Google Pixel Watch (1st Gen) - Complete Review

Overview

The Google Pixel Watch, launched in October 2022, represents Google’s long-awaited entry into the smartwatch market after years of false starts and cancelled projects. This first-generation device combines Google’s software expertise with Fitbit’s health tracking capabilities (following Google’s acquisition of Fitbit) in a distinctive circular design that stands apart from the Apple Watch’s rectangular form factor.

Now available at significant discounts from its original $349-399 MSRP, typically selling for $200-250, the original Pixel Watch has transformed from a premium-priced newcomer into a compelling value proposition for Android users seeking their first smartwatch or a stylish alternative to Samsung’s offerings.

Key Selling Points

1. Premium Design at Budget Price: Originally $349, now commonly found at $200-250, offering stainless steel construction and sapphire glass at mid-range prices

2. Fitbit Integration: Full Fitbit health platform built-in with 6 months of Premium included, bringing professional-grade health tracking to Wear OS

3. Pure Google Experience: Seamless integration with Google services - Maps, Assistant, Wallet, and especially impressive with Pixel phones

4. Beautiful Circular Display: Distinctive domed glass design with minimal bezels creates an elegant, traditional watch aesthetic

5. Comprehensive Health Suite: ECG, SpO2, continuous heart rate, stress monitoring, and FDA-cleared AFib detection

Design & Build Quality

Google prioritized aesthetics with the Pixel Watch, creating one of the most visually striking smartwatches available. The circular 41mm case features a domed glass design that curves seamlessly into the stainless steel body, creating an almost pebble-like appearance on the wrist. At 12.3mm thick and 36g without the band, it’s reasonably compact though the domed glass does make it slightly taller than flat alternatives.

The custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5 creates a unique visual effect where the display appears to float above the case, though this dome design is somewhat polarizing - beautiful to look at but potentially prone to bumps and scrapes. The rotating crown offers satisfying haptic feedback, while the single side button provides quick access to recent apps.

Build quality is premium throughout, with the stainless steel case available in Matte Black, Polished Silver, or Champagne Gold finishes. The included Active Band uses high-quality fluoroelastomer that’s comfortable for all-day wear, though the proprietary attachment mechanism limits third-party options.

Display Technology

The 1.2-inch AMOLED display delivers 450x450 pixel resolution at 320 PPI, producing sharp text and vibrant colors with DCI-P3 color gamut support. Peak brightness reaches 1000 nits, making it readable in direct sunlight, though not quite as bright as the Apple Watch Series 9’s 2000 nits.

The always-on display implementation is excellent, with smooth transitions between active and ambient modes. The circular display does mean some content gets cut off compared to rectangular screens, but Google has optimized the Wear OS interface well for the round format. The 60Hz refresh rate feels smooth for typical smartwatch interactions.

Performance & Software

Here’s where the Pixel Watch shows its age. The Exynos 9110 processor, originally introduced in 2018, was already dated at launch. However, Google added a Cortex-M33 co-processor to handle background tasks and optimize battery life. With 2GB of RAM, the watch handles multitasking reasonably well, though you’ll notice occasional stutters when launching apps or using Google Assistant.

The watch runs Wear OS 3.5 (upgradeable to 4.0), featuring Google’s refined interface design. The software experience is notably cleaner than Samsung’s One UI Watch, with intuitive swipe gestures and well-organized settings. Google services integration is exceptional - Google Pay, Maps with turn-by-turn navigation, and Assistant all work flawlessly.

32GB of storage provides ample space for apps and music, with about 24GB available to users. The Play Store offers a decent selection of Wear OS apps, though the ecosystem still lags behind Apple Watch.

Health & Fitness Tracking

The Fitbit acquisition pays significant dividends here. The Pixel Watch includes Fitbit’s full health tracking suite:

• Heart Rate Monitoring: Continuous tracking with good accuracy, though not class-leading
• ECG: FDA-cleared ECG app for detecting AFib
• SpO2: Blood oxygen monitoring during sleep
• Sleep Tracking: Fitbit’s excellent sleep stage analysis and Sleep Score
• Stress Management: EDA scans and continuous stress tracking
• Active Zone Minutes: Fitbit’s motivating metric for exercise intensity

The watch tracks 40+ exercise modes with automatic workout detection for common activities. GPS accuracy is decent though not as precise as dedicated fitness watches. Swimming tracking works well thanks to 5 ATM water resistance.

