Our most critical test metric, smart function, evaluated and scored the smart capabilities of the Google Pixel Watch 2. As an Android-compatible model and the Wear OS 4 at its core, app libraries and app quality, communication capabilities, and on-watch GPS displays are quite good.
The proprietary apps on the watch are Google Pixel Watch and Fitbit. Both are robust and refined in the Wear OS, and our only real criticism was an occasional device reconnecting issue. The Google Play app store is also available, so there is a large variety of third-party apps to add to the watch. FitBit Premium is also available as an add-on service, but it will add to the cost of ownership over time.
Regarding call quality and texting, we found nothing remarkable about the experience and features. The Google Pixel Watch 2 performs as intended, although the call quality could be better, as it did not suppress background noises very well.
The Google Pixel Watch 2 proved to be a great health monitoring and fitness tracking tool, exhibiting high levels of accuracy when it comes to heart rate monitoring and
Unfortunately, we found the availability of workout types and the quality of those apps, as well as the level of detailed metrics, to be lacking when compared to other smartwatches with more mature health monitoring and fitness tracking capabilities.
Operating the Google Pixel Watch 2 with the GPS on will provide 10 hours of battery life, while operating without the GPS on will extend that runtime to 34.5 hours. While this may be sufficient for most people, it is significantly less runtime than the 150 hours you can get from the best models. Fortunately, this model recharges to a full charge faster than most models. In 71 minutes, the watch will achieve a full charge, while you can get a half charge in about 30 minutes.
The Google Pixel Watch 2's AMOLED screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and provides a bright and crisp display, with very little glare. The Gorilla Glass 5 offers greater shatter resistance over the Gorilla Glass 3, but still boasts the same hardness and scratch resistance, which our test team measured in-house at a Mohs hardness rating of seven.
The Google Pixel Watch 2 is a capable smartwatch, with strong fitness tracking and health monitoring capabilities, but it was outshined by smartwatches with brighter and more vibrant displays, and greater battery life. Therefore, it did not earn a recommendation from our team.
