In fact, my primary phone is an iPhone, so the only reason I get to keep using my Pixel Watch 2 is because I have Android phones sitting on my desk (the Pixel 8 Pro in particular). The $1,000 Pixel 8 Pro that sits on my desk syncs with the Pixel Watch 2 and… makes it work. Otherwise I’d have to switch to Android, and no one is crazy enough to do that! Duh…
Jokes aside, I really did grow to like my Pixel Watch 2, so it’s not a surprise I’m now rather excited to find out the Pixel Watch 3 could bring a bunch of upgrades that’d make me… upgrade.
Pardon my French, but the Pixel Watch 1 kinda sucked, which isn’t the case with the Pixel Watch 2. That being said, I have a long list of “things that still need fixing”, and I think the Pixel Watch 3 might be the one to address my complaints as a Pixel Watch 2 user.
Here’s why…
The greatly improved Pixel Watch 2 is turning me into a “smartwatch person”, but can Pixel Watch 3 help me transition fully?
My 2023 Pixel Watch 2 has the same bezel size as the 2019 Galaxy Watch Active, and that’s… not cool.
Needless to say, the Pixel Watch 1 had many flaws I outlined in several stories here on PhoneArena, which is why I was ready to leave it (and the idea of the Pixel Watch) behind… if the Pixel Watch 2 didn’t deliver. But it did!
Google put together a solid Pixel Watch 2, with far longer battery life, a proper charger, and a processor that doesn’t slow down during basic tasks. But this didn’t make my Pixel Watch 2 perfect at all, and I did what I usually do when I don’t like a piece of tech – I got paid to complain:
Here’s a throwback to my Pixel Watch 3 wishlist from November 2023:
- Two Pixel 3 watches in two different sizes
- Larger displays, slimmer bezels
- Even longer battery life (lasting three full days sounds great)
- New band swapping mechanism
- New speaker(s)
Fast forward to today, the latest leaks and rumors around the Pixel Watch 3 seem to promise (pretty much) what I asked for! And I’m actually (like genuinely) looking forward to the rumored 45mm Pixel Watch 3, which sounds like something a “smartwatch person” would say. And as we already established, I’m definitely not that guy.
I already love the idea of the new 45mm Pixel Watch, but my updated Pixel Watch 3 wishlist is much longer now
Gemini on the Pixel Watch 3? Sounds like a no-brainer.
Anyway… While the rumored 45mm version of the Pixel Watch 3 already sounds exciting (given how small the 41mm watch is), having spent even more time with the Pixel Watch 2, I have a few more suggestions for Google.
Here’s my updated Pixel Watch 3 wishlist for 2024 – this would make the perfect Pixel Watch:
- Google, please, don’t ship the Pixel Watch 3 with the same cheap silicone strap; it collects dirt and sweat, and it… stinks (like literally); I bought the cheapest fabric wristband I could find on eBay, and it’s a million times cleaner, more comfortable, and doesn’t retain any foul odor
- Give me an actual Pixel charger; although I love how strong the magnets are, it’s clear that the charger shipped with the Pixel Watch 2 is a cheap unbranded charger, and that’s a shame for a $350 product; not to mention, the charger is white, which makes no sense as there isn’t a single white spot on the watch or any of the bands you can pick; the charger should be black, or even better – match the color of the watch (gold would be awesome)
- To get even more practical, I set a lot of timers, so I can’t avoid mentioning that the timer interface/experience on the Pixel Watch could (and should) be much better; as it stands, it’s not necessarily buggy, but it’s glitchy and not on the level of the equally expensive Apple Watch
- Let me see the whole calendar instead of only my upcoming events; if I’m looking at my calendar, I probably want to see an actual calendar
- Getting even more specific, the Pixel Watch 2 doesn’t always connect to my Wi-Fi in the morning, and it doesn’t always quit the “Bedtime mode” when it’s supposed to (which could be related to the Wi-Fi inconsistencies)
- I know the FitBit subscription is optional and the Pixel Watch doesn’t need it to work, but let’s try to make the watch even less reliant on a premium FitBit subscription for “premium” fitness features; I know I’m pulling the Apple card again, but… Apple doesn’t do that, and the Apple Watch costs the same
- While Google sends quarterly “Pixel drops” to Pixel phones with new features, I’d like to see similar amount of love for the Pixel Watch; for example, some of my (software-related) complaints about the Pixel Watch 2 could easily be solved with a software update
- Speaking of software, longer software support is a must; especially since Pixel 8 now gets 7 major Android updates, 3 years of OS updates for the Pixel Watch looks a bit shabby
- And finally, what’s a smart wearable without… AI? Let’s bring Gemini on board!
Pixel Watch 3 might be getting closer to becoming “the default Android smartwatch” but don’t sleep on the OnePlus Watch 2 (with 2-4-10 day battery life)
The VivoWatch 3 took major inspiration from the design of the Pixel Watch, but did one thing better – the thinner bezels. That’s exactly what the Pixel Watch 3 should look like too!
Even if I have small hands (and I really do), the 41mm Pixel Watch 2 has been way too small, and some UI elements are just hard to hit – like the tiny button that brings back your ongoing timers. Seriously, it’s the size of a booger. A small booger.
The obvious aside, addressing all of the specific wishes in my upgraded Pixel Watch 3 wishlist would be the many cherries on top of the Pixel Watch cake ( hate the cake reference but I couldn’t come up with anything better).
Let’s be clear, Google’s only goal should be to make the Pixel Watch 3 the default Android smartwatch for me, and (more importantly) actual Android users. So, let’s hope the Pixel Watch 3 can get there! That being said, the competition isn’t sleeping.