Pixel Watch 3 Long-Term Review: Holding Up After Hefty Expectations [Video]

It’s hard to believe the Pixel Watch 3 has been on the market for six months. Time flies, and after extensive daily use, it’s time to reflect on how this smartwatch has held up. Let’s dive into the features, build quality, fitness tracking, and overall experience.

• Pixel Watch 3 vs. OnePlus Watch 3: Which Wear OS watch wins? [Video]

Since the launch of the Pixel Watch alongside the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, a number of brands have exited the Wear OS wearable space. It’s not great to see OEMs ditch Android, but there are some benefits. Fewer Fossil-branded wearables mean that we have a refined set of watchmakers offering high-quality Wear OS wearables.

The Pixel Watch 3 has less competition to stand out while being the flag bearer for the Wear OS platform. With two variants, we also have two distinct choices that provide the perfect playing field for what Google thinks is the “ideal” Android accessory. Here’s what it’s like to live with the Pixel Watch 3 for an extended period of time. In this case, we’ll focus specifically on the 45mm version, but the 41mm model offers the same experience unless noted.

What’s new and upcoming: Navigating Google’s updates

Google’s approach to software updates is a defining characteristic of its devices. While the Pixel Watch 3 hasn’t seen a deluge of new features, key additions have enhanced its functionality. The long-awaited loss of pulse detection, finally approved by regulators, significantly boosts the watch’s safety features. This feature, designed to detect severe medical events, underscores Google’s commitment to user well-being.

Beyond safety, smaller updates have improved daily usability. Individual contact tiles offer quick access to frequently contacted individuals, streamlining communication. The enhancements to Gmail for Wear OS, including emoji reactions, offer a more expressive and efficient way to reply to emails. Google Wallet’s expansion to include hotel keys, campus IDs, and corporate badges further solidifies the Pixel Watch 3 as a versatile tool for your daily existence.

Looking ahead, the integration of Gemini with Wear OS is a major development to watch. Leaked code suggests a voice-first approach, potentially revolutionizing how users interact with their smartwatches. Imagine being able to summarize lengthy texts, draft sophisticated replies, or receive nuanced answers to complex questions, all through voice commands. The potential for extensions to expand and broaden Gemini’s capabilities is not doubt the most exciting upcoming addition.

The brief sighting of a “Find My Device” app for Wear OS in a dedicated ad raises hopes for improved device tracking, a feature we’ve been waiting for in addition to a few other little quality of life changes.

Here’s the kicker; Google has ditched monthly patches and OTAs for the Pixel Watch 3 in favor of quarterly updates. This sounds bad at first, but it makes more sense as monthly security patches are less necessary for a wearable. At least in theory, it should mean we get better releases, more functions, and, like most Pixel phones, a better watch software experience the longer you hold on.

Build and durability: Aesthetics still trump hardiness

Without wishing Google shake up the design of the Pixel Watch, is there a better way to make sure the shape and size is able to handle rough handling and tough scenarios a little better? I do love the bubbly pebble aesthetic as it’s a beautiful timepiece that still suits more outfits.

Also, the 45mm size has some added benefits, as it doesn’t look like a toy on your arm. It’s still a little painful that you can’t get official watch strap adapters to bring over your existing accessories, but the mechanism is larger and might cause some problems. It’s just painful having to spend $40+ on official straps, so we’d suggest avoiding period and get some cheaper alternatives.

Here’s the thing; the band situation, while adequate, could be improved. Google’s proprietary connector limits the availability of third-party options, especially for the 45mm variant. While Google’s first-party bands are undoubtedly high-quality, their premium price point can be a deterrent. The Active Sport band is a must-have for fitness enthusiasts, and the fine woven band offers a stylish option for everyday wear. However, the performance loop band, while comfortable, is arguably overpriced.

For anyone worried about the core durability, even with daily wear, the Gorilla Glass 5 display has held up remarkably well over six months of daily use, with only a few minor scuffs. Scuffs and dings are going to be part and parcel of any watch, and although the surface area is much larger, it’s still not bad when you consider it’s mostly glass in the firing line. It’s clear though that we probably need better protection because other similarly priced Wear OS watches can withstand more wear and tear.

I’ve noticed that the crown doesn’t scratch as easily as the first and second gen – which is one of my biggest complaints about the original model. I can’t say the same for the Hazel frame. Whether it’s the matte finish or the texture, you can get mini abrasions and scuffs. A case helps reduce this, but be careful which case you choose as some can grip into the body and exacerbate this problem quite extensively.

Fitness tracking: Still a very basic health and fitness companion

The Pixel Watch 3 isn’t a perfect fitness tracker despite catering to a fairly wide range of activities. From gym workouts to outdoor runs, the watch is a great option but lacks some of the most in-depth functions that you’ll find in other wearables.

The Fitbit app’s good looks limit many of these functions. However, certain functions, like the cardio load feature, are valuable tools for optimizing training intensity and offering insights into recovery and performance. In our testing, it’s a decent metric for those who don’t care about drilling down into hyperspecific data points or getting deep into all aspects of their workout.

The body response notifications, which at least in theory should users to heightened stress levels, have also been a surprising and welcome addition. This feature, coupled with Fitbit Relax, provides a holistic approach to stress management and, at the very least, helps separate Google’s wearable from the more fitness-oriented Galaxy Watch lineup.

