It’s been two years since Google burst into the smartwatch market, and which means we’ve seen just a few upgrades since Google launched the very first Google Pixel Watch. If you happen to’re nonetheless utilizing that watch, you might marvel if now could be the time to improve and whether or not the third-generation Pixel Watch 3 is value it. Or you might be getting your first smartwatch and contemplating shopping for an affordable first-generation Pixel Watch or the newest and best of Google’s wearables.
Selecting between these two gadgets is surprisingly simple. Typically, the latest is the most effective, and that is the case with the Pixel Watch 3. Nevertheless, there’s a big value distinction, so is the Pixel Watch nonetheless value shopping for? Let’s look at the variations, resolve which you must choose, and clarify why now could be the most effective time to improve from the unique Pixel Watch.
Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Google Pixel Watch: specs
Google Pixel Watch 3
Google Pixel Watch
Show
45mm: 1.4-inch
41mm: 1.2-inch
At all times-On Show
As much as 1,000 nits
1.2-inch
At all times-On Show
Decision and brightness
45mm: 456 x 456 pixels (320 pixels per inch)
41mm: 408 x 408 pixels (~320 ppi density)
450 x 450 pixels (320ppi)
As much as 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 program
Put on OS 5.0
Put on OS 3.5
Sensors
Compass
Altimeter
Crimson and infrared sensors for oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitoring
Multipurpose electrical sensors appropriate with the ECG app
Multi-path optical coronary heart price sensor
Accelerometer
Gyroscope
Ambient gentle sensor
Electrical sensor to measure pores and skin conductance (cEDA) for
Physique response monitoring
Pores and skin temperature sensor
Barometer
Magnetometer
Compass
Altimeter
Blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitor
Multipurpose electrical sensors appropriate with the ECG app
Optical coronary heart price sensor
Accelerometer
Gyroscope
Ambient gentle 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 tv for pc
4G LTE (LTE fashions solely) and UMTS
Bluetooth 5.0
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz
NFC
GPS
GLONASS
BeiDou
Galileo
Supplies and sturdiness
100% recycled aluminum shell
Gentle-touch polymer Lively band
Gorilla Glass 5 over show
IP68 score (50 meters or 5ATM)
80% recycled chrome steel shell
Gentle-touch polymer Lively band
Gorilla Glass 5 over show
IP68 score (50 meters or 5ATM)
Colours
Matte black aluminum case, obsidian Lively band
Polished silver aluminum case, porcelain Lively band
Matte hazel aluminum case, hazel Lively band
Matte black chrome steel case, Obsidian Lively band
Polished silver chrome steel case, Charcoal Lively band
Polished silver chrome steel case, Chalk Lively band
Champagne gold chrome steel case, Hazel Lively band
Value
From $349
From $350
Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch: design and show
Joe Maring / Digital Developments
Put the Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Watch alongside one another, and other than the scale, it’s be troublesome to inform the distinction. Google’s design language hasn’t modified in three generations, and the minimalist look is engaging 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 you probably have greater wrists or discover the unique Pixel Watch too small for day by day use.
The brand new AMOLED-LTPO show provides the Pixel Watch 3 show a giant improve over earlier generations. Each sizes get the improve, which provides a variable refresh price of 60Hz and shrunken bezels to maximise the display actual property.
Joe Maring / Digital Developments
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 permits you to scroll and choose — a characteristic sorely lacking from the brand new Samsung Galaxy Watch Extremely — and the identical lug-style watch band system lets any Pixel Watch band work with the third-generation mannequin.
Every watch has the identical 5ATM water resistance, which offers safety when submerged as much as 500 meters, and a set of sensors on the rear. The Pixel Watch 3’s sensors are improved over the unique’s, they usually 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
45mm Pixel Watch 3 Joe Maring / Digital Developments
The Pixel Watch 3 shares the identical sensors as final 12 months’s Pixel Watch 2, which noticed Google enhance the accuracy of the info collected. The center price sensor is among 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 offer helpful insights into your pores and skin temperature whereas asleep and are used for cycle monitoring. There’s additionally a brand new gentle sensor, barometer, gyroscope, and the heart beat oximeter used for the brand new Lack of Pulse Detection characteristic.
