Release date, specs, price, and what we know so far

Replace: September 6, 2022 (3:00 PM ET): We’ve up to date our Google Pixel Watch hub with particulars on Google’s {hardware} occasion on October 6. Learn on for extra.

Authentic article: After years of hints and rumors, the Google Pixel Watch is confirmed to be actual and as a consequence of launch in 2022. Right here’s what we find out about Google’s smartwatch endeavors and what we wish to see from its first system within the class.

See additionally: One of the best smartwatches you should purchase

When Google launched the primary Pixel smartphone six years in the past, two smartwatches had been reportedly within the works. These two units ultimately landed as LG wearables, so the story goes. We by no means ended up seeing a Google-branded watch.

Rumors of an upcoming Pixel Watch kicked off once more in 2018 after Google rebranded and refreshed Android Put on to Put on OS earlier than the Pixel 3 collection launch. Nevertheless, Google rapidly rubbished these claims, too. Google then bought Fitbit and launched its Put on OS 3 rework on the Galaxy Watch 4 collection, which stoked the Pixel Watch rumor flames as soon as once more.

The corporate lastly confirmed the existence of the Pixel Watch at I/O 2022. Google has additionally filed a trademark for “Pixel Watch.”

We have now some official particulars concerning the Google Pixel Watch and a few leaks and rumors that give us a good thought of what to anticipate from the wearable.

Design

The design of the Pixel Watch is in step with earlier leaks and rumors. It can have a round face, going in opposition to Apple’s rectangular philosophy. We are able to see at the least two buttons on the correct aspect of the system. The central crown seems to be rotatable for navigation and will additionally work as a devoted voice assistant button, though the flat button might have that performance as a substitute.

Google additionally confirmed on stage that the watch may have proprietary bands. This implies you gained’t have the ability to purchase customary watch bands from third events nor use bands you already personal, which is barely disappointing. Google did affirm there will probably be a number of colours to select from, although. A brand new leak additionally means that as much as seven straps will probably be out there for Pixel Watch patrons at launch. Per 9to5Google, this might embody a metal mesh band, two leather-based choices, a hyperlink band, and material and silicone choices as nicely.

Earlier than Google truly revealed the Pixel Watch, the largest design leak got here within the type of an alleged prototype that was discovered left behind in a Chicago restaurant. The leaked system appears to be like rather a lot just like the official render Google confirmed us. The nameless supply who discovered the watch stated that the wearable got here with a field that said that the system was for “inner testing and growth solely.” The leaker then posted photographs of the alleged Pixel Watch prototype alongside an Apple Watch and a Galaxy Watch.

The leaker additionally stated that the prototype has a 40mm diameter, 14mm thickness, and weighs 36g. The bezels on it are fairly thick, with the seen display measuring 30mm.

What might the Google Pixel Watch convey to the desk by way of specs? Google gave us a sneak peek at I/O 2022.

For starters, the watch will help Google Assistant in addition to the Google House app and the newly introduced Google Pockets. This function permits customers to faucet to pay, and likewise shops playing cards and paperwork like a pupil ID, boarding passes, vaccine playing cards, and extra. Since there will probably be an LTE mannequin of the Pixel Watch out there, customers will have the ability to use these options with out a cellphone close by.

Google additionally stated that the Pixel Watch may have a “deep integration with Fitbit,” so the same old SpO2 sensor and coronary heart fee monitor would doubtless function. Ought to Google attraction to extra avid health fanatics, it might rope in an EDA sensor or an ECG for stress and coronary heart well being monitoring. Nevertheless, a current rumor from Enterprise Insider suggests the watch will solely supply fundamental health monitoring options.

By way of processing energy, rumors declare the Pixel Watch may forego the Qualcomm Snapdragon Put on 4100 collection in favor of a Samsung Exynos chipset. A supply confirmed to 9to5Google that the Google smartwatch will use the Exynos 9110, an SoC Samsung launched in 2018. It was beforehand believed that the system would leverage the Exynos W920 that options on the Galaxy Watch 4. That may theoretically give the Pixel Watch entry to a low-power Arm Cortex-M55 core for low-power operations, LTE help, and GNSS help for extra correct out of doors exercise monitoring. As an alternative, the Exynos 9110 is a 10nm processor that includes two Cortex-A53 cores, much like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Put on 4100 Plus.

Different leaked specs level to 32GB of inner storage and RAM in abundance. Allegedly, the Pixel Watch will function essentially the most RAM of any Put on OS watch in existence, so contemplating the Galaxy Watch 4 at present packs 1.5GB, the Pixel Watch might carry as a lot as 2GB. This may be an excellent addition for eager multitaskers.

