After a month of carrying the Pixel Watch 4 as my ride-or-die, the new-watch luster has light and we have slipped into the comfy rhythm of an outdated married couple. The design nonetheless feels timeless and understated, however the elements that really make this watch tick are underneath the floor: its intuitive UI, the seamless syncing with my telephone and the way in which it really works contained in the Android ecosystem. Paired with my Pixel 9 Pro, notifications arrive immediately, well being information syncs the second I open the app and Wear OS updates are delivered sooner than on most different watches.But whereas the Pixel Watch 4 stays one in every of 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. Watch this: One Month With Google’s Pixel Watch 4: The Surprises No One Mentioned
07:42 Gemini butts into my conversationsI’ve already raved about how helpful Google’s new AI assistant is on a smartwatch. It handles advanced requests in pure language (no robo-voice wanted), understands follow-up prompts with out requiring me to repeat the unique query and it could actually even translate textual content on the fly. On a tiny watch display screen, 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), but it surely does it a step additional by letting you speak to it immediately: no buttons, no wake phrases. During the primary week, I went full-on Dick Tracy, asking my wrist each stray thought that crossed my thoughts. I cherished that it learn solutions aloud so I might preserve cooking or wrangling youngsters 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. Vanessa Hand Orellana/CNETA few weeks later, Gemini has largely light into the background. Part of that’s from the novelty carrying off, however largely it is as a result of Gemini retains lacking the mark once I really need it. It seems that having an assistant so available is not at all times as handy because it sounds.Sometimes I’ve to magnify the wrist-raise that triggers it to pay attention, whereas different occasions it wakes up unprompted as a result of I’m emphatically gesturing with my fingers just like the spirited Latin girl that I’m. Often, there is a noticeable delay earlier than it responds, too. Case in level: I used to be on a video name with my supervisor when Gemini abruptly 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 can flip off raise-to-wake and swap to a button press or on-screen activation. But for now, I’m leaving it on, hoping that with extra time Gemini and I work out a rhythm — and it will be taught to not butt into my conversations.Apparently, I’m a strolling sturdiness testI love the Pixel Watch 4’s domed round display screen. It’s understated and stylish and appears good with nearly any watch band (elegant or sporty). The near-180-degree visibility makes it straightforward to learn at a look while not having to angle your wrist, and the 4,000-nit show is legible on vivid noon runs. I’ve been utilizing the 41mm mannequin (additionally is available in 45mm), and it is comfy sufficient to put on 24/7. During the day, I’d neglect I used to be carrying it as a result of it is so slim; at evening, the bubble display screen is a contact extra noticeable towards the pillow, however not sufficient to disturb my sleep.The draw back to a watch that is principally all display screen is that it is extra uncovered to the realities of life (mine, specifically). As an out of doors fanatic and a mother of three youngsters whose private hobbies embody testing the bounds of gravity, I am unable to afford to be valuable about my tech, jewellery or something. Function over type is the stage I’m in. The domed display screen on the Pixel Watch 4 leaves it uncovered to scratches just like the one within the heart of the display screen. Celso Bulgatti/CNETSo sure, I’ve already managed to scrape the customized 3D Gorilla Glass 5. I want I might let you know what epic journey triggered it, however I genuinely did not discover till I used to be filming the evaluate video. The scratch is certainly seen and price contemplating in case you plan to make use of the look ahead to extra rugged actions. You could need to spend money on a display screen protector, which admittedly defeats the entire glossy, minimalistic aesthetic, however right here we’re.The strap system requires a studying curve. It’s the identical mechanism because the earlier mannequin, however urgent the discharge button whereas sliding the band out takes coordination. If you are planning to swap in third-party bands to decorate it up (or down), simply realize it takes just a few tries earlier than it feels pure.Fitbit’s app is a pleasure, however I’m nonetheless not offered on CoachThe Pixel Watch 4 packs each main well being and security function you’d count on: ECG, irregular coronary heart rhythm detection, crash and fall alerts and an FDA-approved low pulse detection function. But 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 really 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 couple of times, however total, its monitoring feels correct. It even flagged a dip in my HRV on an evening I used to be clearly combating some type of bug. Paired with a low readiness rating, it gave me the nudge I wanted to take it straightforward and get well. It by no means totally developed into something critical, which I credit score the Pixel Watch for. During a exercise, the numbers on the Pixel Watch 4 change shade to match the guts price zone you are in. Celso Bulgatti/CNETThe Pixel Watch 4 does all of the health fundamentals, however goes above and past on the main points. For instance, as a substitute of creating me hunt via screens for my coronary heart price zone, the watch merely modifications the interface shade of my exercise to match my coronary heart price zone so I can rapidly see the place I’m at in my coaching with out breaking my stride.I’ve at all times thought the Fitbit app was one of the vital intuitive within the wearable house, however after testing the redesigned model (rolling out publicly subsequent yr), it may be one of the best. Instead of specializing in a single day, it now offers you a full week’s view of your health information, which feels way more life like. 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. Celso Bulgatti/CNETThe greatest 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 probably 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 data into the free model of Gemini on my telephone produced virtually equivalent strategies. 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. Celso Bulgatti/CNETCoach 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 based mostly on my sleep patterns and power scores. It additionally advisable skipping my exercise on that unhealthy sleep day and choosing a nap as a substitute (which I did not have time for, however nonetheless appreciated the permission to relaxation). But there are limitations. Unlike Gemini, which I can summon at any time on my watch, Coach is just out there within the Fitbit app on my telephone, making the expertise really feel oddly passive. I want it coached me throughout exercises and nudged me to hit a goal zone or advised me when it is time to transfer to the following train in my coaching plan.Coach can also’t provide medical recommendation (which is an efficient factor), and once I tried to bait it into doing so, it appropriately advised me to speak to a physician. Still, handing over a lot well being information to an AI makes me a little bit uneasy as a result of I’m not precisely positive 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 might look very totally different from what I’ve been previewing. The battery on the 41mm Pixel Watch 4 will final round 30 hours. Celso Bulgatti/CNETBattery life is simply OKOver the previous month, my tackle the battery hasn’t modified a lot. It’s a welcome enchancment over the past technology, however that 30-hour mark nonetheless arrives quick — normally proper in the course of my second day when 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 once I get up. That’s normally all it must get via a full evening of sleep monitoring.Google claims it takes 60 minutes to completely cost, however in my expertise, it is nearer to 40 minutes.Some of its greatest options are ones I have not had to make use of butEven if I’d managed to scratch the display screen into oblivion or crack it outright, I’ve the peace of thoughts realizing Google made this watch straightforward to restore. The show, battery and different elements can all be swapped with out shopping for an entire new gadget — simply do not attempt to DIY it. That stage 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. Celso Bulgatti/CNETI’ve 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), but it surely’s a pleasant security internet, particularly for the worth. Similar 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 ideasAfter a strong month collectively, this is the place I’ve landed: If you are on the lookout for an Android watch that does just about the whole lot effectively, the Pixel Watch 4 is a strong decide. The 41mm battery nonetheless wants work (the 45mm ought to be higher), and in case you’re shopping for it only for Fitbit Coach, I’d 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 listing. And if Google does finally nail the teaching facet, it will be the cherry on prime of an already well-rounded sundae.I’m positive in one other month I’ll have much more gems and quirks to report. That’s simply the way it goes with wearables you reside with day in and day trip, particularly now that they are always adapting to your habits.
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