Google Pixel Watch 3 is here: Price, features, sizes, colors, and everything you need to know

The Pixel Watch 3 is here, and quite a bit earlier than we initially expected. Not only does it boast a range of exciting new features and improved specifications, but Google has also introduced a larger variant for the first time, catering to a broader range of users. But is that enough to call them the best smartwatches available currently? Here’s everything you need to know about the Pixel Watch 3.

Google Pixel Watch 3: Release date, price, and availability

Google officially launched the Pixel Watch 3 alongside the Pixel 9 series on August 13. Pre-orders for both the 41mm and 45mm Pixel Watch 3 models started on the same day, with general availability beginning on September 10.

The 41mm Pixel Watch 3, the direct successor to the Pixel Watch 2, retains the starting price of $349 for the Wi-Fi model in the US. However, the LTE variant sees a notable price increase from $399 on the Pixel Watch 2 to $449 on the Pixel Watch 3.

The introduction of the larger 45mm Pixel Watch 3 brings additional options for users who prefer a more prominent display. The 45mm model starts at $399 for the Wi-Fi version, whereas the LTE variant commands a premium price of $499, making it the most expensive Pixel Watch to date.

Prospective buyers can place their orders directly through Google’s e-store or from various major retailers. As an added incentive, Google is offering a complimentary 6-month Fitbit Premium subscription with every Pixel Watch 3 purchase, matching the promotion offered with previous Pixel Watch models.

Google Pixel Watch 3: Colors, bands, design, and sizes

In terms of aesthetics and dimensions, the Pixel Watch 3 41mm stays true to its roots, mirroring the design of the Pixel Watch 2. It retains the familiar 12.3mm thickness and 31-gram body weight, offering a comfortable fit for most wrists. The 45mm variant, while slightly heavier at 37 grams, shares the same thickness and introduces a larger 45mm diameter for users who prefer a more substantial presence on their wrist.

Both the 41mm and 45mm variants come in an all-black configuration (Matte Black Aluminum case with an Obsidian Active Band) and a lighter color variant (Polished Silver Aluminum case with a Porcelain Active Band), providing classic choices for any occasion.

The smaller 41mm Pixel Watch carries forward the elegant Champagne Gold Aluminum Case with a Hazel Active Band combination from the Pixel Watch 2. It adds a new option with a Polished Silver Aluminum case and a Rose Quartz Active Band, which looks great.

The 45mm variant offers fewer color choices, with a unique all-green Matte Hazel Aluminum case with a Hazel Active Band being its third option.

Both models feature a metal housing crafted from 100% recycled aluminum. The included Active band is made of Fluoroelastomer with a soft-touch coating, ensuring durability and comfort for everyday wear.

Beyond the included Active bands, Google offers a wide selection of additional bands to personalize your Pixel Watch 3, including Crafted Leather, Two-tone Leather, Metal Mesh, Metal Link, Stretch, and Woven bands.

It’s worth noting that while Pixel Watch and Watch 2 bands are compatible with the 41mm Pixel Watch 3, the bands and accessories for the 45mm variant are entirely new, so existing bands will not be compatible if you’re upgrading from an older Pixel Watch.

Google Pixel Watch 3: Display and battery life

Google has made notable improvements to the Pixel Watch 3’s display experience. While maintaining the same external dimensions as the Pixel Watch 2, the 41 mm Pixel Watch 3 has “10% more screen” due to its reduced bezels. Though this might not lead to a dramatically different user experience, it’s a welcome refinement. Google is particularly proud of the larger Pixel Watch 3’s display, touting it as having “40% more screen,” which should make it easier to read text, navigate apps, and view workout stats.

The new “Actua” branded LTPO AMOLED displays on the Pixel Watch 3 are “2x brighter” than the Pixel Watch 2, reaching a peak brightness of 2000 nits, promising enhanced visibility even under direct sunlight. At the same time, these new displays can dim down to a mere one nit for the Always-on Display function.

Another noteworthy improvement is the increased maximum refresh rate of 60Hz, a significant leap from the 30Hz limitation of previous Pixel Watches. This should translate to smoother scrolling, slicker animations, and a more responsive overall feel. The refresh rate can also dynamically adjust between 1Hz for the Always-on Display and 60Hz for active use, striking a balance between performance and power efficiency.

Talking about efficiency, the Pixel Watch 3 comes with a new feature called “Auto-bedtime” mode. This mode can automatically detect when you fall asleep and use that to turn off notifications and AOD, which adds to the power efficiency. The watch can then track your sleep and even turn bedtime mode off when it detects that you are awake.

In terms of battery life, the Pixel Watch 3 41mm retains the same 306mAh battery as the Pixel Watch 2, whereas the 45mm variant houses a larger 420mAh battery. However, those hoping for a dramatic increase in battery life might be disappointed. Both models are rated for approximately 24 hours of use with the always-on display enabled and up to 36 hours in Battery Saver mode, which is on par with the Pixel Watch 2’s battery life.

While this might seem like no progress at all, it’s important to consider the increased power demands of the brighter, higher refresh rate displays. Maintaining similar battery life despite these enhancements is still a job well done. However, multi-day battery life, at least on the larger variant, would have been a welcome addition.

Google claims that the Pixel Watch 3 charges up to 20% faster than its predecessor. A full charge on the 41mm model should still take about an hour, while the 45mm Pixel Watch 3 can touch 100% in approximately 80 minutes. Notably, the 45mm model can reach 50% charge in about 28 minutes, and the smaller one achieves the same in 24 minutes. This quick charging capability should provide enough power to get you through the day, even if you don’t have time for a full charge before heading out.

