All the features you want

Google got off to a somewhat rocky start when it released its first smartwatch in 2022, but it didn’t take long for the company to find its direction. Google Pixel Watch 2 is one of the best smartwatches on the market and comes with a number of great features. Of course, nothing is perfect. It’ll be a long time before a new model comes out, but we’ve put together a list of what to expect from the Google Pixel Watch 3.

The Pixel Watch has faced significant durability issues, especially with its display, mainly due to the relatively thin glass used. Although the Pixel Watch 2 has slightly improved glass quality, many consumers and reviewers report that the watch is still quite susceptible to damage. To further complicate matters, the watch’s self-repair process is nearly impossible, forcing owners to rely solely on their Google Pixel Watch customer support for repairs. This not only adds to the inconvenience, but also leads to not using the watch for long periods of time.

Google Pixel Watch 3 offers an opportunity to decisively address these durability concerns. The easiest solution seems to be to choose thicker, more durable glass. This may slightly increase the size, weight, and cost of the device, but the increased durability is a worthwhile tradeoff.

Garmin, Apple, and Samsung typically offer multiple sizes for their watches, but the same cannot be said for Google. The Pixel Watch 2 comes in just one size: 41mm. While this may be perfect for many people, others have larger wrists or want a larger display or longer battery life, even if it’s a little heavier to wear.

The solution is simple. Google needs to add a 45mm option to the Pixel Watch 3. This will appeal to those looking for a larger display or a larger size to accommodate different wrist sizes.

The good news is that Google is very likely to do just that.A new report has recently arrived 9to5Google Information has surfaced from a “person familiar with the matter” that suggests the company will introduce a second size this time.

The Google Pixel Watch 2 takes a fairly subdued approach to case colors, opting for metallic shades of gold, black, and silver. Personally, I agree with Henry Ford’s opinion and believe that the only color everyone needs is black (I’m only half joking), but my opinion may be in the minority. I doubt it. Some smartwatches on the market offer a more diverse and unique color palette. Apple in particular has excelled in this area with his Apple Watch Series 9, which comes in shades such as Product Red and Pink.

If Google is aiming to make the Pixel Watch 3 stand out, incorporating color seems like an easy strategy. Perhaps Google could take inspiration from the Pixel smartphone series and introduce colors like rose and baby blue, or bring back old Pixel favorites like Oh So Orange. Even though I almost always use a black phone, his old Pixel used the latter color. It stood out in a way that was hard to ignore. He hopes the Pixel Watch 3 will be able to do the same with case coloring in 2024.

I really appreciate the safety signals feature on the Pixel Watch 2. Essentially, it allows you to use SOS cellular functionality in emergencies without requiring an active LTE cellular plan. This feature requires an extra $50 on the LTE model, but the peace of mind it provides makes it a small sacrifice. There’s always a chance that your phone will remain dead while you’re hiking or running. It’s reassuring to have a backup solution in case of an emergency. However, having to pay for a Fitbit Premium subscription isn’t very appealing. Premium costs just $10 a month, but the watch has cell phone plans starting at a similar price point. Additionally, unlike a full cell phone plan, this service only works in emergencies.

I think Google should pay for emergency services and provide this feature for free to Pixel Watch 3 LTE users. This gives Google a unique position in the market, offering outstanding features that other brands don’t offer for free. Apple and several other brands have SOS features, but they all require an active (and paid) cellular connection.

In our own Pixel Watch 2 review, we found the watch’s GPS to be quite unstable compared to other fitness trackers and devices. For example, during testing, we found that even when GPS disappears, it continues to claim to be tracking you. The reported distance will be inaccurate when compared to devices such as the Apple Watch. Due to its association with Fitbit technology, it’s not a great look for a watch that’s clearly aimed at fitness. Simply put, we feel that Google needs to upgrade his GPS sensor for the Pixel Watch 3.

The Google Pixel Watch 2 has only been out for a few months as of this writing, so it will likely be a while before Google officially announces its plans. Apart from the aforementioned report that the Pixel Watch 3 is said to come in two sizes, there are no other rumors yet. Nevertheless, Google’s acquisition of Fitbit and improvements to the Watch 2 make it clear that the company is probably just getting started.

When can we see it? Let’s take a quick look at the company’s startup history.

• Pixel Watch — October 13, 2022
• Pixel Watch 2 — October 12, 2023

Although it’s only been released twice so far, the Pixel Watch has always launched alongside the Pixel series in October. Unless Google makes a big shift here, we can expect the Pixel Watch 3 to arrive in the fall of 2024 alongside the rumored Pixel 9.

If you’re interested in a Google watch, the Google Pixel Watch 3 is still more than six months away. Due to the long wait time, we recommend purchasing the current model. After all, the Pixel Watch 2 is already a great watch, and it’s only been a few months.

Interested in the Pixel Watch series? The most obvious alternative on the Android side is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series ($349.99 at Amazon). For those who don’t mind switching to an iPhone midway through, the Apple Watch Series 9 ($392.67 at Amazon) is also a worthy alternative.