When it comes to the smartwatches intended strongly for Android users, Google's Pixel Watch lineup might not be foremost. However, it is hard to act as if the tech giant isn't a major player in that space. The Google Pixel Watch 3 launched last year, and we expect to see the Pixel Watch 4 made official next month.
If you paid attention to last year's Google launch event, you'll know that there weren't that many upgrades to the hardware in Google's smartwatch. If you were expecting this to be the year that the company remedied that, I'm afraid to tell you that you were waiting in vain. Very little is going to change on the spec sheet.
Google Will Give the Battery a Slight Bump on Both Sizes of the Google Pixel Watch 4
The original Google Pixel Watch and its sequel each came in a single case size, which was the dainty 41mm option. It was only last year that Google finally introduced a bigger 45mm option for those who found the 41mm option a little too small.
This year, the upcoming Google Pixel Watch 4 will maintain that formula, retaining the 41mm and 45mm case sizes, which is a good thing. Last year, if you opted for the bigger model, sure, it might look better on your larger wrist, but it also comes with a slightly bigger screen and a notably larger battery.
This year, that'll remain the same, but thanks to Android Authority, we know that both models will get slight upgrades to their battery capacities. I emphasize slight, because neither one will get more than a 10% boost, so don't expect a world of difference.
| Google Pixel Watch 3 | Google Pixel Watch 4 | |
| 41mm | 307mAh | 327mAh |
| 45mm | 420mAh | 459mAh |
Don't Expect Improved Performance From the Upcoming Smartwatch
Unless Google leans into some software magic and optimization, the battery life in the Pixel Watch 4 models will be mostly the same, especially since the chipset is going to remain the exact same.
Yep, the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 is going to be making a comeback, for the third time in a row. To be fair, Qualcomm hasn't released a new smartwatch chip in ages (and is only just rumored to be working on a new one).
That means Google is using the best wearable chip available from Qualcomm, but it doesn't negate the fact that this will still be a full-price smartwatch when it launches, and it likely won't bring enough that the Pixel Watch 3 doesn't. The Exynos W1000 is clearly superior, and its existence makes the new Galaxy Watch 8 a more appealing choice.
Google's Focus Will Likely Be Placed on the Wearable's Software
If I learned anything from last year's launch event from Google, it is that the company refuses to be pressured by hardware expectations. The Pixel Watch 4 will likely neglect hardware where it isn't absolutely vital, and put all of its effort into the device's software.
I'm guessing that we'll be able to expect the following to be added to the upcoming Pixel Watch 4:
- More Gemini and Google AI magic
- New health insights and recommendations powered by AI
- Support for one or two new health metrics
