I’ve spent over a month sporting the Pixel Watch 4 as my every day (and nightly) companion, and whereas it is nonetheless one in every of 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 look nonetheless maintain as much as the check of time; it is smooth, understated, and comfy to put on. But it is the intuitive UI, the seamless syncing with my cellphone, and the way in which it matches so naturally into the Android ecosystem that maintain me coming again to it. Paired with my Pixel 9 Pro, notifications arrive immediately, well being knowledge syncs the second I open the app and Wear OS updates are delivered quicker 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.Gemini butts into my conversationsI’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 will probably 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 discuss 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 maintain 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 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 all the time as handy because it sounds.Sometimes I’ve to magnify the wrist-raise that triggers it to hear, whereas different instances it wakes up unprompted as a result of I’m emphatically gesturing with my fingers just like the spirited Latin lady 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 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 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 determine 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 chic and appears good with nearly any watch band (elegant or sporty). The near-180-degree visibility makes it simple 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 snug sufficient to put on 24/7. During the day, I’d overlook I used to be sporting it as a result of it is so slim; at night time, the bubble display screen 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 mainly 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 embrace testing the boundaries of gravity, I can not afford to be treasured 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 inform you what epic journey triggered it, however I genuinely did not discover till I used to be filming the evaluation video. The scratch is unquestionably seen and price contemplating for those who plan to make use of the look ahead to extra rugged actions. You might wish to spend money on a display screen protector, which admittedly defeats the entire smooth, 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 a number of tries earlier than it feels pure.Fitbit’s app is a pleasure, however I’m nonetheless not bought 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 knowledge 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 often miserable). It has misinterpret a late-night sofa session as sleep a couple of 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 type of bug. Paired with a low readiness rating, it gave me the nudge I wanted to take it simple and get well. It by no means absolutely developed into something severe, which I credit score the Pixel Watch for. During a exercise, the numbers on the Pixel Watch 4 change coloration to match the center fee zone you are in. Celso Bulgatti/CNETThe 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 screens for my coronary heart fee zone, the watch merely adjustments the interface coloration of my exercise to match my coronary heart fee zone so I can shortly see the place I’m at in my coaching with out breaking my stride.I’ve all the time thought the Fitbit app was probably the most intuitive within the wearable house, however after testing the redesigned model (rolling out publicly subsequent 12 months), it could be the perfect. Instead of specializing in a single day, it now provides you a full week’s view of your health knowledge, which feels way 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 objectives. Celso Bulgatti/CNETThe largest replace, although, lies behind the $10/month Fitbit Premium paywall: Fitbit Coach, an AI chatbot that is supposed to assist translate your knowledge into actionable steerage.Setup requires answering a collection of questions on your objectives, gear and time dedication. My aim 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 related data into the free model of Gemini on my cellphone produced virtually an identical ideas. 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 knowledge to make tweaks on the fly, which is genuinely helpful. It flagged that figuring out previous 9 p.m. is counterproductive for me primarily based on my sleep patterns and power scores. It additionally really useful 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 obtainable 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 following train in my coaching plan.Coach can also’t supply medical recommendation (which is an efficient factor), and after I tried to bait it into doing so, it accurately instructed me to speak to a physician. Still, handing over a lot well being knowledge to an AI makes me a bit of uneasy as a result of I’m not precisely positive what it may be used for down the road.To be honest, Coach remains to be in beta and is meant to adapt because it learns your habits. So, it could 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 era, however that 30-hour mark nonetheless arrives quick — often proper in the midst 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 after I get up. That’s often all it must get by a full night time of sleep monitoring.Google claims it takes 60 minutes to totally cost, however in my expertise, it is nearer to 40 minutes.Some of its finest options are ones I have never 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 simple to restore. The show, battery and different elements can all be swapped with out shopping for a complete new system — simply do not attempt to DIY it. That degree of repairability is uncommon within the smartwatch world, and it would 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 through satellite tv for pc for those who’re off the grid and need assistance. I have never been with out a cell sign (or in misery, fortunately), but it surely’s a pleasant security web, 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 thoughtsAfter a stable month collectively, this is the place I’ve landed: If you are in search of an Android watch that does just about all the things nicely, the Pixel Watch 4 is a stable choose. The 41mm battery nonetheless wants work (the 45mm must be higher), and for those who’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 smooth design, ease of use and seamless integration, and the Pixel Watch 4 retains this watch on the high of my record. And if Google does finally nail the teaching aspect, it’s going to be the cherry on high 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 time out, particularly now that they are always adapting to your habits.
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