Six months of Fitbit Premium is included, unlocking advanced insights, guided workouts, and wellness reports. After the trial, Premium costs $9.99/month - not required but adds significant value.

Battery Life

Battery life is the Pixel Watch’s Achilles heel. The 294mAh battery struggles to deliver the advertised 24 hours:

• Typical use: 18-24 hours with always-on display
• Heavy use: 10-14 hours with GPS tracking and music streaming
• Battery saver: Up to 30 hours but disables key features

You’ll need to charge daily, period. The magnetic pin charger reaches 50% in 30 minutes and full charge in 80 minutes - reasonably fast but you’ll use it often. This is notably worse than Samsung Galaxy Watch 6’s 40-hour battery or Apple Watch Series 9’s 36 hours.

Smart Features

As a full smartwatch, the Pixel Watch excels at connected features:

• Notifications: Full notification mirroring with ability to reply via voice, keyboard, or emoji
• Calls: Take calls on-wrist with surprisingly good speaker and microphone quality
• Google Assistant: Responsive and capable, handling complex queries well
• Google Wallet: Contactless payments work flawlessly
• Music: 8GB storage for offline playback plus streaming via YouTube Music or Spotify
• Maps: Turn-by-turn navigation on your wrist is genuinely useful

LTE models add standalone connectivity for $50 more plus monthly carrier fees. Unless you regularly exercise without your phone, WiFi models offer better value.

Real-World Experience

Living with the Pixel Watch reveals both delights and frustrations. The design draws compliments and feels premium on-wrist. The Fitbit integration provides motivation through achievements and insights. Google services work brilliantly, especially with Pixel phones where features like camera viewfinder and car crash detection add value.

However, battery anxiety is real. You’ll develop charging habits - perhaps topping up during morning shower or evening TV time. The single 41mm size won’t suit larger wrists, and some will find the domed glass catches on sleeves or bags. Performance occasionally lags, particularly when installing apps or using Assistant while music plays.

Value Proposition in 2024

At its original $349 price, the Pixel Watch was hard to recommend against newer competition. At current street prices of $200-250, it becomes compelling for specific users:

Excellent value for:

• Pixel phone owners wanting ecosystem integration
• First-time smartwatch buyers on Android
• Former Fitbit users wanting smartwatch capabilities
• Style-conscious users who love the design

Poor value for:

• Fitness enthusiasts needing advanced metrics
• Users requiring multi-day battery
• Anyone with larger wrists
• iPhone users (completely incompatible)

Versus Competition

vs Apple Watch SE ($249):

• Pixel Watch has more premium materials (stainless steel vs aluminum)
• Apple Watch has better performance and battery life
• Ecosystem lock-in makes comparison moot - choose based on phone

vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 ($299):

• Galaxy Watch offers better battery life and multiple sizes
• Pixel Watch has cleaner software and better Google integration
• Galaxy Watch provides rotating bezel option for easier navigation

vs Fitbit Sense 2 ($249):

• Sense 2 has 6-day battery life and more health sensors
• Pixel Watch offers true smartwatch features and apps
• Same Fitbit platform, very different use cases

Should You Buy It?

The original Google Pixel Watch at current prices represents good value for the right user. If you own a Pixel phone, appreciate design, and can tolerate daily charging, it’s worth considering. The Fitbit integration is excellent, Google services work beautifully, and the premium materials feel special at this price point.

However, if battery life matters, you have large wrists, or you need advanced fitness features, look elsewhere. The Galaxy Watch 6 offers more flexibility, while Garmin provides superior fitness tracking. For Pixel phone owners specifically, consider stretching budget for the Pixel Watch 2, which addresses many first-gen limitations.

Final Verdict

Score: 7.5/10

The Google Pixel Watch succeeds as a beautiful, capable smartwatch that showcases Google’s vision for wearables. While hampered by dated processor and poor battery life, at current discounted prices it offers compelling value for Android users prioritizing style and Google services over endurance. It’s not the best smartwatch you can buy, but for Pixel owners seeking their first smartwatch at a reasonable price, it might be the right one.

Think of it as Google’s learning exercise that you can now benefit from at clearance prices. The Pixel Watch 2 shows Google learned these lessons, but if you can live with the limitations, the original remains a stylish, functional entry into the smartwatch world - just keep a charger handy.