It’s been two years since Google burst into the smartwatch market, and meaning we’ve seen a couple of upgrades since Google launched the very first Google Pixel Watch. If you’re nonetheless utilizing that watch, chances are you’ll marvel if now’s the time to improve and whether or not the third-generation Pixel Watch 3 is price it. Or chances are you’ll be getting your first smartwatch and contemplating shopping for an affordable first-generation Pixel Watch or the most recent and best of Google’s wearables.
Choosing between these two units is surprisingly straightforward. Sometimes, the most recent is the perfect, and that is the case with the Pixel Watch 3. However, there’s a big worth distinction, so is the Pixel Watch nonetheless price shopping for? Let’s look at the variations, determine which you need to choose, and clarify why now’s the perfect time to improve from the unique Pixel Watch.
Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Google Pixel Watch: specs
Google Pixel Watch 3 | Google Pixel Watch | |
Display | 45mm: 1.4-inch
41mm: 1.2-inch Always-On Display Up to 1,000 nits |
1.2-inch
Always-On Display |
Resolution and brightness | 45mm: 456 x 456 pixels (320 pixels per inch)
41mm: 408 x 408 pixels (~320 ppi density) Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe! |
450 x 450 pixels (320ppi)
Up to 1,000 nits |
Dimensions and weight | 45mm: 45 x 45 x 12.3 mm (1.77 x 1.77 x 0.48 inches)
37 grams (with out band) 41mm: 41 x 41 x 12.3 mm (1.61 x 1.61 x 0.48 inches) 31 grams (with out band) |
41 x 41 x 12.3 mm (1.61 x 1.61 x 0.48 inches)
36 g (with out band) |
Processor | Qualcomm W5 Gen 1 | Samsung Exynos 9110 SoC |
Storage & RAM | 32GB eMMC, 2GB RAM | 32GB eMMC, 2GB RAM |
Battery | 45mm: 420mAh
41mm: 307mAh 2.5W charging utilizing a devoted USB-C to magnetic puck charger |
294mAh
2.5W charging utilizing a devoted USB-C to magnetic puck charger |
Software | Wear OS 5.0 | Wear OS 3.5 |
Sensors | Compass
Altimeter Red and infrared sensors for oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitoring Multipurpose electrical sensors suitable with the ECG app Multi-path optical coronary heart price sensor Accelerometer Gyroscope Ambient mild sensor Electrical sensor to measure pores and skin conductance (cEDA) for Body response monitoring Skin temperature sensor Barometer Magnetometer |
Compass
Altimeter Blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitor Multipurpose electrical sensors suitable with the ECG app Optical coronary heart price sensor Accelerometer Gyroscope Ambient mild sensor |
Connectivity | 4G LTE (LTE fashions solely) and UMTS
Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz NFC GPS GLONASS BeiDou Galileo Quasi-Zenith Satellite |
4G LTE (LTE fashions solely) and UMTS
Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz NFC GPS GLONASS BeiDou Galileo |
Materials and sturdiness | 100% recycled aluminum shell
Soft-touch polymer Active band Gorilla Glass 5 over show IP68 ranking (50 meters or 5ATM) |
80% recycled chrome steel shell
Soft-touch polymer Active band Gorilla Glass 5 over show IP68 ranking (50 meters or 5ATM) |
Colors | Matte black aluminum case, obsidian Active band
Polished silver aluminum case, porcelain Active band Matte hazel aluminum case, hazel Active band |
Matte black chrome steel case, Obsidian Active band
Polished silver chrome steel case, Charcoal Active band Polished silver chrome steel case, Chalk Active band Champagne gold chrome steel case, Hazel Active band |
Price | From $349 | From $350 |
Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch: design and show
Put the Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Watch alongside one another, and other than the dimensions, it’s be tough to inform the distinction. Google’s design language hasn’t modified in three generations, and the minimalist look is enticing and works with most outfits.
The Pixel Watch 3 is the primary of Google’s smartwatches to return in two sizes. The smaller 41mm dimension is similar to the unique, however 5 grams lighter, whereas the larger 45mm model is simply 1 gram heavier than the unique. The bigger dimension is good if in case you have greater wrists or discover the unique Pixel Watch too small for each day use.
The new AMOLED-LTPO show provides the Pixel Watch 3 show a giant improve over earlier generations. Both sizes get the improve, which provides a variable refresh price of 60Hz and shrunken bezels to maximise the display screen actual property.
The show represents a big improve in legibility, however in any other case, these two watches share the identical bodily traits. Domed Gorilla Glass shows present safety, a rotating bezel lets you scroll and choose — a characteristic sorely lacking from the brand new Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra — and the identical lug-style watch band system lets any Pixel Watch band work with the third-generation mannequin.
Each watch has the identical 5ATM water resistance, which offers safety when submerged as much as 500 meters, and a collection of sensors on the rear. The Pixel Watch 3’s sensors are improved over the unique’s, and so they have a special design, however in any other case, these two watches share many similarities.
Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch: well being, health, sensors
The Pixel Watch 3 shares the identical sensors as final 12 months’s Pixel Watch 2, which noticed Google enhance the accuracy of the information collected. The coronary heart price sensor is without doubt one of the most correct on any smartwatch and one of many many {hardware} sensors which can be improved over the unique.
The Pixel Watch 3 provides a thermometer and pores and skin conductance sensors, which give invaluable insights into your pores and skin temperature whereas asleep and are used for cycle monitoring. There’s additionally a brand new mild sensor, barometer, gyroscope, and the heart beat oximeter used for the brand new Loss of Pulse Detection characteristic.
