BIGGER DISPLAY, BUT WHAT ELSE?

My initial impression of the Pixel Watch 2 was that it felt like a round Fitbit Sense 2 running Wear OS. The tradeoff was losing iOS compatibility while still facing Fitbit’s paywall for advanced app features.

- ZACHARY CHAN

There were no major core improvements either, as it borrowed sensors from the Sense 2. Rumors of a Sense 3 in the works promised innovation, however, it seems like Google is putting all its eggs into the Pixel Watch series and we’ve got the Pixel Watch 3 instead. The best news? The Pixel Watch 3 now comes in two sizes: the original 41mm and a larger 45mm, addressing the biggest complaint of its predecessors. Google’s Pixel Watch 3 is sleek, and the 45mm size is a significant improvement.

However, that’s where the excitement ends. There are better, cheaper Wear OS smartwatches available today. And that’s because after a year, little has changed from the Pixel Watch 2. The Pixel Watch 3 shares the same processor (Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1), memory (2GB), storage (32GB), and sensors. The 41mm version retains the same 306mAh battery and 1.2-inch (384 x 384 pixels) display as well. The design is also unchanged, allowing compatibility with previous Pixel Watch accessories for the 41mm model. Even the original Fitbit Sense charging cable works. The new 45mm bands, however, are not backward-compatible.