The Pixel Watch 4: A Long-Term Review
Is the Pixel Watch 4 the perfect companion for your wrist?
Months have passed since its launch, and the initial excitement has worn off. But does the Pixel Watch 4 still hold its own? With discounts available and a new model on the horizon, let's dive into the good, the bad, and the controversial aspects of this wearable tech.
Design and Durability: A Cut Above
I've been a daily user of the Pixel Watch since its release in October 2025, and I must say, it's aged remarkably well. The team behind this device has crafted a wearable that maintains its freshness, unlike its predecessors.
After a quarter of a year, the Pixel Watch 4 has withstood the test of time and daily wear and tear. From accidental bumps to gym sessions, the device's glass remains scratch-free, a testament to Google's hardening process. The colored metal frame, in a Moonstone finish, has also resisted any signs of wear, a pleasant surprise for a wearable of this nature.
But here's where it gets controversial... The improved repairability means I'm treating this watch with kid gloves, but it's a pleasure to see it holding up so nicely.
The display is the star of the show. It's simply stunning, with a unique curvature that makes it stand out. However, I can't help but feel that the watch faces don't do justice to this beautiful screen. Most of them feel like remixes of old designs, and I'd love to see Google push the boundaries and create something that truly utilizes the convex shape.
Haptics: A Step Above
The haptics on the Pixel Watch 4 are a marginal improvement over the competition, and Google leads the way in this aspect for Android wearables. The crisp buzz when you receive a text or email is satisfying, and the enhanced dome shape adds to the experience.
Speaker: Needs Some Work
While the haptics are impressive, the speaker could use some refinement. It's tinny and lacks volume, making it challenging to take calls in public spaces. For quick responses, it's adequate, but it's not the best.
Wearing the OS: A Mixed Bag
Wear OS feels right at home on the Pixel Watch 4, elevating the overall experience. It's a culmination of Material You's vision, and it shows. However, there are some areas of frustration.
Some notifications, particularly from Google Home, can be finicky. Missing doorbell alerts or clips disappearing from the watch screen is a common issue. While it might be an app-level problem, it's a letdown for a key selling point of a Google smartwatch.
And this is the part most people miss... Google's commitment to only three years of updates for the Pixel Watch 4 is a concern. In an era where Samsung offers four years and Google itself provides seven years for its phones, this feels like a missed opportunity. Especially for a device touted as the "best of Google" hardware, it should match industry leaders in longevity.
"Raise to Gemini" is a standout feature, offering a magical experience when it works seamlessly. However, it's not without its flaws, with random activations and a need for improved "intent" recognition. Despite these issues, the utility it provides is hard to ignore.
The "double pinch" gesture controls are a welcome addition, offering quick access to text replies and certain UI elements. It's a great example of Google adding new software functions to enhance the utility of its wearables.
Fitness Tracking: A Personal Perspective
I'm not a traditional fitness tracker user. I find the obsession with tracking every calorie and movement unnecessary. For me, the Pixel Watch 4's fitness functions are a "nice to have" rather than an essential.
I appreciate the passive tracking of walks and activities, and the Fitbit integration has improved significantly in this regard. However, putting deep insights behind a paywall on an expensive watch is a bitter pill to swallow. While it's not unique to Google, some revamps could make the Fitbit Premium subscription more worthwhile.
When it comes to weight lifting, I prefer to stick to my phone for progress tracking. No Android smartwatch has perfected the gym experience yet, and the Pixel Watch 4 is no exception.
Sleep tracking is another feature I don't find useful. I know when I haven't slept well, and I don't need a graph to tell me that. In fact, seeing poor sleep scores added unnecessary anxiety, leading me to stop wearing the watch to bed.
Lifespan: Impressive Battery Life
The Pixel Watch 4's battery life is impressive, offering over 12 hours of daily use, with two days of wear possible without tracking workouts. It's a significant improvement over the 45mm Pixel Watch 3, and the rapid charge cycle eliminates any anxiety about battery levels.
Final Thoughts: A Standout Device
After six months, the Pixel Watch 4 has proven itself as a standout device in Google's lineup. It feels like the first time Google has fully realized its vision for a wearable, with a design and hardware that back up its software ambitions.
The durability and design are impressive, and it's the perfect companion for Pixel phone users, offering a simple and effective experience without feeling overly techy or fitness-focused.
It has surpassed my previous favorite, the OnePlus Watch 3, to become the best overall Wear OS watch for most users. Given my initial expectations, it's a significant step forward for the Pixel Watch.
