Smartwatches by Google. Details:The Google Pixel Watch 2 combines the best of Google and Fitbit.[ 1] Understand your health and fitness with Fitbit’s most advanced heart rate tracking yet.[ 4,5] Use your favorite Google apps at a glance, including Gmail and Calendar, and get peace of mind from personal safety features.[ 15,24] And keep going with even longer battery life.
Smartwatches by Google. Details:The Google Pixel Watch 2 combines the best of Google and Fitbit.[ 1] Understand your health and fitness with Fitbit’s most advanced heart rate tracking yet.[ 4,5] Use your favorite Google apps at a glance, including Gmail and Calendar, and get peace of mind from personal safety features.[ 15,24] And keep going with even longer battery life.
Smartwatches by Google. Details:The Google Pixel Watch 2 combines the best of Google and Fitbit.[ 1] Understand your health and fitness with Fitbit’s most advanced heart rate tracking yet.[ 4,5] Use your favorite Google apps at a glance, including Gmail and Calendar, and get peace of mind from personal safety features.[ 15,24] And keep going with even longer battery life.
Smartwatches by Google. Details:The Google Pixel Watch 2 combines the best of Google and Fitbit.[ 1] Understand your health and fitness with Fitbit’s most advanced heart rate tracking yet.[ 4,5] Use your favorite Google apps at a glance, including Gmail and Calendar, and get peace of mind from personal safety features.[ 15,24] And keep going with even longer battery life.
Last updated at 08/24/2026 20:10:24
Google Watch 2 Black Smartwatch
Delivery $15.70
Google Pixel Watch 2 with Fitbit Heart Rate Tracking, Stress Management, Safety Features - Android Smartwatch - Matt Black Aluminum Case - Obsidian Ac
Delivery between 31 Aug – 3 Sept $29
G oogle Pixel Watch 2 with the Best of Fit bit and G oogle - Heart Rate Tracking, Stress Management, Safety Features - Android Smartwatch - Matte Blac
Delivery between 31 Aug – 3 Sept $29
Google Pixel Watch 2 Previous Model The Best Of Fitbit - Heart Rate
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
originally posted on bestbuy.com
The Google Pixel Watch 2 in Matte Black with the Obsidian Active Band and LTE connectivity promises to be a worthy contender in the smartwatch market. As an early adopter and tech enthusiast, here's my candid review of this smartwatch:Pros:Stylish Design: The Matte Black finish gives the Pixel Watch 2 a sleek and modern appearance. It's a stylish accessory that complements both casual and formal attire.Sharp OLED Display: The AMOLED display is crisp and vibrant, making watch faces and notifications easy to read, even in bright sunlight.LTE Connectivity: The inclusion of LTE means you can stay connected to calls, messages, and data without relying on a paired smartphone. It's a handy feature for those who want to leave their phones behind during workouts or ... MoreThe Google Pixel Watch 2 in Matte Black with the Obsidian Active Band and LTE connectivity promises to be a worthy contender in the smartwatch market. As an early adopter and tech enthusiast, here's my candid review of this smartwatch:Pros:Stylish Design: The Matte Black finish gives the Pixel Watch 2 a sleek and modern appearance. It's a stylish accessory that complements both casual and formal attire.Sharp OLED Display: The AMOLED display is crisp and vibrant, making watch faces and notifications easy to read, even in bright sunlight.LTE Connectivity: The inclusion of LTE means you can stay connected to calls, messages, and data without relying on a paired smartphone. It's a handy feature for those who want to leave their phones behind during workouts or quick errands.Fitness and Health Tracking: The Pixel Watch 2 offers comprehensive fitness and health tracking features, including heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, GPS, and more. It's a valuable tool for maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle.Smooth Performance: Google's Wear OS, combined with capable hardware, ensures smooth navigation and app responsiveness. It handles basic tasks with ease.Cons:Battery Life: The Achilles' heel of the Pixel Watch 2 is its battery life. Despite optimizations, the watch struggles to last a full day with moderate to heavy usage, particularly when connected to LTE. Frequent charging can be a hassle.Limited App Ecosystem: While Google's Wear OS has improved, it still lags behind competitors in terms of app availability. The ecosystem lacks the depth and variety seen in other smartwatch platforms.Bulkiness: The watch's thickness and size may not suit users with smaller wrists. It can feel bulky, especially during workouts or while sleeping.Price Tag: The Pixel Watch 2 is positioned in the premium price range, competing with established smartwatch brands like Apple and Samsung. Given its limitations, some users might expect more value for their investment.Lack of Key Features: Certain features that are now expected in high-end smartwatches, such as ECG monitoring, fall detection, and a wide array of watch faces and apps, are missing or limited in the Pixel Watch 2.Integration with Non-Pixel Devices: While the watch pairs seamlessly with Pixel smartphones, its integration with non-Pixel Android devices can be inconsistent, leading to a fragmented user experience.In summary, the Google Pixel Watch 2 brings style and some notable features to the table, particularly its sleek design, LTE connectivity, and fitness tracking capabilities. However, it falls short in crucial areas like battery life, app ecosystem, and value for money. If you're deeply entrenched in the Google ecosystem and prioritize style and some fitness features over all-day battery life and a vast app selection, the Pixel Watch 2 might be worth considering. Otherwise, users may want to explore other smartwatch options that offer a more well-rounded experience.
