After a month of carrying the Pixel Watch 4 as my ride-or-die, the new-watch luster has light and we have slipped into the comfy rhythm of an previous married couple.
The design nonetheless feels timeless and understated, however the elements that really make this watch tick are underneath the floor: its intuitive UI, the seamless syncing with my cellphone and the way in which it really works contained in the Android ecosystem. Paired with my Pixel 9 Pro, notifications arrive immediately, well being knowledge syncs the second I open the app and Put on OS updates are delivered sooner than on most different watches.
However whereas the Pixel Watch 4 stays one in all my favourite Android watches of 2025, there are some literal kinks in its armor which have began to floor with long-term, real-world use.
Watch this: One Month With Google’s Pixel Watch 4: The Surprises No One Talked about
Gemini butts into my conversations
I’ve already raved about how helpful Google’s new AI assistant is on a smartwatch. It handles complicated requests in pure language (no robo-voice wanted), understands follow-up prompts with out requiring me to repeat the unique query and it could actually even translate textual content on the fly. On a tiny watch display, the place typing and studying lengthy responses is tedious, Gemini actually does ship a extra seamless hands-free expertise.
Gemini is not unique to the Pixel Watch 4 (it involves newer Android watches with Wear OS 6), but it surely does it a step additional by letting you discuss to it immediately: no buttons, no wake phrases.
Throughout the first week, I went full-on Dick Tracy, asking my wrist each stray thought that crossed my thoughts. I beloved that it learn solutions aloud so I might hold cooking or wrangling children with out stopping to look down. That was short-lived.
Google’s AI voice assistant Gemini on the Pixel Watch 4 can typically get triggered by mistake with its raise-to-wake performance.
Just a few weeks later, Gemini has principally light into the background. A part of that’s from the novelty carrying off, however principally it is as a result of Gemini retains lacking the mark once I really need it. It seems that having an assistant so available is not all the time as handy because it sounds.
Typically I’ve to magnify the wrist-raise that triggers it to pay attention, whereas different instances it wakes up unprompted as a result of I am emphatically gesturing with my palms just like the spirited Latin lady that I’m. Usually, there is a noticeable delay earlier than it responds, too. Working example: I used to be on a video name with my supervisor when Gemini all of a sudden chimed in with a solution to… completely nothing both of us requested. It makes the watch really feel prefer it’s eavesdropping, and able to interject on the worst attainable second.
You may flip off raise-to-wake and swap to a button press or on-screen activation. However for now, I am leaving it on, hoping that with extra time Gemini and I determine a rhythm — and it will be taught to not butt into my conversations.
Apparently, I am a strolling sturdiness check
I like the Pixel Watch 4’s domed round display. It is understated and chic and appears good with nearly any watch band (elegant or sporty). The near-180-degree visibility makes it straightforward to learn at a look with no need to angle your wrist, and the 4,000-nit show is legible on brilliant noon runs. I have been utilizing the 41mm mannequin (additionally is available in 45mm), and it is comfy sufficient to put on 24/7. Throughout the day, I would neglect I used to be carrying it as a result of it is so slim; at night time, the bubble display is a contact extra noticeable towards the pillow, however not sufficient to disturb my sleep.
The draw back to a watch that is principally all display is that it is extra uncovered to the realities of life (mine, specifically). As an outside fanatic and a mother of three children whose private hobbies embody testing the boundaries of gravity, I am unable to afford to be valuable about my tech, jewellery or something. Perform over type is the stage I am in.
The domed display on the Pixel Watch 4 leaves it uncovered to scratches just like the one within the middle of the display.
So sure, I’ve already managed to scrape the customized 3D Gorilla Glass 5. I want I might let you know what epic journey brought on it, however I genuinely did not discover till I used to be filming the overview video. The scratch is unquestionably seen and value contemplating in the event you plan to make use of the look ahead to extra rugged actions. You might wish to put money into a display protector, which admittedly defeats the entire smooth, minimalistic aesthetic, however right here we’re.
The strap system requires a studying curve. It is the identical mechanism because the earlier mannequin, however urgent the discharge button whereas sliding the band out takes coordination. If you happen to’re planning to swap in third-party bands to decorate it up (or down), simply understand it takes a couple of tries earlier than it feels pure.
Fitbit’s app is a pleasure, however I am nonetheless not bought on Coach
The Pixel Watch 4 packs each main well being and security function you’d count on: ECG, irregular coronary heart rhythm detection, crash and fall alerts and an FDA-approved low pulse detection feature. However none of these are what I work together with day-to-day.
The Fitbit ecosystem is the place the watch actually shines. The UI is clear, intuitive and breaks down your knowledge into easy-to-digest snippets on each the watch and within the app. I like waking as much as my well being abstract, which has my sleep and readiness scores (even when they’re often miserable). It has misinterpret a late-night sofa session as sleep a couple of times, however general, its monitoring feels correct. It even flagged a dip in my HRV on an evening I used to be clearly preventing some type of bug. Paired with a low readiness rating, it gave me the nudge I wanted to take it straightforward and get well. It by no means totally developed into something severe, which I credit score the Pixel Look ahead to.
