Pixel Watch 3 review: Google’s Third-Generation Wear OS Smartwatch Is The One To Buy

I’ll be honest. When Google first announced the Pixel Watch 3, I wasn’t very enthused. A few weeks later, I’ve come around to the conclusion, that it is the best Android watch for all users (except those with a Samsung smartphone). It may be a spitting image of its predecessor, but Google finally gave us two size options, which is a big deal.

Google, after three iterations, has finally gotten closer to a smartwatch with smarter smarts and a more holistic approach to fitness. Along the way, Google has made many small improvements that have made a huge difference. With upgrades to the display (including the larger screen), faster charging, improved battery life, and new workout metrics, the Pixel Watch 3 is a complete and worthy successor to the Pixel Watch 2.

Google, with the Pixel Watch 3, is done playing catchup. Rather, the company is now taking steps toward becoming a leader in the smartwatch industry. It’s all about the hardware (that’s inside the smartwatch), more than the looks. Admittedly, the Pixel Watch has been one of my favourite smartwatches purely based on looks. It’s round, neat, and feels like a traditional watch. To boot, it is supremely comfortable. But, looks haven’t changed, and you’d be hard-pressed to tell a difference between the Pixel Watch, Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Watch 3 side-by-side, with the displays turned off.

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Immediately, upon turning on the Pixel Watch 3, the bright display stands out. With 16 percent smaller bezels and 2,000 nits of brightness, the Pixel Watch 3’s display is truly a step forward. In the bright Delhi sunlight, the screen is a delight to read.

Then, there’s the option, of two sizes this time around. Again, they both feel similar, and you’d be hard-pressed to tell them apart unless you’re looking closer. The 45mm Watch, not only has the advantage of a bigger display, but also a 35 percent larger battery. I call that a huge win.

The Pixel Watch 3 has options for 41mm and 45mm sizes. The AMOLED displays are 1.27-inch and 1.43-inch, respectively. Compare them side-by-side and the extra screen real estate is a game-changer.

You wouldn’t want to be caught talking about battery life on the Pixel Watch because you’d be put in the same category as the Apple Watch, and that’s not a good place to be. Both watches, routinely fail to hit a full day’s worth on a single charge. All that changes with the Pixel Watch 3. Wear OS 5 has doubled down on efficiency (along with the new automatic bedtime mode), and the new power-efficient displays mean that I can routinely hit 1.5 days or more (unless I’m using GPS/fitness stuff a lot) before having to plonk the Pixel Watch 3 on to the charger.

The other game-changer, in my opinion, is the haptic crown (which rotates). Yes, it may disrupt the look, but I think it adds to the charm of the watch. The crown acts as a home button, as well as opening the app list. There is a flat button, right above it that is used for opening recent apps. Like on other smartwatches, I wish the button could be remapped.

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Where the Pixel Watch 3 shines

Software, hardware and battery life. Yes, Google has nailed the holy trinity when it comes to the Pixel Watch 3. With Wear OS 5, Google has finally made an OS that is power-efficient and pleasing to the eyes. There are features like UWB unlocking (if you have a Pro Pixel phone), the “Ask to Hold” feature, hiding the bezels with a clever use of black space and many watch faces. There are also lots of fitness features and a complete fitness feature dashboard.

There are several other software updates. There’s the Morning Brief (a fitness-focused Fitbit feature), Google Home tile, offline Google Maps, Pixel Recorder tile, Loss of Pule, and more. Wear OS 5 is still behind Apple Watch’s OS, but it has come a long way.

Then there is the Qualcomm Wear 5100 chip under the hood. It may be an old chipset, but coupled with Wear OS 5, it feels a lot more snappier. There are no accidental taps, the smartwatch promptly wakes up upon lifting your wrist, and apps open in the blink of an eye.

As mentioned above, the Pixel Watch 3 has finally solved the issue of battery life. I recently went on a trek to Dharamshala/Triund, and the watch lasted me just over 24 hours despite constant use of GPS and tracking my entire hike up. Back home in Delhi, I can eke out almost two days of battery life, far better than my Apple Watch.

Fitness-focused Pixel Watch 3

Google’s approach, when building the Pixel Watch 3, was toward smarter health and fitness. After acquiring Fitbit, this is the first Google product with that in mind. We’ve finally got the fitness-focused smartwatch everyone has been clamouring for.

Again, I’m going to quickly run down some of the new fitness/health updates on the watch.

- There’s a brand new running dashboard (with form analysis metrics)

- An AI-generated daily running workout suggestions

- Readiness Score (revamped and no longer paywalled)

- Morning Brief (It shares useful information - sleep score, readiness score, the weather, exercise progress and more - when starting your day.

- Custom running workouts

- Loss of Pulse feature (waiting for regulatory clearance)

- New Cardio Load metric

Overall, the Pixel Watch 3 is one of the best mainstream wearables for fitness folks. Fitbit has been fully integrated into the Pixel Watch 3 and it shows. All of your ‘fitness’ data goes straight to the Fitbit app, which presents the metrics in an easy-to-digest format. There’s a running dashboard that is quite useful as is form analysis. Some stuff is hidden behind a paywall (Fitbit premium) but Google has opened some features to everyone.

Nonetheless, if you want a mainstream Wear OS wearable that is fitness-focused, then the Pixel Watch 3 should be high up on your list.

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Where the Pixel Watch 3 can do better

What holds back the software is the fact that the notification setup on the Pixel Watch 3 is borderline annoying. Google does not bundle/group the notifications. Instead of being grouped, every notification is under a different heading.

Another thing with the software is that Google only pledges to support it for three years. When smartphones are getting up to seven years of software support, why should smartwatches be left behind?

Then there is the issue of durability. I’ve accidentally hit my smartwatch on walls many times, and it hasn’t seen a scratch as of now. The Pixel Watch 3 uses Gorilla Glass 5, but one wishes that sapphire glass was used. If you have a job that involves some rough outdoor usage, then the Pixel Watch 3 might not last even a month.

The competition

Yes, there are some other compelling Wear OS watches out there. Foremost is the OnePlus Watch 2R which handily beats the Pixel Watch 3 in battery life. Then there is Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 7

Should you buy the Pixel Watch 3?

The answer is almost a resounding yes. As long as you’re an Android user through and through, you’re going to love the Pixel Watch 3.

The Pixel Watch 3 is one of the comfiest smartwatches I’ve worn in a long time, even while sleeping. The addition of a 45mm size is a game-changer for Google, and with improved battery life, makes this a compelling buy.

You should buy the Pixel Watch 3 if you want a smartwatch, that looks like a traditional watch, and if you’re excited by all the fitness and health tracking features. This watch prioritises style over substance and durability, so just keep that in mind.

If you need a smartwatch that lasts over 1.5 days, then you’re better off looking elsewhere. The Pixel Watch 4 is coming with some massive upgrades, but in the meanwhile, the Pixel Watch 3 is compelling enough.

It’s a step in the right direction for Google, but you’ve just got to be sure you want a smartwatch and not a fitness-first device like the ones Garmin has on their product shelves.

The Pixel Watch 3 may be on the more expensive side, but if you can digest the price, then you won’t be disappointed.