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Pixel Watch 3 review: Fitter, happier and more productive

Key improvements have made Google’s latest smartwatch an excellent option for Android users

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Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.

With the Pixel Watch 3, Google makes a strong case for the best smartwatch for Android users. After two months of testing, there are many features I absolutely love, a few that I find mildly disappointing and one major flaw that is, thankfully, easily remedied.

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There are several reasons you might own a smartwatch. There are the connectivity features: take and make calls, see notifications, send messages, control smart home devices and use map navigation all without touching your phone. There’s the data tracking: your workouts, steps, heart rate, sleep and plenty more. It also allows you to leave your phone at home – use the smartwatch to pay, listen to downloaded podcasts or music and track workouts.

The Pixel Watch 3 performs all of these functions at a very high level – streets ahead of the Pixel Watch 2 – thanks to a powerful processor, a super bright display, thoughtfully placed buttons and controls and integration with Google Assistant and FitBit.

What: Pixel Watch 3
Release date: Sept. 10, 2024
Price: $409.99 (41mm), $479.99 (45mm)
Colours: Polished Silver Aluminum Case/Porcelain Active Band, Matte Hazel Aluminum Case/Hazel Active Band, Matte Black Aluminum Case/Obsidian Active Band
Where to buy: Google | Amazon | Best Buy

Pixel Watch 3 watch face
Google provides 27 customizable watch faces in a variety of different styles. Photo by POSTMEDIA

Pixel Watch 3 Specs

Dimensions:
41mm: 41mm x 12.3mm
45mm: 45mm x 12.3mm

Weight:
41mm: 31g
45mm: 37g

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Display:
Actua display
Gorilla Glass 5
320 ppi AMOLED LTPO display
Up to 2,000 nits
Always-on display

Connectivity:
4G LTE and UMTS
Bluetooth 5.3
Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax 2.4Ghz, 5Ghz
NFC

Power:
41mm: 307 mAh 45mm: 420mAh
Built in rechargeable lithium-ion battery
Up to 24 hours with always on display
Up to 36 hours with battery saver mode

Chip:
Snapdragon W5 Gen 1, Cortex-M33

OS:
Wear OS 5.0

Storage:
32GB

Memory:
2GB SDRAM

Audio:
Built in microphone and speaker

Wearability and design of the Pixel Watch 3

Much like its predecessor, the Pixel Watch 3’s design is sleek and streamlined. The curved edges on the round watch make it appear at first glance like it doesn’t have any bezel at all.

While the watch does in fact have a bezel, it’s significantly smaller than that of the Pixel Watch 2, which was often criticized for its relatively small display.

Pixel Watch 3 bezel
While hidden, the Pixel Watch 3 does in fact have a bezel.

The 41mm and 45mm models feature displays that are 10 per cent and 40 per cent larger, respectively, than the Pixel Watch 2, making them comparable to flagship smartwatches from Apple and Samsung.

I tested the 45mm version and both the display and the watch itself felt like the right size for me – I rarely had moments where I felt the display was too small for the functions the watch offered, nor did it feel too chunky on my wrist.

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Another big improvement with the Pixel Watch 3 is its screen brightness – now up to 2,000 nits. While the display’s brightness in full sun is impressive, I also appreciate how the screen dims effectively in darker settings.

The buttons and controls are intuitive and make operating the device smooth and precise. On the aluminum casing you’ll find a crown that serves as both a home button and scroll wheel, as well as a secondary button that brings up a list of your recently used apps. On the opposite side of the casing is the speaker and microphone, which offer surprisingly adequate volume and clarity on voice calls.

The crown and button of the Pixel Watch 3.
The crown and button of the Pixel Watch 3. Photo by POSTMEDIA

The watch comes with two sizes of the Active Band, and while connecting it to the watch is not intuitive at all – I had to watch a YouTube tutorial? – ?it didn’t take too long for me to figure it out.

Without a doubt, the Active Band is the worst thing about the Pixel Watch 3. The end of the strap is meant to be tucked in underneath itself, which only adds to the discomfort of a band that isn’t breathable and chafes the skin when worn all day. It made wearing the watch to bed very unappealing. Luckily, Google offers a variety of other band options, starting at $69.99.

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Google provides 27 customizable watch faces in a variety of different styles. The Watch app allows you to select your watch face and colour scheme and customize up to nine “complications.” You can choose from dozens of options including quick access to apps as well as metrics like steps, calories burned and more.

Top features of the Pixel Watch 3: Seamless integration, connectivity, safety

Seamless integration

My favourite thing about the Pixel Watch 3 is how it makes so many everyday tasks easier.

Not only can you make and receive voice calls, you can receive and respond to messages on a variety of platforms including WhatsApp using its near flawless speech-to-text functionality.

Responding to texts with a couple of taps without having to take out my phone makes things a lot easier, especially when I’m chasing my toddler around the playground or doing a workout at the gym.

