Long has been the wait. In 2019, Google acquired Fitbit, and over three years later, James Park (who started Fitbit in 2007) delivered the keynote address at the debut of the Google Pixel watch. The following day, we were in Delhi for the announcement of the Google Pixel 7 and 7 Pro in India, when Google revealed that the Pixel Watch will not come in India. The Pixel Watch’s pre-launch hype is reasonable; it is the first wristwatch with the Google Pixel brand and the first Wear OS smartwatch with Fitbit built in. Is this the ideal situation? After two weeks with the US variant of the Pixel watch ($349.99/Wi-Fi and $399.99/LTE and Wi-Fi), we may have an answer.
A stunning wristwatch, but…
There are moments when you watch a television advertisement and think, “I want that.” This is a likely occurrence with the Pixel watch. Not only does it appear great on television, but it is also one of the most exquisitely designed smartwatches that stands out in a crowd. We adore the circular form and stunning AMOLED display. It is ideal for little wrists such as mine; it felt weightless (it weighs only 36g) on my wrist. However, you cannot overlook the bezels. Google has designed watch faces with black borders to draw attention away from these bezels, but while reading text on the display, it is blatantly evident.
Premium build
Everything about the Pixel watch is high-quality. This is why it has swiftly gained the nickname “Apple watch of the Android world.” The jewelry-inspired design is available in three stainless steel finishes, our favorite being black. While the 3D glass is water-resistant and scratch resistant, it has an extremely delicate feel. Google provides a variety of interchangeable bands, but installing and removing them requires a steep learning curve. The user interface is pleasing to the eye, and we appreciate the tiles and watch crown-driven navigation. Google Apps such as Maps and Assistant effortlessly connect.
What’s next for Fitbit?
The Fitbit connectivity is a primary selling point for the Pixel watch. This smartwatch comes with a six-month free trial for Fitbit Premium. If you’re familiar with Fitbit’s user interface, you won’t find many surprises here. The Fitbit Sense 2 provides the majority of functions (such as ECG and improved sleep tracking) with the exception of stress monitoring. In a redesigned circular style, the Fitbit experience functions rather nicely. Similar to how the Apple Watch only works with iPhones, this product is Android-exclusive.
What is the best Apple Watch substitute?
The Google Pixel watch reminds me in many aspects of the original Apple Watch from 2015. Back then, we recognized that Apple was onto something, but the smartwatch experience was not as refined as it is now. Similar to the Apple Watch, battery life is a major drawback of the Pixel watch experience. When I utilized the GPS for workouts, I struggled to complete an entire day. If you want to use sleep monitoring, you must charge your watch prior to going to bed. Other cribs, such as those with a one-size-fits-all design (41 mm), may not be suitable for particularly large wrists. The Pixel Watch captures our interest not because of its current capabilities, but because of its potential for the future. We appreciate the design, Fitbit connection, and Wear OS features. We hope Google resolves all of its teething problems with OS and hardware updates. This is a watch you want to like, and you may in the coming months as Google scales up and prepares it for new global markets, including India.
This content was originally published here.
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