Google Pixel Watch 2 Review: Is it finally time to get one?

The Pixel Watch 2 is exactly what Google should have launched last year when they first entered the smartwatch market.

Google’s new smartwatch offering delivers a range of new and improved features and is definitely a step in the right direction from its predecessor, but it still has some catching up to do when compared to other smartwatches on the market.

Design & Features

Love it or hate it, the design of the Pixel Watch 2 hasn’t strayed too far from the original. The thick bezels of the first-gen Pixel Watch are still present, but they blend seamlessly with the dark user interface most of the time, so that doesn’t bother me too much. It’s still something worth mentioning though, as I know many were hoping for a thinner, sleeker look with this new iteration.

I personally do like the minimalist circular design of the Pixel Watch with its pebble-like curved display. Speaking of which, the quality of the screen is very impressive, boasting sharp contrast and vibrant colors that look fantastic on the always-on display.

The new Pixel Watch is made of 100% recycled aluminum, a sustainable choice that not only helps reduce waste but also results in a slight weight reduction when compared to the previous stainless steel build, 5 grams to be precise.

In terms of personalization, Google introduced some new watch faces that are highly-configurable, each with their own layout variations. There’s also a wide range of new bands available, from silicone, fabric and stretchy ones for everyday use, to more sophisticated metal and leather options for those fancier occasions. Some of these can be quite expensive though.

The Pixel Watch 2 is still only available in a single size option (41mm), which is disappointing to say the least. Every other smartwatch out there offers at least two sizes, and I’ve always preferred a larger watch with a thicker strap.

Minor gripes aside, the second-gen Pixel Watch packs a handful of nice upgrades under the hood. Now using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 processor, the watch feels faster and smoother. It also features improved heart sensors and GPS tracking, better Fitbit integration and new safety features that surpass even those provided by the Apple Watch.

As far as water resistance goes, this year Google has finally attached an IP rating to the watch, something that was omitted in last year’s model. With an IP68 rating, the Pixel 2 can handle depths of up to 1.5 meters for as long as 30 minutes. In addition to this, the watch also complies with a water protection certification of 5 ATM, so technically it should be able to safely reach depths of up to 50 meters.

User Experience & Software

If you used Wear OS before, you will feel right at home with the simple yet intuitive user interface on the Pixel Watch 2. This year’s model ships with Wear OS 4, which combined with the new, faster processor makes everything snappier, from navigating through tiles and checking notifications to adjusting some of the more in-depth settings on the device.

Fitness & Health

The Pixel Watch 2’s health and wellness features have seen key improvements, including a new multi-path heart rate sensor and blood oxygenation monitoring. It also comes with a continuous electrodermal activity sensor (cEDA), which combined with a skin temperature sensor and the previously mentioned heart rate sensor can measure stress levels and send you a notification to take actions such as going for a walk or focusing on a breathing exercise to calm down. Fortunately, I didn’t get stressed enough during my testing to see how these features work, but I can confirm that both the heart rate measuring and ECG tracking seem very accurate and work as intended.

When it comes to workout tracking, the watch can now automatically detect a range of activities, from simple ones like walking and running, to more specialized exercises like rowing. It will also notify you to end a workout if you’ve been inactive for a few minutes. While the Pixel Watch 2 can’t fully replace a more advanced, dedicated sports watch like Garmin, Google has undeniably improved the overall package here. It even includes some neat coaching and training features to help you stay in the zone. The workout tracking screen on the watch looks great and makes it easy to view your key stats at a glance. You can of course find additional details and insights in the redesigned Fitbit app, which is more user-friendly and looks a lot nicer than its previous iterations.

The Google Pixel Watch 2 also includes new safety features such as Emergency Sharing and Safety Check, which allow you to share your location with family and friends and alert them in case you don’t get in touch after a certain period of time. If you opted for the 4G LTE model of the watch you can use these emergency features even without your phone nearby. The bummer is that you do require an active Fitbit subscription for that to work.

Sleep monitoring

I’ve been using the new watch to monitor (and try to improve) my sleep patterns, and it does a fantastic job. It even tracks those lazy Sunday afternoon naps very accurately, and everything is added to your daily tally, helping improving your overall score. The new Fitbit also app makes it easy to navigate through your data, from total hours slept to time spent in specific sleep stages.

Once again, it’s worth mentioning that you’ll need a Premium Fitbit subscription to get access to these deeper health and fitness insights. While the Apple Watch does not offer the same level of sleep score information you can get with the Pixel Watch 2 and Fitbit combination, both Apple and Samsung do provide a range of other health stats without the need for a paid subscription.

Battery Life

The new, slightly larger 306-mAh battery is still not amazing, but I was able to hit Google’s claims of 24h per charge very consistently, even with the always-on display active all day. Plus, the watch charges fairly quickly, so if I’m worried about running out of juice for tracking my sleep patterns overnight, I can pop it on the charger for a short while and put it back on before I go to sleep.

One minor concern, however, is the charger itself. Google has introduced a new proprietary charger, so the new watch won’t work with the 1st-gen version. You also have to place the watch on its charger in a specific way, otherwise it won’t start charging. However, I quickly worked out that aligning the crown with the cable is all it takes to get it working smoothly. There’s also a satisfying click sound when you do it correctly, and once you’ve done it a couple of times it becomes second nature.

On the plus side, as briefly mentioned earlier, this new charger does recharge a lot faster, with Google claiming it can go from 0 to 50% in half an hour, while a full charge should take about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Pros & Cons

So how good is the Google Pixel Watch 2? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of this new wearable:

Pros

• Sleek design
• Better Fitbit integration
• Automatic workout detection
• Accurate health and sleep monitoring
• Advanced safety features
• Faster charging
• Light and comfortable to wear all day

Cons

• Still only available in one size
• Some features locked behind a Fitbit Premium paywall
• Battery life could be further improved

Verdict

In conclusion, the Google Pixel Watch 2 is a solid upgrade from its predecessor, with better Fitbit integration and significant improvements in health, wellness and safety features. While there is room for improvement (give us more size options, please Google), it now offers a comprehensive experience that can genuinely compete with other smartwatches on the market.

Google’s foray into this space is still in its infancy, but the company has demonstrated it can make significant strides with every new iteration. If you missed out on the 1st Gen Pixel Watch, this year’s offering is quite compelling and certainly worth considering. However, if you already own the original Pixel Watch, it might be worth waiting a little longer. I got a feeling that when Gen 3 comes out next year, it could be the smartwatch to beat.

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