Google Pixel Watch 4 Review: Wear OS as It Should Be
The Pixel Watch 4 marks a solid evolution for Wear OS smartwatches. First off the design and display are markedly improved. The watch uses a bright, domed “Actua 360” AMOLED LTPO screen with up to 3,000 nits brightness, so it’s easily readable outdoors and sharp indoors; curved glass and slimmed-down bezels give it a refined, premium look. Under the hood, it runs on the updated Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chipset (with a co-processor), giving the watch enough power for smooth interface animations and responsive fitness tracking while being more energy efficient.
On the software side, Pixel Watch 4 ships with Wear OS 6, which brings updated UI design (based on Google’s Material 3), smoother navigation, and tighter integration with Google services (like voice and Samsung-style “Raise to Talk”). Fitness and health tracking have also seen upgrades: dual-band GPS for more accurate tracking outdoors, improved heart-rate and sleep tracking, SpO₂ monitoring, skin-temperature sensing, and full Fitbit integration so it works well for daily activity, workouts, and health monitoring.
Battery life and charging are among the biggest wins. The 45 mm version (455 mAh) can often last about 40 hours with always-on display, and up to 72 hours with battery saver enabled. Even with regular notifications, sleep tracking, and occasional workouts, reviewers frequently got 1.5–2 days on a single charge. Charging is also faster than before thanks to a redesigned Quick Charge Dock, 50% battery can be regained in ~15 minutes, which makes it easy to top up while getting ready for the day.
As good as the Pixel Watch 4 is, it doesn’t get everything right. For one, the strap system and charging dock design are sometimes criticised, changing bands is fiddly, and the docking system (while fast) isn’t compatible with older Pixel Watch chargers. The domed glass, though lovely, is not sapphire and may be prone to scratches; some users also worry about long-term durability, especially if they’re rough with their devices.
On the software side, while Wear OS 6 is fluid and polished, a few features require subscription or ongoing internet connectivity e.g. full-fidelity fitness coaching, some advanced Fitbit data, and certain smart/AI features. Also, while fitness tracking is good for everyday use and light workouts, power users (e.g. serious athletes) may find it less feature-rich compared to dedicated sports watches when it comes to advanced metrics or offline training data. Finally, like many smartwatches if you use GPS, AOD, or heavy fitness tracking, the battery can drain faster, requiring more frequent charging.
The Pixel Watch 4 stands out as perhaps the strongest Wear OS smartwatch released to date. It delivers excellent display quality, smooth performance, robust fitness and health tracking, good battery life, and seamless Google ecosystem integration making it especially compelling if you’re deeply invested in Android. That said, if you prioritise ruggedness, advanced athletic metrics, or want “set-and-forget” long battery life like a dedicated tracker, you may still find some trade-offs.
