Google Pixel Watch 3 review: Third time’s the charm

When we reviewed the original Google Pixel Watch, and then the Google Pixel Watch 2 a year later, we repeatedly criticized two key design elements that limited the smartwatch's potential: a thick bezel and a lack of multiple size options. Well, with the Google Pixel Watch 3, those laments are no longer.

Officially revealed at Made by Google 2024, the Pixel Watch 3 tells us that Google is taking its flagship smartwatch seriously. Now in its third generation, this Pixel Watch introduces a second, larger 45mm size option (alongside the original 41mm model) with up to 40% more usable screen space compared to the Pixel Watch 2.

The new smartwatch also boasts a brighter display, faster charging, advanced running data, a revamped readiness score with training guidance, deeper integrations with Google apps, and more.

Certain health features previously locked behind Fitbit Premium no longer require the paid membership, too. That said, Fitbit Premium is still necessary to take advantage of Google’s most advanced AI-powered health insights.

But the vast number of improvements make the Pixel Watch 3 — available on September 10 starting at $349  — not only one of the best smartwatch models for Pixel smartphone users but also my new favorite Wear OS device and one of the best Android smartwatch models overall.

Google Pixel Watch 3 Review | Third Times The Charm - YouTube

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Pixel Watch 3: Specs

Pixel Watch 3: Price and availability

The Google Pixel Watch 3 is available for preorder as of August 13, 2024 and will be available starting September 10, 2024. The 41mm version starts at $349, which has been the same starting price for the previous two Pixel Watch generations.

But for a version equipped with LTE connectivity, you'll spend $449, which is $50 more than you had to spend for the Pixel Watch 2 with LTE. 

For the first time, the Pixel Watch comes in a 45mm size that costs $399 for Wi-Fi/Bluetooth and $499 for LTE. The 45mm option comes in Black, Silver or Hazel, while the 41mm size comes in Black, Silver and Gold.

Pixel Watch 3: Design and wearability

Although the Pixel Watch 3 looks familiar at a glance, especially the smaller 41mm option, it's undergone some significant design changes that many (including us) have been asking for. First, it finally comes in two sizes like the comparable flagship watches from Samsung and Apple. 

By introducing a bigger 45mm size alongside the existing 41mm option, the watch is more inclusive to users with larger wrists and those who simply prefer a bigger screen size. We tried on both watches for size; Tom's Guide editor Mike Prospero, who likes larger watches, preferred the 45mm model. It felt better on his wrist and less dainty than the 41mm version. 

I also tested both the 41mm and 45mm models, wearing each for several days at a time, and discovered that the two feel remarkably similar on the wrist. While I tend to prefer more petite smartwatch models, I didn’t mind the larger diameter of the 45mm. After all, both Pixel Watch 3 options share the same 12.3mm thickness, and the 45mm weighs only two ounces more than the 41mm.

The Pixel Watch 3 is still thicker than its nearest competitor, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, though, by 2.6mm. It’s also heavier by a few grams. You get rounded screen edges on the latest Pixel Watches compared to flat edges on the newest Galaxy wearables. There’s no real advantage or disadvantage to either but I personally prefer Samsung’s design approach in this instance. 

The second much-requested design improvement Google gave us is slightly slimmer display bezels. The bezel on the original Pixel Watch and last year’s Watch 2 were extremely chunky by 2024 standards. Now, it’s been reduced by 16%. 

As a result, the 41mm Pixel Watch 3 has slightly more usable screen space than previous versions while the 45mm has a 40% bigger screen. The display is also brighter than before, maxing out at 2,000 nits compared to just 1,000 nits on the Pixel Watch 2. 

This makes it far easier to see in bright sunlight, especially when trying to view your workout stats while on the go. The Watch 3’s max brightness is a match with the Galaxy Watch 7 but not as bright as the Galaxy Watch Ultra.

The always-on display can now drop down to 1 nit to cause limited disruption in a dark environment, while the display refresh rate dynamically adjusts between 1 and 60Hz to benefit performance and power efficiency. Previous Pixel Watch models maxed out at a 30Hz refresh rate and the increase on the new model makes for a smoother overall visual experience.

Pixel Watch 3: Health and fitness features

Google says the Pixel Watch 3 has the company's most accurate heart rate sensor yet, though it's worth noting that this was already a strong point of the Pixel Watch lineup.

Still, the sensor's algorithm has been specifically tuned to deliver Google’s most precise running data ever, which now takes into account a user’s arm movement and ground contact time. 

