Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch 2: Must you improve?

Google simply introduced the third era of Put on OS-powered gadgets since its return to the smartwatch area. We are saying gadgets as a result of this time round, there are two variants — an ordinary 41mm mannequin and a bigger 45mm model.

Other than the extra larger dimension possibility, the Pixel Watch 3 appears to be like almost similar to final yr’s Pixel Watch 2. So, if you happen to purchased the latter in 2023, does upgrading make sense? Or, if you happen to’ve been eyeing the Pixel Watch, you possibly can get a reduced value on the earlier era, so do you have to purchase the Pixel Watch 2 as an alternative?

These are two crucial questions. Allow us to reply them for you within the comparability under. 

Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch 2: specs

Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch 2: design and show

The Google Pixel Watch 3 is available in a round outer physique with out many seen adjustments from final yr’s mannequin. The addition of a much bigger 45mm is probably the most important change in {hardware} we see this yr. Regardless of the broader panorama, the 45mm is as thick because the smaller 41mm variant, which stays largely unchanged from final yr. We discovered that the underside of the Pixel Watch 3 does decide up plenty of scratches very simply, so it’s value retaining this in thoughts.

The watch has a rotating crown/button combo positioned nearly flush with the physique, which is product of 100% recycled aluminum, and is available in clear silver, champagne gold, or matte black finishes paired to the identical band colours final yr — apart from a brand new “Rose Quartz” that’s restricted to the smaller 41mm variant. The Bay Blue band possibility will now not be an possibility within the default set however you should purchase different blue bands — in addition to chains, metallic hyperlinks, materials, and an entire vary of choices — individually.

Whereas the design lacks any radical adjustments over the earlier era, the show will get a significant improve. Each the 41mm and the 45mm fashions get a more recent variant of Google’s “Actua” shows with a peak brightness of two,000 nits. That’s twice as vivid because the 1,000-nit show on the Pixel Watch 2. Along with getting brighter, the show may get as little as 1 nit on the always-on show (AOD), so it doesn’t scorch your eyes at nighttime. 

The brand new show additionally will get variable refresh price that reaches as little as 1Hz when wanted. The first goal right here is to scale back battery consumption, particularly with an AOD. 

As well as, the shows function slimmer bezels. Google says the 41mm’s show is now 10% larger than final yr regardless of any adjustments to the general dimensions. Regardless of their sizes, each shows get the identical stage of sharpness at 320 ppi (pixels per inch), so that you shouldn’t have any bother studying textual content, although interacting with the watch, and particularly typing on a full-sized keyboard, is prone to be higher on the 45mm variant. The larger variant’s display is 40% bigger than that of the earlier fashions, and this makes for a significantly better viewing expertise, together with seeing extra data in notifications.

Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch 2: {hardware}

Aside from the show, there aren’t any noticeable adjustments to the {hardware} on the Pixel Watch 3. Google doesn’t explicitly record any upgrades to the set of sensors on the Pixel Watch 3 over the past era, and we will take this silence as an indication of no cheap upgrades. 

That stated, the Pixel Watch 2 already had a flexible set of sensors. Along with the usual coronary heart price and blood-oxygen monitor sensors, the Pixel Watch 2 — and now the Watch 3 — options sensors to observe pores and skin temperature and ECG. In the meantime, one other devoted sensor to measure electrical conductance within the pores and skin can detect adjustments in temper and warn you in moments of stress. Although being reminded of your worries is probably not helpful for everybody, it could be useful for individuals who undergo physiological situations with stress as an indication of worsening signs.

Inside, the Pixel Watch 3 nonetheless makes use of a Snapdragon Put on 5100 chip with an M33 co-processor for low-level duties similar to AOD. The 2-chip configuration helps restrict the load on the principle chip, thereby decreasing the battery consumption. It’s backed up by a 2GB RAM and 32GB of storage, the identical because the earlier era.  

Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch 2: health monitoring and software program

Though the Pixel Watch 3 lacks any notable adjustments to sensors for health monitoring, Google advertises a variety of enhancements utilizing AI. Google claims the improved coaching algorithms, a part of the Fitbit Premium expertise, now provide extra exact suggestions and perception so you possibly can regulate the depth of your coaching. The Pixel Watch 3 can even provide you with a rundown of your situation at first of the day with Fitbit’s Morning Transient performance. This contains insights about your sleep high quality, any in a single day adjustments to your vitals, and the climate. 