originally posted on bestbuy.com
The Pixel Watch 2 is a must have for anyone with a google pixel device. The setup is easy, just turn on the bluetooth from your pixel phone which should prompt you to connect to the watch. Then it will notify you to download the pixel watch app which is the way you'll sync the pixel watch to your google account or learn about features like fall detection. The build quality is really good and comfortable to wear for long periods of time, But I would recommend getting a screen protector since my watch has already gotten some minor scratches from just a week of use. It’s very practical and great for just having the main functions of a phone like phone calls, texts, music, checking emails/notifications, alarms, Google assistant. While also having other features such as ... MoreThe Pixel Watch 2 is a must have for anyone with a google pixel device. The setup is easy, just turn on the bluetooth from your pixel phone which should prompt you to connect to the watch. Then it will notify you to download the pixel watch app which is the way you'll sync the pixel watch to your google account or learn about features like fall detection. The build quality is really good and comfortable to wear for long periods of time, But I would recommend getting a screen protector since my watch has already gotten some minor scratches from just a week of use. It’s very practical and great for just having the main functions of a phone like phone calls, texts, music, checking emails/notifications, alarms, Google assistant. While also having other features such as a heartbeat monitor, sleep tracking, and fitbit. The clock face is customizable with multiple pre-installed faces that are all customizable to your liking. Also you can download more on the watch's play store. The watch comes with two bands, a smaller one that is already on the watch and a larger one that you’ll have to put on. The watch comes with a magnetic charger that you'll need to charge the watch since the watch can only be charged magnetically. The watch is water resistant so you wont need to worry if it gets wet you can wash your hands and go out in the rain with it on. I have heard you can go swimming with it on but I did not try putting that to the test. The battery is really good, it lasts me the whole day and the charge time is really quick. There are 2 different versions of the watch. I got the wifi version that requires you to connect to your phone or be connected to your home wifi for some functions to work like notifications messages, phone calls, or listening to music via streaming. The other version is the LTE which doesn't need a wifi connection to work, just phone service. You can take calls on your watch either from a bluetooth earphone/headsets or the watch itself or you can send the call to your phone to take it on your phone instead. The only major issue with the watch is the screen is small and a little hard to use for people with bigger hands, especially trying to type a message on the digital keyboard, luckily you can send text/messages with the watch using voice text or a voice message. For exercise you can use fitbit apps that are on the watch like fitbit today for steps and tracking sleep, fitbit exercise for tracking calories burnt while doing a particular exercise, fitbit relaxation for meditation that is breathing exercises. so if you want to track certain things you can. The Pixel Watch 2 is a great smartwatch that only downside is the size being too small but it makes up with its design and features that make it a must have for any Pixel user.
originally posted on bestbuy.com
As a Pixel phone & Pixel Buds user, I was excited to get the Google Pixel watch and round out the trifecta. Initially I was skeptical of the look of the watch as I prefer a more "professional" looking wristpiece and this is clearly geared toward the fitness/health folks - especially with its obviously-close development with Fitbit. Nevertheless, the watch has impressed me in some ways while disappointing me in others.To start, the crown is *amazingly* smooth and navigates the OS with ease. It's not hard to roll at all. However, the upper button is very hard to push effectively, and its behavior can't be customized (or at least not that I've found) - it's hard-wired to just launching a screen showing you your recent apps. On my previous Android Wear device, I had ... MoreAs a Pixel phone & Pixel Buds user, I was excited to get the Google Pixel watch and round out the trifecta. Initially I was skeptical of the look of the watch as I prefer a more "professional" looking wristpiece and this is clearly geared toward the fitness/health folks - especially with its obviously-close development with Fitbit. Nevertheless, the watch has impressed me in some ways while disappointing me in others.To start, the crown is *amazingly* smooth and navigates the OS with ease. It's not hard to roll at all. However, the upper button is very hard to push effectively, and its behavior can't be customized (or at least not that I've found) - it's hard-wired to just launching a screen showing you your recent apps. On my previous Android Wear device, I had two additional buttons which could be customized and I enjoyed this functionality heavily. This is a miss in both design and software.Google decided to get so far in bed with Fitbit here that they completely changed their charging mechanism; you're now left with a 4-pin connector that has only *one* proper orientation: coming out the side of the crown. This design is immeasurably poor for obvious reasons and takes us right back to the days of putting USB cables in upside down, etc. Definitely could have done better here. This also means all of your Pixel Watch (1) charging accessories no longer work. However I have found that chargers compatible with Fitbit Sensa will work for the Watch 2 (at least until the market shores up).Lastly, Wear 3 has been a disappointment since release for me - so much so that I refused the upgrade on my previous Android watch so I could continue to have table-stakes functionality between watch and a phone: Shared Timers and Alarms. Instead, in Wear 3+, Google thought it best to completely separate these two things, so an alarm on your phone won't play on your watch (and vice versa) and a timer set on your watch won't play on your phone (and vice versa). Completely nonsensical IMO.I have been impressed by the aftermarket selection of bands, however, and have already upgraded the OEM one to a metal link one which gives the watch a more professional look, which I enjoy.If you can get past the design and software flaws, it's a great watch. The battery life is insane - lasting 48hr without a problem and charging lightning fast - so it's the first smartwatch I've been able to wear to bed to do sleep tracking! The sleep tracking metrics line up pretty close with what my Sleep Number bed reports, so its sensors are pretty decent.The watch also comes with 6mo of FitBit Premium for free; while I'm not a health nut, I have enjoyed the ability to get stats like O2, heart rate, and - when sleeping - oxygen fluctuations that can point to signs of sleep apnea. Additionally, it also has built-in fall detection. I do wish Fitbit wouldn't have such a closed off ecosystem as I have a smart scale that I cannot link, unfortunately.