This characteristic is designed to get you assist if you want it most. Most smartwatches provide a fall detection characteristic that can get you emergency assist if in case you have a fall, however Loss of Pulse Detection takes issues a lot additional. If your Pixel Watch 3 fails to detect a pulse, it’ll endure an extra test to rule out a false unfavorable and, failing that, contact emergency providers. It’s solely accessible in sure EU international locations, nevertheless it’s a worthy cause to improve to the Pixel Watch 3.
The Pixel Watch 3 additionally provides new Cardio Load and Target Load options, a Daily Readiness rating, and a Morning Briefing that provides you pertinent data in your well being and sleep. The two Load options are designed to trace your coronary heart’s efficiency over the day (and longer) and provide you with a numerical understanding of your cardiac operate. The Target Load characteristic then units a each day objective to aspire to, guaranteeing you gained’t overtrain or undertrain.
All of this data is introduced within the Fitbit Premium app. Certain options, just like the Daily Readiness rating, required a Fitbit Premium subscription, however now all customers get it included. The Pixel Watch 3 comes with six months of Fitbit Premium free of charge — similar to the unique — after which the subscription prices $10 a month.
Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch: two variations of the identical platform
The Pixel Watch 3 provides considerably greater than the unique, together with {hardware} enhancements and helpful wellness options in Wear OS 5. Many of those are powered by Google AI, which analyzes and offers suggestions on reaching and surpassing your targets.
There are additionally distinctive options that solely work when the Pixel Watch 3 is used alongside a Pixel telephone. For instance, if in case you have the Pixel 9 Pro or Pixel 9 Pro XL, you should use the Pixel Watch 3 to regulate the digital camera. You can even use it to regulate Google TV, letting you alter quantity, inputs, and nearly every part else out of your watch.
You can even see your Nest Cam feed on the tiny display screen and both reply utilizing the microphone or ship a canned response. Then there are options like name screening and a sensible recorder that may file and analyze audio utilizing AI in real-time. There are many Pixel Watch 3 options that can delight anybody who upgrades.
The authentic Pixel Watch is way extra restricted. It runs Wear OS 3.5 and provides a reasonably normal introduction to the Pixel Watch expertise. Many of the Pixel Watch 3 enhancements launched on the Pixel Watch 2, and whereas a few of these might finally come to the unique, some will doubtless stay unique to Google’s newer fashions.
Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch: battery and charging
One of our greatest complaints concerning the first Pixel Watch was its battery life. Simply put, it’s not superb and requires recharging greater than as soon as per day. The Pixel Watch 3 solves these issues with a extra environment friendly chipset, a bigger battery, and enhancements within the working system.
The Pixel Watch has a 294mAh battery, whereas the Pixel Watch 3 has a bigger 307mAh battery within the 41mm mannequin and a 420mAh battery within the 45mm. The Exynos 9110 processor within the Pixel Watch provides far much less effectivity than the Snapdragon SW5100 powering the Pixel Watch 3. While we’ve been unable to check the battery, the Pixel Watch 3 will doubtless be considerably higher than the unique.
This means you possibly can anticipate all-day battery life for round 24 hours with the Always On show turned on or as much as 36 hours with the Battery Saver mode enabled. Both are massive enhancements over the unique Pixel Watch, which requires recharging to final a full day.
The Pixel Watch 3 can be vastly improved relating to charging. The 41mm is rated as recharging to 50% in simply 24 minutes and reaching 85% in 35 minutes, whereas the 45mm is barely slower at 28 minutes and 50 minutes, respectively. A full cost will nonetheless take an hour or longer, however the quick charging is nice for these days if you’ve been utilizing it closely.
Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch: worth, availability, colours
The Pixel Watch 3 is launching on September 9 with a beginning worth of $349, whereas the unique Pixel Watch launched at an analogous worth and is now accessible for slightly below $200. The worth distinction is important, however the Pixel Watch 3 represents significantly better worth regardless of the upper worth.
If you need the Pixel Watch 3 within the 41mm dimension, the Bluetooth-only mannequin is $349, whereas the LTE model is $449. For the bigger dimension, add $50 to each of these costs.
The Pixel Watch 3 is available in a selection of colours. If you purchase the 41mm mannequin, you possibly can select from Polished Silver, Matte Black, or Champagne Gold, whereas the bigger mannequin ditches the gold choice in favor of a extra impartial Hazel colour. There is a selection of bands, together with a putting new Rose Quartz choice that matches the colours of Google’s newest telephones.
Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch: verdict
If you’ve gotten the unique Pixel Watch, there’s by no means been a greater time to improve. The Pixel Watch 3 provides every part you want from a smartwatch and is without doubt one of the most trendy choices on our greatest smartwatch record. Crucially, it additionally provides options that can make your life simpler and doubtlessly even put it aside someday.
If you’re contemplating which to purchase and don’t at present have a Pixel Watch, it’s price first wanting on the Pixel Watch 3. It is the perfect smartwatch that Google provides, however it’s double the unique’s value. If price range is a priority, the primary Pixel Watch is a good selection, however remember that there are different smartwatches from the identical period which can be significantly better, just like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5. If you’d moderately stick with Google, then we’d suggest shopping for the Pixel Watch 2, which is simply $70 extra, however a significantly better smartwatch.