Joe Maring / Digital Developments
This characteristic is designed to get you assist whenever you want it most. Most smartwatches supply a fall detection characteristic that can get you emergency assist you probably have a fall, however Lack of Pulse Detection takes issues a lot additional. In case your Pixel Watch 3 fails to detect a pulse, it’ll bear an additional test to rule out a false adverse and, failing that, contact emergency providers. It’s solely accessible in sure EU nations, nevertheless it’s a worthy purpose to improve to the Pixel Watch 3.
The Pixel Watch 3 additionally provides new Cardio Load and Goal Load options, a Each day Readiness rating, and a Morning Briefing that provides you pertinent info in your well being and sleep. The 2 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 perform. The Goal Load characteristic then units a day by day aim to aspire to, making certain you received’t overtrain or undertrain.
Joe Maring / Digital Developments
All of this info is introduced within the Fitbit Premium app. Sure options, just like the Each day 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 totally free — identical to the unique — after which the subscription prices $10 a month.
Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch: two variations of the identical platform
Joe Maring / Digital Developments
The Pixel Watch 3 provides considerably greater than the unique, together with {hardware} enhancements and helpful wellness options in Put on OS 5. Many of those are powered by Google AI, which analyzes and offers suggestions on reaching and surpassing your objectives.
There are additionally distinctive options that solely work when the Pixel Watch 3 is used alongside a Pixel telephone. For instance, you probably have the Pixel 9 Professional or Pixel 9 Professional XL, you need to use the Pixel Watch 3 to manage the digicam. You can too use it to manage Google TV, letting you modify quantity, inputs, and just about every part else out of your watch.
Joe Maring / Digital Developments
You can too see your Nest Cam feed on the tiny display 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 a lot of Pixel Watch 3 options that can delight anybody who upgrades.
The unique Pixel Watch is way extra restricted. It runs Put on OS 3.5 and provides a reasonably commonplace introduction to the Pixel Watch expertise. Lots of the Pixel Watch 3 enhancements launched on the Pixel Watch 2, and whereas a few of these could finally come to the unique, some will possible stay unique to Google’s newer fashions.
Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch: battery and charging
Joe Maring / Digital Developments
One among our largest complaints concerning the first Pixel Watch was its battery life. Merely 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. Whereas we’ve been unable to check the battery, the Pixel Watch 3 will possible be considerably higher than the unique.
Joe Maring / Digital Developments
This implies you’ll be able to count on all-day battery life for round 24 hours with the At all times On show turned on or as much as 36 hours with the Battery Saver mode enabled. Each are giant enhancements over the unique Pixel Watch, which requires recharging to final a full day.
The Pixel Watch 3 can also be vastly improved in relation 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 whenever you’ve been utilizing it closely.
Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch: value, availability, colours
Joe Maring / Digital Developments
The Pixel Watch 3 is launching on September 9 with a beginning value of $349, whereas the unique Pixel Watch launched at an analogous value and is now accessible for just below $200. The worth distinction is important, however the Pixel Watch 3 represents significantly better worth regardless of the upper value.
If you’d like 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 alternative of colours. If you happen to purchase the 41mm mannequin, you’ll be able to select from Polished Silver, Matte Black, or Champagne Gold, whereas the bigger mannequin ditches the gold possibility in favor of a extra impartial Hazel colour. There’s a alternative of bands, together with a putting new Rose Quartz possibility that matches the colours of Google’s newest telephones.
Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch: verdict
Joe Maring / Digital Developments
When you’ve got 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 among the most fashionable choices on our greatest smartwatch record. Crucially, it additionally provides options that can make your life simpler and doubtlessly even put it aside in the future.
If you happen to’re contemplating which to purchase and don’t presently have a Pixel Watch, it’s value first trying on the Pixel Watch 3. It’s the finest smartwatch that Google provides, however it’s double the unique’s value. If price range is a priority, the primary Pixel Watch is an honest alternative, 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 happen to’d quite stick with Google, then we’d advocate shopping for the Pixel Watch 2, which is simply $70 extra, however a significantly better smartwatch.
