Fitness and Software
In recent years, I have primarily used analog watches or the Xiaomi Band 6 for basic step tracking and timekeeping. The Apple Watch never appealed to me as I wasn’t very active, didn’t feel the need to check notifications constantly, and didn’t want the hassle of daily charging. However, my perspective changed when I had the opportunity to test the new Google Pixel Watch 4.
I’ve always had a soft spot for circular watches, with the Moto 360 being one of my favorites in the past. The Pixel Watch 4 features a curved domed Actua 360 display with thinner bezels compared to its predecessor. While I tested the 41 mm variant, I personally prefer the 45 mm size for a larger display and better battery life. The display is brighter with 3,000 nits peak brightness, making it more visible in daylight conditions.
Despite the Pixel Watch 4’s proprietary charger design, the fast charging capabilities make up for it. Google claims that the watch can go from 0% to 50% in 15 minutes and from 0% to 100% in 45 minutes. While real-world results may vary slightly, the charging times are impressive. The quick charging feature allows you to top up the battery while doing quick tasks around the house, ensuring it lasts throughout the day.
When it comes to fitness and software, I used the Pixel Watch 4 primarily for tracking my pickleball sessions and walking activities. While it provides calorie burn data, there are limited insights for specific sports-related movements. The watch offers various workout modes, including treadmill and elliptical, but lacks specialized modes for specific gym equipment. The cardio workout detection and floor count accuracy have been inconsistent in my experience.
I typically didn’t wear a watch or band to sleep, but the Pixel Watch 4 encouraged me to do so to access sleep and readiness scores. While the Fitbit app offers suggestions based on readiness, the watch itself lacks actionable insights related to sleep and readiness scores. Google could enhance its fitness apps with more AI-driven features to provide users with valuable insights.
The new Material UI design on the Pixel Watch 4 is sleek and complements devices like the Pixel Fold. The weather app provides a visually appealing layout for hourly and daily forecasts. While the watch offers voice interaction through Gemini, I found limited use for it beyond basic tasks like setting timers or starting workouts.
One standout feature of the Pixel Watch 4 is the pinch gesture for dismissing notifications, controlling media playback, and managing calls with ease. Despite minor gripes, the overall experience with the watch, including the impressive display, robust software, and fitness tracking capabilities, makes it one of the top choices for Android users.
