Google Pixel Watch 2 – Should you buy this smartwatch?

The Google Pixel Watch 2 is the latest addition by Google in its Pixel line up. It was launched by Google in its Made By Google 2023 Event along with its latest Pixel Phones – the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 pro. The new watch promises improvements over its predecessor in terms of build quality, better sensors, stress management and better battery life.

But then comes the question – Should I buy this smartwatch? How is it better than current smartwatches in the market? What is the overall experience? And is it value for its pricing?

Let’s explore each component along with comparison with other flagship smartwatches to help you make an informed decision.

First thing First – the looks, the size and colors

The Looks

Pixel Watch is one of the most decent looking smartwatch in the market.

When one takes a look or wears it out – what comes to the mind first?

It’s kinda cute. Isn’t it? I mean, just look at it. It’s round and has seamless design – looks like a singular cohesive piece. While design can be a personal preference, it just looks perfect.

The Colors

Google offers 3 color options for aluminum casings –

• Matte Black Aluminum Case
• Champagne Gold Aluminum Case
• Polished Silver Aluminum Case

The Bands can be bought further and a wide range of bands are available. The distinct Bay Blue band that has been advertised a lot during the product launch provides a fresh choice and change the overall appearance of the watch.

The Size

Google offers just one size for the Pixel Watch 2 – 41 mm diameter.

And we all know that for watches – one size doesn’t fits all.

Now, compare this with Apple Watch Series 9 which is offered in 41mm as well as 45mm diameter options.

So, if you have a pretty thick wrists, Google Pixel Watch 2 might seem a smaller.

Advancements in the Google Pixel Watch 2 and comparisons

Display & The Thick Bezels

The display and the display glass on the Pixel Watch 2 is pretty much the same as its predecessor, the original Pixel Watch.

The Original Pixel watch was criticized for having such a thick bezel. Well, the bad news is that the bezels are still there. Even though the interface is cleverly designed in black to complement the hardware so that you won’t notice the bezels too much, but they are still there. Compare it with Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 in which bezels are barely so obtrusive.

Now, that’s the price you pay for sleek, curved design. Samsung’s boxy design helps it house more electronics inside reducing its bezels significantly.

Both the watches had display glass made of Corning Gorilla Glass 5 which, by the way, is prone to scratches. And no matter how much Google tries to convince us that the new glass is a bit stronger than the previous one, yes, they do get scratched.

Compare this to Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 or Apple Watch Series 9 – they are protected by Sapphire crystal glass – the second hardest material after diamond – making them way more durable that Gorilla Glass 5 on the Pixel Watch 2.

Talking of the display quality of the Pixel Watch2, it’s pretty the same as its predecessor and it’s on par when compared to its competitors. Not getting hands too much dirty, the maximum brightness of 1000 nits, the dots per inch density are near about similar to other competitors.

Processor – A great leap

The Pixel Watch 2 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 processor, which is a significant upgrade over the Exynos 9110 processor that was used in the original Pixel Watch. The Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 is a 4nm chip, while the Exynos 9110 is a 10nm chip. This means that the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 is more efficient and powerful than the Exynos 9110.

Here is a comparison of the Pixel Watch 2 processor to its predecessor and competitors:

Processor	Fabrication process	Cores	Clock speed	GPU
Pixel Watch 2	4nm	4	1.7GHz	Adreno 702
Pixel Watch	10nm	4	1.15GHz	Mali-T830
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6	5nm	2	1.4GHz	Mali-G68
Apple Watch Series 8	5nm	2	1.8GHz	Custom

In real-world use, the Pixel Watch 2 should be faster and more responsive than the original Pixel Watch and other competing smartwatches. It should also have better battery life.
As you can see, the Pixel Watch 2 processor is more advanced than the processors used in its predecessor and competitors. It has a smaller fabrication process, more cores, and a higher clock speed. This gives it a significant advantage in terms of performance and efficiency.

Battery Life – Terrible again?

The original Pixel Watch was highly criticized for its terrible battery life. It barely lasted a full day. People complained that they had to even charge it twice.

The Pixel Watch 2, promises 24 hours of battery life with always on display.

But there are two main reasons to believe the better battery claim –

1. The better processor upgrade – from a 10nm chip in previous version to a 4nm highly power efficient chip in the Pixel Watch 2
2. The Wear OS 4 – an software upgrade making it more power efficient.

