The Google Pixel Watch 2 was a massive upgrade over its predecessor — it addressed almost every major issue of the first-generation smartwatch — most importantly, the bad battery life and slow charging. It also introduced a plethora of new features that made it a much more compelling option for most. However, the device still had a few gripes that stopped some from buying it.
Fortunately, Google is fixing a few of these lasting issues with its upcoming refresh of the watch — the Pixel Watch 3. Thanks to a source inside Google, Android Authority is able to preview some of these changes early.
Pixel Watch 3 series: Specs and battery size
As previously rumored, the device will come in 41mm and 45mm sizes, both with cellular and Wi-Fi variants available. At this time, we are unable to confirm what Google will call these different sizes, but some rumors suggest the larger model will be called the Pixel Watch 3 XL. The basic watch specs remain the same as the Pixel Watch 2: both are based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 platform with a custom co-processor.
The smaller Pixel Watch 3 will have an unchanged 310mAh battery, while the larger 45mm model will contain a 420mAh cell that should last a fair bit longer.
Smaller bezels, finally!
One of the biggest complaints about the original Pixel Watch that persisted in the Pixel Watch 2 was its relatively big bezels. The Pixel Watch 3 finally reduces them and improves the display brightness.
Both models of the Pixel Watch 3 come with 4.5 mm bezels, compared to 5.5 mm on its predecessor. While the size might still seem rather large — especially compared to something like the Apple Watch Series 9 — it’s still a major upgrade over the older watch. We included a graphic below to help visualize the sizes.
Android Authority composite/Google
Additionally, both the new watches come with a 2,000-nit display (this is the value declared in the watch’s software; Google’s final marketing materials might include a different value). The Pixel Watch 2 only reached up to 1,000 nits, which should make the upcoming watches much more pleasant to use outside in direct sunlight.
We’ve compiled all the display specs of the new watches below:
Display size | Pixel Watch 2 - codename eos/aurora 30x30 mm | Pixel Watch 3 (41 mm) - codename selene/helios 32x32 mm | Pixel Watch 3 (45 mm) - codename luna/sol 36x36 mm |
Bezel width | Pixel Watch 2 - codename eos/aurora 5.5 mm | Pixel Watch 3 (41 mm) - codename selene/helios 4.5 mm | Pixel Watch 3 (45 mm) - codename luna/sol 4.5 mm |
Screen resolution | Pixel Watch 2 - codename eos/aurora 384x384 px | Pixel Watch 3 (41 mm) - codename selene/helios 408x408 px | Pixel Watch 3 (45 mm) - codename luna/sol 456x456 px |
Brightness (declared) | Pixel Watch 2 - codename eos/aurora 1,000 nits | Pixel Watch 3 (41 mm) - codename selene/helios 2,000 nits | Pixel Watch 3 (45 mm) - codename luna/sol 2,000 nits |
UWB (this time for real)
Robert Triggs / Android Authority
Last year, we reported that the Pixel Watch 2 would have UWB support. This turned out not to be true. As it was later revealed, the removal of the feature was a last-minute change that our source missed.
It seems that the Pixel Watch 3 will finally have the feature. Not only did our source confirm it, but the recently spotted FCC listings also list it.
We can only speculate as to what features this addition could enable; however, we have some pretty good guesses. The obvious use case is precise device finding, whether it’s the watch or another device you’re looking for. As we recently reported, Google might be working on adding UWB support to the Find My Device app.
Another use case could be unlocking your car using Digital Car Key. The tech is already supported by BMW, Hyundai, and Kia, and many other manufacturers are currently working on their implementations. Having support in your watch would mean unlocking your car without using your phone, enabling UWB features even if your phone doesn’t support them. UWB support is currently only available on only a handful of Android phones, and mostly only those in the flagship tier.
New colors
The Pixel Watch 3 will also come in a few new colorways. We’ve compiled a list of the available colors below:
| Pixel Watch 2 Silver case / Bay band | Pixel Watch 3 (41 mm) Silver case / Rose Quartz | Pixel Watch 3 (45 mm) Hazel case / Hazel band |
| Pixel Watch 2 Black case / Obsidian band | Pixel Watch 3 (41 mm) Black case / Obsidian band | Pixel Watch 3 (45 mm) Black case / Obsidian band |
| Pixel Watch 2 Gold case / Hazel band | Pixel Watch 3 (41 mm) Gold case / Hazel band | Pixel Watch 3 (45 mm) - |
| Pixel Watch 2 Silver case / Porcelain band | Pixel Watch 3 (41 mm) Silver case / Porcelain band | Pixel Watch 3 (45 mm) Silver case / Porcelain band |
Google usually releases one colorway that matches the Pixel phones that come out at the same time. In this case, we expect the “Rose Quartz” band to match the color of the pink Pixel 9 Pro we’ve seen in a recent video leak (and pictured above).
Pretty Pixel Watch 3 animation that reveals nothing, but it’s pretty
Lastly, we were provided with a retail animation that will be shown on demo units of the Pixel Watch 3. It doesn’t reveal any features or other information about the watch (it’s just supposed to attract customers; it’s even called an “attract loop”). However, it’s still a pretty animation in the Material style, and we know some of you are into that.
This concludes our early look at upgrades in the Pixel Watch 3. What do you think about the new changes? Please let us know in the comments and vote in our poll below.
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