It’s been almost a month since Google launched Google Pixel Watch 3 – the next generation to it’s average Pixel Watch 2 and it really feels that Google has done some work to compete against the likes of Samsung and Apple.
Not a lot in terms of hardware since it comes with the same Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 processor coupled with 2GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage. But there are other things which makes it a standout in the watch section. We are going to discuss them in detail.
Google decided to launch Pixel Watch 3 in two variants, a 41mm watch in 4 colors and a 45mm watch in 3 colors. This is great for people with broader wrists since they get an option to choose from, now. I know a couple of friends who are into the Google Pixel ecosystem minus the watch because they felt a 41mm dial will be smaller on their wrists. They can now buy a Google Pixel Watch 3, 45mm one. The colors are subtle and pleasing, Matte Black, Silver, Hazel are available for both types and a Rose Gold is available only in 41mm probably targeting the ladies out there. The watches are made of 100% recycled aluminium and the smaller one weighs 31g while the bigger one weighs 37g without the band.
Google has worked on the display as well. They call it Actua display which has a 16% smaller bezel compared to it’s predecessor and the peak brightness goes to 2000 nits now (it was 1000 nits earlier).
Google has also improved on the battery life with 24 hours of always-on display. They have also introduced a new battery-saver mode with Pixel Watch 3 that kicks in when you hit 15%. You can have about 36 hours of battery life in this mode and that’s a really impressive stat to go day and half without the need to charge your watch. The biggest counterpart features a better battery life because it includes a bigger battery (that’s obvious, innit), but the smaller one is not very far off. Pixel watch will also detect when you fall asleep and turns on the bedtime mode, which dims your screen and turns off notification making sure your watch last longer in charge and doesn’t wake you up with those email notifications. No need to do it manually now.
Google has brought Ultrawide band chip in these devices that allows you to unlock your Google Pixel phone by bringing your watch closer. Frankly I think it’s just a gimmick but if you find a use for it, that’s a plus for you.
You can watch your doorbell feed through your Pixel watch, make it work as a remote for your Google TV, control your Google Pixel phone camera, record audio or access Google map offline through your watch. I like the maps integration as it’s going to really help when driving or when I take my bike for a ride. I hate fitting my phone on the handle by the way.