Pixel Watch 3: Google wants me to “transition” into the (smartwatch) person I refuse to be!،
You see, even though I wear my Pixel Watch 2 every day, I'm not sure I'd call myself a “connected person” just yet. The reason being that I could also do without my smart watch.
In fact, my main phone is an iPhone, so the only reason I continue to use my Pixel Watch 2 that's because I have Android phones on my desk (the Pixel 8 Pro in particular). The $1,000 Pixel 8 Pro that is on my desktop syncs with the Pixel Watch 2 and it works. Otherwise, I'd have to move to Android, and no one is crazy enough to do that! Uh…
All joking aside, I really ended up liking my Pixel Watch 2so it's no surprise, I'm now pretty excited to find out that the Pixel Watch 3 might bring a bunch of upgrades that would make me… upgrade.
Pardon my French, but the Pixel Watch 1 a bit rubbish, which is not the case for Pixel Watch 2. That being said, I have a long list of “things that still need to be fixed”, and I think the Pixel Watch 3 might be the one to respond to my complaints as Pixel Watch 2 user.
Here's why…
The vastly improved Pixel Watch 2 makes me a “smartwatch enthusiast,” but can the Pixel Watch 3 help me make a complete transition?
My 2023 Pixel Watch 2 has the same bezel size as the 2019 Galaxy Watch Active, and that's… not cool.
Needless to say, the Pixel Watch I had many flaws that I've pointed out in several articles here on PhoneArena, which is why I was ready to leave it (and the idea of Pixel Watch) behind… if the Pixel Watch 2 did not deliver. But it happened!
Google has implemented a solid Pixel Watch 2, with much longer battery life, a suitable charger, and a processor that doesn't slow down during basic tasks. But that didn't make me Pixel Watch 2 perfect at all, and I did what I usually do when I don't like a piece of technology – I got paid to complain:
Here's a look back at my November 2023 Pixel Watch 3 wishlist:
- Two Pixel 3 watches in two different sizes
- Bigger screens, thinner bezels
- Even longer battery life (three full days sounds good)
- New band swap mechanism
- New speaker(s)
Fast forward to today, the latest leaks and rumors surrounding the Pixel Watch 3 seem to promise (pretty much) what I asked for! And I'm (really) impatiently waiting for the 45mm we're talking about. Pixel Watch 3, which sounds like something a “smart watch user” would say. And as we've already established, I'm definitely not that guy.
I already like the idea of the new 45mm Pixel Watch, but my updated wishlist for the Pixel Watch 3 is now much longer.
Gemini on the Pixel Watch 3? This seems obvious.
Anyway… While rumor has it that the 45mm version of the Pixel Watch 3 already seems exciting (given the watch's small size of 41mm), after spending even more time with the Pixel Watch 2I have a few more suggestions for Google.
Here’s my updated Pixel Watch 3 wishlist for 2024 – this would make the perfect Pixel Watch:
- Google, please don't ship it Pixel Watch 3 with the same cheap silicone strap; it picks up dirt and sweat, and it… stinks (like literally); I bought the cheapest fabric strap I could find on eBay, and it's a million times cleaner, more comfortable, and doesn't retain any foul odors.
- Give me a real Pixel charger; although I like the power of the magnets, it is clear that the charger comes with the Pixel Watch 2 is a cheap unbranded charger, and that's a shame for a $350 product; not to mention the charger is white, which makes no sense because there isn't a single white dot on the watch or any of the straps you can choose from; the charger should be black, or better yet, match the color of the watch (gold would be great)
- To be even more practical, I have set many timers, so I can't avoid mentioning that the timer interface/experience on the Pixel Watch could (and should) be much better; As it stands, it's not necessarily buggy, but it's glitchy and not on the level of the equally expensive Apple Watch.
- Let me see the entire calendar instead of just my upcoming events; if I look at my calendar, I probably want to see a real calendar
- Becoming even more precise, the Pixel Watch 2 doesn't always connect to my Wi-Fi in the morning and doesn't always exit “Bedtime Mode” when it's supposed to (which could be related to Wi-Fi inconsistencies)
- I know that the FitBit subscription is optional and that the Pixel Watch doesn't need it to work, but let's try to make the watch even less dependent on a premium FitBit subscription for “premium” fitness features; I know I'm pulling out the Apple Card again, but… Apple doesn't do that, and the Apple Watch costs the same
- As Google sends quarterly “Pixel drops” to Pixel phones with new features, I'd like to see a similar love for the Pixel Watch; for example, some of my (software-related) complaints about the Pixel Watch 2 could easily be fixed with a software update
- Speaking of software, longer software support is a must; especially since the Pixel 8 now benefits from 7 major Android updates, 3 years of operating system updates for the Pixel Watch it looks a bit shabby
- And finally, what is a smart laptop without… AI? Let’s get Gemini on board!
The Pixel Watch 3 may be poised to become “the default Android smartwatch,” but don't sleep on the OnePlus Watch 2 (with 2-4-10 days of battery life)
The VivoWatch 3 took a lot of design inspiration from the Pixel Watch, but did one thing better: thinner bezels. This is exactly what the Pixel Watch 3 should look like!
Even though I have small hands (and I really do), the 41mm Pixel Watch 2 was made way too small and some UI elements are just plain hard to reach, like the little button that returns your current timers. Seriously, it's the size of a booger. A little booger.
The obvious side, meeting all the specific wishes of my upgrade Pixel Watch 3 wish lists would be the many cherries on top of the Pixel Watch cake (I hate the reference to cake but I haven't found anything better).
Let's be clear, Google's only goal should be to make the Pixel Watch 3 the default Android smartwatch for me and (more importantly) for actual Android users. So let’s hope that the Pixel Watch 3 can get there! That said, the competition is not sleeping.
