Google Pixel Watch 3 hands-on review: a sizable upgrade for the circular smartwatch

The 45mm Google Pixel Watch 3 sizes make all of the difference – but it's more than a bigger screen

Pros

• ✅ ⌚ Google’s stylish circular watch comes in a bigger size

• ✅ 📐 Not only is it bigger, but there’s less screen bezel for a fuller face

• ✅ 💡 Brighter screen that can also get really dim want needed

• ✅ 🔋 New dual-engine processor promises long battery life

• ✅ 🏃‍♂️ Fewer fitness and sleep metrics locked behind a paywall

• ✅ 💔 Loss of pulse detection could save your life

• ✅ 📶 Free LTE data for two years via Google Store deal

Cons

• ❌ 😴 Lacks some sleep features seen in the Galaxy Watch Ultra

• ❌ 🪨 Not as durable as Apple or Samsung’s Ultra

• ❌ 💡 Brighter, yes, but outshined by its competition

• ❌ 💸 The LTE version is where things get more expensive

Pricing and where to buy

• 45mm: $399 for WiFi / $449 for LTE

• 41mm: $349 for WiFi / $499 for LTE

The Google Pixel Watch 3 is my dream smartwatch in many ways. Its circular, domed-glass display offers the styling of a classic timepiece combined with the digital smarts and fitness features that rival any smartwatch I’ve reviewed recently – this includes my Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra review. It’s such a convincing upgrade that I wish its novel ideas would come to the Apple Watch 10 at next month’s iPhone 16 event.

When I first reviewed the Google Pixel Watch two years ago, I liked it, but the small size meant the touchscreen was tiny and the battery life was weak. Google didn’t fix this problem in Gen 2, but it is offering a larger 45mm watch size with the Pixel Watch 3 (while still keeping the smaller 41mm size around people with smaller wrists).

Size is Google’s theme in 2024. My ongoing Google Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL review highlights that the company’s best AI phone is offered in two sizes. Google has also added a more power-efficient dual-engine processor and larger batteries to Pixel Watch 3 in both sizes. This timepiece keeps on ticking.

At the Made By Google launch event, the Pixel Watch 3 made headlines with its Loss of Pulse Detection capability. This novel feature could save your life by automatically calling for help in a critical emergency like cardiac arrest. Google Pixel Watch 3’s safety features make me want to buy it for myself – and my parents.

I still need to do long-term testing before offering a full Pixel Watch 3 review in advance of its September 10 release date. Ironically, that happens to be the day of the rumored iPhone 16 launch event, so Apple may have an answer for Google’s latest smartwatch upgrade with a redesigned Apple Watch 10. It’s never been a more exciting time for wrist-worn wearables.

📐Two sizes fulfills my #1 request. The new 45mm screen size is 40% larger, joining the 41mm size that always felt like a miniature tease on anything by small wrists. 45mm is a better fit, easier to read, and offers more touch points for better navigation.

📺 Less screen bezel. There’s 16% less dead space surrounding the display, so even the 41mm watch size offers a fuller display than Google’s previous two watches. This is the best reason to upgrade to the Pixel Watch 3 from the last two generations.

⌚ Stylish domed glass design. I’m a fan of Google’s traditional-looking circular watch and its domed-glass aesthetics. It stands out among other smartwatches with both square and flat circular faces.

🤕 Durability tests. The Pixel Watch 3 is outfitted with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 like last year. That means it’s strong glass, but given its vulnerable domed glass shape, I don’t expect it to be as durable as the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra. Time will tell.

💔 Loss of Pulse Detection. I want every smartwatch to have this groundbreaking feature. Being able to pick up on something like cardiac arrest and automatically call emergency services is a selling people for the Pixel Watch 3 when I think about which smartwatch to get my loved ones.

📶 $100 LTE model surchage. You’re going to have to pay $100 more for the Pixel Watch 3 LTE in either size – otherwise, you’re restricted to WiFi and Bluetooth. That’s something that the more expensive Apple and Samsung Ultra’s throw in free (albiet at a higher upfront cost for their sporty watches).

🆓 Free LTE data, though. There’s an upfront cost to the Pixel Watch 3 LTE, but you can get free 4G data (up to 500MB per month at 4G, then 500MB at 256kbps) for two years provided by Google Fi (no Fi account required). That’s a good deal, though you won’t be able to make phone calls (it’s data-only without a number). But getting notifications and texts without your phone on runs is more than enough for many.

🔋This watch keeps on ticking. This is the benchmark everyone wants me to test: battery life. The larger 45mm watch offers more capacity via a 420mAh battery (41mm is still 306mAh), and, according to Google, it offers 35% more battery life – up to 36 hours in battery-saver mode. I’ll test that in my full Google Pixel Watch 3 review.

⚙️ Dual-engine processor. The Pixel Watch 3 is powered by two chips and switches between them seamlessly, a lot like the OnePlus Watch 2 does. It’s the secret sauce to offering more battery life, while still harnessing the grunt of its powerful Qualcomm SW5100 chip.

🪫 20% faster charging. You’ll save a full 15 minutes when charging the Pixel Watch 3 vs its predecessor. Google says it’ll reach 50% in just 28 minutes on the 45mm (24 mins on 41mm).

⚡ Curious about the Pixel Watch 3 charger. When desperately trying to find my Pixel Watch 2 charger before this year’s Made By Google event (I wanted to wear the old one for comparisons), I realized that Google switched up the charger puck last year. I hope that this year’s version doesn’t change so I have at least two chargers (plus it’s less e-waste), something I appreciate about the consistent Apple Watch.

🏃‍♂️ Fitness features escape the paywall. The Pixel Watch 3 is offering a readiness score without a Fitbit Premium subscription. It seems like less fitness content is locked behind a paywall this year, with an intense focus on running from real-time coaching insights to better workout segmentation to offline Google Maps.

🔘 No extra buttons. One thing I noticed at the Made by Google launch event is that there’s no physical button besides the crown. That’s different from sportier and more expensive smartwatches that offer quick shortcuts to workouts. And there’s no more expensive Google Pixel Watch 3 Ultra to upgrade to get this – yet.

😴 Sleep on it. When I reviewed the Galaxy Watch Ultra, I was really impressed with its sleep analytics, which went as far as including a new sleep apnea detection mode. You won’t find that in the Pixel Watch 3, but it does track normal sleep data.

💡 Screen brightness upgrade (shy of the best). Google doubles last year’s peak brightness to 2,000 nits. Apple and Samsung’s Ultra watches reach 3,000 nits, ideal for outdoor glances at your watch, but Google isn't trailing far behind now.

🌔 Dim when you need it. Brightness is great – except when you don’t need it. In a theater or as a parent in a nursery. That’s why Google’s touting the fact that the Pixel Watch 3 can get down to 1 nit, dynamically adjusted to your environment.

🤖 AI in this smartwatch. As seen in our ongoing Pixel 9 review, Google is touting AI everywhere, and it may have the best AI in any smartphone. The Pixel Watch 3 is no different, with AI-powered auto bedtime and auto-low-battery-saver features, both helping you and the battery rest. I’m curious as to how these function – will it be able to tell the difference between me sleeping and watching Netflix? If it works, it’ll be better than scheduled night modes. Wait for my final Pixel 3 review for that info.

🎛️ Better UI. Google’s WearOS platform updates offer new UI features like a Nest camera live feed integration, a Google TV remote control UI, Google Home controls, a Pixel voice note recorder button, and even an Ultra-wideband-powered car starter (first for BMW and Minis).

• Up Next: Check out our Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 hands-on review