The Pixel Watch 2 made several improvements over the original Pixel Watch but didn’t quite claim the title of the best Wear OS smartwatch. While it addressed many issues, it still had its shortcomings. Now, Google has introduced its successors, the Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Watch 3 XL. While we’ll delve into whether they surpass their predecessor in our full review, here’s everything you need to know about the Pixel Watch 3.
Build and Design
The Pixel Watch 3 retains a design similar to its predecessor, featuring the same rounded, curved display and a rotating crown on the right side. The band size and attachment mechanisms are also unchanged.
The standard Pixel Watch 3 is available in a 41mm size, while the XL version comes in 45mm. The Pixel Watch 3 is only slightly thicker than the Watch 2, with no other significant design changes.
Display
A notable upgrade in the Pixel Watch 3 is its screen, which now features smaller bezels than the Pixel Watch 2. The bezels have been reduced from 5.5mm to 4.5mm. Although this change may not be immediately noticeable, it is a welcome enhancement.
The screen itself has also seen enhancements. It maintains the same 1.2-inch size but now features Google’s Super Actua technology. The display is twice as bright as the Pixel Watch 2’s, reaching 2,000 nits compared to 1,000 nits. Additionally, due to the reduced bezels, the resolution has been increased to 408×408 pixels, up from the 384×384 pixels on the Watch 2.
Health Sensors and Features
Most of the new features in the Pixel Watch 3 are centered around the Fitbit app. These include tools to help you surpass your personal best, Cardio Load, and Advanced Running Metrics. The Morning Brief feature offers a quick summary of metrics such as your Readiness Score.
In terms of hardware, while there are no new sensors, the major addition is support for Ultrawide Band (UWB) Radio. Although the Pixel Watch 2 was initially planned to include UWB, it was dropped before release, so it’s a significant addition for the Pixel Watch 3.
For those unfamiliar, UWB technology can help locate connected devices on Google’s Find My Device network. Other new features include a new recorder app and an enhanced Google Camera experience.
Performance and Battery
The Pixel Watch 3 and 3 XL (45mm) continue to use the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 5100 SoC, which features 4 Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.7 GHz. This SoC has consistently demonstrated strong performance.
The battery remains unchanged at 310 mAh for the Pixel Watch 3, with the same charging speed and connector style as its predecessor. The Watch 3 XL variant, however, is equipped with a larger 420 mAh battery, which should offer longer battery life.
Color Variants and Pricing
The 41mm Pixel Watch 3 is available in four color combinations: Silver/Rose Quartz, Black/Obsidian, Gold/Hazel, and Silver/Porcelain. The 45mm Watch 3 XL comes in Hazel/Hazel, Black/Obsidian, and Silver/Porcelain.
Google typically aligns the watch’s colors and bands with the Pixel 9 series, which is expected to include colors like Rose Quartz, Obsidian, Hazel, Porcelain, Jade, and Pink.
The Wi-Fi-only model of the Pixel Watch 3 starts at $349, while the 45mm Watch 3 XL begins at $399. The LTE versions are priced at $449 and $499, respectively.
What are your thoughts on the new Pixel Watch? Are you thinking about upgrading from a Pixel Watch 1 or 2? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
0 Comments