You also get new running form metrics, like, stride length, step cadence and vertical ratio. These join all the standard workout specs you’d expect, including calories burned, distance covered, pace, elevation gain, max and average heart rate, etc. 

Full disclosure: I'm not much of a runner, though I do pound the pavement from time to time. Still, the new insights into form feel somewhat lost on me. That said, if Google were to offer a similar form analysis for cyclists or hikers, I’d be thrilled. 

Nevertheless, I strapped on my best pair of trail running shoes and put the Pixel Watch 3’s running smarts to the test. What I discovered is that my stride length while running is roughly one meter, about average for someone my age and with my body type. 

My step cadence, however, was quite low: 118 steps per minute. This is likely because when I do actually go for a run, I like to split my workout into short intervals that alternate between running and walking (more on that in a moment). My ground contact time, vertical ratio (how much height you get off each stride), and vertical oscillation (how much your torso moves up and down with each step) were all about average. 

For what it’s worth, I asked several of my friends who enjoy running if these insights would appeal to them. While several said they’d be curious to wear the watch for a run and view their metrics, most had never even heard of stats like vertical oscillation. So, take that for what it’s worth. 

You can also create custom running routines with different intervals and goals using Google’s new Build a Run feature. As noted, I like to alternate between walking and running, so I created a custom routine that incorporates both. When it’s time to switch, the Pixel Watch 3 lets you know via either an audio cue or haptic feedback on the wrist. 

Additionally, you can set up the watch to alert you when you're falling behind pace on a run, a feature I’d love to see offered to cyclists as well. All of your running progress and performance details can be viewed in the new running dashboard in the Fitbit app, even without Fitbit Premium.

But Fitbit Premium does unlock Google AI daily running plans based on your recent performance and readiness, as well as exclusive workout content from Fitbit Premium trainers. Fitbit Premium costs $9.99/month or $79.99/year, but you'll get 6 months free when you set up your new Pixel Watch.

For the first time, the Readiness Score isn't locked behind Fitbit Premium, so all wearers get a daily rating based on activity and recovery needs. It’s worth noting, though, that accessing your Readiness Score requires seven consecutive nights of wearing the device to bed. 

By comparison, Samsung’s newly debuted Energy score — which also ranges from one to 100 and is essentially the same in concept as Google’s Readiness measure — is accessible after just 24 hours with one of the latest Galaxy Watch devices on your wrist. 

Google’s Target Load metric takes even more dedication to access: You need to wear the Pixel Watch 3 for 14 consecutive nights before this training tool, intended to help you maximize your workouts without overtraining or risking injury, kicks in. 

A new Cardio Load score for Pixel Watch 3 owners lets you know how hard your heart is working while exercising, again, to prevent overtraining or straining your body. Unlike Target Load, it’s available within every workout report. 

For example, I recently knocked out a fairly aggressive bike ride where I pushed myself harder than I normally do. This resulted in a Cardio Load score of 100, the highest you can get, which suggests I should probably take it easy for a day or two before taking another epic bike ride. 

Maybe the watch just needs more time to calibrate to my body and workout routines, but that rating struck me as oddly high. Sure, the ride involved some steep hill climbs that I took on with more oomph than normal but it also lasted for just 45 minutes. 

By the way, I also tested the accuracy of the Pixel Watch 3’s outdoor workout tracking performance against my go-to smartwatch, the Apple Watch SE (2022) and the data was almost a perfect match, including heart rate, distance, elevation, pace and speed metrics. 

Pixel Watch 3 owners also get a new Morning Brief when they wake up containing their Readiness Score and exercise insights at a glance, along with details into sleep quality, training suggestions for the day and the current local weather conditions. However, if you don’t click on the report when it first appears, it seems to disappear into the ether, never to be viewed again. 

Speaking of sleep, while there aren't any notable new sleep-tracking features, the Pixel Watch 3 introduces auto bedtime mode that automatically detects when you fall asleep to initiate an optimized UI. It'll conserve battery by disabling the always-on display and snooze notifications, too. Then, once awake, it'll return to normal programming.

Like the Pixel Watch 2, a daily sleep report provides details into your total time spent snoozing, various sleep stages, heart rate, variations in blood oxygen levels and restlessness. You also get a sleep score ranging from one to 100. 

These insights are useful and seem more than accurate enough, but I still prefer Samsung’s sleep report to Google’s because it tells you things like whether or not you were observed snoring and how your skin temperature changed throughout the night. You also get details into your respiratory rate while sleeping, along with sleep apnea detection, something you won’t find on the Pixel Watch 3. 