Google Pixel Watch 3: Features

While Google hasn’t reinvented the wheel with the Pixel Watch 3 series, there are still quite a few notable improvements in terms of user experience and features that you can benefit from.

Wear OS 5

Samsung beat Google to the punch with the Wear OS 5-powered Galaxy Watch 7 series, but the Pixel Watch 3 marks the official debut of the new Wear OS software on Google’s own smartwatch line.

Wear OS 5 brings a host of improvements, including optimized support for various screen sizes, enhanced power management, and smoother system navigation on larger displays. It also unlocks new data types for running, such as ground contact time, stride length, and vertical oscillation, providing runners with deeper insights into their performance.

Additionally, Wear OS 5 supports debounced goals, providing real-time metrics for key fitness indicators like heart rate, distance, and speed. The updated Watch Face Format in Wear OS 5 allows for a wider range of complication widgets and data types, potentially leading to a more diverse selection of watch faces.

Ultrawide Band (UWB) support

The Pixel Watch 2 was rumored to come with UWB support, but that never happened. The Watch 3 finally incorporates a UWB chip for short-range communication and precise location tracking. With Ultrawide Band, users get access to many useful features like tracking their watch’s precise location with the Find My Device app, unlocking compatible cars using Digital Car Key, and even unlocking their phones without additional authentication.

Pixel ecosystem integration

The Pixel Watch 3 seamlessly integrates with other Pixel and Google devices, offering exclusive features that set it apart from the competition. You can now view Nest Cam video feeds directly on your watch, allowing you to monitor your home, see who’s at the door, and even communicate with visitors. The watch also functions as a Google TV remote, giving you playback and volume control without needing to search for the physical remote.

You can also use other Google services on the Pixel Watch 3, like using the Pixel Recorder app, controlling your Pixel phone’s camera for selfies or group shots, making contactless payments with Google Wallet, and even letting Google’s AI handle your calls.

Fitness and health features

• Accurate heart rate tracking: Google continues to emphasize the accuracy of its heart rate sensor, claiming it’s the only smartwatch on the market that tracks your heart rate every second, all day. The Pixel Watch 3 further refines this tracking by filtering out noise from rapid heart rate changes during exercise, hand movements, and light artifacts, ensuring precise and reliable data.
• Morning Brief: A new “Morning Brief” feature provides a personalized summary of key health and fitness data each morning, including readiness, sleep, target goals, and weather information. This feature will be available to all Pixel Watch 3 users without requiring a Fitbit Premium subscription.
• Readiness Score: Another feature that was previously exclusive to Fitbit Premium subscribers, this feature lets you know how well-rested you are and how to approach your workout goals for that day. Google says the algorithm has been improved to provide a more accurate picture of your physical preparedness for the day.
• Cardio load: This feature tracks heart exertion and activity levels, offering insights into your training status, such as whether you’re improving, maintaining, overtraining, or undertraining. The accompanying app can then provide personalized recommendations based on your data.
• Personalized target load: The Pixel Watch 3 can customize daily targets based on your Readiness Score, ensuring that your activity goals are aligned with your current physical state, allowing for flexible targets rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Running-specific features

Runners will find several new features tailored to their needs, including the ability to create custom workouts, compete against previous sessions, and receive live feedback on their form, cadence, and stride. The workout builder allows users to design specific runs, create intervals and segments, and sync them to the watch for later use. Real-time guidance provides audio and haptic feedback during workouts, while advanced motion sensing tracks minute details such as gait, stride length, and jump height, offering actionable insights and tracking personal records.

In addition to these new features, the Pixel Watch 3 retains the fitness capabilities of the Pixel Watch 2, including Body Response tracking, Heart Zone training, SpO2 measurement, Fitbit ECG, etc.

Google Pixel Watch 3: Specs

The Pixel Watch 3 maintains compatibility with a wide range of Android devices, requiring a phone running Android 10.0 or newer. As expected, setting up the watch necessitates a Google Account and the Google Pixel Watch app.

There haven’t been major upgrades to internal hardware this year. The Pixel Watch 3 continues to use the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 (SW5100) processor, which was also featured in the Pixel Watch 2. The watch also uses the same Cortex M33 co-processor as last year. RAM and storage capacities remain unchanged, with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage.

Connectivity has seen some improvements, with the Watch 3 upgrading to Bluetooth 5.3 from the previous model’s Bluetooth 5.0. Additionally, the Pixel Watch 3 now supports dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz), whereas the Pixel Watch 2 only supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. For cellular connectivity, the LTE variant supports 4G LTE, which requires a wireless service plan that is on the same network as your companion Android phone.

Take a look at the detailed specifications of the Pixel Watch 3 in the table below.

Is the Google Pixel Watch 3 worth it?

The Pixel Watch 3 undoubtedly represents Google’s most comprehensive and refined smartwatch to date. It combines a host of exclusive ecosystem features with cutting-edge fitness tracking capabilities, making a compelling case for its price tag. For those who have been eagerly awaiting a larger Pixel Watch, the 45mm variant finally fulfills that desire.

However, if you’re willing to forgo some of the new features, such as the brighter display, faster charging, and certain fitness enhancements, the Pixel Watch 2 ($349.99 at Amazon) could still offer you a great smartwatch experience, especially if you can find it at a discount.

For users who aren’t tied to the Google ecosystem, the Galaxy Watch 7 ($205.05 at Amazon) delivers all the smartness you’d need from a watch at a lower price point. If battery life is your top priority, the OnePlus Watch 2 ($299.99 at OnePlus) stands out with its impressive longevity, ensuring you won’t experience daily battery anxiety. For iPhone users or those considering switching to iOS, the Apple Watch Series 9 ($392.67 at Amazon) remains the obvious choice.

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