Google’s Pixel Watch 4 Deserves a Spot On Your Wrist If You’re Not Tied To iOS, Here’s Why

Google’s latest wearable comes at a time when smartwatches are becoming an increasingly important tool. The new Pixel Watch 4 costs just $229.98 (was $449.99), which makes some wonder why you’d pay more for Apple’s Series 11 if you’re not already tied to the iOS ecosystem.

First and foremost, the battery life far exceeds that of Apple’s most recent model. This smartwatch can last up to 30 hours on a single charge, which is generally enough for a complete second day if you don’t use it heavily. If you run out of juice, fast charging will get you back up to 50% in around 15 minutes, which is ample time to plug it in for a brief shower or coffee break.

The display is also rather good to put it bluntly, with a nice curved screen that simply fits the face of the watch without any of those bothersome squared off corners, resulting in 10% more space than the previous model. It also has a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, making it just as easy to read in direct sunshine as in the shade.

The watch’s repairability is also a significant plus, since the screen and battery are both engineered to be incredibly easy to replace by an authorized technician, which is an important touch that really extends the watch’s lifespan.

If you enjoy working out and tracking your health, you’ll appreciate the strong Fitbit integration here. You get the usual stuff, like heart rate, sleep tracking, blood oxygen levels, skin temperature, and so on, and it all adds up to some very obvious and useful data. The Readiness Score function indicates whether you should push yourself or take it easy, while Cardio Load tracks your progress over time. Plus, the dual frequency GPS is great for tracking runs or walks through tough terrain. If you find yourself in a difficult situation, the satellite SOS feature can help you even when you don’t have phone service, and the lack of pulse detection can automatically call for assistance if necessary.

Then there’s Gemini AI, the brains of the operation. Simply raise your wrist and ask it a question, such as “What are the traffic conditions?” or “Do I need an umbrella today?” Wear OS provides you with all the versatility you require, allowing you to use apps such as Google Maps, Spotify, and others, and the UI is lightning fast with no lag. You can’t forget about all of the customization choices, not just for watch faces and complications, but for everything.