| Technology | Bluetooth/WiFi |
| Announced | 2023, October 04 |
| Dimensions | 41 x 41 x 12.3 mm (1.61 x 1.61 x 0.48 in) |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Resolution | 450 x 450 pixels (~320 ppi density) |
Google Watch 2 Black Smartwatch
Delivery $15.70
Google Pixel Watch 2 with Fitbit Heart Rate Tracking, Stress Management, Safety Features - Android Smartwatch - Matt Black Aluminum Case - Obsidian Ac
Delivery between 31 Aug – 3 Sept $29
G oogle Pixel Watch 2 with the Best of Fit bit and G oogle - Heart Rate Tracking, Stress Management, Safety Features - Android Smartwatch - Matte Blac
Delivery between 31 Aug – 3 Sept $29
Google Pixel Watch 2 Previous Model The Best Of Fitbit - Heart Rate
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
The Google Pixel Watch 2 in Matte Black with the Obsidian Active Band and LTE connectivity promises to be a worthy contender in the smartwatch market. As an early adopter and tech enthusiast, here's my candid review of this smartwatch:Pros:Stylish Design: The Matte Black finish gives the Pixel Watch 2 a sleek and modern appearance. It's a stylish accessory that complements both casual and formal attire.Sharp OLED Display: The AMOLED display is crisp and vibrant, making watch faces and notifications easy to read, even in bright sunlight.LTE Connectivity: The inclusion of LTE means you can stay connected to calls, messages, and data without relying on a paired smartphone. It's a handy feature for those who want to leave their phones behind during workouts or ... MoreThe Google Pixel Watch 2 in Matte Black with the Obsidian Active Band and LTE connectivity promises to be a worthy contender in the smartwatch market. As an early adopter and tech enthusiast, here's my candid review of this smartwatch:Pros:Stylish Design: The Matte Black finish gives the Pixel Watch 2 a sleek and modern appearance. It's a stylish accessory that complements both casual and formal attire.Sharp OLED Display: The AMOLED display is crisp and vibrant, making watch faces and notifications easy to read, even in bright sunlight.LTE Connectivity: The inclusion of LTE means you can stay connected to calls, messages, and data without relying on a paired smartphone. It's a handy feature for those who want to leave their phones behind during workouts or quick errands.Fitness and Health Tracking: The Pixel Watch 2 offers comprehensive fitness and health tracking features, including heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, GPS, and more. It's a valuable tool for maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle.Smooth Performance: Google's Wear OS, combined with capable hardware, ensures smooth navigation and app responsiveness. It handles basic tasks with ease.Cons:Battery Life: The Achilles' heel of the Pixel Watch 2 is its battery life. Despite optimizations, the watch struggles to last a full day with moderate to heavy usage, particularly when connected to LTE. Frequent charging can be a hassle.Limited App Ecosystem: While Google's Wear OS has improved, it still lags behind competitors in terms of app availability. The ecosystem lacks the depth and variety seen in other smartwatch platforms.Bulkiness: The watch's thickness and size may not suit users with smaller wrists. It can feel bulky, especially during workouts or while sleeping.Price Tag: The Pixel Watch 2 is positioned in the premium price range, competing with established smartwatch brands like Apple and Samsung. Given its limitations, some users might expect more value for their investment.Lack of Key Features: Certain features that are now expected in high-end smartwatches, such as ECG monitoring, fall detection, and a wide array of watch faces and apps, are missing or limited in the Pixel Watch 2.Integration with Non-Pixel Devices: While the watch pairs seamlessly with Pixel smartphones, its integration with non-Pixel Android devices can be inconsistent, leading to a fragmented user experience.In summary, the Google Pixel Watch 2 brings style and some notable features to the table, particularly its sleek design, LTE connectivity, and fitness tracking capabilities. However, it falls short in crucial areas like battery life, app ecosystem, and value for money. If you're deeply entrenched in the Google ecosystem and prioritize style and some fitness features over all-day battery life and a vast app selection, the Pixel Watch 2 might be worth considering. Otherwise, users may want to explore other smartwatch options that offer a more well-rounded experience.
The Pixel Watch 2 is a must have for anyone with a google pixel device. The setup is easy, just turn on the bluetooth from your pixel phone which should prompt you to connect to the watch. Then it will notify you to download the pixel watch app which is the way you'll sync the pixel watch to your google account or learn about features like fall detection. The build quality is really good and comfortable to wear for long periods of time, But I would recommend getting a screen protector since my watch has already gotten some minor scratches from just a week of use. It’s very practical and great for just having the main functions of a phone like phone calls, texts, music, checking emails/notifications, alarms, Google assistant. While also having other features such as ... MoreThe Pixel Watch 2 is a must have for anyone with a google pixel device. The setup is easy, just turn on the bluetooth from your pixel phone which should prompt you to connect to the watch. Then it will notify you to download the pixel watch app which is the way you'll sync the pixel watch to your google account or learn about features like fall detection. The build quality is really good and comfortable to wear for long periods of time, But I would recommend getting a screen protector since my watch has already gotten some minor scratches from just a week of use. It’s very practical and great for just having the main functions of a phone like phone calls, texts, music, checking emails/notifications, alarms, Google assistant. While also having other features such as a heartbeat monitor, sleep tracking, and fitbit. The clock face is customizable with multiple pre-installed faces that are all customizable to your liking. Also you can download more on the watch's play store. The watch comes with two bands, a smaller one that is already on the watch and a larger one that you’ll have to put on. The watch comes with a magnetic charger that you'll need to charge the watch since the watch can only be charged magnetically. The watch is water resistant so you wont need to worry if it gets wet you can wash your hands and go out in the rain with it on. I have heard you can go swimming with it on but I did not try putting that to the test. The battery is really good, it lasts me the whole day and the charge time is really quick. There are 2 different versions of the watch. I got the wifi version that requires you to connect to your phone or be connected to your home wifi for some functions to work like notifications messages, phone calls, or listening to music via streaming. The other version is the LTE which doesn't need a wifi connection to work, just phone service. You can take calls on your watch either from a bluetooth earphone/headsets or the watch itself or you can send the call to your phone to take it on your phone instead. The only major issue with the watch is the screen is small and a little hard to use for people with bigger hands, especially trying to type a message on the digital keyboard, luckily you can send text/messages with the watch using voice text or a voice message. For exercise you can use fitbit apps that are on the watch like fitbit today for steps and tracking sleep, fitbit exercise for tracking calories burnt while doing a particular exercise, fitbit relaxation for meditation that is breathing exercises. so if you want to track certain things you can. The Pixel Watch 2 is a great smartwatch that only downside is the size being too small but it makes up with its design and features that make it a must have for any Pixel user.
