The Google Pixel Watch 3 is now official and while it retains the same design it brings drastic changes to the lineup. While you'd be forgiven for confusing it for a Pixel Watch 2 from a distance you now have a choice between two sizes - 41mm and 45mm. Inside the Pixel Watch 3 has the same Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 SoC for wearables, the same collection of sensors such as HR monitor , ECG readings, SpO2, skin thermometer and GPS. The new addition is the UWB chip.
This means the Pixel Watch 3 is the first
Android smartwatch to offer UWB connectivity, making it easier to unlock your
phone or find the gadget if you lose it using Google's Find My Device feature.
The watch will also be able to unlock your car if it has the feature, of course.
The screen gets a slight upgrade. Both the 41 mm and 45mm variants now boast
displays capable of 2,000 nits peak brightness, which is a considerable step up
from last year's 1,000-nit Pixel Watch 2.
Perhaps more noticeable are the screen
bezels, which are now a full millimeter thinner. The 41mm variant still has a
1.2-inch screen, while the 45mm version bumps the size to 1.4". The 41mm
option retains the same battery as its predecessor - 310 mAh - whereas the 45mm
has a 420 mAh cell. Interestingly, Google promises 24 hours away from the
charger with the always-on display feature turned on, which is exactly the same
runtime as last year's Pixel Watch 2. Still, we believe the 45mm may be capable
of more. Charging is supposedly improved, as the new watch can now charge 20%
faster.
In case you listen to music or podcasts on
your watch while on your morning run, you will be happy to learn that the Pixel
Watch 3 now supports Bluetooth LE Audio. This is a low-energy Bluetooth audio
protocol that uses less power to stream songs. It's also the first Android
smartwatch to offer such functionality. Google markets a few other features
such as improved running tracking, controlling your Pixel phone's camera,
access your Nest Cam or Nest Doorbell directly from your watch and navigate
using Google Maps in offline mode.
Some new health tracking features are also
at hand, including a readiness score, which assesses your recovery level and
gives you a gauge whether you are ready for your next workout or you need more
rest. The available colors for both variants are Matte Black Aluminum with an
Obsidian strap and Polished Silver Aluminum with a Porcelain strap. The 41mm
also has the Champagne Gold Aluminum paint job with a Hazel band, while the
45mm gets the Matte Hazel Aluminum option with the same Hazel band.
The 41mm Pixel Watch 3 with Bluetooth and
Wi-Fi will go for US$ 349, while the same configuration for the 45mm model will
set you back US$ 399. LTE connectivity adds US$ 100 to the standard price. In UK the
prices £ 349/399 with a £ 100 extra for the LTE modem, while those in continental
Europe are looking at € 399/€ 449 and € 100 extra for the cellular version.
Shipping in all markets starts September 10.
