Comment

Reader says: Unfair Review of Google Pixel Watch 3

A reader reacted to our negative review of Pixel Watch 3.

Published 12 February 2025 - 15:32

Question: I just read your predominantly negative review of the Google Pixel Watch 3 and was quite amazed. I have a Google Pixel Watch 2 and do not recognise your description at all. I do not find the watch sluggish, I think it is very smooth to use. I also appreciate the elegant design. I have never experienced the watch changing from one time to another when the screen switches from always on to awake. That sounds very strange.

I have read quite a few reviews of the Google Pixel Watch 3 and they have been consistently positive. Among other things, they have highlighted the improved battery life.

You write that smartwatches are fundamentally quite unnecessary gadgets. I think the opposite, that they are functional and fulfil a need. My smartwatch makes me happy.

Elias Nordling answers: I understand that you think the review is unfair, I usually don't blurt out criticisms and I find it difficult when someone criticises something I like myself. At the same time, I have to stand by my experience. I have tested several other watches with Wear OS during the spring without feeling that way about them. One thing that might colour my impression is that I use a Fitbit Charge 6 daily. Then it becomes clear how much more cumbersome it is to access the numbers I want to see from the health measurement compared to the simpler activity band. I am particularly annoyed that the reminders to move every hour just disappear, and that I then have to dig deep into the Fitbit app to see if I have taken my 250 steps and how many I have left if I haven't. The issue with the always on screen not being updated happens now and then, even though it has rarely been as extreme as when the watch jumped forward 20 minutes. But it also happens during training, that I checked the pulse, and then saw the watch wake up and the pulse (and the number of steps) become something completely different, and then I think that what was shown on the screen before was worse than if nothing had been shown at all, because it was directly incorrect. These might be bugs because the watch is new, but that's what I have to work with.

Regarding battery life, it is still the case that I have to charge the watch at least once a day even when Always On is not on. At this moment, when I have it on, it has 15 percent battery, this after charging it to 60 percent at five o'clock yesterday, and a bit more in the morning yesterday. I am testing the 41 mm variant and it may very well be that the improved battery life is noticeable on the larger model.

I am glad that you are happy with your Pixel Watch and I do not want to take away that joy, I myself am happy with my Fitbit Charge 6 which I think does the same job but better and cheaper and only needs to be charged every five days, but of course, it does not look as nice on the wrist.