Overview: A stronger Pixel Watch for 2025
The Google Pixel Watch 4 arrives as what many would have hoped for after years of fragmented Android wearables. It looks familiar on the wrist, but underneath you’ll find a reimagined device focused on repairability, longer battery life, and smarter software. At $349.99, it aims to be the flagship Android smartwatch that finally offers a complete package rather than a collection of scattered features.
Design and display: repairable, refined, bold
Visually, the Pixel Watch 4 mirrors its predecessor with a domed Actua 360 display, but subtle changes are noticeable on close inspection. The 45mm model benefits from 10 percent more screen real estate thanks to thinner bezels, and the curved display looks especially sleek when navigating menus. The colors and materials pair nicely with Pixel phones, creating a cohesive ecosystem look.
One standout upgrade is the emphasis on repairability. Google enables easier battery and display swaps, with screws that make teardown feasible. This is paired with better durability in daily wear, a welcome shift from Google’s past approach. Combined with the new, brighter display (up to 3,000 nits), visibility in bright sunlight is significantly improved.
Performance and software: Wear OS 6 with Material 3 Expressive
The Pixel Watch 4 runs Wear OS 6 and introduces Material 3 Expressive aesthetics. Tiles hug the domed screen’s edge, with larger, more rounded controls that make information easier to digest at a glance. The software refresh brings a more cohesive feel, especially when paired with a Pixel phone, where color themes sync across devices for a unified look.
Under the hood, the watch packs a faster processor and power-efficient components that push battery life forward. Combined with larger batteries, the result is a noticeable improvement in daily usage. Real-world testing shows a typical user can expect well over a day of mixed usage, with many users hitting 36–42 hours with the always-on display enabled.
Battery life and charging: faster, longer-lasting, convenient
Battery life is the standout hardware upgrade. On the 45mm Pixel Watch 4, 45 hours of typical mixed use is achievable from a full charge. The fast charging is impressive: a quick 14% to 97% in about 34 minutes is enough to keep momentum during busy days. While the third proprietary charger in four years isn’t ideal, the charging speed and longer endurance balance the inconvenience for many users.
Fitness and health: smarter tracking, dual-frequency GPS, and SOS
The Pixel Watch 4 expands fitness capabilities with improved automatic activity detection, which can recognize walks, runs, cycling, and more with minimal manual input. It charges into the AI-powered fitness ecosystem (including Fitbit Health Coach later in the month) to enhance personalized guidance.
Dual-frequency GPS helps improve route accuracy in challenging environments, a common pain point on earlier Pixel watches. While GPS maps aren’t perfect and still lag behind dedicated devices in some scenarios, there’s a marked improvement over previous Pixel wearables. The device also adds Emergency satellite SOS—useful as a safety backup when cellular connectivity is unavailable, though it’s not a substitute for a primary emergency channel.
Gemini on the wrist: raises-new-to-speak features and quirks
Gemini on the Pixel Watch 4 arrives with refinement but remains inconsistent in some areas. Raise-to-Talk feels natural and unlocks quick interactions without shouting into your wrist; however, latency and context can still betray expectations. The redesigned Gemini Tile is more practical, letting you create two quick shortcuts to frequent queries. Some smart features, like Smart Replies, depend on pairing with newer Pixel phones and certain apps, but they add value when used in the right context.
Software considerations: privacy, permissions, and the ecosystem
Google confirms a layered approach to data sharing: Fitbit health data remains separate from Google ads data, and third-party app permissions are required for deeper integration. If you use Gemini or Google Wallet, you’ll encounter multiple mandatory and optional permissions. For many users, this is a reasonable trade-off for a more capable smartwatch, but those who value minimal data sharing should review settings carefully.
Verdict: the Android watch to beat
The Pixel Watch 4 doesn’t wildly reinvent the wheel, but it nails the essentials: longer battery life, faster performance, a more polished software design, and an approachable repair strategy. It remains the most compelling Android smartwatch option at a reasonable price, combining a premium feel with real-world usability. If you want a wearable that pairs seamlessly with Pixel phones, delivers solid health tracking, and isn’t afraid to be repaired, the Pixel Watch 4 is worth a closer look.
Bottom line
Google has finally produced an Android smartwatch that feels like a complete package. The Pixel Watch 4’s upgraded hardware, refreshed software, and emphasis on repairability make it the current standout in the Android wearables space. It’s not perfect—Gemini remains a work in progress and the ecosystem still leans heavily on Google services—but for many users, this watch hits the sweet spot between features, usability, and value.
