Our definitive, post-test analysis of how the Pixel Watch 4's new features stack up—and which users will benefit most from upgrading.
The Google Pixel Watch 4 has landed, building on the foundation of last year’s excellent Pixel Watch 3. With the predecessor holding our top spot as the best smartwatch for most Android users, the question is a crucial one: now that we’ve thoroughly tested the new model, are the changes worth the upgrade?
Having lived with the Pixel Watch 4, our final verdict is clear. Google has delivered a smart, targeted, and significant evolution with its 2025 smartwatch. The key criticisms of the last generation have been addressed with meaningful improvements to the display, charging, and GPS, solidifying its position at the top of the Android smartwatch pile.
Here, we’ll break down all the key differences between the Google Pixel Watch 4 and the Pixel Watch 3. Now backed by our in-depth testing, it’s the definitive guide on what’s changed and who should upgrade.
Pricing and versions
The good news for new buyers is that Google has maintained the same pricing structure as last year’s models. There are no new case sizes to consider, keeping the lineup straightforward.
- Google Pixel Watch 4 (41mm, Wi-Fi): $349/£349
- Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm, Wi-Fi): $399/£399
- Google Pixel Watch 4 (41mm, LTE): $449/£449
- Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm, LTE): $499/£499
For those considering the older model, the arrival of the Pixel Watch 4 has already triggered significant discounts on the Pixel Watch 3, making it an excellent proposition for those who don’t require the latest features. Keep an eye on the live prices using the widgets above and below.
Design and display
At a glance, the core design remains the same. The Pixel Watch 4 retains the minimalist, domed pebble look in both 41mm and 45mm case sizes. However, our testing confirms that the display is the most immediately noticeable and transformative upgrade.
The new ‘Actua 360’ display features bezels that are 15% smaller, resulting in a 10% larger active screen area. This isn’t just a spec sheet boast; in person, it makes the watch feel far more immersive and premium, finally realizing the full potential of the original domed design.
The display is also dramatically brighter, reaching a peak of 3,000 nits, which makes a significant difference for outdoor visibility in harsh sunlight. This is especially noticeable when you turn off the watch’s adaptive brightness, although this will obviously have a dramatic impact on battery life.
The other radical physical change is the new side-mounted ‘Quick Charge Dock’. This differs from the traditional rear puck found on the first three Pixel Watch generations.
As we discovered in our review, the slightly odd look (it’s wedged into a slit alongside the built-in speaker) is a worthy trade-off. Not only does it enable significantly faster charging speeds, but it also allows for a welcome new focus on repairability, with the display and battery now being serviceable parts.
It’s a significant consideration—especially if you’re hard on your tech. After all, none of the Pixel Watch designs are built to really withstand rugged daily wear.
Features and tracking
The Pixel Watch 4 takes leaps forward over its predecessor here, too. The headline addition is emergency satellite communications. This potentially life-saving feature allows users to contact emergency services even when completely off-grid, cementing the Pixel Watch’s status as a leader in personal safety.
The other major upgrade for outdoor exercisers is the inclusion of dual-frequency GPS. This was one of our few criticisms of the Pixel Watch 3. While its standard GPS was solid, it wasn’t a top-tier performer. Our early testing of the Pixel Watch 4 confirms that the new L5 GNSS support delivers more accurate and reliable location tracking, aligning it with premium sports watches from Garmin and others.
However, it’s also important to note that most core health and fitness features, powered by Fitbit, remain the same. You’ll still get the excellent multi-path optical heart rate sensor, ECG, SpO2, and skin temperature tracking, all of which continue to perform at a high level.
The deeper integration of Gemini AI, which replaces Google Assistant, has also been rolling out to Pixel Watch 3 owners with the latest Wear OS 6 software in recent months. It’s faster, more contextually aware, and feels like a genuine upgrade in day-to-day use.
The speaker is more optimized for Gemini’s speech on the Pixel Watch 4, Google says, but we didn’t necessarily notice this upgrade much during testing.
Battery life and charging
When we reviewed the 45mm Pixel Watch 3, we found it comfortably delivered a genuine 48-hour battery life, far exceeding Google’s conservative 24-hour estimate. For the Pixel Watch 4, Google quotes a more realistic “up to 40 hours” for the 45mm model.
Our in-depth testing confirms that the actual battery longevity of the 45mm Pixel Watch 4 is very similar to its predecessor, comfortably lasting two full days with the always-on display active. The upgrade here isn’t about total duration.
The true game-changer is the charging speed. The new Quick Charge Dock is 25% faster, taking the watch from zero to 50% in just 15 minutes. This represents a big quality-of-life improvement, enabling a full day’s worth of power with just a quick top-up before leaving the house.
Verdict: Should you upgrade?
When it was first announced, the Pixel Watch 4 appeared to be a smart evolution. After testing, we can confirm it’s a powerful and targeted upgrade that addresses some significant hardware gaps of the last generation while refining the experience in unique ways.
- For Pixel Watch 3 owners (45mm): This is a tough call, since you already have excellent battery life. The decision hinges on how much you value the superior display, much faster charging, and the added accuracy of dual-frequency GPS. If you’re a serious runner (especially one who tracks a lot in urban or built-up environments) or spend a lot of time outdoors, these are compelling reasons to jump. For more casual users, it’s a desirable but not essential upgrade.
- For Pixel Watch 1 & 2 owners (or Pixel Watch 3 41mm owners): This is an absolute, no-brainer upgrade. The combination of a vastly superior display, a massive leap in battery life (especially if moving to the 45mm model), faster charging, and top-tier GPS makes the Pixel Watch 4 feel light-years ahead.
- For newcomers from other Android brands: The Pixel Watch 3 was already our top recommendation. The Pixel Watch 4 solidifies that position, delivering the most polished, intelligent, and complete smartwatch experience available for Android users. It’s closely run by the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, and Galaxy Watch Ultra, but it remains the best option for the typical smartwatch user.
