Google Pixel Watch 3: Specs, new tricks, and Pixel Watch 2 comparison

Google's Pixel Watch 3 has a few key changes that make it much more competitive against the other best Android smartwatches. But it's also fairly expensive, especially if you want the larger model.

Our Pixel Watch 3 buyer's guide will help you decide if the 45mm model is worth the extra $50, plus whether you should spend another $100 on the LTE cellular version.

We'll also run through how the Pixel Watch 3 specs, sensors, and features compare against the Watch 2 and 1.

And since Google regularly updates the Pixel Watch 3 with post-launch software and tools, we'll run through what to expect and how to check if you're on the latest version.

The Pixel Watch 4 likely won't arrive until August 2025, but we already have an idea of what it'll look like — very similar to the Watch 3. For now, the Pixel Watch 3 is our staff's favorite smartwatch, and one worth paying attention to.

Google Pixel Watch 3: Price & cellular

The Google Pixel Watch 3 launched on September 10, 2024, in 32 countries; only 20 of those sell an LTE version. It requires an Android phone running Android 10+ and a Google account. Some features are Pixel-exclusive, but you can still easily use it on other Android phones.

The 41mm Watch 3 costs $349 / £349 / €399 / CA$479 / AU$579, or $449 / £449 / €499 / CA$599 / AU$749 with 4G LTE. The Pixel Watch 3 45mm costs $399 / £399 / €449 / CA$549 / AU$669, or $499 / £499 / €549 / CA$669 / AU$839 with LTE.

If you buy it from the Google Store, you can get trade-in value for recent Apple, Fitbit, Garmin, Google, or Samsung watches, ranging from $30 for Fitbits to $300 for an Apple Watch Ultra 2. Your device must be in good condition — you get halved value if it's visually scratched but still turns on — and credit varies by region.

The Watch 3 LTE comes with 500MB of free, speedy Google Fi data per month — double what the Watch 2 offered — without needing a carrier; after you hit the cap, data speeds slow to an unusable 256kbps.

You'll need to add the Watch 3 LTE to your phone plan for calls, emergency support without a phone, and streaming music. Arguably, you shouldn't buy the LTE version unless you plan to add it to your carrier. You probably don't need the cellular upgrade unless you frequently leave your smartphone at home — such as during workouts — though it'll come in handy if your phone dies.

If you do decide to get the Watch 3 LTE, this Google Support link lists the international carriers that will accept it on your plan; we've singled out the North American carriers below:

• AT&T (FirstNet)
• Cellcom
• CSpire
• Google Fi
• T-Mobile
• UScellular
• Verizon
• Xfinity
• Bell
• Rogers
• SaskTel
• Telus
• Virgin

Google Pixel Watch 3: Colors & straps

The Pixel Watch 3 41mm comes in four finishes: a Matte Black case with an Obsidian Band, Polished Silver with a Porcelain Band, Champagne Gold with a Hazel Band, and Polished Silver with a Rose Quartz Band.

As for the larger Pixel Watch 3 45mm variant, it only comes in three color options: the same Matte Black and Polished Silver case options, plus a Matte Hazel case with a Hazel band.

Both watches come with a Pixel Watch Active Band in small and large sizes, plus a proprietary USB-C charging cable. It's not the same charger as the first-gen Pixel Watch, but you can use the Watch 2 charger if you have it.

Otherwise, Google sells excellent (but expensive) first-party bands for a change in style, and we have a guide on the best Pixel Watch 3 bands that include more affordable and diverse third-party options.

Google Pixel Watch 3: Specs and 41mm vs. 45mm

The Google Pixel Watch 3's 41mm and 45mm variants mostly share the same specs and features; we've bolded the differences in the table above, but they mostly relate to display size and battery capacity.

Wear OS 5 has an adaptive UI layout that fits more info onto larger displays. The photo below shows how the 1.43-inch Watch 3 45mm can show more icons than the 1.27-cinh Watch 3 41mm. But both displays have the same pixels per inch.

The Pixel Watch 3 45mm has an extra 114mAh of capacity over the 41mm. Some of that powers the larger display, but it also helps the larger model last slightly longer. That may factor into your choice to spend the extra $50. Both watches last longer than Google's official estimate of 24 hours with AOD, but the 45mm can hit closer to two days.

The other key difference is that the 41mm watch can be charged in 60 minutes, while the 45mm watch takes 80 minutes because of that extra capacity.

Most of the Android Central staff prefers the 45mm Watch 3 for the extra display space and battery life, and because it doesn't weigh much more than the 41mm. But a couple of us prefer the 41mm because it's more petite, better fitting the original water-droplet style that made Pixel Watches popular.

Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch 2 vs. Watch 1

We have an in-depth Pixel Watch 3 vs. Watch 2 guide that runs through every key difference, as well as the table above to highlight the main upgrades across each generation.

