Both Google and Apple have just introduced new versions of their smart watches. I haven’t had a chance to try out the newest Apple Watch 10, but I have been wearing Google’s new Pixel Watch 3 for a couple of weeks. The Pixel Watch 3 is now available for $349.99 or $399.99, depending on which size you buy.
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If you’re an iPhone user, the Pixel Watch is not for you. But if you have an Android phone, the Pixel Watch 3 is an excellent choice. Both Google and Apple have paired their watches to their own phones. They didn’t have to go that route — there are smart watches, including some from Google-owned Fitbit, that will work on either platform, but these flagship watches are tightly integrated into either Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android. The Pixel Watch works with all Android phones but offers even more features when paired with a Google Pixel phone.
The biggest thing I noticed about the new watch is that the $399.99 version is bigger at 45 millimeters compared with the 41mm Pixel Watches 1 and 2. For those who prefer a smaller watch or smaller price tag, Google also offers a 41mm version for $349.99.
Google sent me both to review. At first, I thought I’d stick with the smaller version, because I happily wore that size Pixel Watch 2. But once I tried on the 45mm version, I was hooked. That extra screen real estate makes it much easier to use and view. Both sizes also have brighter displays than their predecessor, which helps a lot in bright sunlight.
Sleep tracking
In addition to tracking your exercise during the day, Pixel watches are good for tracking sleep and now have “auto bedtime mode.” This feature automatically detects when you go to sleep and when you wake up, which is great because those are times when I’m most likely to forget to put my watch in or out of bedtime mode.
The watch also records a sleep score and sleep rating, such as “Good,” “Fair” or “Poor” and breaks down how much time you spend in REM, Light and Deep sleep. It monitors your sleeping heart rate and whether or not you had a restless night. All of this data sync automatically to the Fitbit app, which is a companion to the watch, but most of the data can also be viewed on the watch.
One useful feature is the ability to measure your blood oxygenation, or SpO2, while you are asleep. After you wake up, it will give you your night’s average and the range it recorded during sleep, such as an average of 97 and a range of 93 to 99. A low SpO2 can be a sign of possible medical issues such as sleep apnea, respiratory issues or even cardiac issues. The watch doesn’t give you a breakdown on how your SpO2 varied over time as you slept. For that, you’ll need to wear a device like the O2Ring. Regardless of what device you use, you should never use its report as a diagnosis without first consulting a medical professional. These reports can be a warning sign, but they are far from definitive.
Battery life
In the past, I would sometimes forgo wearing the watch at night for concern over battery life, but the new 45mm version has significantly more battery life than the previous 41mm watch. Google says you get up to 36 hours in battery saver mode, which seems about right. I generally charge the watch while I’m sitting at my desk in the morning. So far, I’ve rarely had to use the battery saver, which by default, kicks in when it gets down to a 15% charge. The watch lasts all day in my standard setting where the display is off unless I raise my arm to look at the screen or touch the screen or crown. Leaving the display on all the time reduces battery life.
Fitbit integration
Google acquired Fitbit in 2019, and its watch uses the same app as the popular (and typically less expensive) Fitbit trackers. That integration into Fitbit enables additional fitness features. The watch can keep track of distance in steps and miles as well as calories for numerous exercises. There are more advanced features for runners, including a “Build a run” feature that lets you add intervals and goals.
Speaking of calories, the watch gives you a running total throughout the day, and the Fitbit app lets you track your food intake and calorie consumption. I found it a pretty good way to help me control my weight. The watch also provides “cardio load,” that tracks your activity and heart rate throughout the day as well as a readiness score that summarizes how well your body has recovered from activity and how ready you are to engage in a workout.
Safety features
In addition to health and fitness, the watch has the ability to contact emergency services if you’re in need of help. It can also detect a fall or a car crash and will notify an emergency contact or 911. There is also an SOS feature you can trigger. The watch has LTE capability, which means it can operate independent of your phone, but that requires a subscription from your cellular carrier. Otherwise, it needs to be connected to your phone to call for help.
There are many other features and apps, including one that lets you take your own electrocardiogram (EKG). You can use the watch to answer calls, which I find surprisingly useful if my phone isn’t handy. It can help you with walking or driving directions and display the weather along with your day’s calendar and much more, depending on what apps you download.
Indispensable
When smart watches first came out, I didn’t think I needed one. Most of what they do can be done with phones, but after wearing a variety of watches and fitness bands for the past few years, I now find them indispensable not just because they keep me from having to take out my phone but because of health and safety features. I haven’t fallen, crashed or otherwise needed to use the emergency features, but it’s nice to know that they’re there.
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Larry Magid is a tech journalist and internet safety activist. Contact him at larry@larrymagid.com.