As a Pixel phone & Pixel Buds user, I was excited to get the Google Pixel watch and round out the trifecta. Initially I was skeptical of the look of the watch as I prefer a more "professional" looking wristpiece and this is clearly geared toward the fitness/health folks - especially with its obviously-close development with Fitbit. Nevertheless, the watch has impressed me in some ways while disappointing me in others.To start, the crown is *amazingly* smooth and navigates the OS with ease. It's not hard to roll at all. However, the upper button is very hard to push effectively, and its behavior can't be customized (or at least not that I've found) - it's hard-wired to just launching a screen showing you your recent apps. On my previous Android Wear device, I had ... MoreAs a Pixel phone & Pixel Buds user, I was excited to get the Google Pixel watch and round out the trifecta. Initially I was skeptical of the look of the watch as I prefer a more "professional" looking wristpiece and this is clearly geared toward the fitness/health folks - especially with its obviously-close development with Fitbit. Nevertheless, the watch has impressed me in some ways while disappointing me in others.To start, the crown is *amazingly* smooth and navigates the OS with ease. It's not hard to roll at all. However, the upper button is very hard to push effectively, and its behavior can't be customized (or at least not that I've found) - it's hard-wired to just launching a screen showing you your recent apps. On my previous Android Wear device, I had two additional buttons which could be customized and I enjoyed this functionality heavily. This is a miss in both design and software.Google decided to get so far in bed with Fitbit here that they completely changed their charging mechanism; you're now left with a 4-pin connector that has only *one* proper orientation: coming out the side of the crown. This design is immeasurably poor for obvious reasons and takes us right back to the days of putting USB cables in upside down, etc. Definitely could have done better here. This also means all of your Pixel Watch (1) charging accessories no longer work. However I have found that chargers compatible with Fitbit Sensa will work for the Watch 2 (at least until the market shores up).Lastly, Wear 3 has been a disappointment since release for me - so much so that I refused the upgrade on my previous Android watch so I could continue to have table-stakes functionality between watch and a phone: Shared Timers and Alarms. Instead, in Wear 3+, Google thought it best to completely separate these two things, so an alarm on your phone won't play on your watch (and vice versa) and a timer set on your watch won't play on your phone (and vice versa). Completely nonsensical IMO.I have been impressed by the aftermarket selection of bands, however, and have already upgraded the OEM one to a metal link one which gives the watch a more professional look, which I enjoy.If you can get past the design and software flaws, it's a great watch. The battery life is insane - lasting 48hr without a problem and charging lightning fast - so it's the first smartwatch I've been able to wear to bed to do sleep tracking! The sleep tracking metrics line up pretty close with what my Sleep Number bed reports, so its sensors are pretty decent.The watch also comes with 6mo of FitBit Premium for free; while I'm not a health nut, I have enjoyed the ability to get stats like O2, heart rate, and - when sleeping - oxygen fluctuations that can point to signs of sleep apnea. Additionally, it also has built-in fall detection. I do wish Fitbit wouldn't have such a closed off ecosystem as I have a smart scale that I cannot link, unfortunately.
The Google Pixel Watch 2 is a modest upgrade to the original Pixel watch, but now feels like the watch that Google should have released in the first place. The biggest improvement is the battery life. Without Always on Display, the Pixel Watch 2 will last 2 days before needing to be put on the charger. With Always on Display, you can easily make it over a full day before needing to be charged. Another feature of this watch is that Google is now using Aluminum materials instead of the last generation’s stainless steel. It really is only a 5-gram savings in weight but after wearing it for long periods of time while working out, it just feels better. Another reason for potential battery savings is that Google upgraded to using a quad-core processor instead of the ... MoreThe Google Pixel Watch 2 is a modest upgrade to the original Pixel watch, but now feels like the watch that Google should have released in the first place. The biggest improvement is the battery life. Without Always on Display, the Pixel Watch 2 will last 2 days before needing to be put on the charger. With Always on Display, you can easily make it over a full day before needing to be charged. Another feature of this watch is that Google is now using Aluminum materials instead of the last generation’s stainless steel. It really is only a 5-gram savings in weight but after wearing it for long periods of time while working out, it just feels better. Another reason for potential battery savings is that Google upgraded to using a quad-core processor instead of the previous dual-core processor. This theoretically allows the process to finish quicker than before and newer chipsets are just more energy efficient. Having both the original Pixel Watch and this newer Pixel Watch 2, scrolling between screens and widgets just feels quicker and smoother. One of the knocks on the previous generation of Pixel Watches was the lack of full Fitbit on the watch. It incorporated some but always felt like it was lacking Fitbit features. Now the Pixel Watch 2 includes new sensors on the watch that automatically detect your stress levels and heart rate and alert you if you are out of your normal ranges. This enhances the value of the Pixel Watch 2 because it acts like an additional set of eyes on your heath. The original Pixel Watch had ECG capabilities, but it was difficult to use and only works on demand. The new Pixel Watch 2 automatically runs the ECG periodically and notifies you if it detects an irregular heart rhythm. Again, this allows you to worry about one less thing to do on your watch. The other improvement the Pixel Watch 2 has over its predecessor is Automatic Workout Detection. Before you had to trigger the activity on the watch. Now if you start running, it will automatically track your workout. The one big knock I have on this watch is the new charging dongle. It is true that moving away from wireless charging to charging with pins that provide metal on metal contact with the charging base and the watch lets it charge slightly faster. However, the watch now only charges in one direction. Try and put it on the charger in any orientation besides the correct orientation and the magnet just pushes the watch off. Also, the charging base is smaller than the previous charging base and is not backwards compatible. So, if you had any charging accessories for the previous generation of Pixel Watch, you would just have to throw it away and reinvest in the new charger. What would have been great was if you could charge the watch in any orientation if the pins align on the charger and watch. With the Pixel Watch 2 configuration, the crown button must align with the wire coming out of the charging base. Besides The charging annoyance, the Pixel Watch 2 is one of the best smartwatches out there because it looks like a watch. Sure, it would have been nicer to see a potentially larger screen size, I feel like the size is nice and not intrusive.
