2 min readGoogle's latest serving of smartwatches brings with it new sizes, thinner bezels and a sprinkling of AI-powered workouts.
Slated to launch alongside the freshly unveiled Google Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 Fold, the new Google Pixel Watch 3 comes in two sizes. The 41mm version will be lighter and cheaper. The 44mm version can't make that same claim, but it does offer a 30 per cent larger bigger battery.
Both versions of the smartwatch will arrive powered by Wear OS 5. Unfortunately, there's still no word yet on exactly when existing Pixel Watch users will get that new software nor whether this new Pixel Watch addresses the repairability issues that have plagued previous models.
Even if Google's new smartwatches look like dead-ringers for its last set, there are a couple of key improvements that have been made here when it comes to the display.
For example, the Pixel Watch 3 is the first Google smartwatch to ship with one of the brighter Actua displays introduced in recent Pixel devices. In addition to a new higher peak brightness of 2000 nits, the Pixel Watch 3 also features a 16 per cent reduction in bezels, 20 per cent faster charging and a variable refresh rate for greater power efficiency.
In addition to being better, the Pixel Watch 3 is also better integrated into the broader ecosystem of hardware that Google has built over the past decade. For instance, the wearable can now be used as a remote control for the new Google TV Streamer and you can even use it to look through the camera on your Nest Doorbell whenever it rings.
On the other end of the equation, those who are coming to the table for fresh fitness features will find that the Pixel Watch 3 has relatively little to offer on that front. There are no major additions here when it comes to the sensors inside Google's latest flagship wearable, though the companion app experience has been updated to incorporate a new AI-powered workout builder and running coach.
In Australia, pricing for the new Pixel Watch 3 starts at $579 for the 41mm model and $669 for the 45mm model. The cellular version of the 41mm comes in at $749 while getting on-the-go connectivity on the 44m will cost you $839.
Once you've done so, you'll be able to find the Pixel Watch 3 once it launches alongside the new Google Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 Fold on 22 August 2024.