By and large, the Pixel Watch 3 41mm is quite similar to the Watch 2:

• Both use a Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 with four Arm Cortex-A53 cores at 1.7GHz, plus a Cortex M33 MCU.
• You get 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage with either watch.
• They have the same ingress protection against dust and water, plus the same Gorilla Glass 5 layer.
• The 41mm Watch 2 and 3 measure the same size, weight, and battery capacity.
• Your health sensors and Fitbit software are the same, too.

Since the new Snapdragon chip is coming in 2025, the Watch 3 and 2 have comparable performance, though both beat the Watch 1.

The Pixel Watch 3 41mm display shrunk its display bezel by 16%, so you get a 1.27-inch, 408x408 display instead of a 1.2-inch, 384x384 display. The brightness jumps from 1,000 to 2,000 nits for better visibility in direct sunlight. And the Watch 2 and Watch 1 have no larger display option.

The Watch 3 display also added LTPO tech to hit 60Hz for normal use or as low as 1Hz for the always-on display, while the last-gen display tech couldn't transition as smoothly or save battery life as readily.

In terms of connectivity, the Pixel Watch 3 leaps from Bluetooth 5.0 to 5.3 for a stronger, more efficient phone connection with less signal interference. It supports the Wi-Fi 5GHz standard for faster app download speeds, along with Ultra Wideband to enable a Watch Unlock feature for your connected Android phone.

Charging on the Pixel Watch 3 is slightly faster, taking 15 minutes less to hit 100% power on the 41mm model (the 45mm takes 5 minutes more, but with more capacity to fill).

Google also told us that the Pixel Watch 3 has their "most accurate heart rate" compared to the Watch 2 and 1 thanks to an improved algorithm. In our review, we found the Pixel Watch 3 did quite well for heart rate accuracy, though not perfectly.

All three Pixel Watches now sport the Wear OS 5 update, but the Watch 3 has over two years of support left, while the Watch 1 shouldn't receive the next version update this fall.

As for Pixel Watch 1 owners considering an upgrade, it's best to look at our Pixel Watch 3 vs. Watch 1 guide. The two-generation gap is pretty substantial, with the Watch 3 significantly better for performance, health data like stress and skin temperature, display size and brightness, battery life, charging speed, and years of support left.

Google Pixel Watch 3: New software

The Pixel Watch 3 runs on Wear OS 5, an update dedicated to better Google app integration, battery efficiency, and improved Fitbit fitness features. Some key apps and features include the following:

Wear OS 5.1

• 20% better battery efficiency during workouts
• Grid-based app launcher
• Live feeds from your Nest Doorbell on your wrist
• Remote control menu for your Google TV Streamer
• Expanded Call Assist screening or Pixel Recorder recordings connected to your Pixel phone
• Custom-made or AI-generated daily workouts based on your Cardio Load

Google has promised that it will provide quarterly Wear OS updates on Pixel Watches moving forward, starting with Wear OS 5.1. This March update added an improved step count algorithm, better menstrual health tracking in the Fitbit app, a Restore Credentials function for easier restoring from backup, a new accent color in the menu, and new "Modes."

Pixel Watch 3 owners also finally received the Loss of Pulse feature in the U.S. in early April, so your watch will call 911 if it detects heart failure. And the watch added native Scam Detection so that you can check if a caller is suspicious on your wrist.

The Pixel Watch 3 March update had a slow, buggy rollout, and not everyone received it. If you want to check if you have it, go to Settings > System > System updates and see the current version. You can then rapidly tap the screen for about 15–30 seconds to make the Watch 3 check for another available update.

As for future Pixel Watch 3 features, we know Wear OS 6 should arrive in late summer, and the current rumor is that it'll add Gemini in place of Assistant. We should learn more at Google I/O in May.

Google Pixel Watch 3: Should you buy it?

The beautiful circular Pixel Watch 3 ranks second on our list of best Android watches. Unless you want the less-stylish but impressive Galaxy Watch 7 or the ultra-pricey Galaxy Watch Ultra, you won't find another watch that matches it for speedy Wear OS updates.

I'm especially fond of the Pixel Watch 3 45mm, as I love how Wear OS 5 adapts to use the extra space and how its extra 6g of weight is barely noticeable. I could wish that the Watch 3 lasted as long as the five-day OnePlus Watch 3, but at least it have better longevity than the Watch 2.

If you're weighing a Pixel Watch against another Android brand, our Pixel Watch 3 vs. OnePlus Watch 3 guide or Pixel Watch 3 vs. Galaxy Watch 7 guide can give you more context!

Overall, I still highly recommend the Pixel Watch 3. It's stylish, fast, and better connected with your other Google and Pixel devices. If you're intrigued by its Fitbit training tools and like its aesthetic, then this is a no-brainer.

If you do decide to buy a Pixel Watch 3, bookmark my Pixel Watch 3 beginner's guide for what settings to change and features to activate once you unbox your new watch!