Google, a technology giant, has released its long-awaited and much-hyped Pixel Watch smartwatch to accompany its desirable flagship Pixel 7 smartphone series. This sentence gives you get an idea of the importance and level of expectation on Google’s shoulders here. And given how long we’ve been waiting and the sheer ability of all the companies involved, the Pixel Watch should be Google’s Apple Watch moment. Except it’s not even close. This is what it’s like, and where it all goes wrong. The Pixel Watch is definitely a watch. It has a circular case, a crown on the side, and a strap to secure it to your wrist. It is devoid of design flourish or extraneous visual garnish, and while there is a button on the side of the case, it’s flush and hidden from view, so you forget it’s there. It’s all very minimalist, but not in a good way. By avoiding anything approaching a personality or character, Google has made the Pixel Watch too simple. I don’t feel anything when I look at it. Actually, this...

Very comfortable to wear; Fitbit app is comprehensive;

Short battery life; Only one size; Missing health tracking features;

Google, a technology giant, has released its long-awaited and much-hyped Pixel Watch smartwatch to accompany its desirable flagship Pixel 7 smartphone series. This sentence gives you get an idea of the importance and level of expectation on Google’s shoulders here. And given how long we’ve been waiting and the sheer ability of all the companies involved, the Pixel Watch should be Google’s Apple Watch moment. Except it’s not even close. This is what it’s like, and where it all goes wrong. The Pixel Watch is definitely a watch. It has a circular case, a crown on the side, and a strap to secure it to your wrist. It is devoid of design flourish or extraneous visual garnish, and while there is a button on the side of the case, it’s flush and hidden from view, so you forget it’s there. It’s all very minimalist, but not in a good way. By avoiding anything approaching a personality or character, Google has made the Pixel Watch too simple. I don’t feel anything when I look at it. Actually, this...

Very comfortable to wear; Fitbit app is comprehensive;

Short battery life; Only one size; Missing health tracking features;

Google, a technology giant, has released its long-awaited and much-hyped Pixel Watch smartwatch to accompany its desirable flagship Pixel 7 smartphone series. This sentence gives you get an idea of the importance and level of expectation on Google’s shoulders here. And given how long we’ve been waiting and the sheer ability of all the companies involved, the Pixel Watch should be Google’s Apple Watch moment. Except it’s not even close. This is what it’s like, and where it all goes wrong. The Pixel Watch is definitely a watch. It has a circular case, a crown on the side, and a strap to secure it to your wrist. It is devoid of design flourish or extraneous visual garnish, and while there is a button on the side of the case, it’s flush and hidden from view, so you forget it’s there. It’s all very minimalist, but not in a good way. By avoiding anything approaching a personality or character, Google has made the Pixel Watch too simple. I don’t feel anything when I look at it. Actually, this...

Very comfortable to wear; Fitbit app is comprehensive;

Short battery life; Only one size; Missing health tracking features;

Google, a technology giant, has released its long-awaited and much-hyped Pixel Watch smartwatch to accompany its desirable flagship Pixel 7 smartphone series. This sentence gives you get an idea of the importance and level of expectation on Google’s shoulders here. And given how long we’ve been waiting and the sheer ability of all the companies involved, the Pixel Watch should be Google’s Apple Watch moment. Except it’s not even close. This is what it’s like, and where it all goes wrong. The Pixel Watch is definitely a watch. It has a circular case, a crown on the side, and a strap to secure it to your wrist. It is devoid of design flourish or extraneous visual garnish, and while there is a button on the side of the case, it’s flush and hidden from view, so you forget it’s there. It’s all very minimalist, but not in a good way. By avoiding anything approaching a personality or character, Google has made the Pixel Watch too simple. I don’t feel anything when I look at it. Actually, this...

Very comfortable to wear; Fitbit app is comprehensive;

Short battery life; Only one size; Missing health tracking features;

It's a great start!

Love The Circular Design, The Tiles Feature Is Fantastic, Battery Life Is Good, Fitbit Integration Is Really Solid

Big Bezel Doesn't Look Great At Times, A Little Laggy At Times

It’s beautiful, smart and even tells the time, but it’s very clear the Pixel Watch is Google's first attempt and it falls short on a few things.

Google kept us waiting a long time for the Google Pixel Watch and what it has delivered is a smartwatch that looks good, but ultimately can’t hide the fact there are some bugs that hamper the experience. If Google can get those things addressed, it’ll be a far more likeable smartwatch.

Cleaner feeling version of Wear OS, Crisp display, Fitbit added into the mix, If you want a sleek-looking Wear OS smartwatch: The software runs smooth, Wear OS looks nicer than it does on other Wear watches and that’s wrapped up in a small, but attractive design.

Battery drain, Awkward to change straps, Sub-par sports tracking, You want the best smartwatch for Android users: Unfortunately, beneath that sleek hardware and software exterior, there’s some unwelcome bugs, particularly in the battery and exercise tracking department.

The first lovechild of Google and Fitbit, the Pixel Watch, is a sexy and feature-rich wearable that falls short only in a few categories. Battery life would be longer, and the lack of fast charging is befuddling.

Finally, a viable Apple Watch alternative for Android users, Makes WearOS usable, Heap-loads of health and fitness tracking features, 6-month Fitbit Premium subscription included in the price, Premium materials and unique design

Only works with Android smartphones, Band is fiddly to swap, Not as good for fitness tracking as the latest Apple Watch

The Google Pixel Watch is easily one of the most elegant smartwatches on the market, and beneath its slick exterior it offers smooth operation and deep, useful features. We love it despite some notable quirks.

Elegant, classic watch-like looks, Brilliant screen, Full of features, Fitbit integration

One size fits all, Fitbit integration is slightly awkward, Band switch system takes practice, No blood oxygen sensing - yet

The Pixel Watch is a good first try for Google but it isn’t yet up to par with rival smartwatches, including Samsung’s Galaxy Watch line, which use the same software. It is a small, well-made watch that is responsive and merges the best of Fitbit with Google’s Wear OS.

Pros: responsive, smooth design, 50m water resistance, Fitbit, Play Store, all Google apps including Maps, Pay and Assistant, good integration with Google ecosystem, good watch faces, works with most Android phones.

Cons: short battery life, Fitbit limited for workout tracking, not repairable, expensive, small size only, strap release a bit fiddly, not compatible with an iPhone.