Google has officially announced the Pixel Watch 4, positioning it as a serious contender in the premium smartwatch space. Although the overall design remains familiar with 41 mm and 45 mm variants, the latest model brings meaningful enhancements under the hood.
The 45 mm version showcases the new Actua 360 domed display, with bezels trimmed by 16 percent, resulting in around 10 percent more screen area. The navigation experience is smoother than before, aided by the updated Material 3 Expressive interface, which introduces larger on-screen buttons, rounded edges, and more information density across menus.
One of the most striking upgrades is the battery life. The 45 mm model now delivers up to 45 hours of use on a single charge—significantly better than the ~32 hours of last year’s model. Fast charging has also been improved: the watch can jump from 14 percent to 97 percent in under 35 minutes.
Google is also taking steps to increase repairability. Both the battery and display are now replaceable, and spare parts will be made available via iFixit, making the device more service-friendly.
On the software side, Gemini remains a focal point. The “Raise-to-Talk” gesture has been refined, and a new Gemini Tile allows users to pin frequently accessed AI actions. Smart Replies are now more contextually aware, especially when paired with newer Pixel phones. That said, some inconsistencies remain, particularly for users on non-Pixel phones. To ease notification overload, a cooldown feature is also introduced, though users say alerts may still feel excessive.
Fitness and health tracking receive upgrades, too. The Watch 4 offers automatic activity detection for walking, running, and cardio, paired with dual-band GPS for improved route accuracy. Its sleep tracking performance is now comparable with high-end trackers like Oura Ring. A new emergency satellite SOS feature is included, though intended mainly as a fallback option.
While the Pixel Watch 4 might not offer every premium feature rivals boast—such as Samsung’s rotating bezel or certain battery extremes—it presents a balanced, sophisticated, and feature-rich experience that may appeal most to Android users looking for a powerful, all-round smartwatch.