Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch 2: Which smartwatch should you buy?

This year's Made by Google event just wrapped up with the launch of the latest Pixel smartphones and an upgraded Pixel Watch 3, which now comes in two sizes, boasts a brighter screen, and features more health and fitness tools than ever before, including several borrowed from the best Fitbits. 

Before today's launch, the Pixel Watch 2 was one of the best smartwatches you can buy, but how does it stack up against the latest-greatest? 

Whether you're thinking of investing in Google's latest smartwatch as a first-time Pixel Watch owner or are considering an upgrade from last year's model, here's everything we know so far about how the Pixel Watch 3 compares to the Google Pixel Watch 2. 

Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch 2: Price, availability and sizes

The Pixel Watch 3 comes in two sizes, 41mm and 45mm; the Pixel Watch 2 only comes in 41mm. However, both generations start at $349 for the Bluetooth-only models. The smaller Pixel Watch 3 with LTE connectivity is $449 while the Pixel Watch 2 with LTE is $50 cheaper at $399. 

The larger Pixel Watch 3 is $399 for Bluetooth and $449 for LTE, the same as the 41mm LTE model.

Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch 2: Specs compared

Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch 2: battery life

The 41mm Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Watch 2 sport the same 306 mAh battery while the Pixel Watch 3 XL has a 420 mAh battery. All three options promise up to 24 hours of battery life per charge when using standard operating settings, while the Pixel Watch 3 should be good for up to 36 hours in Battery Saver mode. The newer watch additionally charges up to 20% faster than its predecessor. 

Despite the Pixel Watch 3 having a twice-as-bright display as its predecessor, more on that below, battery life hasn't taken a hit, which I appreciate. The newer model also has some additional power management tools that should help it stay powered up longer than its predecessor. For example, by default, low power mode on the Pixel Watch 3 switches on when the charge drops to 15%.

The updated watch also automatically detects when a user falls asleep, turning off unnecessary features to conserve battery, like dimming the screen and pausing notifications. It does this without sacrificing sleep-tracking capabilities. 

Finally, the Pixel Watch 3 ships running Wear OS 5.0 which according to Google, is a more power-efficient operating system than Wear OS 4.0, especially when using the watch to track workouts with GPS. Google says the battery should last 20% longer in this scenarios. 

Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch 2: design and screen

The Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Watch 3 in 41mm look nearly identical. Both devices weigh 31 g and are just over 12mm thick. However, the newer model sees its bezel reduced in size by 16% giving you 10% more screen real estate.

The 45mm Pixel Watch 3 is the same thickness as the smaller version but weighs 37 g. It also has a 40% larger screen than the Pixel Watch 2. 

In terms of tactile controls, the Watch 3 maintains its predecessor's pressable digital crown and single button. Both generations also boast the same 50 meters of water resistance and are IP68-rated against dust, moisture and grime.

While the Pixel Watch 2 screen maxes out at 2,000 nits the Pixel Watch 3 hits 3,000 nits, which should make it easier to view in bright sunlight. The newer model also has twice the screen refresh rate of its predecessor: 60 hz vs. 30 hz, making it a match with the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7.

Style-wise, the 41mm Pixel Watch 3 comes in Black, Silver and Gold. The 45mm is available in Black, Silver and Hazel. The Pixel Watch 2, meanwhile, comes in Black, Silver and Champagne Gold. 

Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch 2: health and fitness features

For runners in particular, the Pixel Watch 3 has a lot of new useful tools and metrics to help you train. New stats for runners include ground contact time, stride length, vertical oscillation and vertical ratio. The Pixel Watch 3 can also help you track and improve your running form thanks to improved motion-tracking tech. 

A new Workout Builder tool on the Pixel Watch 3 lets users create, save and track custom exercise regiments. There's additionally a real-time training guidance feature for runners that uses a mix of audio cues and haptic feedback to let you know when you're behind your average pace or when your warmup has ended. 

None of these features are available on the Pixel Watch 2... yet. But it looks like many, if not all will eventually arrive on the older device. Even still, the Pixel Watch 2 has plenty of useful fitness-tracking metrics and can keep tabs on a wide range of popular workout types (up to 40).

Pixel Watch 3 users also get access to Fitbit's daily Readiness Score, a previously paywalled metric that takes into account heart rate variability, resting heart rate and sleep quality. This metric is similar to Garmin's Body Battery and Samsung's Energy Score. 

The device also gets Fitbit's Target Load metric to help you avoid overtraining and Cardio Load for insights into heart health. Again, these features will likely eventually migrate to the Pixel Watch 2 but aren't available yet. 

Both the Pixel Watch 2 and 3 provide in-depth sleep-tracking data but only the Pixel Watch 3 provides a Morning Briefing with details on sleep quality, weather, weekly progress toward fitness goals, weather and more. 

Google says that heart rate tracking in the Pixel Watch 3 has been tweaked for better accuracy, especially during intense cardio workouts like runs. There's also a new, first-of-its-kind Loss of Pulse Detection feature that will initially be available only in select EU countries, along with the UK. 

The Pixel Watch 3 doesn't require a Fitbit Premium subscription to access any of the above, however, signing up unlocks Google AI running plans which are based on your recent performance and readiness. You also get access to a large selection of workout training video content. 

By the way, Fitbit Premium is $9.99/month or $79.99/year but you'll get a six-month free demo when you register your new Pixel Watch.

Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch 2: connectivity

The Pixel Watch 3 is Google's first smartwatch with an Ultra-wideband (UWB) chip. This piece of tech lets you lock/unlock your Pixel phone with better reliability and from further distances compared to the Pixel Watch 2, which relies on Bluetooth for the function. 

UWB can be used to access other things, too. For example, owners of compatible BWW and Mini models can use their Pixel Watch 3 to unlock their cars. 

The Pixel Watch 3 also has greater compatibility with other Google products compared to its predecessor. Perhaps the coolest new feature is the ability to view a live feed from your Nest security camera right from your wrist and even communicate with the person on the other side. You can also use it as a remote for your Google TV and to control your Pixel phone's camera app. 

Other features found on the Pixel Watch 3 but not the 2 include access to offline maps, something I really appreciate as a hardcore hiker, as well as access to the Pixel Recorder app from your wrist. 

Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch 2: processor and storage

Regardless of whether you choose the Pixel Watch 2 or Pixel Watch 3 you're getting 32GB of storage and 2GB of RAM. Both devices also use the same Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 5100 processor paired with a Cortex M33 co-processor. So, overall responsiveness should be pretty similar.

Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch 2: Should you upgrade?

As noted in our Pixel Watch 2 review, the wearable was more like a "half-stepping stone to grab the attention of first-gen holdouts," rather than an entirely new smartwatch. With the Pixel Watch 3, the device feels more like a proper third-generation product with enough meaningful improvements to warrant an upgrade from the original model. 

For owners of the Pixel Watch 2, stepping up to the Pixel Watch 3 might make less sense, though. The exceptions, of course, are folks who either crave a larger screen or hardcore runners wanting the best training tools. 

However, folks shopping for their very first Google smartwatch should opt for the latest model over the Pixel Watch 2. Pricing-wise, the 2 and 3 both start at $349. 

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