My hands-on Review: NEW Google Pixel Watch 3 (41mm size)

Google’s new Pixel Watch 3 is out. While it looks virtually identical to the watch to release just last year, is this one worth an upgrade? In this review I'm going to try it out for about two weeks and check out what's new and improved from the previous version. I'll talk about who this watch is for and what it's good at… And what it's not so good at. I'll wrap things up with the pros and the cons and then let you know if I think I can recommend this smart watch to you.

I got this sample watch from Google ahead of its public launch so I could test it out and review it ahead of time. While the company has provided the watch to me at no cost, it has not asked for not received permission to have any input into this review so you can consider these thoughts my own.

What is Google Pixel Watch 3?

This is Google’s third gen smart watch, designed to work with the Google Pixel line of phones, and any newer Android device.

It has built in Fitbit technology for health tracking and fitness, plus it will do all the standard smart watch tasks like send texts, calls, e-mails and calendar alerts and more to your wrist (as long as you’re using it with an Android phone). It can even control your smart home and let you pay for things too. It also, naturally, has built in Google Assistant, which as a rule works far better than Siri.

Speaking of Siri, in what will be a major blow for Apple users looking for a more stylish smart watch option, the Watch will not work with iOS devices.

What’s new with Watch 3?

I'm glad to report that for a change this is a next GEN device that actually has substantial upgrades and changes.

There are a few key design and performance improvements. For starters Google has shrunk the bezels on the watch slightly giving the impression of a slightly larger watch face. The screen has also been made almost twice as bright as the previous version; now up to 2000 nits of peak brightness and I can say right out of the gate the additional brightness is extremely noticeable and very welcome. There's a lot more variability when it comes to colour and shading on the watch now; meaning it goes beyond being a monochromatic single colour screen, which I’m loving.

Google is now offering this watch in a new larger 45 mm size which gives you 40% more screen and 35% bigger battery. I won't be going into that version because my watch is the 41 mm version.

Battery life has been improved a little bit, and the watch now charges about 20% faster. Again, this was noticeable to me right away and another welcome upgrade.

A few other tweaks to this watch allow you to view your live Nest cameras and even use your watch to talk, watch can also be a remote for your Google TV device. The new pixel watch three will also allow you to access off-line Google maps, use your watch to unlock your phone, and even use the recorder app right from your watch.

**Gemini missing??

What’s in the Box?

In the box you get your Watch with a 4-pin charging pad (same version as Watch 2) and there’s an extra size band for adjusting fit too.

Set up

Getting the Watch set up was super fast and easy in my testing: Just bring the charged Watch close to your Pixel phone and set up is automatic, requiring just a few confirmation taps from you, and the download of the Pixel Watch app—then you’ll be ready to go. You can also link an existing Fitbit account in the set up to port that data to your Pixel Watch.

Using Pixel Watch 3

On the surface, it's not going to look like very much is new at all; the watch looks essentially identical to both its previous 2 generations. Where you'll again find significant improvements is under the hood.

Design & Display: Familiar Yet Refreshing
The Pixel Watch 3 keeps the round 1.5 inch touchscreen design of its predecessor. There's new faces available and lots more options in terms of customizing this watch to your personal preferences.
The display is as crisp and vibrant as ever, and the touchscreen is still responsive, making app navigation an absolute breeze.
Performance & Battery
Google has also fitted the Pixel Watch 3 with a slightly bigger battery, meaning you can expect a significant improvement in the overall battery life even with the Always-On Display activated.

The faster charging also means it's a lot easier to charge and go with this watch. I could drop it onto it charging puck for just 15 or 20 minutes while I checked my email in the morning and that would be enough to get it to at least 50% battery. It takes a full 60 minutes to go from 0 to 100%, which Google says is 20% faster (about 15 minutes) than before.
Fitbit

It can also automatically detect and log if you are currently doing a handful of key exercise like walking, running, or using an elliptical machine.

[perriconemdbeauty]

I received my pixel watch 3 45 mm version today. Love the bigger screen. Beautiful design. Nice watch. Runs fast and fluid.
Great video from you Erin.
I hope you're having a great week and you enjoyed using the watch❤

[mayankk]

The only complete review of this product i found on youtube

[CoachD]

Stumbled upon this channel. Very concise, clean and easy to listen to, great job and new sub! Picking up my PW3 today from Best Buy, replacing my PW1. Should go perfect with my P9P XL.

[HankMondaca]

Hey Erin, great review, thank you! At .47 you show the face of this watch, what Golf App is that in blue almost center? I'm not familiar with that icon.

[MrRobertcarnell]

Always a great job on the reviews 👏 Got my Mom a basic smart watch this summer and she really enjoys it. She just uses it for steps and the clock :) If I have some extra cash I'd get this Watch 3 myself.

[JosephBoss]

Great review! Trying to decide between 41mm and 45mm for my wrist - difficult to judge in video. Would you mind sharing your wrist size for comparison?

[mikldude]

Would be interested in your take on the call quality and speaker volume, I saw a speaker test of the P3 a couple of days ago, and coming through YouTube it sounded pretty bad imo.
Again it may have been a mic issue or something.
Cheers.

[culticfrog]

Nice review, thank you. I have ordered my watch in mate black and will get it tomorrow 😊

[leonf.]

Nice review! :) May I ask what the size of your wrist is? My wrist is quite small with 16, 5 cm. 41mm could be too small, 45 mm could be too big 😅

[shane_asylum]

This is the BEST review of the Google Pixel 3 Watch on YouTube. Erin covers many, many features of the watch.

I have watched half a dozen reviewers who go on and on about nothing other than the size of the watch. The other reviewers were males, so, apparently size matters to them.

Erin doesn't mention the size of the watch until 2 minutes in and she spends less than 30 seconds explaining the new size difference and then moves on to more relevant features.

Thank you for providing an informative video.

[tomas]

Thank you for this very nice review. I was surprised that it has skin temperature sensor. I didn't find this information yet. Also thank you for that description of premium payment feature. This is the only thing which makes problem for me to buy it.

[technoshaman]

Thank you for this in depth review, I will purchase one now because of this. I have watched many of these reviews and yours is the best😊

[cgpov]

That yellow pixel case looks awesome, where is it from?

[camwoo]

Congrats on returning to the gym! I'm going back too. With it being September, it's probably time for me to start on some new year's resolutions I set back in January :)

[javidam]

Thanks for this - good summary and information in a concise video

[gabe]

I’m thinking of getting this watch to match my new pixel 9 pro to track my sleep.

[Utkarshdthakkar]

Which case you are using for your pixel?

[amigatommy]

Probable dropped the chip from 7nm to4nm like the samsung galaxy 7.

[heckteck]

Nice just hate the design of the pixel just hate the rounded display I really hope Google makes a cool ruggedized watch like the Galaxy watch ultra which I have now but pairing it with the new pixel 9 pro and just knowing I can't use all of its features irks me so much

[tonkerdog]

The hottest reviewer from the land of cold.