Compared to Apple Watches and Samsung Galaxy Watches, it houses a battery almost equivalent in size.
A lot of inputs are expected after real usages check and those will be updated here.

New advancements in Pixel Watch 2

• Aluminum not Stainless Steel: The casing of Pixel Watch 2 is made up of recycled Aluminum. The previous version’s Stainless Steel casing has been done away with.
  • Compare this to Apple Watch Series that offers both aluminum and stainless steel. You have to pay a premium for stainless steel Apple Watch although.
• Thermometer sensor: The Pixel Watch 2 is the first smartwatch with a thermometer sensor, which allows you to track your skin temperature throughout the day. This can be useful for monitoring for signs of illness or infection.
• Safety Check: The Pixel Watch 2’s Safety Check feature is a proactive timer that sends your location to your emergency contacts if you don’t check in on time. This feature doesn’t require LTE and works with Fitbit Premium.
  • Compare this with Apple’s SOS feature.
• Better heart rate: The Pixel Watch 2’s heart rate sensor is more accurate than ever before, thanks to new algorithms and hardware. This makes it a more reliable tool for tracking your fitness and overall health.
• Better stress management: The Pixel Watch 2 includes a new stress management feature that tracks your stress levels throughout the day and provides you with tips on how to manage stress.
• 40% more accurate reading with sensors: The Pixel Watch 2’s sensors are more accurate than ever before, providing you with more reliable data on your fitness, health, and well-being.

New Wear OS 4

The Pixel Watch 2 comes with Wear OS 4 which makes it the second smartwatch with this operating system. Google’s Wear OS 4 is a major update to the Wear OS platform, bringing with it a number of new features and improvements.

• Better battery life: Wear OS 4 is designed to be more efficient, resulting in longer battery life for smartwatches.
• Expansion of Google App features on smartwatches: Wear OS 4 includes a number of new Google apps for smartwatches, including Gmail, Calendar, and Maps. This makes it easier to use your smartwatch for everyday tasks without having to reach for your phone.
• No need to factory reset to connect to a new phone: With Wear OS 4, you can now connect your watch to a new phone without having to perform a factory reset. This makes it easier to switch between phones without losing your data.
• Faster text to speech: Wear OS 4’s text-to-speech feature is now faster and more accurate, making it easier to use your smartwatch for voice commands and notifications.

Pricing Comparison

The Pixel Watch 2 is priced quite premium at $349 for its GPS only version.

Compare this with similar sized GPS only version of Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (40 MM) priced at $299 only and Apple Watch Series 9 priced at $399.
As one can see, in terms of pricing Pixel Watch 2, Google takes a bold stand here.

Should I buy

So everything boils down to these questions that you need to ask yourself –

• Are you comfortable with large bezels?
• Are you comfortable with 41mm sized watch on your wrists?
• Are you willing to shed 50 bucks extra?
• Do you value design and sleek look over durability?

Conclusion

The Google Pixel Watch 2’s extensive range of features, sleek design, and exceptional performance make it a compelling choice for smartwatch enthusiasts. From advanced health tracking to an intuitive user interface, this next generation smartwatch offers a seamless and enjoyable user experience. Though priced a premium, the feature-richness and huge upgrades from its predecessor will undoubtedly attract smartwatch lovers from the android ecosystem.
Moreover, Google has its own loyal hardware fans’ base since its Nexus smartphone’s times and they would definitely not think of shedding a premium to flaunt their Pixel Devices.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

To address common queries, here are some frequently asked questions about the Google Pixel Watch 2:

A. What are the standout features of the Google Pixel Watch 2?

The standout features of the Google Pixel Watch 2 include advanced health and fitness tracking capabilities, voice-controlled virtual assistant integration, and built-in GPS and NFC functionalities, among others.

B. How does the Google Pixel Watch 2 compare to its predecessor?

The Google Pixel Watch 2 builds upon the strengths of its predecessor, offering enhanced design, improved display quality, cutting-edge features, extended battery life, and superior performance.

C. Is the Google Pixel Watch 2 compatible with non-Google smartphones?

Yes, the Google Pixel Watch 2 is designed to be compatible with a wide range of smartphones, both Google and non-Google devices.

D. Does the Google Pixel Watch 2 support contactless payments?

Yes, the Google Pixel Watch 2 supports contactless payments through its built-in NFC functionality, allowing for seamless transactions on-the-go.