This Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch 2 comparison will help you decide whether Google’s newest smartwatch, which dropped at the Aug. 13 Made by Google event, is worth it. Perhaps you already have a Pixel Watch 2 and you’re wondering, “Should I upgrade?”
Don’t worry. We’ll break down the differences between the Pixel Watch 3 and the Pixel Watch 2 to help you determine whether Google’s latest iteration of the Pixel smartwatch line is advanced enough to warrant a new purchase.
Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch 2 price
The Pixel Watch 3, unlike the Pixel Watch 2, now comes in two sizes: 41mm and 45mm.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
The 41mm Pixel Watch 3, available at the Google Store, starts at $349.99 for the Wi-Fi version and $449.99 for LTE (if you’d like to have an always-connected smartwatch).
If you prefer the larger 45mm Pixel Watch 3, it’ll start at $399.99 for the Wi-Fi variant. For LTE, it’ll cost you $499.99.
The Pixel Watch 2 has the same starting price as the Pixel Watch 3 at $349. In addition to the Google Store, it can also be found on Amazon. It only comes in a 41mm case size.
Here’s a price chart to help you understand the differences between the two:
Pixel Watch 2
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41mm (no cellular support) – $349.99
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41mm (cellular support) – $399.99
Pixel Watch 3
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41mm (no cellular support) – $349.99
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45mm (no cellular support) – $399.99
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41mm (cellular support) – $449.99
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45mm (cellular support) – $499.99
If you’ve been dreaming of a larger Pixel Watch 3, you can grab one starting at $399. Since both models have the same starting price, if you don’t have a Pixel Watch at all, it wouldn’t be logical to grab the last-generation model. So grab the Pixel Watch 3.
If you have an older generation Pixel Watch, stick around to find out whether the Pixel Watch 3 is worth the upgrade.
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Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch 2 design and display
The Pixel Watch 3 continues Google’s signature round design language, but as mentioned in the last section, the Pixel Watch 3 has a larger 45mm size now.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
On top of that, the bezels on the Pixel Watch 3 are now over 16% smaller compared to the Pixel Watch 2, which means you can enjoy more screen real estate.
Pixel Watch 3 (41mm) – 10 percent more screen compared to Pixel Watch 2
Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) – 40 percent more screen compared to Pixel Watch 2
Compared to the Pixel Watch 2, you should be able to read your texts a lot easier. Plus, navigating Google Maps and seeing your health metrics should be more visible, too.
The Pixel Watch 3 also has a brighter display — its luminance has doubled over the last generation. To be specific, the Pixel Watch 3 now delivers up to 2,000 nits of brightness, making it easier to see while you’re outside. It can also drop down to as low as one nit, allowing you to see your smartwatch in darker environments, too.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
According to Reddit, we’ve been seeing some Pixel Watch fans hoping for a more fortified display, but the Pixel Watch 3 still has the same Gorilla Glass 5 screen as the Pixel Watch 2.
Other than the additional 45mm size, as well as a brighter display, there aren’t any other significant changes to the design. You’ll still find the rotating crown on the right of the Pixel Watch 3 as well as the side button.
The Pixel Watch 3 comes in the following case-and-band combinations:
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Pixel Watch 3 (41mm) – Matte Black Aluminum Case and Obsidian Band, Polished Silver Aluminum and Porcelain Band, Champagne Gold Aluminum and Hazel Band, Polished Silver Aluminum and Rose Quartz Band
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Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) – Matte Black Aluminum Case and Obsidian Band, Polished Silver Aluminum and Porcelain Band, Matte Hazel Aluminum and Hazel Band
There are also plenty of other band types that you can grab here. I’ve had some hands-on experience with these. I highly suggest getting an Active Band or a Leather Band. I would caution against the Stretch Band if you have small wrists because they can lose their elasticity after some time. However, if you have huge wrists, the Stretch Band is your best bet.
Just like the Pixel Watch 2, the Pixel Watch 3 has a water resistance rating of IP68. In other words, you can wear it in the shower and while swimming, but stick to shallow areas and dry it off immediately when you can.
Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch 2 battery life
We’d have to test the battery life of both Pixel Watches to know, for sure, how they fair on a single charge. However, Google made one significant change that may help the Pixel Watch 3 achieve longer battery life:
Credit: Google
The Pixel Watch 3’s refresh rate is now dynamic, which means that it can automatically adjust from anywhere between 1Hz to 60Hz, depending on your activity. This ensures better power efficiency. Why? Because when you’re not actively using your watch, the Pixel Watch 3’s refresh rate can drop down to the lowest setting, reducing energy consumption.
However, according to Google, the Pixel Watch 3 has the same battery life rating as its predecessor: 24 hours of battery life with an always-on display and up to 36 hours in Battery Saver mode.
It’s also worth noting that the Pixel Watch 3, specifically the 41mm model, charges 20 percent faster than its predecessor.
Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch 2 health and fitness
You won’t find any significant additions to the Pixel Watch 3 like a brand new blood-pressure sensor or anything,
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
The Pixel Watch 3 has the same sensors as the Pixel Watch 2:
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Compass
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Altimeter
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Red and infrared sensors for SpO2 monitoring
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Multipurpose electrical sensors compatible with ECG app
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Multi-path optical heart-rate sensor
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3-axis accelerometer
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Gyroscope
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Ambient light sensor
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Electric sensor to measure skin conductance (cEDA) for body-response tracking
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Skin temperature sensor
Though there aren’t any major hardware changes, Google has made quite a few advancements to the software with AI facilitating a few new features:
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New advanced running capabilities that help you plan run routines, beat your best times, and improve your form. For example, you can add timed warmups and cool downs, as well as set targets for pace, heart rate, times, and distances.
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You can execute saved run routines, which come with real-time guidance with audio and haptic cues (you’ll get notified when you’re off pace or over your heart rate target)
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You’ll get notified when it’s time for your next sprint — or when it’s time to cool down
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New media controls during workouts allow you to adjust the volume and change songs
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New AI-powered form-tracking with advanced motion sensing, allowing you to see your cadence, stride length, vertical oscillation, and more
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New running dashboard in Fitbit app shows your weekly mileage, person records, detailed analysis of running workouts, and more
With Fitbit Premium (the Pixel Watch 3 comes with six months of it for free), Google says your workout routine will become more personalized than ever.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
Using Google AI, you’ll get customized run recommendations each day based on your past runs, readiness, and target cardio load. Plus, you’ll get information on your form and how you can improve it with content and drills. FitBit will also help you wake up with something called “Morning Brief.” Every morning, Morning Brief delivers a summary of your most important health and fitness metrics, including how you slept, your readiness score, weekly exercise progress, and other health metrics (e.g., heart-rate variability, breathing rate, and blood-oxygen levels).
Plus, unrelated to health, you’ll also get information about the weather, too.
Of course, the Pixel Watch 3 benefits everyone who is immersed in the Google ecosystem (which is nearly all of us). You can access Google Maps (even while you’re offline), use Wallet to make payments, communicate with couriers via Google Nest Cam, pause shows and change channels on Google TV, and more.
Plus, Google AI can pick up and hold calls for you (if you need some time to find your phone). If you have a Pixel phone, you can use the Pixel Watch 3 to trigger the camera shutter for hands-free selfies and group shots.
Pixel Watch 2 vs. Pixel Watch 3: Is it worth the upgrade?
If you’re someone with an old Pixel Watch, and you really want a larger screen, then yes, the Pixel Watch 3 is totally worth it. Plus, it has a brighter and better display for better clarity in different lighting conditions.
We haven’t tested the Pixel Watch 3 for battery life, but according to Google, you likely won’t see any major changes between the two. So if you’re hoping that Pixel Watch 3 will be more energy efficient, there’s a possibility there won’t be any significant gen-over-gen enhancements. (Though I suspect you may see a minor improvement due to the display having a dynamic refresh rate.)
No major hardware additions in terms of a new sensor nor health-tracking tool, but Google went all out with improving some workout features and making them more personalized with AI advancements.
So the answer is easy. If you’ve been praying for a bigger display, get the Pixel Watch 3. If you’ve been holding out for better battery life or a more fortified display, you want to wait for the Pixel Watch 4.
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