With the Pixel Watch, Google is jumping on the bandwagon. released at the same time as Smartphones with Pixel 7 Y pixel 7 proit is the first connected watch designed by the American company while many players, from Samsung to Xiaomi via huawei and especially Apple, have been offering numerous references in this product segment for several years.
An acceleration in a long-standing project that owes a lot Google’s acquisition of Fitbit in 2020. The acquisition of this company specializing in connected sports and fitness objects has allowed the technology giant to assimilate its physical activity tracking technology and integrate certain functions into the Pixel Watch.
Its advantages
A striking design
The Pixel Watch, compatible only with Android smartphones, immediately seduces with the discreet charm of its lines. Minimalist and curvaceous with its circular design that evokes the shape of a small pebble, Google’s touchscreen manages to turn heads with its domed curved screen that extends to the ends of its glass case.
In addition, its bracelet fixing system allows you to modify its appearance. It can release you from your original attachment fluoroelastomer pressing the recessed clasps in the case and thus opt for a more elegant look by resorting to a leather strap, for example. However, the manipulation to be carried out for this is not easy to achieve, since said clips are very small and therefore difficult to access. Two bracelet sizes are provided.
A thousand miles from the aggressive aesthetic of some connected watches, the curves displayed by the Pixel Watch give it an impression of softness that is confirmed once the object is placed on the wrist. Helped by its 35.8 grams and 41 millimeters in diameter, the only size marketed for this model, the smartwatch is comfortable to wear and has a good level of finish.
a good screen
Google opted for a AMOLED panel 1.2-inch screen that offers good brightness, making it easy to read the data displayed day and night. A state of affairs accentuated by the presence of a light sensor, which adjusts the latter according to the ambient lighting, and an “Always-on” display mode such as the Samsung Galaxy Pro 5 Watch.
To fully customize the user experience, Pixel Watch offers eight pre-installed watch faces and another 19 available in the Watch app that is used to set up the connected watch. The new dials can also be downloaded via the Google Play Store.
A simple interface for quite intuitive handling
Running on Wear OS 3.5, the Pixel Watch is responsive. The interface is rarely affected by slowdowns, even when multiple apps are open at the same time.
Navigation in the carousel, which allows access to applications and sports exercises, is quite intuitive. Through the crown located on the side of the device, you can quickly scroll through the tabs. It is also possible to manage directly on the touch screen by sliding your fingers along the sides.
Also, widgets can be moved or added as you like in the carousel for easier access. Lastly, setting up a direct shortcut, with a simple press of the physical button located just above the wheel, is handy for accessing recently opened apps. By sliding your finger down, it is also possible to access shortcuts to certain functions set in advance.
The Pixel Watch recognizes 40 different exercises and sports. Among others: martial arts, cycling, crossfit, running or even walking. Water sports are not far behind as swimming and canoeing are also present. The Google Watch is remarkably waterproof up to 50 meters deep.
Like all connected watches, the Pixel Watch is equipped with several sensors: accelerometer, gyroscope, altimeter, heart rate monitor, oximeter, electrocardiogram… To follow your activity and control your health parameters, installing the application Fitbit (Android) necessary.
Its interface is clear with, on the home page, the data of your daily activity (number of steps, floors climbed, number of kilometers travelled, calories burned, etc.). Physical performance monitoring is reliable. Finally, the Pixel Watch benefits from all the apps available on the Play Store, including Google. maps, Spotify, Gmail or YouTube Music. In addition, the watch also allows you to make calls, whose audio quality is not the most optimal, to send messages. It is also compatible with the Google Assistant.
our reservations
Autonomy to improve
Battery life approaches 22 hours in standard use, with “Always On” enabled, and without exercise. If you want to be able to use it every day and, moreover, overnight to follow your sleep activity or practice physical activity, an almost daily pass through the charging box seems necessary. Please note that the connected watch has a “Power Saving” mode to get some percentages of the reserve.
On the other hand, the Pixel Watch recharges quite quickly: an hour will be enough to recover 100% autonomy. But we must not forget about his charger that he owns. None of the others will work with the Google Watch.
Too small a screen and perfect ergonomics
The Pixel Watch’s panel shows a good brightness, but it is very small at 41 millimeters in diameter. If the information screen is still readable, it is necessary to scroll, sometimes for several seconds, to reach the desired application or functionality. A configuration that can tire in the long run.
Plus, the Pixel’s circular form factor, unlike its square-shaped counterparts like the Apple Watch, results in wasted display space. Thus, the information is removed and forces the user to scroll further on the screen.
Two apps interfering with each other
The Pixel Watch is based on two applications: Pixel Watch, which allows the pairing and configuration of the watch, and Fitbit, necessary to guarantee medical and sports monitoring. A coexistence at the service of the general ergonomics of the Google clock, since it requires going from one app to another in addition to creating two different accounts. A single platform to manage the Pixel Watch would have been better.
Subscribe to Fitbit Premium to get all the features
Some health tracking features are only accessible by subscribing to the Fitbit Premium subscription. Among them: the daily physical activity score, the detailed sleep score and the detailed stress management score, as well as the history of health indicators (respiratory rate, resting heart rate, heart rate variability, etc.) . The price to take advantage of these options is 8.99 euros per month or 79.99 euros per year. A pretty pitiful cost.
Conclution
For his first foray into the world of connected watches, Google transforms the essay only halfway. The Pixel Watch is a beautiful watch that benefits from a successful design, a simple interface, especially for users accustomed to Android, and to Fitbit’s know-how in terms of sports tracking.
However, it fishes for its autonomy, its quite expensive price compared to the competition and its qualities. It also suffers from a lack of readability and visual comfort due to its modest screen size. Nonetheless, the Pixel Watch is a pretty decent connected watch for Android smartphone owners looking for a small size.
Source: BFM TV