After all, the demand for processing energy might come at the price of battery life. Per Enterprise Insider sources, the Pixel Watch in its present guise requires each day charging. Charging speeds are additionally reportedly far too gradual. Notably, battery endurance is a big weak spot of the Galaxy Watch 4. Each day charging could be fairly annoying for individuals who at present personal a Garmin or Fitbit, but it surely wouldn’t be a serious problem for Apple Watch floor-crossers. A more moderen charging leak means that the Pixel Watch might depend on USB-C charging that would high up a 300mAh battery pack. Notably, that may be a a lot smaller battery pack than the bottom Samsung Galaxy Watch 4’s 361mAh cell.

One other element lurking within the Fitbit app additionally hints on the Pixel Watch’s battery life. A line throughout the app uncovered by means of an APK teardown recommends that customers would wish to cost the Pixel Watch to at the least 30% to file sleep.

Apparently, the Pixel Watch might pack an LTE function that no different smartwatch possesses. Based on one other APK teardown performed by 9to5Google, there’s point out of Rohan throughout the Google Fi app. This, in case you forgot, is the code identify for the Pixel Watch.

We all know the Google Pixel Watch will launch with pure Put on OS, so no surprises there. However we haven’t but had have a look at the OS operating on the Pixel Watch. Nevertheless, due to a brand new video, we get a glimpse of the OS operating on the Montblanc Summit 3 — the primary non-Samsung Put on OS 3 smartwatch.

So, what can we glean? For starters, there are a number of gesture deviations between the Montblanc and Samsung. Swiping up on the Montblanc’s face opens Put on OS 3’s notifications web page. Swiping left or proper opens Tiles, which is a extra environment friendly design than Samsung and can doubtless function on the Pixel Watch, too.

As for navigating Put on OS 3, there aren’t too many surprises. Single urgent the Montblanc’s crown opens the apps listing, double-tapping opens Google Pockets, and long-pressing opens the ability menu. It’s potential the Pixel Watch’s crown might function in a similar way.

The system additionally options FastPair, a system that enables customers to rapidly pair their watches with an Android cellphone. The Pixel Watch might additionally function this expertise.

Granted, we often see a number of variations between Put on OS units. Whereas the Montblanc movies do give us a common thought of how Put on OS 3 capabilities, count on the Pixel Watch to pack a number of variations.

Past Put on OS, what else do we all know? Nicely, Google’s additionally taking a eager curiosity in creating a “next-generation Assistant,” in keeping with proof uncovered by 9to5Google. This revamp would come with onboard computational smarts akin to Google’s Pixel smartphones. This means that Google might have to concentrate on the Pixel Watch’s number-crunching talents whereas additionally protecting energy consumption in verify.

In the meantime, recent proof discovered by 9to5Google suggests the Pixel Watch will get a devoted app known as the “Google Pixel Watch” app.

There’s additionally a risk that the Pixel Watch might play good with iPhones. The Montblanc Summit 3 will launch with iPhone help. This means that Google’s OS might natively help Apple units. It’s unclear if Google would undertake Montblanc’s agnostic stance, although.

The Pixel Watch can also be among the many first to profit from Close by Unlock, a Put on OS 3 function that may unlock the Pixel Watch when in shut proximity to its host smartphone. Customers can also lock their telephones by means of their watch.

Lastly, how a lot will the Google Pixel Watch value, and when can you purchase one?

Based on The Verge‘s sources, the Pixel Watch will “value greater than a Fitbit,” however that itself is a reasonably obscure assertion.

In the meantime, citing a “comparatively new supply,” frequent tipster Yogesh Brar revealed that the smartwatch could be priced within the vary of $300 — $400. That’ll put it in direct competitors with the Apple Watch Sequence 7, Garmin Venu 2, and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 collection.

Brar additionally famous in his tweet that the smartwatch might see a restricted launch, suggesting that it could solely launch in a number of markets, identical to the Pixel telephones.

We could be taking a look at three variants of the Pixel Watch. A Google wearable lately acquired listed on the Bluetooth SIG web site with three totally different mannequin numbers.

The Google Pixel Watch will probably be a smartwatch at the start, and to compete with the likes of the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, it’ll want to supply one thing utterly distinctive on this planet of wearables. Google’s Rick Osterloh talked about at I/O 2022 that the Pixel Watch will use the very best of “Google’s ecosystem,” hinting that well-liked properties like Maps, Google Pockets, and Assistant will all function in some capability. Nevertheless, there’s absolutely extra that Google can supply on this regard?

