best smartwatch yet for Google’s wearable software. It’ll borrow fitness tracking features from Fitbit and extend some new Android experiences to the wrist, too.
It’ll have to contend against the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, the Fitbit Sense 2 and even the Apple Watch 8, plus face the years of anticipation from Pixel smartphone users who’ve waited for an in-house companion smartwatch. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves — here’s everything we know about the Google Pixel Watch, from expected release date and price to possible features to pre-order speculation and more.
Google Pixel Watch news (updated October 2)
Google Pixel Watch release date and pre-orders
The Google October event takes place October 6. That’s when we expect the Pixel Watch to officially launch, and the release date should come soon thereafter. Previously the Google Pixel 7 release date was tipped for October 13 and that is when we could possibly also see the Pixel Watch hit stores.
Reliable leaker Jon Prosser has said the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are set to release on October 13, while pre-orders will possibly go up on October 6 following the event. Again, that information could very well apply to the Pixel Watch, too.
Either way, as soon as pre-order information becomes available, we’ll share a guide to help you get yours.
Google Pixel Watch price speculation
The Google Pixel Watch price has been the subject for rumors for several months, but even more so now that we’re approaching the announcement. One of the earlier Google Pixel Watch price tips had the smartwatch set to cost $399, though we’ve since heard from other unverified sources that the Pixel Watch will actually start at $349 for a GPS + Bluetooth-only configuration. The LTE-compatible version of the Pixel Watch could instead cost $399.
One of the defining attributes of recent Pixel devices is competitive pricing, so we hope Google does the same with the Pixel Watch, especially if it’s to challenge challenge the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Apple Watch Series 8.
Google Pixel Watch design
The Google Pixel Watch has a rounded design with what looks like a digital crown on the right side, and perhaps some buttons as well. The color displayed during I/O is silver, though rumors say the watch will also come in black and gold.
Othwerise, the Pixel Watch looks set to be a rather clean and minimalist smartwatch, somewhat in keeping with the design of other Pixel devices. Interchangeable bands, meanwhile, would offer wearers a bit of customization.
Google may also be following Apple’s example by launching the Pixel Watch alongside a range of removable straps. According to a new report, there will be several different straps available: a link bracelet, fabric band, two kinds of leather, silicone, a Milanese-style mesh band and a stretchable band that sounds similar to Apple’s Solo Loop. A leak supposedly confirms the Pixel Watch colors and bands.
The Pixel Watch will be probably be similar to the Apple Watch in many ways — because they might have the same manufacturer, which means the smartwatches could have more in common than previously thought. The crown of the Pixel Watch even looks similar to the Apple Watch.
Our most complete look yet at the Pixel Watch comes directly from Google, which put out a video on the watch’s design (opens in new tab) two weeks before the October 6 launch event.
Confusingly though, another Google-produced video shows the Pixel Watch with a larger display than before. Now we aren’t sure which one is the more accurate representation, although we hope it’s the new one.
Google Pixel Watch with Fitbit features
What’s perhaps most exciting about the Google Pixel Watch is that it’ll leverage Fitbit fitness tracking. Google Fit has been an underwhelming health app, especially when compared to what’s possible with the best Fitbit devices. Fitbit Premium features, as well as workout tracking, active zone minutes and other health-tracking tools, will arrive on the Pixel Watch.
This will make the Google Pixel Watch vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 an interesting face-off to look out for in the fall.
Google Pixel Watch specs
The internal design, or the Pixel Watch specs, are still somewhat of a mystery. Leaker Yogesh Brar claims that the Pixel Watch will have the same sensors as the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, which means it could come with the same ‘BioActive Sensor’ that can measure heart rate, ECG and body fat percentage. That said, a different leak says Pixel Watch will instead match the health sensors found on the Fitbit Charge 5 with a heart-rate sensor that supports SpO2 and ECG readings.
The Google Pixel Watch might have even older tech inside, too. 9to5Google (opens in new tab) has speculated that the watch will use a 10nm Exynos 9110 chip, which made its first appearance on the original Samsung Galaxy Watch in 2018. However Qualcomm has released the Snapdragon W5+ and W5 chipsets for Wear OS watches, so it’s quite possible the Pixel Watch will get the latest flagship.
Another report from 9to5Google (opens in new tab) provides a bunch of details around the Pixel Watch’s specs. First, you can expect more than 1.5GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, which would allow for storing more music on the go.
Google Pixel Watch battery life
A report from 9to5Google claims that the Pixel Watch won’t have a particularly large battery — just under 300 mAh in fact. It’s claimed that the watch’s battery may not last longer than a day, though we’d expect at minimum 18 hours to match the Apple Watch’s battery life. Wear OS watches have also had some helpful battery management options in the past.
It’s also reported that Google has filed for a USB-C charger for the Pixel Watch, but it may not come with fast charging. Sources claim that the wearable will have a 110 minute recharge time.
Google Pixel Watch Wear OS and watch faces
This one is no surprise, but Google will bundle its own Wear OS platform in the Pixel Watch. But what could make the software different or, should we say, better?
Popular Wear OS features on third-party smartwatches from TicWatch and Fossil include continuous heart-rate monitoring via Google Fit, contactless payments with Google Pay and hands-free Google Assistant access, plus a Google Play smartwatch store. We’re also anticipating that Google Photos will let you create personalized watch faces. In the past, these features didn’t absolve Wear OS’s flaws, but the newer, more refined version of Wear OS works great on the Galaxy Watch 5.
We should get a better sense of what Wear OS without Samsung’s own integrated UI looks like when new Wear OS-eligible smartwatches are updated later in 2022.
Google Pixel Watch vs. Apple Watch
The Google Pixel Watch could potentially beat the Apple Watch (opens in new tab) at its own game, but it’s going to take a serious commitment from Google and some killer features. The two smartwatches are reportedly set to share the same Taiwanese manufacturer.
This would include a stellar Wear OS experience that’s intuitive and offers a wide array of great apps. Google would also need to leverage Google Assistant and its advantages over Siri right on your wrist while also offering seamless integration with other Google services like Gmail, Google Photos and Google calendar.
When it comes to health tracking, the Pixel Watch will need to build on its Fitbit acquisition and create a fitness wearable that beats the Apple Watch on sensors and workout tracking. The Fitbit Daily Readiness Score and Active Zone Minutes are two particularly great features.
Last but not least, the Pixel Watch will need competitive pricing and longer battery life than the Apple Watch to truly win.
Google Pixel Watch outlook
As mentioned, there’s a lot of anticipation for the Google Pixel Watch. Not only has it been rumored for several years, but now Google is giving us a few months to wait for it’s first in-house smartwatch. We can be hopeful it’ll deliver, but there’s no way to know until we get it on our wrist.