When Google introduced the Gen 1 Google Pixel Watch back in 2022, many thought it might be the Apple Watch equivalent for Android fans. Despite the tech giant holding control over both hardware and software, Google’s “first full-featured premium smartwatch fell short of those lofty expectations, but one year later, Google is still chasing the dream. During the recent ‘Made by Google’ event, the tech giant unveiled its latest shot at the title: the Pixel Watch 2.
Packed with a laundry list of improvements and upgrades, the new Pixel Watch 2 smartwatch has a renewed focus on fitness and health tracking. For this edition, Google has once again partnered with Fitbit, adding new features such as the stress-detection sensor from last year’s Fitbit Sense 2.
Google Pixel Watch 2 Design
In terms of its appearance and style, the new Pixel Watch 2 still rocks its signature rounded screen, which gives it a familiar charm. The smartwatch sticks with its familiar 41 mm case and a sharp 1.2-inch AMOLED display with Gorilla Glass 5 and you still get the same 320ppi AMOLED display boasting DCI-P3 colour and a peak brightness of 1,000 nits.
However, there are subtle design changes worth noting. Firstly, the screen now seamlessly lines up with the digital crown, doing away with the small cutout that the original Pixel Watch had. Another change, though not immediately noticeable, is the shift from stainless steel to 100 per cent recycled aluminium for the watch’s body, making it a tad lighter at 31 grams (compared to 36 grams of the original Pixel Watch) and more planet-friendly.
And, for some added flair, Google is offering an expanded colour palette for the Pixel Watch 2, including combinations like Polished Silver/Bay, Polished Silver/Porcelain, Matte Black/Obsidian, and Champagne Gold/Haze.
Pixel Watch 2 Performance
Google has made significant improvements under the hood to supercharge both performance and health and fitness tracking on the Pixel Watch 2. The biggest hardware upgrade comes in the form of Google ditching the first-gen Pixel Watch’s Exynos chip in favour of Qualcomm’s SW5100 processor, also known as the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1.
This new chipset is complemented by 2GB of RAM and a generous 32GB of onboard storage, a significant leap from the previous model’s 8GB. To enhance health tracking, the Pixel Watch 2 adopts a more sophisticated approach. Rather than relying on a single line of LEDs, it employs an array of LEDs and photodiodes to gather measurements from various angles.
AI Integration
With AI now being the new buzzword in tech, it seems almost every new announcement comes with some form of AI wizardry, and the Pixel Watch 2 is no exception. Google is bringing its machine-learning prowess to the latest smartwatch, promising to provide deeper insights into your body and daily routines. This advanced generative AI will soon be accessible through the Fitbit Labs program, giving you access to even more insights from your health data.
“Working alongside our improved AI heart rate algorithm, an all-new heart rate sensor with numerous LEDs produces a more accurate heart rate reading than ever before. In fact, it’s up to 40 per cent more accurate for vigorous activities like HIIT, spinning and rowing,” says the tech giant.
Fitness Features
The smartwatch also integrates Fitbit’s Body Response feature, utilising a new continuous electrodermal activity (cEDA) sensor. Google claims that this sensor “can point to possible signs of stress using a machine learning algorithm that incorporates heart rate, heart rate variability and skin temperature. When the algorithm picks up on physical indicators of positive and negative stress, including excitement, the Body Response feature will send you a notification.” Additionally, the battery sees a modest increase to 306mAh.
Google Pixel Watch 2 Pricing & Availability
What’s great to see is the impressive improvement in charging speeds. Google claims that the Pixel Watch 2 can go from empty to fully charged in just 75 minutes, a remarkable upgrade compared to the 2.5 hours it took for the original Pixel Watch.
As far as connectivity goes, the smartwatch still features the same 4G, UMTS, Bluetooth 5.0, and Wi-Fi 4 as its predecessor. The Google Pixel Watch 2 is now available for pre-order on the official Google store. Pricing starts at AUD$549 for the Bluetooth/Wi-Fi version, with the 4G LTE variant priced at AUD$649.
