REVIEW: Google Pixel Watch 4

Google’s Pixel Watch series has always been a showcase for what Wear OS can do, and the Pixel Watch 4 continues that tradition. It does not completely reinvent the formula, but it smooths out the experience in subtle ways. After using the 45mm model for a few weeks, I have found it to be a well-balanced smartwatch that delivers reliable performance and thoughtful refinements, even if the improvements over last year’s Pixel Watch 3 are not dramatic.

Design & Build Quality

At first glance, the Pixel Watch 4 looks familiar. The signature rounded design remains, but a few key updates make it feel more refined. The bezels are thinner, the display is now brighter with a peak of 3,000 nits, and the glass dome feels smoother and more integrated into the design. The fully rounded Corning Gorilla Glass 4 top gives it a distinct, almost liquid appearance.

Personally, I find the design elegant and comfortable to wear. It stands out from the flatter, squarer styles seen on rival smartwatches. However, the curved glass can reflect light at certain angles, which may be distracting in bright conditions. It is a small trade-off for the otherwise premium feel.

The Pixel Watch 4 has an IP68 rating and can handle water immersion up to 50 metres, although I would still avoid wearing it in the sea. The aluminium casing feels durable yet lightweight, and the rotating crown remains tactile and precise.

Google has kept its custom band connector system, which can make strap changes a bit fiddly. The upside is that older Pixel Watch bands are still compatible, provided you match the 41mm or 45mm sizing.

Software

The Pixel Watch 4 runs the latest version of Wear OS, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 processor, 2GB of RAM, and 32GB of internal storage. Performance is smooth, and during my time with the watch, I did not experience lag or app crashes.

The most noticeable change this year is Google’s deeper integration of AI through the Gemini Assistant. You can now activate it simply by raising your wrist instead of saying “Hey Google.”

In daily use, this was surprisingly helpful. Whether I was holding a coffee or carrying the baby, it was easy to raise my wrist and ask the watch to play music, set reminders, or add items to my shopping list.

The Google Home tile is useful when you want to control home devices with just a few taps | TheEffect.Net

Beyond that, the core Wear OS experience remains familiar. You get full support for Google apps such as Maps, Wallet, and Calendar, and the watch integrates seamlessly with any Android phone running Android 11 or newer. Notifications are reliable, vibration feedback is subtle, and general navigation feels intuitive.

Usability & Features

Fitbit continues to power the health and fitness tracking side of things, which is a smart move on Google’s part. Out of the box, the Pixel Watch 4 includes six months of Fitbit Premium. This unlocks AI-guided workouts, run coaching, and detailed health insights on top of the standard step and heart rate tracking.

I am not someone who spends hours in the gym, but the watch handled my daily brisk walks without issue. Heart rate tracking and step counts were consistent, and GPS accuracy was reliable during outdoor activities.

Sleep tracking was another area where the watch impressed me. After a couple of weeks, the Fitbit app generated a Sleep Profile that compared my sleeping habits to wider user trends, which was an interesting touch.

All of this feels familiar to anyone who has used a Fitbit before, but the Pixel Watch 4 presents it in a slicker, more integrated package.

Battery

Battery life has been one of the biggest complaints about early Pixel Watches, but Google has continued to make small gains. The 45mm Pixel Watch 4 comes with a 355mAh battery, which is only a 35mAh increase over last year’s model, yet it does make a real difference.

I consistently got about a day and a half of use, and sometimes close to two days when notifications were lighter. If you disable the always-on display or tilt-to-wake features, you can stretch it even further. For most users, this will comfortably get you through the day without battery anxiety.

Charging is fast, but it still relies on Google’s proprietary system. The supplied charger connects via side-mounted pins, which allow the watch to rest at an angle while charging. It looks tidy on a bedside table, but I would have preferred Qi wireless charging for the sake of convenience. Still, a quick 15-minute charge during a shower was usually enough to get through the evening without worry.

Conclusion

The Google Pixel Watch 4 is not a major leap forward, but it is a confident and polished refinement of what came before. The build quality feels premium, the software runs smoothly, and the added AI functionality makes the experience feel smarter and more responsive.

If you already own the Pixel Watch 3, there may not be enough here to justify an upgrade unless battery life is a major concern. However, for anyone new to the Pixel Watch line, the Pixel Watch 4 is one of the best Android-only smartwatches you can buy right now. It combines Google’s software strengths with Fitbit’s health tracking expertise in a sleek and comfortable design.

Google Pixel Watch 4 Pricing & Availability

The Google Pixel Watch 4 is available directly from the Google Store. Pricing starts at €399 for the 41mm Bluetooth/Wi-Fi model and €449 for the 45mm Bluetooth/Wi-Fi model.