Google’s Pixel Watch 3 has been on the market for six months now. After extensive daily use, it’s time to reflect on how this smartwatch has held up in terms of features, build quality, fitness tracking, and overall experience. While the Pixel Watch 3 hasn’t seen a deluge of new features, key additions have enhanced its functionality.
The long-awaited safety feature, designed to detect severe medical events, significantly boosts the watch’s safety capabilities. Smaller updates have also improved daily usability, such as individual contact tiles for quick access to frequently contacted individuals and enhancements to Gmail for Wear OS. Looking ahead, the integration of Gemini with Wear OS is a major development to watch.
Leaked code suggests a voice-first approach that could revolutionize how users interact with their smartwatches, like summarizing lengthy texts, drafting sophisticated replies, or receiving nuanced answers to complex questions through voice commands. The Pixel Watch 3 retains its bubbly pebble design, a beautiful timepiece that suits various outfits. However, Google’s proprietary connector for watch bands limits third-party options, especially for the 45mm variant.
The Gorilla Glass 5 display has held up well over six months with only minor scuffs, but other similarly priced Wear OS watches can withstand more wear and tear.
Pixel Watch 3 durability and updates
In terms of fitness tracking, the Pixel Watch 3 caters to a wide range of activities but lacks some in-depth functions found in other wearables.
The Fitbit app offers basic functionality, but more advanced features like the cardio load feature are valuable for optimizing training. Battery life has improved, with the 45mm model no longer depleting overnight. The software experience on the Pixel Watch 3 remains clean and light.
Feature Drops have incrementally added functions, but Wear OS continues to serve as an efficient bridge for notifications and specific media apps. As of March 17, the Google Pixel Watch 3 is on sale at Amazon for $289.99, 17% off its list price of $349.99. All models except the silver with pink band are discounted, and purchasing alongside a discounted Pixel 9 can drop the price further, up to $100 off.
The Pixel Watch 3 offers notable features like a brighter, larger display, advanced running metrics, Fitbit Premium insights, readiness tracking, and cardio load monitoring. These make it a strong option for fitness enthusiasts and tech-savvy users looking to upgrade their wearable. In conclusion, the Pixel Watch 3 has held up reasonably well with some key improvements and durable build quality.
As Google continues to iterate on the software, it holds promise, but areas like fitness tracking and the accessory ecosystem could benefit from further refinement.
Image Credits: Photo by Murat Caliskan on Unsplash
Cameron is a highly regarded contributor in the rapidly evolving fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. His articles delve into the theoretical underpinnings of AI, the practical applications of machine learning across industries, ethical considerations of autonomous systems, and the societal impacts of these disruptive technologies.
