I’ve spent over a month sporting the Pixel Watch 4 as my day by day (and nightly) companion. Whereas it is nonetheless one among my favourite Android watches on the market, the honeymoon part is formally over and a few of its quirks (and scratches) have began to floor.
The feel and appear nonetheless maintain as much as the take a look at of time; it is glossy, understated and cozy to put on. Nevertheless it’s the intuitive UI, the seamless syncing with my cellphone and the best way it suits so naturally into the Android ecosystem that preserve me coming again to it. Paired with my Pixel 9 Pro, notifications arrive immediately, well being information syncs the second I open the app and Put on OS updates are delivered quicker than on most different watches.
Though the Pixel Watch 4 stays one among my favourite Android watches of 2025, there are some literal kinks in its armor which have began to floor with long-term, real-world use.
Gemini butts into my conversations
I’ve already raved about how helpful Google’s new AI assistant is on a smartwatch. It handles complicated requests in pure language (no robo-voice wanted), understands follow-up prompts with out requiring me to repeat the unique query and it may well even translate textual content on the fly. On a tiny watch display, the place typing and studying lengthy responses is tedious, Gemini actually does ship a extra seamless hands-free expertise.
Gemini is not unique to the Pixel Watch 4 (it involves newer Android watches with Wear OS 6), nevertheless it does it a step additional by letting you discuss to it immediately: no buttons, no wake phrases.
In the course of the first week, I went full-on Dick Tracy, asking my wrist each stray thought that crossed my thoughts. I liked that it learn solutions aloud so I may preserve cooking or wrangling children with out stopping to look down. That was short-lived.
Google’s AI voice assistant Gemini on the Pixel Watch 4 can usually get triggered by mistake with its raise-to-wake performance.
A number of weeks later, Gemini has largely light into the background. A part of that’s from the novelty sporting off, however largely it is as a result of Gemini retains lacking the mark after I really need it. It seems that having an assistant so available is not at all times as handy because it sounds.
Generally I’ve to magnify the wrist-raise that triggers it to hear, whereas different instances it wakes up unprompted as a result of I am emphatically gesturing with my palms just like the spirited Latin lady that I’m. Usually, there is a noticeable delay earlier than it responds, too. Living proof: I used to be on a video name with my supervisor when Gemini all of the sudden chimed in with a solution to… completely nothing both of us requested. It makes the watch really feel prefer it’s eavesdropping, and able to interject on the worst doable second.
You possibly can flip off raise-to-wake and change to a button press or on-screen activation. However for now, I am leaving it on, hoping that with extra time Gemini and I work out a rhythm — and it will study to not butt into my conversations.
Apparently, I am a strolling sturdiness take a look at
I like the Pixel Watch 4’s domed round display. It is understated and stylish and appears good with nearly any watch band (elegant or sporty). The near-180-degree visibility makes it simple to learn at a look with no need to angle your wrist, and the 4,000-nit show is legible on brilliant noon runs. I have been utilizing the 41mm mannequin (additionally is available in 45mm), and it is snug sufficient to put on 24/7. In the course of the day, I might overlook I used to be sporting it as a result of it is so slim; at night time, the bubble display is a contact extra noticeable in opposition to the pillow, however not sufficient to disturb my sleep.
The draw back to a watch that is principally all display is that it is extra uncovered to the realities of life (mine, particularly). As an out of doors fanatic and a mother of three children whose private hobbies embody testing the boundaries of gravity, I am unable to afford to be valuable about my tech, jewellery or something. Operate over kind is the stage I am in.
The domed display on the Pixel Watch 4 leaves it uncovered to scratches just like the one within the heart of the display.
So sure, I’ve already managed to scrape the customized 3D Gorilla Glass 5. I want I may let you know what epic journey triggered it, however I genuinely did not discover till I used to be filming the assessment video. The scratch is unquestionably seen and price contemplating in case you plan to make use of the look ahead to extra rugged actions. You could wish to spend money on a display protector, which admittedly defeats the entire glossy, minimalistic aesthetic, however right here we’re.
The strap system requires a studying curve. It is the identical mechanism because the earlier mannequin, however urgent the discharge button whereas sliding the band out takes coordination. Should you’re planning to swap in third-party bands to decorate it up (or down), simply understand it takes just a few tries earlier than it feels pure.
Fitbit’s app is a pleasure, however I am nonetheless not bought on Coach
The Pixel Watch 4 packs each main well being and security function you’d anticipate: ECG, irregular coronary heart rhythm detection, crash and fall alerts and an FDA-approved low pulse detection feature. However none of these are what I work together with day-to-day.
The Fitbit ecosystem is the place the watch actually shines. The UI is clear, intuitive and breaks down your information into easy-to-digest snippets on each the watch and within the app. I like waking as much as my well being abstract, which has my sleep and readiness scores (even when they’re sometimes miserable). It has misinterpret a late-night sofa session as sleep a few times, however general, its monitoring feels correct. It even flagged a dip in my HRV on an evening I used to be clearly combating some form of bug. Paired with a low readiness rating, it gave me the nudge I wanted to take it simple and get better. It by no means totally developed into something severe, which I credit score the Pixel Look ahead to.