I was very excited about my Pixel Watch 2. After spending some time with it, I still think it’s a great piece of technology, but my enthusiasm has deeply diminished. It’s a great watch, but unfortunately seems to be hampered like so many other Google products in that it works great, but it’s just out of the reach of greatness. The Pixel Watch 2 seems to simultaneously highlight what’s great about Google and all the flaws of Google at the same time.To preface this review, I’m going to assume you’re moderately familiar with smartwatches and their basic features. And so you’re aware my background, I’ve got a Pixel 6 Pro phone with the latest Android 14 OS, several Nest Hubs around my house, use assistant daily, and I’m coming from a Fitbit Sense smartwatch/health ... MoreI was very excited about my Pixel Watch 2. After spending some time with it, I still think it’s a great piece of technology, but my enthusiasm has deeply diminished. It’s a great watch, but unfortunately seems to be hampered like so many other Google products in that it works great, but it’s just out of the reach of greatness. The Pixel Watch 2 seems to simultaneously highlight what’s great about Google and all the flaws of Google at the same time.To preface this review, I’m going to assume you’re moderately familiar with smartwatches and their basic features. And so you’re aware my background, I’ve got a Pixel 6 Pro phone with the latest Android 14 OS, several Nest Hubs around my house, use assistant daily, and I’m coming from a Fitbit Sense smartwatch/health tracker, and previously owned a Wear OS LG smartwatch before that.Starting with the unboxing, the box is small and simple: it contains the watch, a large and small watch band, charging cable, and a short documentation on turning it on and adjusting watch bands. The charging cable is USB-C, but it is a proprietary 4 pin magnetic connector where it connects to your watch itself.The first thing you must do is download and open the Google Pixel Watch app on your phone. Once you open the app, it’s just a few screens of terms approvals and Bluetooth pairing. Part of this process can involve you connecting your watch and a Fitbit account. I did run into a rather glaring issue here as it requires your Fitbit account to be merged with your Google account. However, as of this writing, you cannot connect and merge your existing Fitbit account to a Google Workspace account. This was, naturally, disappointing as I’m coming to my Pixel Watch 2 from a Fitbit Sense, and until Google incorporates Workspace accounts, I cannot take advantage of several fitness and tracking features.I cannot overstate how disappointing it is to not be able to take advantage of half the features this smartwatch touts. Without the Fitbit integration (which is a separate app from Google Fit, which does not seem to work directly with the Pixel Watch 2), basic exercise tracking is limited to seven days and several features are just inaccessible, such as taking an ECG, step tracking after a day, detailed heartrate information besides current heartrate, sleep tracking, goals, body responses, skin temperature tracking, and more. This is easily half the touted features.Again, this is only an issue if you’re using a Google Workspace (formerly GSuite and Google Apps). If you’re using a free Gmail account, you’re good to go. If you, however, pay for Google’s app suite you’re just not given any alternative options. While it may sound like this is a business account, and typically is, for years it was marketed towards family and personal users as a way to use an email with a custom domain. If you are a Google Workspace user and have been, this should come as no surprise, as over the years many Google devices and features were available for free user first before, if ever, being available for workspace accounts. Still, this is no excuse as to why a flagship smartwatch can’t provide its default feature set for all users.Some features worth talking about and that do seem to be accessible to all users, beyond a speaker and microphone allowing you to take calls on your wrist include access to Google Assistant, Google Home, GPay for contactless payment, maps and watch based navigation, remote phone camera control, find my phone, and the suite of emergency features.These emergency features feel incredibly helpful. Pressing the crown button five times to call emergency services or chosen contacts. Safety Check sets a timer for you to check in before it automatically contacts emergency services or chosen contacts. Fall detection detects hard falls and if it does not get a response from you after it detects a fall and no movement for 30 seconds, will again reach out to emergency services.You can also back up your watch and all its settings automatically to Google One – unless you are on a Google Workspace account, in which case you have no backup options available.The watch itself is an elegantly simple design. It’s actually a bit smaller than my analog watch and roughly equivalent to my Fitbit Sense. If you have a particularly large wrist, it may look small, but it feels perfectly sized in my opinion. The round face with black body hides the bezel and its curvature a bit. The screen doesn’t feel that much smaller than the watch body itself. On the side is the crown, able to be pressed down as well as turned with associated haptic feedback. Above that is a button. Between those and the touch screen, there isn’t a need for anymore. Swapping bands is as simple as pushing a small button catch and sliding the band over it to release – opposite to attach.The watch operating system is snappy and responsive with no hints of sluggishness after it’s been fully started. Start up after a reboot is slow, but then it’s fine. It feels, in this regard, like a flagship smartwatch. From the main screen you can swipe down for quick settings such as ringer on/off, airplane, do not disturb, and bedtime modes, google wallet, home, and flashlight access and more. Scrolling up brings you to your phone notifications. Left and right will get you to your tiles, which are a mix of helpful Google features such as assistant, weather, and maps, along with health tracking options. These tiles can be swapped in and out and reordered as you see fit.Hitting the crown button from the watch screen brings up your apps. There’s honestly not as many apps as I imagined – and they do require acquiring and updating from the watch’s own Play Store, although there is an auto-update for you to select. There was an option to open it on my phone, but it never worked for me. I was surprised that Google Chat/Spaces didn’t have a dedicated app on the watch. I was able to set my phone to automatically add supported apps that are installed on it to the watch. There’s some confusion with the apps and how they’re presented to