Pixel Watch 2 In-Depth Review: 30 Days Later - Actually Accurate?

After 30 days of usage, here's everything you need to know about the Pixel Watch 2, from new features to how it works without Fitbit Premium, Accuracy, and much more!

0:00 Quick Overview
0:40 What's New vs Pixel Watch 1?
5:49 Daily Activity Tracking & Sleep
11:06 Sports & Workout Features
15:46 Heart Rate & GPS Accuracy
19:25 Wrap-up & Final Thoughts

Starting off with what’s new, it may look like a 1st gen Pixel Watch from the outside, largely because…well…it’s almost identical. There’s only a very slight change in the material composition itself, rather than the overall design of the unit. Here’s everything that’s new or different on the Pixel Watch 2 compared to the Pixel Watch 1:

– New 100% recycled aluminum housing
– Increased durability of cover glass
– Now 10% lighter (weight) due to new aluminum housing
– Increased battery life to “full 24 hours” in always-on display mode
– Pixel Watch 2 will now run WearOS 4 (Pixel Watch 1 received this update recently too)
– New 4-core CPU to increase performance
– Faster charge times: 12 hours of usage in 30 minutes of charge time
– Added Google Assistant on-watch ability to now query health/fitness stats
– Added watch backup and restore & phone transfer
– Added real-time safety check feature, alerting emergency contacts if you don’t check-in
– Adding medical ID to watch, allowing first responders to see medical info
– Adding 6 new styles of watch faces
– New heart rate sensor: Switched to new “multipath heart rate module design” with 5 photodiodes & 5 LEDs, plus better spacing/coverage
– New skin temperature sensor (upgrade over previous non-dedicated sensor method)
– New skin dermatological sensor added as well, allowing Fitbit Body response feature
– New on-watch zone pacing and heart rate features
– New automatic workout detection for 7 new workout/sport types
– Added background irregular heart rate notifications
– Changed charger design, to non-wireless
– Three colors offered, pricing is $349 for WiFi models, and $399 for cellular models
– Includes 6 months of Fitbit Premium
– Water 50m resistance stays the same, also compatible with existing watch bands

Instead, as you can see, most of the new changes here that are less visible externally are actually internal sensor changes. In particular, focused on the three new health sensors: new heart rate sensor, new skin temperature sensor, new skin dermatological sensor. The first of those three claims to increase heart rate accuracy significantly, while the other two add those readings/trends into the Fitbit app. Previously they did skin temperature sensing via basically proxy guessing, which wasn’t quite as accurate.

Links may be Amazon Affiliate links, for which I may earn a commission at no cost to you.

#PixelWatch2 #PixelWatch #GooglePixelWatch

[youtubezzzz]

You and Dez are the only watch reviews I actually pay attention to. Workout accuracy is important to me, and it seems like a lot of other reviews never go as deep as you guys. Thanks for the video. I really like my Garmin watch, but I want something that gives me more functionality. I'm on android, and the galaxy is wildly inaccurate to even consider. Hopefully Google comes out with a sports version of the watch. Until then Garmin it is.

[JohnB]

I'm thinking of switching from Garmin 955 to this. Garmin is really good for what I need, including a great battery life. But when I work on my backyard garden, I need to see if someone called me or sent me some message and carrying my cell is a real pain, especially with garden gloves on. I often miss someone who were at the door, despite having Nest door bell. My entire yards receive WiFi so I'm thinking this will work. Sounds like HR will be of higher accuracy, but I will miss long battery life... I do a lot of hiking, table tennis, and gardening, so I'm interested in measuring how these "exercises" impact my health.

[Fuuntag]

30 day analysis; this is why we are here, thanks DC ❤.

[DiogoBolinhas]

Having a Pixel 8 Pro, this watch would make sense. But also having a Garmin Instinct 2 means that every other watch feels inferior :/ Getting deeper into the Google ecosystem is tempting but I would lose much more than what I would gain. I watch the reviews for every smartwatch to keep up to date with the industry but every review just makes me appreciate Instinct 2 even more. I have the Instinct 2 tactical solar, to be more precise.

