When Google launched the Pixel Watch 4, I was eager to see how far it had come. I’ve used the earlier models and wanted to know if this one finally felt like a complete product. I wore it for several days, through workouts, calls, and sleep to see how well it handled real daily use.
Design & Build
The Pixel Watch 4 keeps the familiar round design but looks and feels more refined. The bezels are slimmer, the display is slightly larger, and the overall shape feels smoother on the wrist. The aluminum casing feels premium without being heavy, and the fit is comfortable throughout the day. I wore the 45 mm version, and even during sleep tracking, it never felt intrusive.
The screen now uses an Actua 360 display, which is brighter and easier to read outdoors. The crown and side button work smoothly for navigation, though swiping along the curved edges can be less precise. The case is IP68 and 5ATM rated, so it handles splashes and swimming but not high-pressure water.
Google made a key improvement by making the battery and display repairable. This is the first Pixel Watch you can service with authorized parts, which adds real longevity. The charger design is different this year. It docks on the side and rotates the screen automatically when placed on the stand. It took a few tries to find the exact spot where it connects, but it works well once you get used to it.
Performance & Features
Day-to-day performance feels faster and more responsive than before. The Snapdragon W5 processor and co-processor handle apps and gestures without lag. Switching watch faces and scrolling through menus feels smoother than on earlier versions.
The display reaches 3,000 nits of brightness, which helps in direct sunlight. It automatically dims indoors without looking dull. The curved glass gives it a polished look and makes swiping feel more natural.
Health and fitness tracking benefit from new sensors and tighter Fitbit integration. Sleep tracking felt more accurate, skin temperature readings updated faster, and the new dual-frequency GPS locked onto routes quickly even in busy areas. The watch also adds Satellite SOS for LTE models, letting you send your location in emergencies without a phone connection.
AI integration is deeper this time. You can raise your wrist to trigger Gemini voice support without saying “Hey Google.” The assistant can suggest replies or log missed workouts automatically. These tools work well most of the time, though voice recognition occasionally misfires in noisy areas, and activity detection can still mistake certain exercises.
Battery / Longevity / Software
Battery life is noticeably better than before but still short of multi-day. I averaged about 36 to 38 hours on the 45 mm version with the always-on display active. Disabling that setting extended it closer to two full days. Fast charging is a plus, a 15-minute charge gave me about half a day of use.
Wear OS 6 feels smoother and cleaner. The menus and animations are modern and consistent with Google’s Material design. The watch updated easily through the companion app, and syncing health data to my phone was quick.
The repairable battery and screen are another quiet but meaningful upgrade. Knowing I can replace parts instead of replacing the whole watch adds long-term value.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Brighter, larger Actua 360 display
- Improved battery life
- Repairable screen and battery
- Deeper Gemini integration
- Dual-frequency GPS for better accuracy
- Satellite SOS on LTE models
- Comfortable, lightweight design
Cons
- Still requires near-daily charging for heavy users
- Voice and AI commands occasionally lag
- Activity detection not always accurate
- Charger requires careful alignment
- Some features limited on non-Pixel phones
- Water resistance suitable only for light use
Verdict
The Pixel Watch 4 shows Google is finally getting serious about its smartwatch lineup. The brighter screen, better battery, AI integration, and repairability make it a strong contender for Android users. It still needs more endurance and more consistent voice control, but overall it feels reliable, modern, and easy to live with. If you own a Pixel phone, this is the smartwatch that fits best in that ecosystem.
Overall Score: 8.1 out of 10