you as a user. For example, there’s Google Photos, which is installed on the watch but has no actual application for you to open. I’ve still no clue as to what Google Photos does on my watch.Most impressive was the watch faces. The watch includes several while the Pixel Watch android app contains several others you can load. In addition to customizing colors there’s several semi-widgets, confusingly called complications, that you can adjust on nearly every watch face. This includes things like step tracking, heart rate, date (just the date, or the day of the week, or the month), alarm, notes, battery, weather, and so much more. The customization options are endless, which is very nice from a user perspective.As for battery life, that’s heavily dependent on how much use you have. Factors such as the screen always being on, more activity tracking, more calls, etc will all effect the length. That said, I’ve had around 24-30something hours before needing it to charge. If you’re leaving your watch on overnight, I would highly suggest bedtime mode or turning the screen and wake functions off.So much of the Pixel Watch 2 is nice, but I don’t find myself too impressed by it. There’s little I see that feels like an upgrade from my original Fitbit Sense. It’s definitely far more responsive and certainly can do more, but it doesn’t really feel revolutionary in any regard. It doesn’t feel like there’s any leap forward in smartwatch tech here – just a baby step to keep it new and improved from the last generation.For a flagship product that’s supposed to be so tied to the Google ecosystem, I don’t find it doing anything much more than my Fitbit Sense, a less smart smartwatch released 3 years ago in 2020. The Pixel Watch app – which is a completely different app from the WearOS app (notice a pattern with the Fitbit/Google Fit app confusion, too?) – feels like it has settings different from the watch. And some watch settings you need to set up on your phone and can’t do from the watch itself. Little things detract from the overall experience. My LG earbuds, on my Pixel 6 Pro’s Bluetooth screen show an icon that’s an actual picture of the earbud’s case. The Pixel Watch 2 shows a generic headset icon. And, of course, the aforementioned problems that result from my primary Google account being a Workspace account, something that doesn’t seem to be accounted for anywhere in official documentations – and certainly not on the packaging and product descriptions. Some of these problems are specific to the Pixel Watch 2 and some represent the greater issues that is Google’s many different technology arms and integrations. However, bottom line is that as a user with a paid Google account, Pixel phone, and now Pixel watch, it doesn’t feel any more connected to one another than if I was to use any company’s android compatible devices.I don’t think the Pixel Watch 2 is a bad product in any stretch of the imagination. It’s a powerful piece of technology. I’m just unsure if it’s as impressive as it’s being sold as. If you have never owned a smartwatch or have one that’s getting on in years and feeling sluggish, I don’t think you can go wrong with this one. However, if you’ve got a smartwatch that you’re still happy with, I’m not sure you need to upgrade to this. A bunch of little quality of life features doesn’t really make an impressive next generation smartwatch. And, if you’re a Google Workspace user for your primary Google account, then I wouldn’t even consider a purchase at this time. Even if you don’t intend to make use of the health tracking, the fact that you are being sold a product that doesn’t state up front you can’t use part of is poor marketing at best and disingenuous at worst. I hope this is corrected via updates going forward, so do check with your own research before committing to a purchase!
A number of years ago, I had one of the original Android smart watches. It was before the Apple Watch, and fairly simple and basic, but had a great foundation, and worked well with viewing and replying to notifications, setting timers, etc... But then Google changed things for future watches, and they were never as good, and then Google seemed to abandon smart watches, leaving a void.Finally, with this Pixel Watch 2, it has the same feeling of great functionality that they originally started with. Syncs perfectly with the notifications on my phone, and has all the basic apps, making it basically a phone on my wrist, saving me the need to constantly reach for my phone.And, since Google bought Fitbit a number of years ago, they are able to integrate Fitbit into ... MoreA number of years ago, I had one of the original Android smart watches. It was before the Apple Watch, and fairly simple and basic, but had a great foundation, and worked well with viewing and replying to notifications, setting timers, etc... But then Google changed things for future watches, and they were never as good, and then Google seemed to abandon smart watches, leaving a void.Finally, with this Pixel Watch 2, it has the same feeling of great functionality that they originally started with. Syncs perfectly with the notifications on my phone, and has all the basic apps, making it basically a phone on my wrist, saving me the need to constantly reach for my phone.And, since Google bought Fitbit a number of years ago, they are able to integrate Fitbit into the Pixel 2. Though, this integration is a bit awkward. You have to manage the Fitbit side of the watch in the Fitbit app, and everything else in the Watch app. On the watch itself it's a little bit better, Fitbit is a bit more integrated into the experience, and is just another set of screens you can scroll through and see all your Fitbit stats. It also works just as well as any other Fitbit, and no tracking data is lost or less accurate than a dedicated Fitbit. So, this can completely replace any Fitbit.One of the neat things you can also do, is set what wrist the watch is on, and which side the crown is on. Meaning, you can swap the wristband, and rotate the watch "upside down", so the crown is on the side of your arm that is most comfortable. Wear will automatically rotate the display so that it is properly oriented.The display does suffer from a problem I think the previous Pixel had, and that's called "image retention". It looks like image burn-in, but the ghost image will dissipate with time if the display is turned off, or if you choose a different watch face that has less static elements. If you don't, by the end of the day, some elements may be fairly obviously leaving a ghost image on the display when viewing things such as notifications. I noticed this with the heart-rate ring, which is a solid color ring that is always on the display. Clock faces that don't have such bold static imagery, don't create as much image retention.
