Google Pixel Watch hands-on - the Wear OS watch I ve been waiting for Tom's Guide Skip to main content Tom's Guide is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's why you can trust us. Google Pixel Watch hands-on - the Wear OS watch I ve been waiting for Here's what we think about Google's debut smartwatch so far By Kate Kozuch published 10 October 2022 (Image: © Future) Early Verdict The Google Pixel Watch promises to unite the help of Google and health of Fitbit for the first smartwatch made especially for Pixel phone users. Pros + Minimalistic design+ Full collection of Google services on-board+ Wear OS runs well+ Fitbit fitness tracking Cons - Chunky bezel- Switching bands can be fickle Google Pixel Watch specsPrice: $349 (LTE), $399 (Cellular) Colors: Matte black, silver gold Size: 41mm Weight: 1.26 ounces Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi, NFC, GPS, LTE (optional) Compatibility: Android 8.0 or higher Storage: 32GB Water resistance: 5 ATM Battery life: 24 hours The Google Pixel Watch seems to be the smartwatch that Pixel phone users have been waiting for. Good looks, smart software and the help of a certain acquired company's fitness tracking features have set Google's debut smartwatch up to score. As a version 1.0 device, some skepticism about the Pixel Watch is a must. Separating the device's actual performance from the mountain of anticipation built up over the years will be the balancing act of my eventual Pixel Watch review. For now, a brief hands-on with the Pixel Watch demonstrated what it might be like to have both the best of Google and Fitbit united. The result is a wearable experience different enough from the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and similar enough to the Apple Watch Series 8 (check out our Google Pixel Watch vs. Apple Watch Series 8 showdown). What do I mean by that? Wear OS on the Pixel Watch surprisingly stands apart from the software on Samsung's smartwatches, in way that emulates the intuition and interconnectivity of the Apple Watch. At least, that's what I took away from my initial time with the Pixel Watch. Google Pixel Watch price and release  date The Pixel Watch costs $349 (£339 / AU$549) for a GPS + Bluetooth-only configuration, while the LTE-compatible version costs $399 (£379 / AU$649). This makes the Pixel Watch a bit more affordable than the Apple Watch Series 8 ($399) but pricier than the Galaxy Watch 5 ($279) and recently-released Fitbit Sense 2 ($299). The Pixel Watch release date is October 13, with preorders available now. Here's our guide to Google Pixel Watch preorders, in case you're interested in having one on launch day. Google Pixel Watch design The Google Pixel Watch is a simple-looking smartwatch, I might even call it minimalistic. It comes in just one size - 41mm - and features a rounded design with a 3D glass dome. This raised effect distracts from the display's thick bezel, but doesn't change the fact that a good chunk of the display is unusable. It seems practical to accommodate a virtual bezel like on the Galaxy Watch 5, but alas. (Image credit: Future) Instead, navigation takes place with swipes or with the digital crown on the side that looks quite similar to the Apple Watch's digital crown. The crown button has some tactile grooves, which felt nice during my hands-on. Above the digital crown, the Pixel Watch has a small button that opens recently-used apps, which is a convenience that only came to the Apple Watch's side button this year. (Image credit: Future) In terms of style and customization, the Pixel Watch comes in three colors: matte black, silver and gold. Google is launching the Pixel Watch alongside a range of interchangeable straps. There are seven total band types in a multitude of colors, with all being exclusively compatible to the Pixel Watch. Swapping the bands presents slight learning curve, as it's a proprietary mechanism, but I got the hang of it after a few tries. Google Pixel Watch Fitbit features Fitness tracking on the Google Pixel Watch is entirely powered by Fitbit, meaning users will get both basic activity data as well as access to Fitbit Premium's holistic health features. (Image credit: Future) The watch can track more than 40 workout types, while also counting your steps and monitoring your heart rate 24/7. With Fitbit Premium, which costs $9.99 per month, or $80 per year, you unlock more advanced features like a Daily Readiness Score, sleep tracking analysis, meditations, wellness reports and more. (Image credit: Future) Google is offering a complimentary 6 months of Fitbit Premium for Pixel Watch users, which is the standard promotion for all the best Fitbit devices. I will say it seems Fitbit Premium has become less optional, locking the most compelling health tools behind the membership. You might not need it if you're only looking for basic activity metrics, but I'll have to see the full scope of everything you do (or don't) get with the Pixel Watch's fitness tracking before I can be sure. Google Pixel Watch with Wear OS As you might expect, the Pixel Watch leverages Google's suite of services with Wear OS, offering practically every program a person might use on a daily basis. This includes: Google Maps, Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Pay, Google Home, YouTube Music and Google Assistant. (Image credit: Future) A number of the best smartwatches for Android (both old and new) run Wear OS, but it's different. From the experiences I recall, these smartwatches offer only a few Google services - never the entire gamut, and never any apparent rhyme or reason for what's supported and what's not. It's about time Google made a smartwatch optimized for its wearable software. (Image credit: Future) As such, the Google Pixel Watch features Wear OS's familiar tile-based navigation that moved as smoothly as I've ever seen it. It also has support for third-party apps with the Google Play, theoretically making the Pixel Watch a better companion for your needs. (This is a huge benefit eliminated from this year's Fitbit smartwatches, but that's a rant for another day. Another thing worth mentioning about the software specifically is the exclusive Pixel Watch watch faces. Google has created 19 customizable watch faces, including one that brings Google Photos images to your wrist. Speaking of Google Photos, there's a camera remote feature that lets you control the camera of a companion Pixel smartphone. I'm quite excited to test this out. Google Pixel Watch battery life (Image credit: Future) The Google Pixel Watch battery life is rated for 24 hours of battery life. That's perhaps a bit less than I was hoping to see, especially with Galaxy Watch and Apple Watch getting battery upgrades this year. Still, 24 hours isn't that unusual for a smartwatch with an Always On Display; I wouldn't consider it a con just yet, but we'll have to see how long it actually lasts in testing. For charging, the Pixel Watch comes with simple magnetic to USB-C charger that kind of looks like a pebble. Google estimates 45 minutes of charging gets 9 hours of battery life. Google Pixel Watch outlook Other the Apple Watch Ultra, I can't think of a smartwatch that's been more anticipated than the Google Pixel Watch. Now that it's here and I've tried it on, it's hard to say whether it lives up to the type. I think the Pixel Watch's success will hinge on whether Google services and Fitbit health tracking strike the perfect balance of connectivity and fitness tracking. At least, that's the question I'll try to answer when I get the opportunity to fully review the Pixel Watch. Next: This is how much official Pixel Watch accessories will cost.Today's best pixel buds pro deals (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$199.99 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$199.99 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$199.99 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)Show More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Kate KozuchKate Kozuch is an editor at Tom's Guide covering smartwatches, TVs and everything smart-home related. Kate also appears on Fox News to talk tech trends and runs the Tom's Guide TikTok account (opens in new tab), which you should be following. When she's not filming tech videos, you can find her on an exercise bike, mastering the NYT Crossword or channeling her inner celebrity chef. See all comments (0) No comments yet Comment from the forums Be In the Know Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. 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