Pixel Watch 4: Google's New Smartwatch with Satellite Communication

Google Unveils the New Pixel Watch 4

During Wednesday’s Made by Google event, Google officially introduced its latest smartwatch, the Pixel Watch 4. This new wearable boasts a curved display, the capability for standalone satellite connectivity, and improvements to both health and fitness tracking features.

Pricing and Availability

The 41mm Pixel Watch 4 is priced starting at $349 for the Wi-Fi model and $449 for the LTE version. The larger, 45mm variant begins at $399 for Wi-Fi and $499 for LTE connectivity.

Enhanced Display and Design

The Pixel Watch 4 incorporates an Actua 360 display, physically curved to provide a 10% larger active viewing area. This design delivers a nearly edgeless appearance, achieved through 16% smaller bezels. Furthermore, the display’s brightness has been increased by 50%, reaching a peak of 3,000 nits.

Emergency Satellite Communication

LTE-equipped Pixel Watch 4 models now include standalone emergency satellite communication. This feature enables users to connect with emergency services via a network of geo-stationary satellites, even in areas without cellular coverage. The functionality is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 Wearable Platform.

Gemini Integration and On-Device AI

A simple wrist raise now grants access to Gemini, eliminating the need for button presses or voice commands. This allows for convenient assistance while engaged in activities like carrying items or walking a pet. The watch also benefits from enhanced on-device AI capabilities, including Smart Replies that provide contextually relevant, AI-generated responses.

Improved Battery Life and Charging

Google reports a 25% increase in battery life compared to the previous generation. The 41mm model offers up to 30 hours of use, while the 45mm version provides 40 hours. A new, fast-charging dock is also included for convenient power replenishment.

Durability and Serviceability

The Pixel Watch 4 maintains water resistance up to 50 meters. Notably, it is now designed for serviceability, featuring a replaceable battery and display for the first time.

Performance Enhancements

Under the hood, the watch is more powerful thanks to Google’s next-generation, machine learning-powered co-processor. This co-processor is 25% faster while consuming half the power.

Advanced Health and Fitness Tracking

Google has refined the health and fitness tracking capabilities of the Pixel Watch 4. It is now 18% more accurate in classifying sleep cycles and tracking time spent in each sleep stage. A new Skin Temperature sensor has been added to assist in detecting changes in overall well-being.

Enhanced GPS and Automatic Workout Detection

The inclusion of dual-frequency GPS provides more precise route tracking, even in challenging environments like urban areas or dense forests. Furthermore, the watch utilizes AI to automatically detect and categorize workouts if a user forgets to manually start tracking.

New Exercise Options

Google has expanded the range of supported exercise types, adding options for basketball and pickleball.

Personal AI Health Coach

A new personal AI health coach is being introduced, offering users fitness and sleep coaching based on data collected by their Pixel Watch or Fitbit device. This feature aims to provide a 24/7 AI-powered health guide, offering tailored advice and answering questions like, “Is a cold plunge beneficial?” or “How can I minimize jet lag?”

Preview Availability

A preview of the AI health coach will be available to users of Fitbit devices and Pixel Watches in the U.S. starting this October.

Pre-order and Release Date

The Pixel Watch 4 is available for pre-order now and will be available in stores beginning October 9.

We’re always looking to evolve, and by providing some insight into your perspective and feedback into TechCrunch and our coverage and events, you can help us! Fill out this survey to let us know how we’re doing and get the chance to win a prize in return!