Definitely the Google Pixel Watch 2 has a lot to offer more than just being a smartwatch or looking good on the wrist. One of the things I consider important is that the operating system is provided by the brand itself which makes using this smartwatch with a Google Pixel phone definitely a more pleasant experience.In the box comes the watch, with the silicon band already installed and an extra larger size band in case you have slightly thicker wrists, in my case I have thin hands and the one provided is enough for me. The watch is easy to wear and has several levels of adjustment. The band material is very soft and in hot days conditions I haven't felt it makes my wrist sweaty, in fact it feels cool most of the time. I have slept a few days with the watch on and ... MoreDefinitely the Google Pixel Watch 2 has a lot to offer more than just being a smartwatch or looking good on the wrist. One of the things I consider important is that the operating system is provided by the brand itself which makes using this smartwatch with a Google Pixel phone definitely a more pleasant experience.In the box comes the watch, with the silicon band already installed and an extra larger size band in case you have slightly thicker wrists, in my case I have thin hands and the one provided is enough for me. The watch is easy to wear and has several levels of adjustment. The band material is very soft and in hot days conditions I haven't felt it makes my wrist sweaty, in fact it feels cool most of the time. I have slept a few days with the watch on and haven't felt any discomfort, unlike other smartwatches that are somewhat bulky and hurt when sleeping.Precisely this process, sleeping, is something I am interested in improving and this Google Pixel Watch 2 has been a great ally in this task as it monitors vital signs during sleep hours and presents a report in the morning or when it detects that one is already awake. In this report there is an interesting feature function and is that the Fitbit app (the watch includes 6 months subscription) gives a rating to type of sleep I had in the previous night, day by day it compiles the information to present a much more balanced report and according to the sleep habits detected during the course of the days. The same happens with exercise, if the watch detects that we start to have physical activity it will indicate if we want to start an exercise routine but if we do not select this option even so the watch will take record of the activity and add it to the goals of the day. In fact, these functions and more are available through the Fitbit app, if you do not have a subscription, access to functions such as these will be limited.It is possible to install different apps to get the most out of the GPW 2, from relaxation exercise apps, maps, YT music, email, control the phone's camera from the watch, Keep notes, Spotify, etc. Also the watch can be customized to the maximum, there are different types of Faces, complications and colors to choose from. It is also possible to link a credit card to make payments with Google Pay.Regarding the day-to-day performance there are some things that do not quite please me. The charger, for example, can only be placed in one direction and nothing else, I know it's not a big deal but if for a moment you forget the ideal orientation of the watch, you will find yourself flipping the watch to make it fit the charger. Speaking of charging I must say that the battery lasts as long as necessary and sometimes you have to charge it twice a day, what compensates a little this situation is that the smartwatch is charged fast, in my case while I take a shower and get ready I put it to charge and the battery lasts me almost all day.The Google Pixel Watch 2 is a watch that is comfortable to wear, it is not that big, at least for skinny people like me it is a fair size, I have had watches a few mm bigger but this watch I consider is one of the most comfortable I have used. The part that is not so nice is that the bezels are a little thick and take up more space on the screen than I would like, but still the screen looks great and has an excellent level of brightness.I consider it a balanced smartwatch but I feel that it has so many options, functions and applications that the configuration can be a bit tedious, but once connected with the phone in my case a Google Pixel 6a everything works as it should, personally I have had a pleasant experience with the enhanced assistant, which they have definitely improved it.In summary, this Google Pixel Watch 2 is a good option and more in combination with the Fitbit app that helps to keep record of our daily habits like walking, sleeping, exercise, schedule routines, stress management and mindfulness, etc. If you have an Android phone or a specific Google Pixel phone and want to improve the experience, this smartwatch is for you, recommended.
It's a nice-looking watch, but rather small for a man's wrist. It's light to wear, but I found the strap uncomfortable.The most annoying issue, was the whole set-up procedure! The watch can only be set up and run using the Watch app. Eventually, after a couple of days of trying all possible scenarios, it finally connected - the problem seems to have been that the watch required a software update before being able to sync with the app - a chicken and egg situation, which somehow eventually solved itself!One of my main reasons for considering this watch was the promise of comprehensive and accurate health and fitness data in conjunction with Fitbit. However, what is NOT well advertised is that a Fitbit Premium subscription is required in order to connect with any of ... MoreIt's a nice-looking watch, but rather small for a man's wrist. It's light to wear, but I found the strap uncomfortable.The most annoying issue, was the whole set-up procedure! The watch can only be set up and run using the Watch app. Eventually, after a couple of days of trying all possible scenarios, it finally connected - the problem seems to have been that the watch required a software update before being able to sync with the app - a chicken and egg situation, which somehow eventually solved itself!One of my main reasons for considering this watch was the promise of comprehensive and accurate health and fitness data in conjunction with Fitbit. However, what is NOT well advertised is that a Fitbit Premium subscription is required in order to connect with any of the 'advanced' features (costing £7.99 monthly after a 6-month free trial!).Even if the cost is not a concern, the real issue is that these 'advanced' features provide inaccurate data or do not work! I wore the watch for 3 weeks day and night (except for 2hrs daily charging it), but during that time did not receive any sensible data logged by the app. My recorded sleep was around 1hr 30mins - maybe over 2hrs a couple of times! My Apple watch tracks my sleep consistently at between 5hs 30mins and 7hrs nightly over the past 2 years. Even the heart rate monitoring is poor - showing a typical range 65-117bpm - whereas my Apple watch reports 65-75bpm (both resting) over similar days. I have not been able to retrieve any data about skin temperature or blood oxygen saturation!As for other features - the battery does not achieve 24hrs, even if the 'always on screen' is disabled along with all notifications.Overall, I am very disappointed as I had expected more from Google with this second version of their Pixel watch. Perhaps I have a defective example of this watch - it certainly seems that some of the sensors on the watch are not working correctly?Based on my experiences, I cannot recommend this watch.
