EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT: The Google Pixel Watch 2!

Posted by Tehillah Mwakalombe on 6th Oct 2023

The Google Pixel Watch 2 is now available for pre-order at a price of $350, which is the same price the first generation launched at. The design is very similar to the first generation, with most improvements being in terms of the software and internal components.

After months of leaks, rumors, and official teasers, Google has finally, formally released the Pixel Watch 2. We knew a lot of what to expect before the official announcement the Pixel Watch 2 looks almost identical to the first Pixel Watch, it has a few improvements, and costs the same initial price. Here's everything you need to know about it!

An up-close view of Pace Training on Pixel Watch 2 with the Coral Active Sport Band.

AVALIABILITY ANND PRICE

The Pixel Watch 2 is available for preorder from Google now for the same $350 as the first generation (previous) model. It comes in Matte Black with an Obsidian band, Polished Silver with either a Porcelain or Bay band, or Champagne Gold with a Hazel band. The General availability starts on October 12.

SPECIFICATIONS

Case Material	Aluminum
Case size	41mm
Colors	Matte Black; Polished Silver; Champagne Gold
Display	1.2" 450 x 450 AMOLED
CPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 with Cortex M33 co-processor
RAM	2GB
Storage	32GB
Battery	306mAh
Software	Wear OS 4
Health sensors	Optical heart rate, SpO2, ECG, continuous EDA, skin temperature
Price	Starting at $350
Dimensions	41 x 41 x 12.3 mm
Weight	31g (without strap)
IP Rating	IP68
Cellular connectivity	LTE

DESIGN AND HARDWARE

When you look at it, the Pixel Watch 2 is nearly identical to the first generation it's the same size and shape and has a very similar domed glass face. It's available in one size, 41mm, with a 1.2" AMOLED display surrounded by bezels that are larger than what you'll find on a lot of competing smartwatches. Google has also reengineered the watch's crown this generation, which should make for smoother, more natural scrolling.

A line of three Pixel Watch 2 devices. From left to right: Emergency Location Sharing on Pixel Watch 2 with the Porcelain Active Band; Safety Check on Pixel Watch 2 with the Bay Active Band; and Medical ID on Pixel Watch 2 with the Hazel Active Band.

The Pixel Watch 2's internal hardware has more upgrade. The newer chipset should mean slightly quicker performance and better battery life than the first-gen Pixel Watch. Google says the Pixel Watch 2's battery life is upto 24 hours per charge with the always-on display active.

There’s also new fitness tracking hardware, a continuous electrodermal activity (cEDA) sensor that the Pixel Watch 2 uses to approximate your stress levels, plus a skin temperature sensor Google says helps the watch get better data about your sleep. It also still has all the health tracking features from the first-gen model, including continuous heart rate monitoring and sleep and activity tracking. Fitness data is stored and managed in the Fitbit app.

SOFTWARE

The Pixel Watch 2 comes with Wear OS 4 out of the box. Compared to Wear OS 3, Wear OS 4 isn't a big change, but it comes with some good improvements like the option to pair the watch with a new phone without having to reset it, and apps for Gmail and Google Calendar.

Pixel Watch 2 with the Hazel Active Sport Band shows exercise options. In the background is a phone showing the “Today” tab in the newly redesigned Fitbit app.

In conclusion, The Pixel Watch 2 doesn't try to overly surpass the first generation, but it’s a more polished version. Internal changes like improved fitness tracking and a new chipset that claim to lead to longer battery life should make it a better watch, even if it doesn't look different.