It’s been a giant 12 months for Google in varied methods and on the {hardware} facet, I’ve been testing the Pixel Watch 4. The assessment embargo has simply lifted, however I haven’t examined it totally sufficient to deliver you a full assessment simply but.
Nonetheless, in nearly a week of testing, I’ve discovered some key issues in regards to the flagship smartwatch, which can compete with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and Apple Watch Sequence 11.
The Pixel Watch 4 goes on sale right this moment from £349/$349 (together with the Pixel 10 Professional Fold), though I’ve been testing the bigger and dearer 45mm measurement within the new Moonstone colourway.
I really like the design. I’ve for the reason that first era, and the brand new domed Actua 360 show is a pleasant improve, however there have been extra vital discoveries throughout my first seven days with the wearable – and so they’re not all optimistic.
Charging is means higher
A pet hate of mine in relation to smartwatches is how so a lot of them include proprietary charging options. These usually contain a bit of puck that attaches to the again and will be each fiddly and unreliable.
Though I’d prefer to see all Put on OS smartwatches undertake Qi wi-fi charging to make life simpler (Qualcomm advised me it can occur), Google has at the very least give you a significantly better means of charging the Pixel Watch 4.
The machine now comes with a bit of white Fast Cost Dock which you could put in your desk or bedside desk. There’s not any have to wrestle with an annoying snake-like cable with a circle on the finish.
Pop the Pixel Watch 4 in, it snaps into place with magnets (though it’s not branded Pixelsnap to keep away from complicated it with Qi2) and two steel contacts deal with charging. Fortunately, those on the watch aren’t the eyesore I feared they may be. I at all times appreciated the docking stations that got here with early smartwatches such because the Motorola Moto 360 and was irritated after they weren’t broadly adopted.
The system feels extra correct and grown-up. Plus, as soon as the smartwatch is docked, you’ll be able to nonetheless make use of it as a bit of bedside clock. You’ll be able to see the time in addition to different info, comparable to charging progress.
It’s fast too, getting as much as 80% in half-hour in my testing. If you’d like further docks to position round the home or maybe at work, you may get them for £29/$29 every.
Gemini on Put on OS is truly helpful
In case you hadn’t observed, AI is creeping (extra like storming) into each space of tech and smartwatches are not any exception, particularly the place Google units are involved, as Gemini is now one of many high AI platforms accessible.
It’s changing Google Assistant on the whole lot and the Pixel Watch 4 is likely one of the first wearable units to have it inbuilt as a part of Put on OS 6.
With earlier Put on OS smartwatches, I didn’t discover myself utilizing Google Assistant all that a lot. I’d use it at first, simply to check it out, then I shortly forgot it was even there.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Gemini, nonetheless, is much extra helpful with its responses and though I’m not a eager AI consumer on different units, having it on my wrist has confirmed to be the precise use for it.
It’s faster than consulting my cellphone, which I’ve usually left in one other room, so it is available in actually helpful for fast questions and controlling good residence units. It even helped me determine on which day to mow the garden.
I’m nonetheless exploring what it will possibly do and it’s in no way excellent. I requested Gemini to vary my step depend purpose (10,000 is simply foolish for me), however no can do, it says.
The watch additionally knowledgeable me that Gemini can “let you know about your coronary heart price” however once I ask, it merely brings up the real-time determine as some sort of shortcut and nothing extra.
Efficiency is worrying
The above enhancements are nice, and there are others I’ll cowl within the full assessment, however none of that is any good with out strong underlying efficiency and this wasn’t one thing I anticipated to have an issue with on the Pixel Watch 4.
It’s working on Qualcomm’s newest Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 processor constructed for wearables and that is the plainest model of Put on OS as it’s a Pixel.
It’s not an enormous downside, however after every week, it’s actually one thing I’m nervous about. More often than not, the watch runs simply wonderful – scrolling by means of notifications and menus and many others – however stutters, lags and glitches have been far too widespread for my liking.
In any case, this can be a flagship smartwatch and if you’re forking out a minimal of £349/$349, you count on it to run easily.
Chris Martin / Foundry
I’m largely seeing slowdowns when the machine has extra to load, comparable to summoning Gemini, opening an app comparable to Spotify, or the preliminary swipe to scroll by means of the Tiles (the widgets on both facet of the principle watch face). Generally this could take a second or two, which appears like an absolute age in 2025.
It may possibly even occur when doing easier issues just like the PIN sample to unlock the watch. I’ve discovered the software program glitchy when it’s within the Fast Cost Dock, too. For instance, it can’t determine on the orientation of the display screen and generally which graphics to point out.
I’m actually hoping these are simply early teething issues that Google can kind with a firmware replace. It does occur generally once we take a look at units forward of launch and it’s one of many causes I’m not fairly prepared to publish a full assessment.
On the entire, I’m impressed with the Pixel Watch 4, however this ultimate caveat might cease it from getting our Editor’s Selection award. Keep tuned for the total assessment quickly.
