2024 might just be Google’s year – at least for its Pixel-branded hardware. After impressing us with the Pixel 9 phones, the company is set to release the Pixel Watch 3. Spoiler alert: it continues the trend of this year’s Pixel hardware looking more mature and ready to take on the competition than ever before.
With the introduction of a new larger size and serious battery life improvements, the Pixel Watch 3 feels like a smartwatch worthy of the Fitbit and Google partnership. There are still some kinks the company has to iron out, but for now, the Pixel Watch 3 feels like the final evolution of a Pokemon that’s ready to take on the big beasts from Samsung and Apple.
Editor’s note: At the time this review was first published, Apple had just kicked off its “It’s Glotime” event, where it’s expected to unveil new versions of its smartwatches.
Our review of the Pixel Watch 3 was primarily in comparison to the latest available model – the Series 9, and it was scored that way, too. We updated this article on September 10 to include more details about Wear OS, navigation, and the Pixel Watch 3’s companion app. None of these experiences affect our score for the device.
Pixel Watch 3 design: A new size
The biggest advancement with the Pixel Watch 3 is that Google has finally introduced a larger size. The previous 41mm size is still there, but now there’s a 45mm size as well, which is nice for those who always felt the original size was a little too delicate. You’ll be able to see more on the bigger screen, though there’s also a little more space in the 41mm variant, as Google has reduced the bezels a little (16 percent to be exact).
My colleague Sam Rutherford tested the 45mm model for us, and his words were exactly that, “It’s great to have a bigger model.” Sam said it’s “the size I’ve always wanted,” and it’s nice to see that my larger-wristed peers were finally considered.
Fans of a more traditional-looking watch will appreciate that the Pixel Watch’s face is as circular as ever. Compared to the Pixel Watch 2, this year’s smartwatch doesn’t look noticeably different. Its edges are glossy and in the right light, the crown on the right side glows.
Some of my more stylish reviewer friends paired their Pixel Watch 3 with a stainless steel mesh band, making it look perfect as part of their designer-decked outfits. I used the basic silicone sport band that came with my review sample, which I really liked because I found the cute pink color this year to match some new pants and bags I recently purchased.
I’m a big fan of Google’s soft elastic loop strap that makes the watch extremely easy to wear. They’re available in more colors and patterns this year, which is always nice. Sam called it the “best-looking mainstream smartwatch yet,” and depending on our definition of “mainstream,” I have to agree.
I still wish the company could reduce the size of the knob a bit, or at least make it extend outward less. Whenever I do a pushup or plank, it presses into the back of my hand unless I turn the watch to the inside of my wrist first. While you’ll have this problem with the Apple Watch Ultra and Galaxy Watch Ultra too, it’s not as prominent on the regular Apple Watch and I have a little more space before I accidentally turn my Series 9 on.
I found the Pixel Watch 3 to be a little too thick. The Apple Watch Series 9 is 10.7mm (0.42 inches) long, while Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 7 is even thinner at 9.7mm. Google’s smartwatch is the thickest at 12.3mm, and at these sizes, every millimeter feels like too much.
Pixel Watch 3 display: Big, bright, dim and slow
Every fraction of an inch feels bigger when we’re talking about 41mm and 45mm displays (the screens are actually 32.2mm and 36.2mm respectively). In comparison, the Pixel Watch 2’s panel was just 30.5mm. While I didn’t feel like I gained much when comparing my 41mm Pixel Watch 3 to its predecessor, I definitely noticed a lot more on the 45mm model’s screen. Some of this is obvious – a bigger display has more room for content or larger fonts. But the improvement in readability can’t be underestimated, especially for those who want something more readable.
Google didn’t just make the Pixel Watch’s panels bigger – it upgraded them. These watches have the company’s Actua displays, which debuted on the Pixel 8 phones last year, which means they can get as bright as 2,000 nits or as low as 1 nit.
The latter made a huge difference when I was watching Alien: Romulus in the theater. While I had to turn on Theater Mode on my Apple Watch Series 9 to keep my screen from scorching retinas during the show, the Pixel Watch 3 automatically switched to the lowest brightness and remained readable without bothering me or fellow moviegoers.