[adamcurpier]

I'm loving mine ... more so from a Smartwatch LTE First, and Sports Watch Second ... primarily a cyclist, so Bike Computer does the logging, and it's nice to have the LTE for safety. Also, when I do run or hike, it does a really good job with GPS and HR. I'm wishing that Garmin /Polar/Coros/Amazfit offer an LTE version of their specific sports watches. ie, . like Garmin did with the 945.

[trounbyfire]

After forever finally a walk through. Thanks! Pre ordered so still waiting. This helped me get a feel for what im getting into.

[snowmanism]

I would like to let people know my watch scratched very very easily... I don't even know how it got scratched because it happened while on my wrist with long sleeves on... No idea what could have done it but I have 1 long and 2 shorter scratches.. they don't bother me per say but I am very irritated that they are there and happened so easily.

[garethsargeant]

I would love it if they would broadcast heart rate. I wouldn't replace a head unit with the watch for rides but it would be a killer feature to not need a heart strap.

[wdw-yfsn]

Never thought I would wear this watch instead of my Garmin and Polar during my weekly runs. Enjoying this watch so far. Its small and light + the tracking seems to be good enough for my data. Instead of watching my wrist every five minutes like I do with my other sportwatches. Back at home I sync my data and it even works with Runna. It works very smooth. Got the watch for free with my p8pro. Main reason why I wear it right now.

[cosemdesiatsedem]

I change GW6 to PW2. And I love it ! Finally, a great and accurate smartwatch for Android .... R.I.P Samsung

[SherazChoudhary]

Awesome review as always! I have noticed that there is only one green HR light on most of the time (probably to save battery). When it senses a workout or maybe it's when the HR is high enough (don't know what the exact logic is) it turns on all 5 green HR lights. The initial 2 minute errors may be a result of it not having shifted to it's more accurate HR mode.

BTW, for me a huge pro is the HR has been way more accurate than the Garmin Venu 2 Plus. But a huge negative is that for some reason there is no cadence measurement when running, why?

[ricoyou]

Loving my watch 2..works great and looks great.

[kovacs]

I wish there was an emphasis on where the data goes. I mean, a lot of people don't care to scroll through graphs on a relatively tiny watch screen as long as it's getting sync'd elsewhere. I just wear the watch, log the activities, and review data on a phone or computer. Why not review the apps a little bit, too? Otherwise, great reviews, of course!

[Whackster]

I've been specifically waiting for your review on this to decide what to do with my unopened promo pixel watch 2.

[dsoman]

Great in-depth review! Thanks for the insights. I've been enjoying mine. Battery life has been ok, not stellar. And I agree that they need to up the ante on sports features. Solid watch overall.

[paulsslightlyactivelife]

I've had the MK1 from launch and it's been perfectly fine during this time. Past experience with an Apple Watch made me get some screen protection early on, and that's probably aided its longevity. 20min charge at breakfast each day is part of the routine. Would love more Garmin-esque sports features (after all, Google is a data-driven company, right?)

[richlaue]

FYI: the charging cord is the same as the Sense and Versa line.
I have the LTE version and barely get 24 hours. Suppose to get an update soon that will extend battery life

[gxbo]

I love the aesthetic of this watch, I would give it a try but I'm not interested in replacing my Iphone 😥

[vce]

Missing some critical sports info here. How long will the battery last during a "Long" workout. Like a half marathon or even a full marathon (if thats even possible). Interesting to know is what the numbers will be with 1:GPS only. 2: GPS and using Google maps. (although this ofcourse will drain the battery) 3: GPS and playing music via BT.

[justinhunter]

Awesome review! Loving my watch 2 i got with my 8 pro.

Just curious though, overall what would you recommended between the watch6/watch 6 classic and the pixel watch 2?