The Pixel Watch 4 represents Google’s latest entry into the premium smartwatch market. Although it closely resembles last year’s Pixel Watch 3 in appearance, the new model incorporates significant upgrades. These include a brighter, curved display, an updated Snapdragon chipset, longer battery life with faster charging, enhanced fitness tracking, and Google's latest Wear OS 6.0 featuring a Material 3 expressive design.
Starting at $349 for the 41mm model, the Pixel Watch 4 aims to be the leading Android smartwatch. Let’s explore how it performs in key areas.
Design
The Pixel Watch 4 maintains the elegant, domed glass design of its predecessor, featuring a smooth curve that wraps around the sides. The aluminum case is available in polished or matte finishes depending on color choice. It comes in 41mm and 45mm sizes; the smaller size tested feels light and unobtrusive on the wrist.
The watch’s side features a rotating crown and a side button, which proved somewhat difficult to press due to their size and stiffness. The Pixel Watch uses a proprietary strap connector, which, while conceptually simple, can be fiddly to release because of the small button mechanism. The included fluoroelastomer strap is comfortable, but third-party strap options are more limited compared to watches with standard lugs.
The overall build quality is excellent. However, the display uses Gorilla Glass 5 rather than the more durable sapphire crystal, making it more vulnerable to scratches. Given the glass covers most of the watch’s exterior, users should handle it with care to avoid damage.
Display
The Pixel Watch 4 features a 320 PPI AMOLED LTPO display with DCI-P3 color gamut and peak brightness up to 3000 nits, a notable increase over the Pixel Watch 3’s 2000 nits. The curved “Actua 360” display follows the dome of the glass, extending slightly over the edges to increase visible area by 10% while retaining the same watch size.
Visually, the display is vibrant and bright, delivering excellent outdoor visibility with accurate colors. The fused curved panel creates an effect where the content appears to float beneath a glass bubble, enhancing the watch’s unique aesthetic. On the downside, the curved glass reflects light excessively, causing glare issues—especially on intricate watch faces where complications sit near the bezel, sometimes making them difficult to read without wrist adjustment.
The always-on display mode is enabled by default, which is recommended. Activating the screen via wrist movement can be slow—taking about a second—potentially frustrating when quickly glancing at the time.
Software and Performance
The Pixel Watch 4 ships with Wear OS 6.0, which is optimized for the curved display. The interface arcs fonts and buttons to match the watch’s round form, delivering a cohesive visual experience. However, Google’s default watch faces lean towards colorful but busy designs with pastel color schemes that may not appeal to all users. Fortunately, additional watch faces are available via the Play Store.
Compatibility with Android phones is smooth, tested here with both the Pixel 10 Pro XL and OnePlus 15. The Transfer Watch feature makes switching phones seamless.
To enjoy full functionality, two apps must be installed: the mandatory Pixel Watch app for setup and basic controls, and the Fitbit app to access advanced fitness tracking—an inconvenience given that a single app would be more user-friendly.
The Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chipset delivers stable performance. Initial boot-up can cause minor stutters, but overall responsiveness remains consistent during regular use. Haptic feedback is precise and firm, enhancing tactile interactions including crown rotation. The speaker and microphone function reliably.
Health and Fitness Tracking
The Pixel Watch 4 supports comprehensive health monitoring, including heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, skin temperature, ECG, and arrhythmia detection. Standard tracking such as steps, sleep, and stress is also available, with data accessible through the Fitbit app on both watch and phone.
Step counting tends to overestimate slightly, particularly without GPS, often recording extra steps and distance during vehicle travel. Heart rate and SpO2 measurements were consistent with other devices and dedicated health equipment. Sleep tracking delivered plausible results over tested nights.
GPS performance is reliable with rapid satellite lock both when paired with a smartphone and when operating independently.
Battery Life
Google claims up to 30 hours of battery life on the 41mm model. In practice, the watch lasts about two days with typical use, including always-on display, continuous heart rate, sleep, and SpO2 tracking. Extensive GPS use significantly reduces battery longevity, necessitating daily charging.
Unlike some competitors, the Pixel Watch 4 lacks a dual-mode low-power chip that extends battery life during minimal use. Charging speeds are excellent, reaching 50% in 15 minutes and a full charge in about 45 minutes, allowing for quick top-ups when needed.
The new proprietary charger is easy to use but incompatible with previous Pixel Watch models. When charging, the watch switches to a bedside mode and notifies the paired phone upon full charge.
Conclusion
The Pixel Watch 4 is a standout Android smartwatch offering a refined design, a striking curved display, smooth software experience, and robust fitness tracking. Battery life is adequate for most users given its size and features, with rapid charging alleviating downtime concerns. While some minor usability issues persist, such as strap compatibility and occasional display glare, the Pixel Watch 4 remains a highly recommended choice for Android users seeking a premium wearable.