The corporate has a wealth of details about its customers at its fingertips that would revolutionize how data is displayed on its wearable. Think about a smartwatch that makes use of such contextual data to streamline your life. For example, say the Pixel Watch might routinely regulate a Nest thermostat’s temperature primarily based on pores and skin temperature readings or extra precisely regulate journey instances primarily based on present strolling velocity and physique exertion metrics. That may be a unique function set within the smartwatch area.

See additionally: The Pixel Watch can’t succeed if Google reuses the identical 8-year-old formulation

Positive, the Pixel Watch is a smartwatch at its core, however even smartwatches pack a number of well being and fitness-tracking {hardware}. Google has revealed that the Pixel Watch will function “deep” integration with Fitbit, but it surely failed to elucidate how.

Contemplating Google now owns Fitbit, it wouldn’t be a stretch to think about it adopting the corporate’s {hardware}. Pictures of the Pixel Watch’s rear have revealed a sensor array akin to the Fitbit Cost 5. This may successfully give it a pores and skin temperature monitor, an EDA sensor to observe stress, and an ECG to survey coronary heart well being. With this trio, alongside the commonplace coronary heart fee sensor and SpO2 monitor, you’ve got a watch with a stable health monitoring base. This cocktail’s key in protecting the Pixel Watch related alongside Garmin and Samsung’s competitors.

However what {hardware} is nothing with out software program, so what can we count on right here? Ideally, we’d wish to see Google use Fitbit’s app for core health monitoring. Higher but, the premium Pixel Watch ought to include Fitbit Premium. The Encourage 2 already comes with a year-long trial of the product, we’d count on the identical from what would ostensibly be the priciest Fitbit product.

See additionally: Pixel Watch? Nope, I’m far more excited for the Fitbit Sense 2.

Google has left Put on OS frail and underdeveloped previously. Simply because the corporate now has a flagship for the OS doesn’t essentially imply it gained’t repeat its errors.

A number of smartwatches from Fossil and Mobvoi are set to achieve Put on OS 3 in an replace later this 12 months, however Google has but to set a concrete date for its launch. If something, we’ve needed to depend on Samsung to announce its personal replace program for its Put on OS 3 watch. If its remedy of Put on OS 2 is any indication, the Pixel Watch could possibly be in for an unsure help interval with updates sprinkled right here and there.

Consistent with its commitments to different properties and units, Google wants to stipulate a concrete software program help technique for the Pixel Watch. Contemplating that Pixel title, we’d additionally count on the watch to behave because the staging floor for Put on OS innovation, very similar to Pixel smartphones are for Android.

A smartwatch can pack the trade’s greatest {hardware}, supplies, type, and software program, however that is of no use if its battery solely lasts a number of hours.

We’re nervous about rumors of all-day battery life. That simply isn’t sufficient in 2022. For the system to deal with the trials of Assistant queries, health monitoring, Maps utilization, on-device calling, and sleep monitoring within the night, it’ll have to final extra than simply 24 hours per cost. That is a lot simpler stated than completed, although. Put on OS units historically have horrible endurance. The Galaxy Watch 4 doesn’t encourage a lot confidence for Put on OS 3 merchandise, both.

Per rumors, Google might combine a extra environment friendly core to dump a number of the menial duties from the hungrier CPU, but it surely’s unclear how this may occasionally translate into real-world advantages.

Google might additionally offset lackluster battery life with speedy charging, however customers with out charger anxiousness are extra doubtless to make use of all of the options of the Pixel Watch, as a substitute of switching off options to eke out a piece day.

We all know the Pixel Watch goes to be a premium product, however what does that in the end imply for its pricing? Nicely, rumors trace at a worth not more than $400, and arguably, that appears truthful in comparison with its doubtless competitors. However contemplating the Pixel Watch is an unproven amount, Google may wish to think about the massive Put on OS elephant within the room.

The Galaxy Watch 4 begins at simply $249, whereas the Galaxy Watch 5 provides $30 to that worth. It’s the gold customary for Put on OS smartwatches, balancing design seamlessly with well being monitoring tech and good performance. With the current addition of Google Assistant, it’s going to be the system to beat for the Pixel Watch.

We perceive that Google gained’t offer the Pixel Watch in all international markets. Very similar to the remainder of its {hardware} portfolio, the system will probably be restricted to a couple markets. This exclusivity might bump up the worth, but it surely’s necessary that Google understands worth trumps branding within the smartwatch house.