However, the integration with Facebook Messenger is lacking – you can only respond to messages for which you’ve received a notification and there’s no app available like there is for WhatsApp.

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My home is filled with Google-connected smart devices and I love how easy it is to set the temperature, see who’s at the door, turn on the lights and play music on my smart speakers ?— all through the Home app on the watch or through the built-in Google Assistant.

Google likes to claim that the Pixel Watch 3 is better with a Pixel phone. Most notably, the watch can control the camera on your phone, allowing you to see what the camera sees as you take photos. You can also change modes and record videos. This feature works beautifully especially if you use the timer (so you can take a few seconds to stop staring at your watch before it takes a photo).

The Pixel Watch 3 and the Pixel phone
Users can control their Pixel phone with the Pixel Watch 3. Photo by POSTMEDIA

Most of these features aren’t necessarily new or unique to the Pixel Watch 3. But some smartwatches with clunky interfaces will make you stop to consider whether completing a task on the watch is actually easier than just pulling out your phone. The Pixel Watch 3’s powerful processor, larger screen and high refresh rate power a user experience that helps keep your phone in your pocket.?

On and off network connectivity

The Pixel Watch 3 has Wi-Fi and can connect to LTE 4G networks with a data plan, but even without an internet connection, there’s still plenty you can do if you want to leave your phone at home. With the 32GB hard drive, you can download audio books or music to the device to listen offline and download maps for offline navigation. And if you go for a run and stop to grab a coffee on the way home, NFC and Google Wallet allow you to pay with your watch.

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Pixel Watch 3 with Google Maps navigation
Navigation with the Pixel Watch 3 Photo by POSTMEDIA

Safety

While I fortunately didn’t get to test any of the safety and emergency features like car crash and fall detection, the watch will notify first responders of your location if you’re in an accident. There’s also a number of other features that help you alert your list of emergency contacts quickly, or automatically if you don’t check in by a certain time.

Noteworthy features of the Pixel Watch 3

Fitness/Health

While the watch comes pre-loaded with several other Watch OS fitness apps, the FitBit integration is one of Google’s key selling points and the watch comes with a six-month subscription to FitBit Premium.

Google says its advanced motion sensing captures better data than ever before, including stride length and cadence. The app provides custom running workouts and daily suggestions.

The daily Readiness Score provides a recommendation on whether you should go hard, focus on recovery or something in between — it even takes into account how well you slept and your heart rate variability.

It’s worth noting this much-loved feature is available with the free version of FitBit. However, you have to wear the watch to sleep for seven consecutive nights to start receiving the Readiness Score and you’ll need to continue wearing it to bed if you want to keep getting the score every morning. I never made it to seven nights — the Active Band is to blame for that.

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While FitBit’s most advanced capabilities appear to be geared towards runners, there’s still plenty of cool features for those who get their exercise in other ways. The app allows you to build custom structured training sessions with intervals.

FitBit Watch has a full slate of features when it comes to health metrics and can measure blood oxygen levels, breathing rate and even skin temperature in addition to heart rate. It also has a built in ECG app that can detect a very common irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation, which can lead to a stroke.

Overall, the FitBit integration allows the Pixel Watch 3 to gather tremendous amounts of health data and really helps you make sense of it and benefit from it.

Pixel Watch 3 apps
The Pixel Watch 3 is packed with features and apps. Photo by POSTMEDIA

Besides FitBit, the phone comes preloaded with a number of other sports and fitness apps, including AllTrails, C25K, Hole19, Golf Pad, Komoot, Nike Run Club App and Strava.

Battery

Google says the watch’s battery will last up to 24 hours with always-on display, however I found the battery life was significantly longer.

I typically get around 36 hours with always-on display. Charging from 0 to 100 per cent took about an hour using the magnetic charger that clicks on to the bottom of the watch. In general, charging the watch daily for 30 to 40 minutes while you get ready in the morning is enough to keep it powered up all the time.

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Disabling always-on display will stretch the battery life even longer, but for me its effect on user experience wasn’t worth it. The screen doesn’t turn back on consistently quickly enough for my liking.

Who should buy the Pixel Watch 3

If you already own a Pixel phone or your home is decked out with Google-connected devices, the Pixel Watch 3 is a no-brainer if you are considering buying a smartwatch. It’s also a great option for all Android users now that Google has largely addressed some of the biggest complaints about its previous versions. A bigger and better display, a best-in-class fitness app, improved battery life and loads of great features make the Pixel Watch 3 a great option – just do yourself a favour and get a different band.

Pixel Watch 3 with curling rocks
Kind of looks like a curling rock, doesn’t it? Photo by POSTMEDIA

What: Pixel Watch 3
Release date: Sept. 10, 2024
Price: $409.99 (41mm), $479.99 (45mm)
Colours: Polished Silver Aluminum Case/Porcelain Active Band, Matte Hazel Aluminum Case/Hazel Active Band, Matte Black Aluminum Case/Obsidian Active Band
Where to buy: Google | Amazon | Best Buy

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