Pixel Watch 3 Review: The Ultimate Fitness and Smartwatch Experience of 2024

In the ever-evolving world of smartwatches, Google’s Pixel Watch 3 has made waves as one of the most anticipated releases of 2024. Following the success of its predecessors, the Pixel Watch 3 comes packed with several new and refined features, aiming to cater not only to fitness enthusiasts but also to everyday users seeking a seamless integration of smart technology in their daily lives. From its vastly improved heart rate accuracy and innovative cardio load feature to its sleek design and customizable watch faces, Google has once again raised the bar for Wear OS devices.

In this comprehensive review, we will explore every aspect of the Pixel Watch 3, breaking down its key features, strengths, and areas for improvement. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast, a tech aficionado, or someone who’s just looking for a great smartwatch, this blog will give you a detailed perspective on why the Pixel Watch 3 stands out in the competitive smartwatch market.

Overview: Pixel Watch 3 – What’s New?

The Pixel Watch 3 is designed to blend fitness features with the convenience of a smart assistant, making it a top pick for both athletes and casual users. It builds on the solid foundation of its predecessors while incorporating a slew of enhancements:

• Heart Rate Accuracy: Vastly improved for multiple sports and activities, including running, weight training, and cycling.
• Cardio Load Feature: New to the Pixel Watch, this function tracks the strain on your heart during workouts and provides personalized feedback.
• Target Load: Gives users custom fitness goals based on their fitness levels and recovery.
• Battery Life: Improved compared to earlier Wear OS watches, especially when tracking multiple workouts.
• Readiness Score: Now available to all users for free, offering insights into how ready you are for high-intensity workouts.
• Design and Display: Sleeker design with more durable materials and a vibrant AMOLED display.
• Wear OS Integration: Better synchronization with Google’s ecosystem, making it a versatile tool for everyday use.

A Deeper Dive Into the Pixel Watch 3’s Key Features

1. Heart Rate Accuracy: Reliable for Every Workout

Heart rate monitoring is often a critical feature for fitness tracking, and the Pixel Watch 3 excels in this area, with improvements across various exercise modalities.

Running

When it comes to running, the Pixel Watch 3 shows a leap in accuracy. During testing, the watch maintained a tight grip on heart rate tracking even during intervals of rapid changes in pace. Whether running through a park, engaging in high-speed sprints, or taking leisurely jogs, the Pixel Watch 3 consistently delivered accurate results.

Its optical heart rate sensor now has a faster refresh rate, which means it adjusts to heart rate changes with minimal lag. In the past, wrist-based heart rate sensors would often struggle during intervals, showing delayed responses or inflated readings, but the Pixel Watch 3 holds its own against top contenders like the Apple Watch and Garmin watches.

Cycling

Cyclists will also find the Pixel Watch 3 to be an excellent companion. Both indoor and outdoor cycling workouts were tracked effectively, with heart rate and speed metrics aligning well with other industry-leading devices. One major plus is the enhanced integration with third-party apps like Strava for outdoor rides, though indoor cycling still sees some syncing challenges, which we’ll discuss later.

Weight Training

One of the most difficult tests for any wrist-based sensor is weight training. Unlike running or cycling, where the watch stays relatively stable, weight training involves gripping and bending the wrist, which can throw off the readings.

The Pixel Watch 3 performed admirably even under these challenging conditions. Activities like bench presses, bicep curls, and squats were all tracked with acceptable accuracy. The watch did struggle with exercises that required wrist flexion, such as bicep curls and tricep extensions, showing slightly elevated heart rates, but this was not uncommon for wrist-based monitors.

In comparison to chest straps or dedicated sports watches, the Pixel Watch 3 offers a much-improved experience in weight training. Though not perfect, it’s one of the better smartwatches in this area.

Indoor Workouts: Needs Improvement

While outdoor workouts like running and cycling were handled impressively, indoor activities still present some challenges. For instance, during indoor cycling or treadmill runs, the Pixel Watch 3 showed slight discrepancies in heart rate and calorie estimates, especially when compared to chest straps or stationary equipment.

In particular, syncing indoor workout data to apps like Strava or Google Fit can be hit or miss. Sometimes the workout wouldn’t appear in the third-party app, making it harder for those who rely on these platforms for a consolidated fitness report. This issue could be addressed in future software updates, but it’s something to keep in mind for now.

Heart Rate Summary Table:

2. Cardio Load and Target Load: Advanced Fitness Metrics

For fitness enthusiasts looking for more than just step counts and calorie estimates, the Pixel Watch 3 introduces the Cardio Load feature. This is a metric commonly seen in high-end fitness trackers, designed to measure how much strain your heart endures during physical activity.

Cardio Load Explained:

The cardio load is calculated based on your heart rate zones during a workout. The more time you spend in high-intensity zones, the higher your cardio load. This is a critical metric for athletes or those looking to improve cardiovascular fitness over time.

For example:

• Low Cardio Load: Walking or light jogging.
• Moderate Cardio Load: Running at a steady pace.
• High Cardio Load: High-intensity interval training (HIIT).

While the cardio load feature performed well during most workouts, there were some inconsistencies in activities like indoor cycling, where the watch couldn’t track accurately due to minimal movement. This is something Google needs to address in future updates to ensure better accuracy for indoor workouts.

Target Load:

This feature takes the cardio load one step further by offering personalized fitness goals. The Pixel Watch 3 analyzes your past workout data over a two-week period and then suggests daily target loads based on your current fitness levels and overall health.