Finally, the Samsung Health app does a better job than the Fitbit app at tying all of your sleep data together. It does this through AI-generated tips and insights to help users best understand both nightly their metrics and long-term trends. However, to get these insights, you also need to own one of the latest Samsung phones. 

Pixel Watch 3: Smartwatch features

A big reason we like the Pixel Watch 3 is that it's not just a fitness tracker, it's a device that's deeply integrated with a large collection of Google apps. As with the Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch, the Pixel Watch performs best when it's integrated with its own company's services.

It helps that Wear OS 5 for Android watches was developed by Google, too (even though Wear OS 5 debuted on the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra). While the Pixel Watch already had great apps for Google Maps, YouTube Music, Google Home and Google Wallet, the latest version takes things a step further.

Now, you'll be able to view security camera feeds directly on your wrist — like the Nest Cam (battery), and even answer the doorbell. The watch can also act as a Google TV remote, letting you control what you're watching if you're not sure where the physical remote is at the moment. 

The Pixel Recorder app comes to the watch, so you can record voice memos that'll sync directly to your Pixel phone. Meanwhile, offline Google Maps is now available on-wrist. 

Plus, the addition of an Ultra-wideband allows the Pixel Watch 3 to control other tech, not just Google products. For example, owners of compatible BMW and Mini vehicles will be able to lock, unlock and start their cars right from the wrist. I'm told that any of the above models with support for BMW Digital Key Plus should play nicely with the Pixel Watch 3. No word yet on whether partnerships with other automakers are also in the works. 

Finally, the Watch 3 introduces a new and first-of-its-kind Loss of Pulse Detection feature that works similarly to fall detection, alerting loved ones or emergency rescue personnel if the safety feature is triggered. 

Unfortunately, I was unable to test this seemingly impressive new health-monitoring tool as it has yet to be approved for use in the U.S. That said, folks in the U.K. and select EU markets should have access to it for launch. No word on when we bald eagle-loving folks will be able to access it, though. 

Pixel Watch 3: Battery life

When Google first announced the Pixel Watch 3, we were told to expect only slight battery life improvements, except for when using power-save mode, where the device is promised to last up to 36 hours. However, under normal usage conditions, Google set our expectations at 24 hours per charge, about the same as the Pixel Watch 2 (and Galaxy Watch 7).

Well, from my testing, Google was right on the money with those battery life claims when it comes to the Pixel Watch 3 in 41mm but way off when it comes to the larger 45mm models. I consistently was able to wear the bigger watch for up to 48 hours before needing to top it off with a charge.

And it’s not like I went easy on the device. The 45mm model accompanied me on my daily workouts, tracking my location with GPS for roughly 45 minutes per day, monitored my nightly sleep, and joined me on both errand runs and daily walks a day with my pup. The only time I took it off was while punching the keyboard at my desk for a few hours a day while writing for you, my dear readers. 

I also used the Pixel Watch 3 to stream music via Spotify while on the go, consult Google Maps, check in on email and more. No matter how much I messed around with the device, it never once died before the 48-hour mark. That’s darn impressive.

By comparison, the $649 Samsung Galaxy Ultra is the only other full-featured Android smartwatch with 48 hours or more of longevity. 

The Pixel Watch 3 additionally charges up to 20% faster than the Pixel Watch 2. From my testing, it takes a little over an hour to hit 100% when battery life is under 15%. For the fastest charging possible, make sure you have the watch connected to a 30W adapter. 

Should you buy the Google Pixel Watch 3?

Starting at $349 for the smaller model without LTE, the latest Pixel Watch 3 is a full $50 pricier than its Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 equivalent, which offers similar features, specs and battery life. 

Compared to last year’s 41mm Pixel Watch 2, the latest 41mm version boasts a better screen, new health tools/metrics, and greater compatibility with other tech, but not much else. Those hoping for notable battery life improvements will be let down by the smaller Pixel Watch 3.

On the other hand, the larger 45mm Pixel Watch 3 — which starts at $50 more than the 41mm model — is not only worth the upgrade but is also my new favorite Android wearable by a wide margin. Unlike the chunky, pricey Galaxy Watch Ultra, the Pixel Watch 3 in 45mm feels great on the wrist. More importantly, it lasts just as long as Samsung’s Apple Watch Ultra knockoff... I mean, competitor. 

Ultimately, the Google Pixel Watch 3 in 45mm represents an ideal balance between wearability and screen size, even if I’m not the biggest fan of its rounded and still somewhat excessively sized bezel. 

Beyond that, it’s also the first non-rugged, full-featured smartwatch I’m aware of to blow past the 24-hour battery life mark. That alone makes it worthy of praise and perhaps your hard-earned money.