Pixel Watch 3 Review: Solid Upgrades, Familiar Limits

Google’s Pixel Watch 3 arrives as the company’s most confident smartwatch yet.

Fitbit health tracking is more accurate and comprehensive, Wear OS feels faster and smoother, and Google services like Wallet and Assistant are better integrated.

Battery life and repairability still lag behind some competitors, but the Pixel Watch 3 is the clearest signal so far that Google knows what it wants its flagship wearable to be.

A Display That Finally Pops Outdoors

The biggest first impression with this watch is the display. Bezels have been trimmed noticeably, especially on the 41-millimeter model, giving more usable screen area without making the watch feel oversized. Peak brightness now reaches around 2,000 nits, which makes watch faces and notifications much easier to read in direct sunlight.

Google also added a 45-millimeter option, which many users prefer for its larger display and improved battery life. And even at the larger size still manages to keep the same minimalist aesthetic that set the original Pixel Watch apart.

Serious Fitness Tracking By Fitbit

Google leans even harder into its Fitbit integration.

Heart-rate tracking is faster and more consistent, sleep analysis feels richer, and automatic workout detection is much less hit-or-miss than on the first two generations.

Newer features like Loss of Pulse Detection and more detailed stress tracking bring capabilities that used to require a separate device. For Android users who want a true all-in-one fitness companion on their wrist, the Pixel Watch 3 finally feels like a credible alternative to the Apple Watch.

Battery Gains, But Still a One-Day Watch

Battery life is better than the first two generations, but it’s still not a multi-day champion.

The larger 45-millimeter model comfortably gets through a full day with the always-on display enabled and often has enough left for sleep tracking. The smaller 41-millimeter version tends to need a nightly charge under heavier use.

Charging is quick enough that a short top-up before bedtime can make overnight tracking possible, but if you’re hoping for a weekend-long run without touching a charger, this watch still isn’t it.

Pixel Watch Finally Hits Its Stride

The Pixel Watch 3 feels like Google finally hitting its stride in smartwatches. It trims bezels and brightens the display, adds a larger 45-millimeter option, and doubles down on Fitbit health tracking with faster heart-rate monitoring and new safety features.

Wear OS is smoother and snappier than before, and Google services like Wallet and Assistant integrate more cleanly than ever.

Battery life is improved but still basically a one-day affair, especially on the smaller model, and the watch remains hard to repair with pricey first-party bands limiting customization. Even so, for Android users who want a polished, fitness-savvy wearable that plays nicely with the Google ecosystem, the Pixel Watch 3 is the most compelling version yet.