The Google Pixel Watch 3 is officially the new flagship smartwatch, replacing the Google Pixel Watch 2 that arrived last October.
Both boast the latest Wear OS 5 software, offer Fitbit integration, and are capable of delivering crucial health insights, making them top smartwatches for Android users.
But which is better for you – and what are the key differences?
This comparison guide explains all. We’ll analyze all the major changes Google has made between generations and judge whether the Pixel Watch 3 is worth the upgrade.
Prices and versions
The most significant difference between the Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Watch 2 is the case sizes. While the latest generation is available in a new 45mm size alongside the existing 41mm version, it’s a better fit for those with larger wrists.
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Which you opt for will also affect the price. The 41mm edition will begin at $349/£349, with the LTE upgrade bumping this to $449/£449, while the 45mm model starts at $399/£399 and features the same $100/£100 bump for cellular connectivity.
For the Pixel Watch 2, the equation is very different; you only have one edition to choose from (41mm) and, with the release of the third generation, it’s also much cheaper.
Google is currently retailing the Pixel Watch 2 for a reduced $239/£239, while the LTE upgrade is available for only an additional $50/£50.
Design and display
The Google Pixel Watch 3 maintains the sleek, circular aesthetic that defined the Pixel Watch 2, but with a couple of improvements.
The bezels on the Pixel Watch 3 are thinner, offering a more immersive viewing experience on the 41mm’s 1.2-inch AMOLED display. Both sizes also now punch out 2,000 nits (up from 1,000 nits), with the screen running much closer to the bezel.
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Google says the 41mm Pixel Watch 3 display is 10% bigger than the equivalent Pixel Watch 2, though no specific details have been shared as of yet.
Aside from this, as well, the majority of key design specs remain the same between generations.
The weight of each generation’s 41mm models remains super light (31.5g without band), largely thanks to the recycled aluminum case first introduced in the Pixel Watch 2, with the extra heft of the Pixel Watch 3’s 45mm edition only adding 6g.
The covering glass is once again a custom Corning 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5 across the board, meaning the Pixel Watch 3 will remain as scratch-proof as the previous generation, while the identical 320 pixels per inch suggests the density and clarity will also remain similar.
Smart features
The Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Watch 3 will each run the latest version of Google’s software, Wear OS 5. However, the company has made a few small tweaks to ensure the latest edition is the more advanced smartwatch.
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The Watch 3, for example, will offer better integration with more Google devices and services. Most apps – like Google Wallet or Google Assistant – will work the same as they did on the Watch 2, though there is now proper offline Google Maps support, the ability to view Nest cameras and doorbells from the wrist, and also Google TV control.
Google’s AI can also take calls, record memos, or listen out for songs while you’re on the go, which can be accessed later on your watch or phone.
It’s unclear whether these features will roll back to the Watch 2 in a future update, and, again, the core experience will remain virtually identical between these generations.
Health and activity tracking
The updates Google revealed during the Pixel Watch 3 announcement are more extensive in the tracking sections. However, again, there’s seemingly no reason why most of the following software changes won’t be available to Pixel Watch 2 owners – and Google has thus far remained mum.
One notable new feature is the Fitbit experience expanding. The daily readiness score once only available via the Fitbit app will now be accessible by all Pixel Watch 3 owners, with an all-new Fitbit Morning Brief providing an overview of sleep, updates on vital metrics like HRV, and suggested workouts.
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As seen in the upcoming watchOS 11 update (and, obviously, before smartwatch brands got involved, most top sports watches), your activity load will also be analyzing your training volume.
Fitbit Premium subscribers will now also get access to a new set of workouts from Peloton, too, while advanced running metrics such as vertical oscillation, ground contact time and more will also be available in post-workout screens for all users.
In health, the Pixel Watch 3 will debut a novel/morbid-sounding feature: ‘Loss of Pulse Detection’.
With this enabled, the Watch 3 will call the emergency services if it detects the user is motionless and with no pulse. From what we’ve seen, it works similarly to car crash and fall detection.
However, it’s unclear how this will vary between cellular/non-cellular versions. We’ve seen features like ‘Safety Check’ and ‘Safety Signal’ (introduced on Pixel Watch 2) only become available with specific version/membership requirements, so we’re interested to see these for Loss of Pulse Detection.
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While our opinion could change following testing of the Pixel Watch 3, we don’t think any of these are reasons to upgrade – and that’s ignoring the fact that they’ll likely roll back to the Pixel Watch 2 anyway.
Battery life
After the very shaky battery life of the Pixel Watch 1, Google turned it around for the Pixel Watch 2, with the smartwatch capable of running for 24 hours (with the always-on display enabled).
For the Pixel Watch 3, though, that 24-hour estimation unfortunately hasn’t been improved upon – even with the larger 45mm edition and its 420mAh battery.
The 41mm model retains the 306mAh unit of the Pixel Watch 2, and, even with those display upgrades outlined above, we’re expecting it to last roughly the same amount of time – though a new battery-saving mode will see it go for 36 hours, says Google.
We’re hopeful the 45mm Pixel Watch 3 can outperform Google’s 24-hour estimate, but we’ll only know after full testing. As we’ve seen from Apple over the years, it’s possible this battery estimation from Google is being used as a minimum placeholder of what to expect, rather than the average or maximum figure.
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Given the Pixel Watch 3 (and Pixel Watch 2) both feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear W5 Gen 1 chip, though – the same one that’s enabled a two-day AOD battery in the OnePlus Watch 2R and TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro, it’s a little disappointing we’re still on 24-hour battery.
Verdict: Which is best?
We’ll be reserving our full recommendations until we’ve had a chance to put the Pixel Watch 3 through the wringer, but, given the price difference and lack of meaningful changes, our first suspicion is that the Pixel Watch 2 is the better pick for those picking between the 41mm editions.
If you’ve avoided Google’s smartwatch line in the past due to the small size, you now finally have an option – one that isn’t available through the Pixel Watch 2 range. That makes it a bit of a no-brainer, especially when there’s the chance you may also enjoy improved battery life.
Again, though, check back for an updated, more detailed comparison of these watches in a couple of weeks.