This feature is great for those who want to optimize their fitness without overtraining or undertraining. The watch considers your readiness score (discussed below), which provides an indication of how well-rested you are and how ready your body is for intense activity.

In my experience, the target load was relatively accurate once the watch had enough data to work with. However, for the first few days, it can feel somewhat generic, with the same suggested load repeatedly, but this evens out as the watch gathers more information.

Cardio Load Summary Table:

3. Fitness Tracking Beyond the Gym: Step Counts, Sleep, and Readiness

The Pixel Watch 3 doesn’t just stop at workout tracking. It offers a broad array of metrics that help paint a fuller picture of your overall health and fitness.

• Step Count: Accurate step tracking even when multitasking or pushing a stroller (where wrist movement may be limited).
• Sleep Tracking: The sleep tracking feature is reliable, offering insights into sleep stages, duration, and even breathing disturbances.
• Calories Burned: Uses a combination of heart rate data and activity to provide an accurate estimate of calories burned.
• Readiness Score: This feature evaluates your overall sleep quality, heart rate variability, and activity levels to determine if you’re ready for a workout or should focus on recovery. Google has made this feature available for free, which adds significant value to users.

4. Design and Display: Sleek, Durable, and Customizable

The Pixel Watch 3 features a sleek circular design, staying true to the aesthetic of previous models while improving the durability of its materials. The watch is crafted from stainless steel and covered with Corning Gorilla Glass DX, ensuring it can withstand daily wear and tear without showing signs of damage.

• Display: The AMOLED display is vibrant and sharp, making it easy to read even in direct sunlight. The display is also customizable, with a variety of watch faces and widgets available for download.
• Comfort: The watch is light and comfortable to wear, with a variety of interchangeable bands available to suit different styles and preferences.

5. Battery Life: Solid Performance for a Wear OS Device

Battery life is a crucial factor for smartwatches, and the Pixel Watch 3 delivers a commendable performance in this area. Google has worked hard to improve battery efficiency, addressing one of the key pain points of previous Wear OS models.

• Battery Life: The Pixel Watch 3 offers a substantial improvement over its predecessors, with an average battery life of up to 48 hours on a single charge. This is achievable with typical usage, including fitness tracking, notifications, and occasional use of GPS.
• Fast Charging: The watch supports fast charging, which means you can get a full day’s worth of battery life with just a 30-minute charge. This is particularly useful for users who may forget to charge their watch overnight.
• Battery Modes: For users needing extended battery life, the Pixel Watch 3 includes various battery-saving modes. These modes reduce background activity and limit some features to prolong battery life, especially useful during long trips or periods away from a charger.

Battery Life Summary Table:

6. Wear OS Integration: Enhanced Connectivity and Functionality

The Pixel Watch 3 runs on the latest version of Wear OS, which integrates seamlessly with Google’s ecosystem. This provides users with a broad range of functionalities and connectivity options.

• Google Assistant: The integration of Google Assistant allows for hands-free operation, including setting reminders, checking the weather, or controlling smart home devices. This feature works smoothly, making daily tasks more manageable.
• Google Pay: Contactless payments are supported via Google Pay, providing a convenient way to make purchases without needing your phone or wallet.
• App Compatibility: The Pixel Watch 3 supports a wide array of apps available through the Google Play Store. This includes fitness apps, productivity tools, and social media platforms. The app experience is generally smooth, though some third-party apps may have limited functionality compared to their phone counterparts.

Wear OS Features Summary Table:

7. Pros and Cons: A Balanced Perspective

To give you a clearer picture of what to expect from the Pixel Watch 3, here’s a breakdown of its pros and cons:

Pros:

• Enhanced Heart Rate Accuracy: Great for a variety of workouts and activities.
• Cardio Load and Target Load: Useful metrics for serious fitness enthusiasts.
• Sleek Design: Modern and durable, with customizable options.
• Improved Battery Life: Up to 48 hours of usage with fast charging capabilities.
• Wear OS Integration: Seamless connectivity with Google services and third-party apps.

Cons:

• Indoor Workout Tracking: Some discrepancies in heart rate and cardio load, particularly with activities like indoor cycling.
• App Syncing Issues: Occasionally, syncing problems with third-party apps, especially for indoor workouts.
• Price: Positioned at a premium price point, which may not be justifiable for all users.

8. Comparison with Other Smartwatches

To put the Pixel Watch 3 in context, let’s compare it with some of its main competitors: the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6.

Summary: The Pixel Watch 3 stands out with its Cardio Load feature, improved battery life, and integration with Google services. However, it faces tough competition from Apple’s and Samsung’s offerings, which excel in other areas such as ecosystem integration and longer battery life.

9. Conclusion: Is the Pixel Watch 3 Worth It?

The Pixel Watch 3 represents a significant step forward in Google’s smartwatch lineup. With improved heart rate accuracy, innovative fitness features like cardio load, and robust integration with Wear OS, it’s a strong contender in the smartwatch market.

For fitness enthusiasts, the enhanced tracking capabilities and new metrics offer valuable insights into your workouts and recovery. The sleek design and improved battery life are additional bonuses that make the Pixel Watch 3 a compelling option for those seeking a high-quality smartwatch.

However, it is not without its shortcomings. The issues with indoor workout tracking and occasional syncing problems with third-party apps may be deterrents for some users. Additionally, its premium price point might not be justifiable for everyone, especially when compared to other high-end smartwatches.

In conclusion, if you’re deeply invested in the Google ecosystem and value detailed fitness metrics, the Pixel Watch 3 is likely worth the investment. For those who are more price-sensitive or have specific needs in other areas, it’s worth considering other options in the market.