While the design is arguably better than the competition for sleep wear, it’s hard to recommend wearing a Pixel Watch 3 to bed. You’ll have to determine whether it’s worth it for your though, and in the occasions where we have done so, the detailed sleep tracking and readiness scores offer valuable insights into sleep quality. Personally, I’m still very much on the fence as to why someone would need this kind of sleep data.

It may appear useful to have, but it doesn’t give much guidance on what to do to improve your scores. One saving grace is that you don’t need to worry about the 45mm Pixel Watch battery depleting in your sleep – something which was a problem with the OG Pixel Watch and practically made it impossible to suggest wearing to bed without a 100% charge prior.

While Fitbit Premium offers a small pool of advanced features, the basic functionality is sufficient. We’d really like to see the next-generation unlock more data and tracking points as the Galaxy Watch and recent OnePlus Watch are starting to give deeper analysis all for free.

OHealth offers practically all of the trappings of the premium Fitbit subscription right out of the box, while the Galaxy Health app similarly gives you historical data without a free. It gets more frustrating because you can now link this data from third-party services using Health Connect. Fitbit needs to expand out and the Pixel Watch needs to offer a greater array of modes to track and analyze. It’s almost impossible to recommend that you go beyond the free 6-month Fitbit Premium trial.

In all honesty, fitness tracking is not necessarily a key selling point, and the accuracy is right in the middle of the road when compared to dedicated fitness wearables from the likes of Garmin, Polar, and more. The limitations are instantly apparent in the gym, where individual muscle group workouts are still a glaring omission. If you care about these features, the Pixel Watch 3 still hasn’t evolved enough to be a strong contender in this category.

Software experience: Pure and designed for Pixel

In truth, even though we now have Android 15 and Wear OS 5.1 there hasn’t been a huge change in what you can do with the Pixel Watch 3 since its launch. Even so, a few Feature Drops have added some functions, but even when compared to the original, Wear OS feels as clean and light as it has since its rebirth a few years ago. There isn’t a wealth of functions, but as a bridge for your notifications and maybe a few specific media apps, Wear OS is absolutely fine.

The morning briefing feature provides a concise and customizable overview of health metrics. On your wrist, it feels like the perfect place to get these data-driven updates. The 45mm version has a little more real estate, and the larger canvas for all apps means that there is more space for information.

While we’re still relying on a slightly older processor, the performance is excellent. Everything reacts instantly, although the Play Store still isn’t the smoothest when first run or when diving in to update your apps. There is no doubt that the seamless integration with Google services is a key strength of the Pixel Watch 3.

Watch Unlock is still one of the best functions, but it isn’t locked to this latest hardware so is it really a key selling point for the new models? I’d say no, but the improved screen real estate with the 45mm Pixel Watch 3 is more than enough to at least consider.

Considering just how ubiquitous Gemini has become in almost all areas of Android, Chrome, and everything Google, the absence of integration is very odd. While Google has all but confirmed its arrival, the lack of a timeline is not only frustrating, it’s quite confusing. While the Google Assistant is a fine hands-free tool on your wrist, the potential for Gemini to revolutionize the Wear OS experience is undeniable, and its absence leaves a gap in the Pixel Watch 3’s functionality.

Being able to do things like start workouts without diving into the Fitbit app or send a message and play a playlist using just your voice could be pretty darn epic. Is it feasible? Well, I’m not sure, given the hardware limitations. Maybe this is something we’re more likely to see launch alongside the next generation, but at the very least, we know that Gemini is supposedly coming.

Battery Life and charging: Bigger = better

One of the strongest areas of improvement specifically on the larger 45mm Pixel Watch 3 is undoubtedly the battery longevity. I was initially concerned that the increased display dimensions could result in a diminished lifespan. That has been blown out of the water – at least in my case.

24 hours of wear is a breeze. I’ve regularly pushed the smartwatch into 48+ hours with light use. You may need to adjust some things to achieve that. Most notably, avoid using GPS-intensive tasks or skip wearing your watch to the gym. Even with the AOD active, it doesn’t drastically alter my own battery experience. Sure, I could disable that, but the updated watchfaces are great for getting key information at a glance. The Galaxy Watch lineup still offers the best lifespan, but credit where it is due the Pixel Watch 3 is excellent.

Charging speeds are reasonable, with the 45mm variant reaching a full charge in approximately 70 minutes. However, the lack of wireless charging still feels like a glaring and annoying missed opportunity.

Why not allow us to top up using the reverse wireless charging on Pixel? It seems like something that would be a nice value-add when you’re in a pinch. The pin-based charging mechanism, while functional, is less convenient than wireless charging. At least you can use the same charger from the Pixel Watch 2, and the charging puck works on both size variants.

Is the Pixel Watch 3 the best Wear OS smartwatch?

For many of us, the clean, integrated approach to the Pixel Watch is the way we want our wearable to be. It has some neat features that extend the experience of your Pixel phone onto your wrist. The new 45mm version is a superb addition to the lineup. It is undoubtedly the best first-party wearable to date with some foibles.

It’s harder to recommend the 41mm variant unless you prefer smaller watches. The minor upgrades over the Pixel Watch 2 probably aren’t enough to differentiate it. The battery life is also not quite as extensive, albeit solid, given the diminished form factor.

High-quality Android smartwatches aren’t as ubiquitous as smartphones. The Pixel Watch 3 is a solid choice as a partner to your Pixel phone. However, the recently released OnePlus Watch 3 might be a more “complete” wearable if you don’t care all that much about the Pixel aesthetic and functions like Watch Unlock. There is also the heavily discounted Galaxy Watch 7 series to consider because, at least in terms of user volume, Samsung has the edge.

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