Throughout a exercise, the numbers on the Pixel Watch 4 change shade to match the center charge zone you are in.
The Pixel Watch 4 does all of the health fundamentals, however goes above and past on the small print. For instance, as a substitute of creating me hunt by way of screens for my coronary heart charge zone, the watch merely adjustments the interface shade of my exercise to match my coronary heart charge zone so I can shortly see the place I am at in my coaching with out breaking my stride.
I’ve at all times thought the Fitbit app was one of the intuitive within the wearable house, however after testing the redesigned model (rolling out publicly subsequent yr), it is perhaps the very best. As a substitute of specializing in a single day, it now offers you a full week’s view of your health information, which feels much more practical. If I skip a exercise, the broader context retains me from feeling defeatist and, weirdly, makes me extra motivated.
The interface on the redesigned Fitbit app has a weekly view of your train targets.
The largest replace, although, lies behind the $10/month Fitbit Premium paywall: Fitbit Coach, an AI chatbot that is supposed to assist translate your information into actionable steerage.
Setup requires answering a collection of questions on your targets, gear and time dedication. My objective was to get essentially the most bang for my buck out of exercises inside my time constraints. Coach generated a customized plan to match my wants, though plugging comparable information into the free model of Gemini on my cellphone produced nearly equivalent solutions. The distinction is that Coach gave me video examples of the exercise strikes, which was a pleasant contact.
Fitbit’s new “Coach” function can create customized coaching plans with video examples for each transfer.
Coach additionally has entry to your habits and well being information to make tweaks on the fly, which is genuinely helpful. It flagged that understanding previous 9 p.m. is counterproductive for me primarily based on my sleep patterns and vitality scores. It additionally advisable skipping my exercise on that dangerous sleep day and choosing a nap as a substitute (which I did not have time for, however nonetheless appreciated the permission to relaxation).
However there are limitations. Not like Gemini, which I can summon at any time on my watch, Coach is barely out there within the Fitbit app on my cellphone, making the expertise really feel oddly passive. I want it coached me throughout exercises and nudged me to hit a goal zone or instructed me when it is time to transfer to the subsequent train in my coaching plan.
Coach can also’t supply medical recommendation (which is an effective factor), and after I tried to bait it into doing so, it appropriately instructed me to speak to a physician. Nonetheless, handing over a lot well being information to an AI makes me slightly uneasy as a result of I am not precisely certain what it may be used for down the road.
To be honest, Coach continues to be in beta and is meant to adapt because it learns your habits. So, it might enhance over time, and the model you ultimately obtain may look very totally different from what I have been previewing.
The battery on the 41mm Pixel Watch 4 will final round 30 hours.
Battery life is simply OK
Over the previous month, my tackle the battery hasn’t modified a lot. It is a welcome enchancment over the past technology, however that 30-hour mark nonetheless arrives quick — often proper in the course of my second day after I’m nowhere close to a charger. I’ve fallen right into a routine of micro-charging for 10 minutes earlier than mattress or proper after I get up. That is often all it must get by way of a full night time of sleep monitoring.
Google claims it takes 60 minutes to completely cost, however in my expertise, it is nearer to 40 minutes.
A few of its greatest options are ones I have not had to make use of but
Even when I might managed to scratch the display into oblivion or crack it outright, I’ve the peace of thoughts realizing Google made this watch simple to restore. The show, battery and different parts can all be swapped with out shopping for an entire new machine — simply do not attempt to DIY it. That degree of repairability is uncommon within the smartwatch world, and it’d save me from having to shell out for a brand-new watch down the road.
A demo of the emergency satellite tv for pc connectivity function on the mobile model of the Pixel Watch 4.
I have been testing the LTE mannequin, which may contact emergency providers by way of satellite tv for pc in case you’re off the grid and need assistance. I have not been and not using a cell sign (or in misery, fortunately), nevertheless it’s a pleasant security internet, particularly for the value. Related satellite-enabled watches, just like the Apple Watch Ultra 3 or Garmin’s Fenix 8 Pro, value greater than $700, whereas the LTE model of the Pixel Watch 4 begins at $450.
Closing ideas
After a strong month collectively, here is the place I’ve landed: Should you’re on the lookout for an Android watch that does just about all the things properly, the Pixel Watch 4 is a strong choose. The 41mm battery nonetheless wants work (the 45mm needs to be higher), and in case you’re shopping for it only for Fitbit Coach, I might maintain off: it is promising, however not fairly there but.
Even with out Coach, although, the redesigned Fitbit app alone is sufficient to get enthusiastic about. Add within the glossy design, ease of use and seamless integration, and the Pixel Watch 4 retains this watch on the prime of my checklist. And if Google does ultimately nail the teaching facet, it’s going to be the cherry on prime of an already well-rounded sundae.
I am certain in one other month I am going to have much more gems and quirks to report. That is simply the way it goes with wearables you reside with day in and time out, particularly now that they are continually adapting to your habits.
