Google’s Pixel Watch has finally arrived in India, giving Android users another option when buying smartwatches. The first generation Pixel Watch was not launched in India, we only launched Pixel Watch 2, which I think is a smart decision by Google. The Pixel Watch 2 is expected to be launched alongside the Pixel 8 series at the Made by Google event scheduled for October 4. While the first Pixel Watch was a great-looking smartwatch and a good first attempt, it had some issues. I’ve been using the Pixel Watch for over a year, which is why I think Google hasn’t brought it to India.
The Pixel Watch was announced at last year’s Made by Google event, along with the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. Google’s smartwatch has been in the works for a long time, and when they finally launched it, most people liked the design, including me. It has a very unique design with a domed glass and a round dial with a digital crown. It easily stands out from other smartwatches and looks gorgeous. I honestly believe it is the best looking smartwatch on the market right now.
This is also Google’s first attempt. The Pixel Watch isn’t the best when it comes to fitness tracking, but it keeps up with the latest Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 series and even the latest Apple Watch. I compared the Pixel Watch’s health tracking data (such as steps, activity tracking, sleep monitoring, and heart rate) and a few other metrics to the Galaxy Watch 5 (review) and Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) and came up with accurate Very accurate.
In terms of software, I found the Pixel Watch’s interface (with Wear OS 3.5 built-in) to be much smoother than the Galaxy Watch 5’s. But battery life is its weakest point. Once fully charged, the Pixel Watch can last less than 16 hours with AOD turned on. I did get a day’s worth of battery life with AOD turned off and other battery-saving features enabled, but add a workout or two and you’ll need to charge it at night.
Many users are also unhappy with the size of the display, which is a bit small compared to the Galaxy Watch 5 or the 40mm Apple Watch. Let’s also not forget about the bezels on the Pixel Watch, which make the screen look smaller. However, I don’t mind the small watch face size or bezels, as Google does a good job of hiding the bezels with clever software. Almost all watch faces on the Pixel Watch have black borders that blend in with the thick bezels.
The Pixel Watch isn’t particularly sturdy either. The dome glass has a smooth surface which means any small scratches are clearly visible, if you bang the side against a table or wall the glass will crack which is a huge problem. There’s also no glass replacement, which means you have to be very careful or put on a glass protector, which is what I did as soon as I got the watch.
Google has priced the non-LTE version of the Pixel Watch at $349.99 (approximately Rs. 28,700), while the LTE version is priced at $399.99 (approximately Rs. 32,800). In this price range, the Pixel Watch is actually cheaper than the competition.
Meanwhile, the Indian smartwatch market is dominated by brands such as BoAt, Fire-Boltt and Noise, which produce affordable smartwatches. So despite the many flaws of the Pixel Watch, I think Google’s decision not to launch it in India is a wise one. The search giant also doesn’t have much of a presence in India as it has only launched the Pixel 6a in the country since the Pixel 3. With the launch of the Pixel 7 series in India, Google might want to test the market. Now, Google believes that Indian users are ready for the Pixel Watch. This could be the reason why Pixel Watch 2 is being brought to India.
With the Pixel Watch 2, Google may have more time to improve and make its smartwatches even better. Recent leaks suggest that Google’s new smartwatch will look more or less the same as its predecessor. However, it is expected to offer improved health tracking, better performance via an updated chipset, more frequency bands, and longer battery life. Pixel Watch 2 has been confirmed to be available on Flipkart from October 5.
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