Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch 2: Should you upgrade?

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

Aside from the extra greater dimension choice, the Pixel Watch 3 appears to be like practically similar to final yr’s Pixel Watch 2. So, in case you purchased the latter in 2023, does upgrading make sense? Or, in case you’ve been eyeing the Pixel Watch, you might get a reduced value on the earlier era, so do you have to purchase the Pixel Watch 2 as a substitute?

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 largest 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 a whole lot of scratches very simply, so it’s price conserving this in thoughts.

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

Whereas the design lacks any radical adjustments over the earlier era, the show will get a serious improve. Each the 41mm and the 45mm fashions get a more moderen 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 the hours of darkness. 

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 characteristic slimmer bezels. Google says the 41mm’s show is now 10% greater than final yr regardless of any adjustments to the general dimensions. No matter their sizes, each shows get the identical degree 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 more likely 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 a lot better viewing expertise, together with seeing extra data in notifications.

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

Apart 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 during the last era, and we will take this silence as an indication of no cheap upgrades. 

That mentioned, 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 watch 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 provide you with a warning in moments of stress. Although being reminded of your worries might not be helpful for everybody, it could be useful for individuals who endure 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 akin 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 supply extra exact suggestions and perception so you’ll be able to modify 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. You may also 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 further metrics akin to vertical oscillation and period of contact with the bottom.  

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

There are additionally new operating suggestions powered by AI that use your Readiness Rating, Goal Load and operating desire to offer a every day beneficial run plan. As we present in our Pixel Watch 3 review, having your watch let you know exactly the type of run to undertake is extremely useful in bettering the number of your operating, making warm-ups extra constant, and making certain you’ll be able to take pleasure in operating extra. Like detailed sleep monitoring, mindfulness periods, guided exercises and recipes, this characteristic is locked behind Fitbit Premium — which prices $10 per thirty days or $80 per yr — though you’re going to get six months without cost if you purchase the Pixel Watch 3.

The Pixel Watch 3 runs the latest model of Put on OS 5, though you might not discover many visible variations from the older Put on OS 4. Along with the already current Google House controls on the Pixel Watch 2, the Watch 3 additionally acquire controls to your TVs and dongles operating Google TV, which presumably additionally contains the brand new Streamer box Google announced last week. As well as, you may also view and management your Nest cameras, together with with the ability to discuss to folks via a Nest doorbell.

Since all of those options can be found via 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 commonly exceeds its said claims, a shock given this not often occurs. The Pixel Watch 3 lasts round a day and a half between expenses 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 expenses 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 are going to check these claims in real-life situations throughout our evaluation. 

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

The Pixel Watch 3 is obtainable now. The smaller 41mm Pixel Watch 3 is priced at $349 with out mobile connectivity and $449 with it. The bigger 45mm variant is obtainable 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: Do you have to improve?

The Pixel Watch 3 barely picks up any new options over the Watch 2, aside from a variant with a bigger show. Meaning in case you 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 advocate 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 in case you haven’t purchased the Pixel Watch beforehand attributable to its smaller dimension, the brand new 45mm variant solves that too. Different causes to decide on the Pixel Watch 3 over the Watch 2 embrace the marginally sooner battery backup and the brighter display. 

As we coated 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 among the best smartwatches you should buy proper now.