- Value: 16/20
- Ease of Use: 18/20
- Quality: 19/20
- Aesthetics: 18/20
- Battery Life: 18/20
- TOTAL: 89/100
I was required to use two different apps to set up both the Google Pixel Watch 2 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch, which I found pretty annoying, but as it was required for both, I won’t necessarily count it against either. For the Google Pixel Watch 2, as soon as I was able to ID which apps I needed—the Google Watch app and the Fitbit app—set up was a breeze and I found the watch face itself to be very intuitive to use. You can use the Google Watch app to easily manage what tiles are on the main screen of the watch, what face you prefer and set up emergency SOS contacts. You can also use it to set what types of notifications you want sent to your watch, and you will absolutely want to go through them because the Google Pixel Watch 2 will send you many more notifications that the Samsung. I found this to be a major positive—I got all my text messages, notifications on important Slack communication and the expected health tracker pings when I hit various goals. But if you prefer a quieter user experience, you can absolutely choose to turn any and all of those notifications off.
Once you have your watch face and tiles set, the Google Pixel Watch 2 is super easy to navigate, and I was able to set off on a run within half an hour of connecting it with my phone. While on the run I found the watch face easy to read, although someone with worse eyesight may find the information too small, as it displays your pace, time, distance and heartrate all on one screen. Pausing the workout was a little annoying as you have to swipe and then tap the screen. For comparison, the Garmin I typically use to track runs pauses and unpauses with the click of one button the side. There was more than one instance in which I didn’t actually pause (or unpause) my run and it took me a little while to get into the habit of slowing down and ensuring tracking was starting and stopping as needed.
That said, the workout data collected was easy to read and accurate as compared to my Garmin watch and independent phone tracking (either with Strava or the Nike apps). The daily health tracking was also very easy to analyze and I appreciated that my goals adjusted and changed as my weeks went on and the watch and Fitbit learned what my regular days looked like. I’ll admit I didn’t use the sleep tracker (I find it too uncomfortable to sleep while wearing a watch), but according to other reviewers it provides details not just on how long you slept, but what stage of sleep you were in at any given point. And, as might be expected, the more often you wear it, the better the watch and app get at analyzing your rest and offering advice to improve your bedtime, wakeup time and sleep conditions.
One very important thing to note here, is that while you can use the Google Pixel Watch 2 with a basic (i.e., free) Fitbit account, in order to really get the most out of your smart watch you will likely want to upgrade to a Fitbit Premium membership, which costs $10 per month. The watch does come with a free six-month trial so you can decide for yourself if it’s worth the monthly payments, just be sure to set a reminder to unsubscribe before you’re charged if you do indeed decide not to upgrade.
All in all, I loved how clean and simple the watch face is and appreciated that the vast majority of the features are very intuitively designed. The battery needed to be charged roughly once a day (occasionally once every two days if I didn’t track a workout in that time), and reached full battery fairly quickly. But I don’t love the fact that I’d need to pay an additional $10 a month to really get the most out of the Google Pixel Watch 2, and there are definitely some improvements that could be made.
FAST FACTS
- Watch Face Size: 41 mm
- Necessary Apps: requires Google Pixel Watch app and Fitbit app
- Connectivity: LTE or WiFi
- Storage: 16GB
FAQs
The Bottom Line
What is special about Pixel Watch? ›
The Pixel Watch 2 uses Fitbit for all its health metrics, so it's not surprising that they're really top-notch. You get standard data points, like heart rate, heart rate variability, and sleep, but it also provides a few unexpected ones, like oxygen saturation, stress management, and body temperature.
How long is the battery life on the pixel watch 2? ›
Faster and lasts longer
But the bigger boost is in battery life, which is now comfortably 36-38 hours, including sleep tracking. A 30-minute run consumes about 8% of the battery. The Watch 2 still falls slightly short of the best in the market but lasts long enough for a smartwatch you are going to mostly charge daily.
Does Pixel Watch work well with Samsung? ›
Most modern Samsung phones are running Android 13 or newer, so this shouldn't be a concern, and most modern Samsung phones can install the Google Pixel Watch app without issue, too. There won't be any physical limitations on features because the Pixel Watch is designed to be open for all Android users to enjoy.
