Last Updated on January 9, 2025 by Luis Cooper
The Google Pixel Watch 3 is the latest addition to Google’s smartwatch lineup, designed to seamlessly integrate with the Google ecosystem while offering advanced health and fitness tracking features.
With its sleek design, vibrant display, and powerful performance, the Pixel Watch 3 is designed for everyday users and fitness enthusiasts alike.
This review will explore its key features, performance, and overall value to help you decide if it’s the proper smartwatch.
Google Pixel Watch 3 review
Design:
The Pixel Watch 3 retains much of the design from its earlier model, showcasing a circular, smoothly curved face crafted from Corning Gorilla Glass 5 without any physical bezel.
The elegantly curved glass flows seamlessly into the case made from 100% recycled aluminum that encircles the back of the watch.
On the side, it features a rotating crown and an additional button flush with the case.
The most significant design update is the larger, brighter display, which boasts a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits, effectively doubling that of the Pixel Watch 2 and matching the Galaxy Watch 7.
The bezel surrounding the screen is now 16% slimmer than the previous generation.
The AMOLED display maintains a resolution of 320 pixels per inch, identical to the Pixel Watch 2, ensuring sharp and vibrant visuals.
Thanks to the reduced bezel size, the Pixel Watch 3 provides 10% more screen area than its predecessor while maintaining the same case size, and the 45mm model features 40% more display space.
This expansive screen allows for easy viewing of most fitness data directly on the watch, and during testing, the touch controls and buttons respond quickly and effectively.
The Pixel Watch 3 smartly employs adaptive brightness to conserve battery life in low-light settings.
Depending on the surrounding light conditions, this feature can lower the screen brightness to as little as one unit for optimal visibility and energy efficiency.
I found it easy to read in bright sunlight and dimmed sufficiently in dark environments to avoid eye strain.
The display also includes an adaptive refresh rate that adjusts between 1 and 60Hz based on the current activity, enhancing the overall user experience.
The Pixel Watch 3 has a slightly increased thickness of 12.3mm for both size options, compared to 12.2mm in the previous model.
The 41mm version maintains the exact weight of 1.09 ounces as last year’s model, while the 45mm version is a bit heavier at 1.31 ounces.
Although the larger model feels substantial on the wrist, it isn’t uncomfortable.
The durable rubber bands provide a secure and comfortable fit, and the watch includes large and small bands in the package to suit various wrist sizes.
The bands attach easily and securely by sliding over the release button on the case.
Like its predecessor, the Pixel Watch 3 carries an IP68 durability rating, which means it can handle exposure to salt and fresh water at depths of up to 164 feet.
However, while Samsung’s smartwatches, like the Galaxy Watch FE, have a MIL-STD-810H certification for resilience against extreme temperatures and environmental conditions, the Pixel Watch 3 does not include this additional level of durability.
Efficient Features:
The Pixel Watch 3 offers impressive productivity features, such as automatic alarm synchronization with your phone and the ability to keep your phone unlocked when the watch is nearby.
You can also download music or maps directly to the watch for offline use, which is excellent for running or exercising without needing your phone.
On the safety side, it includes fall detection and emergency call capabilities, similar to its predecessor. There’s also a new feature that detects loss of pulse, which can automatically contact emergency services if your heart stops.
To use the Pixel Watch 3, you need a smartphone running Android 10 or newer, which works well with various brands.
If paired with a Pixel phone, you gain exclusive features like automatic call screening, allowing you to know who is calling and why before answering.
The watch can also help you find a quiet place to talk by having an AI assistant answer the call.
Additionally, it can act as a remote camera shutter for your phone and allows you to record conversations with Pixel Recorder, syncing them to your device.
I continuously wore the watch during my testing, activating the always-on display.
It helped respond to texts and manage email notifications, which arrived promptly.
I also utilized its GPS for workouts and wore it while sleeping.
Throughout this experience, the battery life performed admirably, supporting all these functions without issue.
Wear OS 5 enhances power efficiency, allowing the Pixel Watch 3 to maintain the exact 24-hour battery life estimate as the Pixel Watch 2, despite featuring a larger display and using the same 306mAh battery in the smaller model.
The larger version is equipped with a 420mAh battery.