Throughout a exercise, the numbers on the Pixel Watch 4 change shade to match the center charge zone you are in.
The Pixel Watch 4 does all of the health fundamentals, however goes above and past on the main points. For instance, as a substitute of creating me hunt by way of screens for my coronary heart charge zone, the watch merely modifications the interface shade of my exercise to match my coronary heart charge zone so I can shortly see the place I am at in my coaching with out breaking my stride.
I’ve all the time thought the Fitbit app was probably the most intuitive within the wearable house, however after testing the redesigned model (rolling out publicly subsequent yr), it could be one of the best. As a substitute of specializing in a single day, it now provides you a full week’s view of your health knowledge, which feels much more real looking. If I skip a exercise, the broader context retains me from feeling defeatist and, weirdly, makes me extra motivated.
The interface on the redesigned Fitbit app has a weekly view of your train targets.
The most important replace, although, lies behind the $10/month Fitbit Premium paywall: Fitbit Coach, an AI chatbot that is supposed to assist translate your knowledge into actionable steerage.
Setup requires answering a collection of questions on your targets, tools and time dedication. My objective was to get probably the most bang for my buck out of exercises inside my time constraints. Coach generated a customized plan to match my wants, though plugging related data into the free model of Gemini on my cellphone produced virtually an identical ideas. The distinction is that Coach gave me video examples of the exercise strikes, which was a pleasant contact.
Fitbit’s new “Coach” function can create customized coaching plans with video examples for each transfer.
Coach additionally has entry to your habits and well being knowledge to make tweaks on the fly, which is genuinely helpful. It flagged that figuring out previous 9 p.m. is counterproductive for me based mostly on my sleep patterns and power scores. It additionally beneficial skipping my exercise on that unhealthy sleep day and choosing a nap as a substitute (which I did not have time for, however nonetheless appreciated the permission to relaxation).
However there are limitations. Not like Gemini, which I can summon at any time on my watch, Coach is just obtainable within the Fitbit app on my cellphone, making the expertise really feel oddly passive. I want it coached me throughout exercises and nudged me to hit a goal zone or instructed me when it is time to transfer to the subsequent train in my coaching plan.
Coach can also’t supply medical recommendation (which is an efficient factor), and once I tried to bait it into doing so, it accurately instructed me to speak to a health care provider. Nonetheless, handing over a lot well being knowledge to an AI makes me slightly uneasy as a result of I am not precisely positive what it may be used for down the road.
To be honest, Coach continues to be in beta and is meant to adapt because it learns your habits. So, it might enhance over time, and the model you ultimately obtain might look very totally different from what I have been previewing.
The battery on the 41mm Pixel Watch 4 will final round 30 hours.
Battery life is simply OK
Over the previous month, my tackle the battery hasn’t modified a lot. It is a welcome enchancment during the last era, however that 30-hour mark nonetheless arrives quick — often proper in the course of my second day once I’m nowhere close to a charger. I’ve fallen right into a routine of micro-charging for 10 minutes earlier than mattress or proper once I get up. That is often all it must get by way of a full night time of sleep monitoring.
Google claims it takes 60 minutes to completely cost, however in my expertise, it is nearer to 40 minutes.
A few of its greatest options are ones I have not had to make use of but
Even when I would managed to scratch the display into oblivion or crack it outright, I’ve the peace of thoughts understanding Google made this watch straightforward to restore. The show, battery and different elements can all be swapped with out shopping for an entire new gadget — simply do not attempt to DIY it. That stage of repairability is uncommon within the smartwatch world, and it’d save me from having to shell out for a brand-new watch down the road.
A demo of the emergency satellite tv for pc connectivity function on the mobile model of the Pixel Watch 4.
I have been testing the LTE mannequin, which might contact emergency companies by way of satellite tv for pc in the event you’re off the grid and need assistance. I have not been and not using a cell sign (or in misery, fortunately), but it surely’s a pleasant security web, particularly for the worth. Comparable satellite-enabled watches, just like the Apple Watch Ultra 3 or Garmin’s Fenix 8 Pro, price greater than $700, whereas the LTE model of the Pixel Watch 4 begins at $450.
Closing ideas
After a stable month collectively, here is the place I’ve landed: If you happen to’re searching for an Android watch that does just about every part properly, the Pixel Watch 4 is a stable decide. The 41mm battery nonetheless wants work (the 45mm must be higher), and in the event you’re shopping for it only for Fitbit Coach, I would maintain off: it is promising, however not fairly there but.
Even with out Coach, although, the redesigned Fitbit app alone is sufficient to get enthusiastic about. Add within the smooth design, ease of use and seamless integration, and the Pixel Watch 4 retains this watch on the prime of my checklist. And if Google does ultimately nail the teaching facet, it’s going to be the cherry on prime of an already well-rounded sundae.
I am positive in one other month I am going to have much more gems and quirks to report. That is simply the way it goes with wearables you reside with day in and day trip, particularly now that they are continuously adapting to your habits.
