REVIEW: Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm)

The Google Pixel Watch 3 has finally launched in two sizes—alongside an upgraded fitness feature set and a bigger display. Here’s our full review of the larger 45mm Pixel Watch 3 from Google.

Design & Build Quality

The Pixel Watch is now positioned to attract a broader audience. The first two models, the Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2, were decent devices but were somewhat restricted in appeal due to their single, smaller size option. Personally, I found them a bit small for my wrist, particularly as I tend to favour bulkier watches like the OnePlus Watch 2. However, the Google Pixel Watch 3 has changed that, now available in two sizes: one that matches the size of the Pixel Watch 2 and another slightly larger version for those desiring more screen space.

However, simply adding size options isn’t enough to make a smartwatch compelling, and earlier Pixel Watch versions had other flaws. So, does the Pixel Watch 3 finally stand as a real competitor to the Galaxy Watch and OnePlus Watch, meeting the expectations of Pixel fans? I’ve spent some time with the 45mm version to find out.

Although the Pixel Watch 3 offers a new size, it maintains a similar design to its predecessors. This isn’t necessarily a negative, but it does mean Google is avoiding the current trend of making smartwatches more rugged and bulky, as seen with the Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch.

While I generally lean towards bulkier devices, I can understand the appeal of a sleeker, more refined-looking wearable. The Pixel Watch 3 has a minimalist and elegant look, which definitely has a place in the market.

As with previous models, the Pixel Watch 3 features health sensors on the underside and a rotating crown on the right. This rotating crown is functional, controlling software features and there’s also a secondary button that lets you access recently used apps. Thanks to the larger size, the speaker is noticeably better which is a nice addition and the previous generation Pixel Watches definitely left a lot to be desired when it came to speaker quality.

The build quality of the Pixel Watch 3 feels robust, although it still uses Gorilla Glass 5 rather than the tougher Gorilla Glass Victus 2. That’s a bit disappointing because the Pixel Watch is already susceptible to glass damage, and a stronger material would have helped. Despite this, I didn’t encounter any issues with the glass’s durability, and the rest of the build is quite solid.

The bands are well-made too. The attachment mechanism takes a bit of practice, but after a few attempts, it becomes easy to switch them up. It would have been nice if the watch had a more standard strap mechanism, though that would have compromised the design. Luckily, there’s a decent range of third-party straps available.

Overall, I’m a fan of the Pixel Watch 3’s design. Google has addressed the major flaw of previous models by offering a second size, though there’s always room for future improvements. Extra points go to the functional crown.

Display

The overall design might not have changed much in the Pixel Watch’s third iteration, but once you turn it on, you’ll notice a significant change: a larger display. This is true for both sizes. Even the 41mm model, which is the same physical size as the Pixel Watch 2, now features a display that is 10% larger, reducing the prominence of the black bezels.

I never really had a problem with the bezels on the Pixel Watch 2, especially since the software cleverly disguises them, but a larger display is always a welcome upgrade. The larger 45mm model’s screen is a full 40% bigger than its predecessor. While screen size alone may not be a deciding factor for most buyers, it’s a nice enhancement.

The ability to view live feeds for your Nest camera products is also a nice little feature on the new Watch 3 but it is making its way to older models also.

The screen quality is excellent as well. Both sizes offer a peak brightness of 2000 nits, which is perfect for outdoor use, and can dim down to just 1 nit, which is handy in dim environments like cinemas. The screens also range from 1Hz to 60Hz, which helps conserve battery life when the watch is idle. A 60Hz refresh rate is more than sufficient for a smartwatch.

No matter how you use it, the display is sharp, bright, and clear.

Performance

Powered by the Qualcomm SW5100 chip, the Pixel Watch 3 delivers smooth performance. It feels snappy and responsive, with no noticeable lag or stuttering.

However, beyond raw performance, it’s the features that matter most, particularly for a smartwatch. The Pixel Watch 3 offers a comprehensive suite of fitness and health-tracking tools, creating a robust tracking experience overall. It includes all the basics: heart rate monitoring, ECG, skin temperature, and a blood oxygen sensor.

While sensors are important, how they are used is what truly sets a device apart. Google continues to leverage its Fitbit integration for health tracking, and within the Fitbit app, users can now access a “Daily Readiness” score. This score helps determine when it might be best to exercise and when to rest, calculated from metrics such as resting heart rate, heart rate variability, and sleep data.

Another valuable metric is the “Cardio Load” score, designed to help monitor training by tracking exertion and intensity levels during workouts. Fitbit also tracks trends for this score, which is quite handy. Lastly, there’s the “Target Load” score, which offers daily training goals, balancing exercise and recovery based on other scores. Both “Daily Readiness” and “Cardio Load” require some time to calibrate and, for the former, you’ll need to wear the watch overnight to track sleep.

I appreciate these new scores. Health trackers are accumulating increasing amounts of data, which is beneficial, but it can be overwhelming. Scores like these provide clearer insights into when and how to exercise.  Additionally, Google is making these insights more accessible by removing the requirement for Fitbit Premium, which is a big plus.

The Pixel Watch 3 also has enhanced tools for runners, including new features that help plan and execute runs with goals for distance, pace, or heart rate zones. Although I’m not heavily into planned runs, I tried it for this review and found it functional. AI can also suggest daily running routines, though this feature is gated behind Fitbit Premium (you do get six months free with the watch).

In terms of accuracy, I found the Pixel Watch 3 to be pretty on the money. Sleep tracking, for example, was consistent, with similar data on sleep stages when compared to my Nest Hub’s own sleeping sensing technology.

Overall, the Pixel Watch 3 provides a rich array of fitness and health-tracking tools, with genuinely valuable insights from Fitbit.

Software

The Pixel Watch 3 runs on Wear OS 5, Google’s latest operating system for wearables. The software is smooth and mature, and it no longer feels significantly behind Apple’s watchOS.

Navigating the interface is straightforward: swipe down for quick settings, up for notifications, and sideways to browse through a carousel of customisable tiles. There’s a good range of watch faces, from information-dense designs to simpler ones, all easy to customise.

Battery Life

The battery life on the larger 45mm model of the Pixel Watch 3 is fairly decent. When I initially tested it, mostly staying indoors due to Covid, it easily lasted two days without heavy use of fitness-tracking features. Once I began more rigorous tracking, the battery required more frequent charging, especially when utilising all features continuously. Still, many users should be able to get around two days of use, including sleep tracking. This might not be the case with the smaller version, though.

Fortunately, the watch has a new Battery Saver Mode that can stretch battery life up to 36 hours. While battery anxiety wasn’t a major issue for me, as with any smartwatch, you’ll need to find the right time to recharge, especially if you’re using sleep-tracking.

Conclusion

The Google Pixel Watch 3 brings several key improvements that make it a strong contender against top competitors. The enhanced health-tracking features are a nice addition, and the smaller bezels are a welcome change, but the standout upgrade is clearly the introduction of the 45mm model. With the Pixel Watch 3, it feels like there are fewer compromises compared to other Android-based smartwatches.

Pixel Watch 3 Pricing & Availability

The Pixel Watch 3 is available from today on the Google Store, starting at €399 for the 41mm model and €449 for the 45mm model.