I've used this watch for four days and I've really enjoyed it. I'm upgrading from a Sense 2 using a pixel 7 android phone and I feel like using the pixel watch 2 addressed some of my biggest frustrations with the sense 2. I had to replace a catch-fire-on-your-wrist Ionic and went with the Sense 2 which had the most robust feature set at the time and had three really big issues with it: 1) Its horrible to try and use with gloves (below freezing) or when its over 85 F and 90+% humidity, kinda like it was designed by a California company that was unaware the rest of the country has inclement weather. 2) I really (like really really) missed my buttons on the Ionic - the touch screen was always doing the opposite of what I wanted, especially on runs when it would pause ... MoreI've used this watch for four days and I've really enjoyed it. I'm upgrading from a Sense 2 using a pixel 7 android phone and I feel like using the pixel watch 2 addressed some of my biggest frustrations with the sense 2. I had to replace a catch-fire-on-your-wrist Ionic and went with the Sense 2 which had the most robust feature set at the time and had three really big issues with it: 1) Its horrible to try and use with gloves (below freezing) or when its over 85 F and 90+% humidity, kinda like it was designed by a California company that was unaware the rest of the country has inclement weather. 2) I really (like really really) missed my buttons on the Ionic - the touch screen was always doing the opposite of what I wanted, especially on runs when it would pause or end my activity with the slightest bead of sweat or tug on my sleeve. 3) If I'm honest, I expected more and more functionality out of the Sense 2 but felt like the amount of third party of first party apps was going down instead of up. Having a Google Home integrated house and not being able to do anything about it on my Google-manufactured smart watch was really frustrating.I bring all of this up to contrast my Pixel Watch: the Pixel Watch does a FANTASTIC job being my workout companion, I find it easy to get to my workouts and I can lock the screen so my run or bike ride gets recorded in full. Out of the box the Pixel Watch provides the kind of integrated Google experience I expect where I can manage my smart home, including unlock Yale doors or turn on Philips light bulbs without worrying about where my phone is. I also like how configurable the out of the box watch faces and widgets are: I was able to customize my watch face for the four stats I care most about (HR, outdoor temp, calendar and steps) and there are helpful widgets that provide better insights into my biosensor/fitbit data than any predecessor fitbit device provided. New features like sensing when I'm stressed are cool, but I haven't quite figured out how to make them valuable to me. I did tweak my screen settings so that it taps to wake screen and that's given me around a day and half battery for a charge: Great for a true smart watch but significantly less than most garmin and fitbit productsObservations that weren't dealbreakers for me: 1) I had to go onto the forums and learn how to do a hard reboot of the watch during initial setup since it didn't work the first time: worked perfect the second try. 2) In order to setup FitBit on the watch I had to migrate my fitbit account to a google account. This proved difficult since we have a fitbit family account and while I'm the primary guardian of our fitbit account my wife is the primary guardian in google. It was pretty frustrating but we eventually figured that out. 3) I have yet to get Google Wallet to work on my watch: this one actually bugs me a bit since I really want to be able to complete purchases without fishing out wallet or phone - much cleaner and safer. 4) I already have fitbit premium because I found the additional functionality worth it without a pixel watch, but not everyone will agree and you really should consider it to get the most from the watch.
I've had a smart watch for years, but it's hard to believe what they can do now. I performed an EKG on myself to get some heart diagnostics... with my watch! I'm getting a little ahead of myself here, but one of the interesting things is the number of disclaimers you have to agree to with regard to the health measurements. I understand why they have them, as this is likely not going to be as precise as what you might get from medical equipment at a medical office - but I can still see how valuable this is for anyone wanting better measures of their health. Despite the disclaimers, I’m sure these readings will be consistent to themselves - so if there are any concerning trend lines, it could alert me to see my doctor.My main use case for this smart watch is to get ... MoreI've had a smart watch for years, but it's hard to believe what they can do now. I performed an EKG on myself to get some heart diagnostics... with my watch! I'm getting a little ahead of myself here, but one of the interesting things is the number of disclaimers you have to agree to with regard to the health measurements. I understand why they have them, as this is likely not going to be as precise as what you might get from medical equipment at a medical office - but I can still see how valuable this is for anyone wanting better measures of their health. Despite the disclaimers, I’m sure these readings will be consistent to themselves - so if there are any concerning trend lines, it could alert me to see my doctor.My main use case for this smart watch is to get notifications as I typically keep my phone in my pocket. I think we’ve all had our share of “phantom notifications” - so also getting them on your wrist gives the certainty that, yes, you did get a notification, and you can see if it’s something you need to take your phone out for or not. The WearOS interface makes it pretty easy to disable notifications that you don’t want to see, although it’s a bit challenging to add them back if you’re not getting them. But this will constantly update as new updates to the watch and my phone occur.I also like the scroll dial on the side to help read longer notifications. It’s really useful, especially since the watch face itself is obviously much smaller than a smartphone screen, so swiping to read blocks your view with your finger. It’s also far more precise, and I find myself using it more each day this way.The only drawback I can see with this watch - I’m surprised it’s not wirelessly chargeable. It has its own special charging cord that is only for this watch. I hope that cord never gets damaged (or I don’t lose it), because it’s rather unique. Wireless charging has become somewhat commonplace now, so that would have been a better way to go.Also, it comes with a subscription to the Fitbit capabilities now built-in. I appreciate the ability to try what Fitbit can do for me, but I’m a little surprised that it doesn’t auto-detect when I’m active, such as going for a walk or run. The sleep tracking elements might be useful, I’ll have to see if it offers tips over time for how to get more effective rest. Right now it shows me the different stages of sleep and how long I’m in each stage, which is something I had without a monthly subscription in an older smart watch.To anyone considering this watch - an important thing to remember is that Google is very good and aggressive with updates - so unless there’s something you don’t like about the size or physical placement of buttons - know that it will be updated and things that bother you might improve. I don’t think that can be said for many other watches.
| Technology | Bluetooth/WiFi |
| Announced | 2023, October 04 |
| Dimensions | 41 x 41 x 12.3 mm (1.61 x 1.61 x 0.48 in) |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Resolution | 450 x 450 pixels (~320 ppi density) |