In my testing, the Pixel Watch 3 exceeded its expected battery performance, with the 41mm model lasting approximately 34 hours on a single charge and the 45mm model reaching around 46.5 hours.
Typically, the watch enters a battery-saver mode when it hits 15% battery, but I opted to turn off that feature, and the larger model still managed to last nearly two full days.
Although it unexpectedly shut down from 2% to completely dead, the overall performance was impressive.
When I allowed the battery saver to activate at 15%, the 45mm Pixel Watch 3 extended its life to just over 48 hours.
In the same testing conditions, it performed better than the Pixel Watch 2 (33 hours) and the Galaxy Watch 7 (22 hours).
The 45mm model took 78 minutes to charge fully and conveniently sends a notification to your phone once the charging is complete.
Intuitive Setup and Controls:
The Pixel Watch 3 is packaged with the watch itself, bands, a charging cable (though it doesn’t include a charging brick), and some documentation, which features quick start instructions and warranty information.
Before you begin using the watch, you must download the Pixel Watch and Fitbit apps on your smartphone or ensure that they are updated if you already have them installed.
To start, open the Pixel Watch app and power on the watch by pressing and holding the crown for three seconds.
The app will guide you through connecting the watch to your phone via Bluetooth and assist with the remaining setup steps.
You must choose your preferred language directly on the watch, allow the app to locate nearby devices, and pair the two by confirming a code.
After agreeing to the terms and conditions, you will sign into the Fitbit app to sync your watch and provide your height, weight, and gender (male or female) for accurate health data calibration.
You can set up the LTE service during this process if you have the LTE model.
The app will also guide you through configuring safety features, setting up Google Assistant and Google Wallet, and installing various recommended apps.
Additionally, you can sign up for a complimentary six-month trial of Fitbit Premium, after which your watch will be ready to use.
While the setup process covers many fitness features and available apps, it does not include a tutorial for the basic controls.
These controls remain the same as those on the Pixel Watch 2, but if you’re new to Wear OS devices, you might need to explore a bit to become familiar with them, although they are generally user-friendly.
Specs:
| Brand | Google Pixel |
| Colors of the product | Matte Black Aluminum Case – Obsidian Band |
| Model name of the item | Google pixel watch 3 |
| GPS | GPS via smartphone |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium ion batteries required. (included) |
| Special features of the product | Sleep Monitor, Email, Accelerometer, Body Temperature Monitor, ECG, Activity Tracker, Always On Display, Calorie Tracker, Stress Tracking, Contactless Payments, Fall Detection, Heart Rate Monitor |
| Connectivity feature | Bluetooth, WiFi |
| Display size of item | 44 Millimeters |
| Size | standard |
| Compatible devices | smartphones |
Final thoughts
In conclusion, the Google Pixel Watch 3 is a versatile and stylish smartwatch combining functionality and aesthetic appeal. Its robust health-tracking features, seamless integration with Google services, and user-friendly interface make it a strong contender in the smartwatch market. Whether you’re looking to enhance your fitness journey or want a reliable device to keep you connected, the Pixel Watch 3 is a compelling choice that delivers performance and design.
FAQs
What does the Pixel Watch 3 do?
Custom runs, real-time guidance, and performance insights to help you make progress and improve. Build custom runs. Create warmups, cooldowns, intervals, and pace and HR targets. Then, access saved workouts and track your PRs.
Is the Pixel Watch 3 waterproof?
The Pixel Watch 3 boasts a 5ATM water resistance rating. This rating means the watch can withstand water pressure equivalent to a depth of 50 meters, making it suitable for light swimming, showering, and other everyday water-related activities.
Can I track a Pixel watch?
The location of your Google Pixel Watch 2 is indicated with a watch symbol on the map. Choose Play sound. You will hear a sound when the phone finds your Google Pixel Watch 2. Press the crown to stop the sound on your Google Pixel Watch 2.
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Luis Cooper
Hi, I'm Luis, the guy behind this site. I love wearing watches, especially ones that look great on small wrists (mine are about 6.3" around). The Watches Geek is dedicated to helping you learn about and buy watches that you will love wearing. I want this website to be the last destination for people to pick the best watches to fit their needs. You can find our unbiased reviews here on Thewatchesgeek.