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The Google Pixel Watch 2 builds on Google's first foray into the smartwatch game, with a small improvement to battery life, additional health sensors, and a faster processor for better performance. Aesthetically, most people would have a difficult time finding any difference between the new version and the old one, but the performance differences would be appreciable to first-generation users.
Google recently released the Pixel Watch 3, which has a longer battery life, brighter display, and is offered with a larger screen size of 45mm (as well as the smaller 41mm size). There are also additional software updates.
High and low heart rate notifications
Irregular rhythm notifications
BioTracker PPG biometric sensor
3-axis acceleration sensor
Satellite positioning systems
Battery Size
294 mAh
308 mAh
425 mAh
296 mAh
125 mAh
NFC
Google Wallet
Apple Pay
Samsung Wallet
None
None
Splash, Dust, and Water
Water resistance 50m (swim proof)
Dust resistance (not specified)
IP68
Water resistance 50m (swim proof)
Dust resistance IP6X
Water resistance 50m (swim proof)
Dust resistance (not specified)
Water resistance 50m (swim proof)
Dust resistance IP6X
Water resistance 1.5m (splash/snow proof)
IP68
Safety Features
Safety Check
Emergency Sharing
Medical Information
Fall Detection
Emergency SOS
International emergency calling
Crash Detection
Fall Detection
Fall Detection
Emergency SOS
None
Our Analysis and Test Results
A capable watch and an improvement over the previous generation. Credit: Natalie Kafader
Smart Function
The Google Pixel Watch 2 is an Android-compatible model with Wear OS 4 at its core, and the app libraries, 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.
A key feature for anyone who regularly misplaces their things, the easy-to-use Find My Phone app is very useful (as long as you're in earshot of your phone!) Credit: Natalie Kafader
Health
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 things like heart rate monitoring.
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.
The heart rate sensor is one of many health and fitness tracking sensors and features. Credit: Natalie Kafader
Battery Life
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.
Display
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.
We measured the brightness of displays and hardness of the protective glass, among the many tests we conducted. Credit: Natalie Kafader
Should You Buy the Google Pixel Watch 2?
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.
What Other Smartwatches Should You Consider?
At the price point, we think the Google Pixel Watch 2 is a great smartwatch and health monitoring tool, but its display and battery life aren't as good as similarly priced, and just as capable models like the Apple Watch Series 9 or the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6. Both also offer users a large ecosystem of proprietary apps and third-party apps. Samsung phone users will also enjoy more than the Android OS phone compatibility with a few added Samsung-specific features and functions. However, you have to take a look at the Apple Watch Ultra 2 if you are interested in the best model on the market today, but be prepared to pay a premium.
