Google has launched the second generation of its Pixel Watch, and it's a significant upgrade over the original model. The biggest change is the much-improved battery life, which is now rated at 24 hours, even with the always-on display enabled. This is a huge improvement over the original Pixel Watch, which could barely make it through a full day on a single charge.
In addition to the better battery life, the Pixel Watch 2 also features a new processor, an overhauled sensor array, added safety features, heart rate zone training, and Wear OS 4. All of these upgrades come at the same price as the original Pixel Watch, making it a very compelling value.
Design and Display
The Pixel Watch 2 has a similar design to the original model, with a round stainless steel case and a domed Gorilla Glass DX+ display. The watch is available in three different finishes: black, silver, and gold. The display is sharp and bright, and it's easy to read even in direct sunlight.
Performance and Battery Life
The Pixel Watch 2 is powered by a new Exynos W920 processor, which is significantly faster than the processor used in the original Pixel Watch. This makes the watch feel more responsive and fluid in everyday use.
The Pixel Watch 2 also has a larger battery than the original model, at 306mAh. This, combined with the new processor, results in much better battery life. Google claims that the Pixel Watch 2 can now last for up to 24 hours on a single charge, even with the always-on display enabled. This is a huge improvement over the original Pixel Watch, which could barely make it through a full day on a single charge.
Health and Fitness Features
The Pixel Watch 2 is packed with health and fitness features, including:
- Heart rate monitoring
- Blood oxygen monitoring
- ECG monitoring
- Sleep tracking
- Activity tracking
- GPS tracking
The Pixel Watch 2 also includes a new feature called heart rate zone training. This feature allows you to set different heart rate zones for different types of workouts, and the watch will track your progress to help you stay in the right zone.
Safety Features
The Pixel Watch 2 includes a number of safety features, including:
- Fall detection
- Emergency SOS
- Safety Check
Fall detection can automatically detect if you've fallen and send an alert to your emergency contacts. Emergency SOS allows you to quickly call for help with a long press of the side button. Safety Check allows you to send a message to your emergency contacts with your location if you feel unsafe.
Software and Features
The Pixel Watch 2 runs Wear OS 4, the latest version of Google's smartwatch operating system. Wear OS 4 includes a number of new features, including:
- A new design that's more modern and user-friendly
- New apps and features, such as Google Maps, Google Pay, and YouTube Music
- Improved performance and battery life
Price and Availability
The Pixel Watch 2 is available now for pre-order, and it will ship on October 13th. The watch starts at $349 for the Bluetooth/Wi-Fi model, and $399 for the 4G LTE model.
Conclusion
The Pixel Watch 2 is a significant upgrade over the original model, with a new processor, an overhauled sensor array, added safety features, heart rate zone training, and Wear OS 4. All of these upgrades come at the same price as the original Pixel Watch, making it a very compelling value. If you're looking for a new smartwatch, the Pixel Watch 2 is definitely worth considering.
Additional Thoughts
Here are some additional thoughts on the Google Pixel Watch 2:
- The Pixel Watch 2 is a great choice for users who want a smartwatch with a clean and simple design. The watch is also very comfortable to wear, thanks to its lightweight stainless steel case and fluoroelastomer band.
- The Pixel Watch 2 is a good choice for users who want a smartwatch with a wide range of features, including health and fitness tracking and safety features.
