The Pixel Watch 4 stands at the forefront of Google's efforts to dominate the high-end smartwatch arena, but here’s the catch... While on the surface it resembles its predecessor—the Pixel Watch 3—the true innovations lie beneath its sleek exterior. In this review, we'll explore what makes the Pixel Watch 4 a compelling choice for Android users, from its refined display and enhanced performance to its fitness tracking capabilities and new software features. Do these improvements make it the best Android smartwatch available today? Let’s dive in to find out.
Design and Build Quality
The Pixel Watch 4 retains the familiar silhouette of the previous model, but that’s not necessarily a downside. The design is elegant, featuring a distinctive domed glass cover that gently curves over the watch face, giving it a unique, sophisticated appearance. The case is crafted from lightweight aluminum, which can be polished or matte depending on your preferred color scheme.
Available in 41mm and 45mm sizes, I tested the smaller 41mm variant. Its slim profile ensures it doesn’t bulk up your wrist, and its light weight makes it feel almost invisible once worn. The watch features a rotating crown and a side button—though, to be honest, their small size makes them somewhat fiddly and less satisfying to operate.
The watch uses a proprietary connector for wrist straps, which can be a disappointment if you’re hoping for standard lugs with easier strap swaps. While attaching and detaching straps is straightforward in theory, the tiny button that releases the strap can be frustratingly hard to press, especially if you have larger fingers. The default fluoroelastomer strap is comfortable and durable, but third-party options might be limited compared to more open standards.
Build quality is top-notch, with a premium finish and solid construction. However, the display isn’t protected by sapphire crystal like some high-end watches; instead, it uses Gorilla Glass 5. While this still offers decent durability, it’s not as scratch-resistant, so gentle handling is advisable, especially since a large portion of the exterior is just glass, making it more vulnerable to bumps.
Display Technology
The Pixel Watch 4 sports an AMOLED LTPO display with a pixel density of 320 PPI, supporting DCI-P3 color space for vibrant visuals, and peaks at an impressive 3000 nits of brightness. That’s a significant upgrade from the Pixel Watch 3, which topped out at around 2000 nits. The display can dim down to just 1 nit for comfortable viewing in low light.
Google has branded this as the "Actua 360" display, featuring a curved panel that seamlessly follows the contours of the domed glass. Unlike previous models, this display is noticeably larger—about 10% more screen real estate—despite the overall size remaining the same. Those extra pixels and increased brightness make a visible difference, especially outdoors in sunlight.
The curved, fused glass display offers a mesmerizing visual experience; everything appears to float within a large bubble, thanks to how the glass curves and encapsulates the panel. This design is truly eye-catching and sets the Pixel Watch 4 apart from many competitors.
A drawback, however, is glare. The curved glass tends to reflect stray light, especially noticeable when using watch faces with complications around the edges. This can make viewing certain information tricky unless you adjust your wrist or change the watch face.
The default always-on mode is a helpful feature; however, the screen takes about a second to wake when you raise your wrist—a minor annoyance when you need quick info. Nonetheless, this long delay can feel frustrating, especially for a device meant for instant glanceability.
Software and Performance
Running on Wear OS 6.0 right out of the box, the Pixel Watch 4’s software is intuitive, visually appealing, and well-optimized for its curved display. The UI embraces the rounded form factor, with fonts and icons arcing smoothly across the screen, creating a cohesive and immersive experience.
Google offers a variety of watch faces, but many tend to lean towards artistic and colorful designs rather than traditional, elegant watch styles. Some faces mimic classic watches with intricate details, but the default options often look busy or pastel-heavy, potentially lessening their appeal. Fortunately, Android's open ecosystem means you can download alternative watch faces from the Play Store if the default options don’t suit your taste.
In terms of compatibility, I tested the watch with both a Pixel 10 Pro XL and a OnePlus 15. Pairing was smooth and straightforward on both devices, with no significant issues during transfer or connection.
Pairing and Apps
Getting the most out of the Pixel Watch 4 requires installing two separate apps. The Pixel Watch app handles initial setup, watch face customization, and basic settings, while the Fitbit app is necessary for fitness and health data. This setup might seem inconvenient, as it forces users to juggle multiple apps, but it reflects Google’s emphasis on dedicated fitness tracking via Fitbit.
Regarding hardware performance, the new Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chip provides decent processing power. While it’s similar to previous chips in daily use, I noticed minor hiccups immediately after startup. Once settled, the watch performs smoothly during most tasks.
The haptic feedback system is precise, providing firm taps, particularly around the crown. Speaker and microphone functionalities also work well, supporting calls and voice commands.
Health and Fitness Tracking
Equipped with a suite of sensors, the Pixel Watch 4 can monitor heart rate, blood oxygen levels, skin temperature, ECG, and even detect arrhythmias—making it a versatile health companion. Sleep, step count, and stress level tracking round out its features.
All health data is accessible through either the Fitbit app or the companion phone app. Without Fitbit installed, data is limited to the watch’s basic interface.
In practical testing, step and distance tracking were slightly over-optimistic compared to other devices like the OnePlus Watch 2, especially when GPS wasn’t active or during vehicle rides. Heart rate and blood oxygen readings, however, were consistent with external measurements and other wearables, indicating reliable sensors.
Sleep tracking provided reasonable results, aligning well with my general experience, though a more detailed evaluation would require medical-grade devices.
GPS performance impressed me with quick satellite locking times—both when paired with a phone and relying solely on satellite signals.
Battery Life and Charging
Google claims the Pixel Watch 4 can last around 30 hours with typical usage, thanks to more efficient hardware and software improvements. In real-world testing, I managed approximately two days of use without heavy GPS or intensive features. Adding GPS for a couple of hours reduced this to roughly halfway through the second day.
Unlike some rivals, such as the OnePlus Watch, the Pixel Watch 4 lacks a low-power mode that can extend battery life to over a week. Instead, it’s designed to be used actively, charging quickly when needed.
The quick-charging feature is a highlight—50% in about 15 minutes and nearly full in 45 minutes, which is quite practical for busy schedules. The supplied proprietary charger is simple and functional but incompatible with older Pixel Watch models. While the charger is easy to use, the watch enters a bedside mode when charging, and you get full notifications once charging completes.
Final Thoughts
The Pixel Watch 4 embodies a blend of elegant design, robust hardware, and a polished software experience tailored specifically for Android users. While it falls short in some areas—particularly battery longevity and the limited durability of its display—the overall package is compelling.
If you’re searching for a premium smartwatch that looks beautiful, integrates deeply with Google’s ecosystem, and effectively tracks your health and fitness, the Pixel Watch 4 is highly recommended. Is the slightly shorter battery life a dealbreaker for you, or does its stylish charm and feature set outweigh that? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Google Pixel Watch 4
Pricing starts at €349.00 with 32GB storage and 2GB RAM. Find the best offers through our affiliate links or visit the official site for more details.
