Note: This article was first published on 14 August 2024.
Get customised workout created by AI. Image source: Google.
The Google Pixel Watch 3 is designed for “performance” Google says, calling the smartwatch, “its most advanced fitness tracker yet”.
Now available in two sizes - 41mm and 45mm – they also come with different colour options. With over 16% smaller bezels, they now have a larger active screen area compared to the Pixel Watch 2 – over 10% more screen on the 41 mm watch and 40% more on the 45 mm size. This makes it easier to read messages, navigate with Maps, and see your metrics during exercises.
It can go from 1nit in its always on display up to 2,000nits of brightness while the refresh rate can adjust itself between 1 and 60Hz for its refresh rate to deliver a more responsive performance and power efficiency. All versions have Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and Ultra-wideband connectivity. Do note that the LTE version comes with 4G only.
Both of the Pixel Watch 3 sizes have a Qualcomm SW5100 Cortex-M33 co-processor (the Pixel Watch 2 used the Qualcomm 5100 Cortex-M33 co-processor), 2GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage.
Customise your look. Image source: Google.
Both sizes are available in a Matte Black Aluminium case with an Obsidian band and Polished Silver Aluminium with a Porcelain band. The 45 mm watch is also comes in Matte Hazel Aluminium with a Hazel band. The 41 mm model has two additional colours, Champagne Gold Aluminium with a Hazel band and Polished Silver Aluminium with a Rose Quartz band.
Get your body moving!
With real-time guidance you’ll always know when you’re off pace or over your heart rate target, and when it’s time for your next sprint or to cool down. Image source: Google.
But let’s be honest. The two reasons why we wear a smartwatch is for its health tracking and its ability to get us moving with its exercise apps.
And the Pixel Watch 3 and 3 XL are designed to deliver the performance and monitoring you need.
Use the comprehensive running program that is designed to help you plan, perform, and progress your running routine. Never be bored and create a variety of running routines, like timed warmups and cool downs, set target pace, heart rate, times, and distances, or even set up interval routines with repeats.
Get guidance and coaching tips. Image source: Google.
Then, as you complete your created routine, get real-time guidance with haptic and audio cues to tell you what to do next. So, you’ll always know when you’re off pace or over your heart rate target, and when it’s time for your next sprint or to cool down.
The new running dashboard in the Fitbit app shows your weekly mileage, PRs, a detailed analysis of your running workouts, and more to help you track performance over time and keep motivated along the way.
Image source: Google.
Managing your exercises is even easier and more seamless with Google’s deepest app integration yet, where features such as Google Maps, Google TV remote and the ability to screen and hold calls with the help of Google Assistant are all accessible from the watch.
For example, a new update embeds media controls right into your workout so you can adjust the volume or change songs without missing a beat. With Bluetooth 5.3, the Pixel Watch 3 could support Bluetooth LE Audio. This is a low-energy Bluetooth audio protocol that uses less power to stream songs so you can save on your battery use.
Giving you the health information you really need
Get the health insights you need. Image source: Google.
With the Pixel Watch 3, rather than individual sensors and apps giving you a single reading or result, you get the skin temperature sensor and heart rate sensor etc, all working together to give more holistic perspective of your health and fitness.
The smartwatch features an upgraded heartrate sensor that is able to provide a more accurate Heart Rate reading for running. While you run, the Pixel Watch 3 tracks your form using advanced motion sensing and uses machine learning to give you a breakdown of your cadence, stride length, vertical oscillation, and more to help improve your run performance.
The Pixel Watch 3 can tell if you're really fit and ready to exercise. Image source: Google.
The smartwatch can even remind you that your body needs to rest with its “Recovery”, “Readiness”, “Cardio Load”, and “Target Load” metrics. All are available without subscription. The Readiness metric is impacted by a user’s Heart Rate variability, resting Heart Rate, and recent sleep. The Cardio Load metric measures how hard your heart is working, your heart exertion during the day and during any workout, measured in percentages and is able to tell if you are improving, or risking your health with overtraining. The Target Load metric is personalised to the user each day based on the level of Readiness, for example, if the readiness reading is low, it will tell you to prioritise Recovery, while a high readiness reading means you're in peak condition and ready to push for your goals.
No longer will you be locked into "closing rings" or making "10-thousand steps a day". Plan your day with Morning Brief, which delivers a summary of your most important health and fitness metrics. This is available to all Pixel Watch 3 users, with no subscription required.
But that doesn’t mean that there are no subscription fitness plans. Google is introducing Fitbit Premium that gives a user health insights and a personalised target load that uses Google AI to custom build a workout from a library of workout content with different routines and deliver them to the Pixel 3 or 3XL. The Pixel Watch 3 comes with six months of Premium so you can try it bore you decide to subscribe.
To keep everything running, the battery for the Pixel Watch 3 is its biggest yet (35% larger than its predecessor), giving a battery life of up to 36-hours in Battery Saver mode. Handily, it comes with an Auto Bedtime Mode that automatically detects when you’re asleep and turns off always on display, notification turns off, to save power. The smartwatch automatically exits the mode when you awake. Even better, it also charges 20% faster than the Pixel Watch 2 (41mm model).
If you get hurt while wearing your Pixel Watch 3, a new feature, Loss of Pulse Detection helps you automatically place a call to emergency services if you are unresponsive even if alone and unable to make the call yourself.
Glanceable Helpfulness
Find out easily who is at the door.. Image source: Google.
Run a Google ecosystem at home? You can integrate the use of your Pixel Watch 3 with your home infrastructure like your Google Nest Doorbell so you can use the live camera function and see who is ringing the bell. The watch can also be used with the Google TV remote control and the Pixel Recorder App.
One other handy feature is the “UWB watch unlock for keys”. Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) technology, integrated into the watch enables encrypted communications between the user and the lock. Acting as a handless key fob, the smartwatch can interact with the locking and any ignition system (if it’s a vehicle), providing secure and convenient access without the need for a physical key.
Pricing and availability
Everything in the new Pixel Watch 3 series.
The 41mm Wi-Fi only and 41mm LTE versions will be available for pre-order from the Google Store at S$539 and S$679 respectively. The 45mm Wi-Fi only and 45mm LTE versions will be available from the same Google store at S$599 and S$749 respectively.
From September 2024, they will be available on Amazon SG, Challenger, Courts, Singtel, Best Denki, and SprintCass. However, the LTE models for both sizes will only available at Singtel's physical and online stores.
Read more:
Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.