Why should I upgrade my Galaxy watch? ›
For instance, your Galaxy Watch 4's battery life may deteriorate depending on how frequently you use it, making an upgrade even more crucial. Furthermore, the Galaxy Watch 6 boasts several new features, including a larger and brighter screen, a larger battery, and more health and wellness features.
Is it worth buying Pixel Watch 2? ›
The Pixel Watch 2 is a welcome improvement over the original. Its stress-tracking sensors, longer battery life, faster charging and smoother performance make for a better all-round experience.
Who is the target audience for Pixel Watch? ›
While the Pixel Watch is primarily designed for Pixel and Android smartphone users, it is currently positioned as the most premium offering on Google's entire smartwatch portfolio. This is evident from the pricing strategy adopted for the Pixel Watch, which is priced higher than other Fitbit smartwatches.
What can the Pixel Watch 2 do? ›
You'll get many of the same features found in the Pixel Watch, like fall detection, personalized heart rate zones, running tools and automatic workout detection. Sleep coaching and personalized profiles are also available without a subscription.
Should I sleep with my Pixel Watch? ›
Important: Pixel Watch 2 has a dedicated sensor to monitor variations in your sleeping skin temperature3 related to your wellness. Pixel Watch 2 tracks and reports blood oxygen saturation4 after a sleep lasting more than three hours. Learn more about how your Google Pixel Watch can help track your sleep.
Is Pixel Watch 2 waterproof? ›
Google Pixel Watch 2 is designed to comply with a water protection rating of IP68 under IEC standard 60529 and a rating of 5 ATM under ISO standard 22810:2010 when manufactured, but it is not waterproof.
To connect Google Pixel Watch, you need a compatible Android phone with Android OS version 8.0 or newer (9.0 or newer for Google Pixel Watch 2). iOS phones are currently not supported.
Does the Google Pixel Watch take your blood pressure? ›
Although monitoring blood pressure is not available on the current versions of the Pixel Watch, Google has filed patents for blood pressure monitoring tech using a wearable.
Does Pixel 2 watch work with Samsung? ›
Generally, there should be zero compatibility problems. You will be able to install the Pixel Watch app from the Google Play Store and setup without issue.
Which smartwatch to buy? ›
- Apple Watch Ultra 2. The best smartwatch overall. ...
- Apple Watch SE 2. The best Apple Watch for iPhone users on a budget. ...
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 6. The best Samsung smartwatch overall. ...
- Google Pixel Watch 2. The best Google smartwatch for Pixel users. ...
- TicWatch Pro 5. ...
- CMF Watch Pro by Nothing.
Samsung has Bluetooth and LTE compatible Galaxy Watch! The LTE version can receive calls and messages without being connected to a phone. However, you'll first need to activate service for your watch through the same carrier as your mobile phone.
What is the benefit of having a Samsung watch? ›
LTE connectivity: The Samsung Galaxy Watch LTE can make and receive calls and messages without needing a connected smartphone, thanks to its built-in LTE connectivity. Stylish design: The watch has a sleek and stylish design that appeals to a wide range of users.
Is it worth it to buy a Google watch? ›
As a result, the $350 (£349, AU$549) Pixel Watch 2 remains a top choice for non-iPhone owners looking for an alternative to the Apple Watch. It's one of the best looking smartwatches on the market, and it provides a better balance of health tracking and phone companion features than Fitbit's Sense and Versa watches.
Why does the Pixel Watch cost so much? ›
Now, thanks to an analysis by Counterpoint Research, we know how much of that primo price tag is going to materials: a cool $123. According to Counterpoint's bill-of-materials analysis, the Pixel Watch's chipset, RAM, and storage account for the lion's share of the device's materials cost at about 27 percent.
Can you text on the Google Pixel Watch? ›
Type and send a Text or SMS message
On Google Pixel Watch, press the crown. tap Contacts. Select or search for a contact name. Tap the chosen contact name.
Can Pixel Watch measure blood pressure? ›
Although monitoring blood pressure is not available on the current versions of the Pixel Watch, Google has filed patents for blood pressure monitoring tech using a wearable.