Moreover, you’ll now be capable of create routines with the Pixel Watch 3, together with a sequence of distinction exercises and buffers in between for relaxation or cooldown. It’s also possible to desired targets for distance, coronary heart price, and comparable metrics, and the Pixel Watch 3 ensures you retain up or decelerate accordingly through the use of audio-based and haptic reminders. For running-related actions, the Pixel Watch 3 is gaining extra metrics similar to vertical oscillation and length of contact with the bottom.  

Moreover, the Pixel Watch 3 now exhibits a Readiness rating with an improved AI whereas Cardio Load tells you the best quantity of exercise you must pursue on any particular day primarily based on varied metrics, together with restoration from sleep and comparable exercises prior to now. 

There are additionally new working suggestions powered by AI that use your Readiness Rating, Goal Load and working desire to supply a each day beneficial run plan. As we present in our Pixel Watch 3 evaluation, having your watch let you know exactly the sort of run to undertake is extremely useful in enhancing the number of your working, making warm-ups extra constant, and making certain you possibly can get pleasure from working extra. Like detailed sleep monitoring, mindfulness periods, guided exercises and recipes, this function is locked behind Fitbit Premium — which prices $10 monthly or $80 per yr — though you’ll get six months without cost once you purchase the Pixel Watch 3.

The Pixel Watch 3 runs the latest model of Put on OS 5, though it’s possible you’ll not discover many visible variations from the older Put on OS 4. Along with the already present Google Residence controls on the Pixel Watch 2, the Watch 3 additionally acquire controls to your TVs and dongles working Google TV, which presumably additionally contains the brand new Streamer field Google introduced final week. As well as, you may as well view and management your Nest cameras, together with with the ability to discuss to individuals by a Nest doorbell.

Since all of those options can be found by software program, Google would possibly roll them out to the Pixel Watch 2 and even the older first-gen Watch after they obtain the Put on OS 5.0 replace. 

Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch 2: battery and charging

The smaller 41mm Pixel Watch 3 will get the identical 309mAh battery because the older Pixel Watch 2, which might final over a day of utilization with the AOD enabled. The bigger 45mm variant comes with a much bigger 420mAh battery adjusted for the upper energy necessities of the bigger show. For each of those sizes, Google claims a 24-hour battery life with an AOD and 36 hours with the battery saver. 

In our testing, we’ve discovered that the Pixel Watch 3 recurrently exceeds its acknowledged claims, a shock given this not often occurs. The Pixel Watch 3 lasts round a day and a half between fees with the always-on-display enabled, a number of tracked exercises, sleep monitoring in a single day, and notifications being delivered all day. It is a particular enchancment over the Pixel Watch 2.

The Pixel Watch 3 comes the identical magnetic puck with bodily pogo pin connectors for charging. With out disclosing the precise charging speeds, Google says charging is 20% sooner than final yr. As per official claims, the 41mm variant fees 80% in 35 minutes (in comparison with 43 minutes earlier) whereas a full cost takes an hour. The bigger variant will take barely longer, owing to the bigger battery. Google says the larger Pixel Watch 3 can cost 80% in 50 minutes, whereas a full cost takes 80 minutes. 

As soon as once more, we’ll take a look at these claims in real-life eventualities throughout our evaluation. 

Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch 2: value and availability

The Pixel Watch 3 is accessible now. The smaller 41mm Pixel Watch 3 is priced at $349 with out mobile connectivity and $449 with it. The bigger 45mm variant is accessible for $399 and $449 with out and with LTE, respectively. 

As compared, the Pixel Watch 2 launched initially for $350 and $400 for Wi-Fi solely and mobile variants. Nonetheless, over the course of the months since its launch, the costs have dipped, and even reached as little as $270 for the sale occasions such because the latest Amazon Prime Day in July. 

Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch 2: Must you improve?

The Pixel Watch 3 barely picks up any new options over the Watch 2, other than a variant with a bigger show. Meaning if you happen to already personal a Pixel Watch 2, upgrading makes little sense. 

Nonetheless, if you wish to purchase one and are deciding between the Pixel Watch 3 and the Watch 2, we suggest going for the previous. Along with a brand new model of Put on OS and improved well being metrics and AI-based suggestions, the Pixel Watch 3 can even get a further yr of software program assist from Google. And if you happen to haven’t purchased the Pixel Watch beforehand on account of its smaller dimension, the brand new 45mm variant solves that too. Different causes to decide on the Pixel Watch 3 over the Watch 2 embody the marginally sooner battery backup and the brighter display. 

As we lined within the evaluation, Google has undeniably refined the expertise with the Pixel Watch 3. It fixes a couple of lingering points from the second-gen mannequin whereas including helpful options. The end result is likely one of the greatest smartwatches you should purchase proper now.