A year after presenting the first model, Google has globally launched the Pixel Watch 2the second generation of its smart watch that arrives with important changes and with the aim of not only facing the Apple Watch Series 9, but also to battle against the rest of the smartwatches from manufacturers such as Samsung or Huawei.
The Google Pixel Watch 2 is also the first Google watch to arrive in Spainand it does so with very interesting features and with three assets to face its competition.
- One of them is his design: Although it maintains the same rounded aesthetic as the rest of the Android watches, it has some relevant differences from both its predecessor and the rest of the smartwatches on the market.
- The Pixel Watch 2 It also integrates new sensorss: a new temperature sensor, a new cEDA sensor, to measure electrodermal activity and detect stress; and another sensor called multipath, which allows cardiac activity to be detected at different times and situations.
- Includes wearOS 4which includes new features, such as the compatibility of apps such as Gmail or calendar on the watch itself.
A priori, these are very attractive features, but, Do they really comply on a daily basis? And the most important, Do they make it an interesting alternative to other watches?
The design of the Google Pixel Watch 2
Let’s start by talking about one of its main assets: design. The Pixel Watch, I reiterate, is different from the rest of the smartwatches for Android, although it retains the circular shape so characteristic of smart watches from Huawei, Xiaomi or Samsung. It’s different, because this does not try to imitate the design of a traditional watch, as the rest of the manufacturers do; but rather it boasts of being a smartwatch with a minimalist design.
The Pixel Watch arrives in a single size, with a 41mm case which also weighs only 31 grams and measures 12.3 mm thick. It is an ideal watch for thinner wrists like mine. It is, also, very pretty, and very comfortable; I barely feel like I’m wearing it.
The design of the Pixel Watch also has some curiosities worth mentioning. The front glass It has a fairly pronounced curvature which gives it a much more elegant aesthetic, as well as a crown that allows you to navigate the interface practically without having to touch the screen. And this, the truth is, is something that is appreciated.
With the crown, for example, we can open the notification panel simply by turning it up from the home screen. Also access the quick settings menu by sliding on the opposite side. When pressed, the application drawer opens, and in most applications we can use it to scroll.
The crown arrives accompanied of a button whose main use is to open the recent apps menu if we click on it once, or directly access the last open app if we click twice, it does not allow, for example, to run a specific application or access a direct option with one or two clicks.
The Pixel Watch 2, by the way, has a 1.2 inch screen. It is an AMOLED panel with a resolution of 450 x 450 pixels which, unfortunately, stands out for its pronounced frames. Luckily, the interface is correctly optimized and elements, such as menus, text or buttons, are positioned correctly. But on some occasions, especially when I have been walking, it is difficult to navigate given its size.
WearOS 4 is the star
The interface, by the way, is another of the star features of this watch. Well, rather, its operating system. Includes WearOS 4, Google’s platform for smart watches. It also does it natively; no strange customization layers, no different icons, no alternative app stores. It is a super simple and minimalist interface, and this, in a watch, is always appreciated.
Navigating the interface, in fact, is really easy; There is only one main screen, that of the spheres, which can be customized from the application. Also a notifications menu, as well as another quick settings menu. And, of course, the app drawer, which appears in list form.
WearOS 4 too It has its own Google Play Store, where we find a number of compatible applications. Additionally, and as happens on the Apple Watch, when we download an app on the device, the watch automatically downloads the version for the watch.
Many of the applications They offer basic functions, but sufficient for a device with these characteristics. In the Calendar app—which, by the way, debuts on this Pixel Watch 2—, for example, we can see a list of available events, as well as detailed information if we click on one of them.
The health and sports options of the Google Pixel Watch 2
The Google Pixel Watch 2, on the other hand, It comes with very interesting functions for health and sports. The company, specifically, makes use of Fitbit technology—a company that Google bought a few years ago—for some of the features related to this area.
In fact, the Pixel Watch 2 is compatible with Fitbit Premium subscriptionto use additional functions for health and sports, and has the Fitbit app to perform workouts or some of the health measurements, such as heart rate, stress, sleep, etc.
In addition, the Google Pixel Watch 2 now incorporates new sensors. One of them is a temperature sensor, to be able to measure and track body temperature. It also includes cEDA sensor, which is used to measure electrodermal activity and detect stress.
Finally, premiere multipath, which allows detecting cardiac activity at different times and situations. All of these work continuously, allowing you to access the results at any time from an app called ‘Fitbit today’, where all the relevant information related to health is displayed.
Is the Pixel Watch 2 worth it?
I’m going to be honest, and I know it’s going to sound cliché: but the Pixel Watch 2 (available for 399 euros) is the watch I would buy if I didn’t use an Apple Watch. Its three key features, in fact, make this watch the ideal alternative to the Apple Watch for Android.
The Pixel Watch 2 has a unique design: it’s very pretty, and very comfortable, and has a pretty decent build. Its software is also very well optimized, with useful apps that are very well adapted to the circular screen, and the options for health and sports, although they are not as complete as those we can find, for example, on the Apple Watch. , they comply perfectly.
The Pixel Watch 2, yes, It is not the most complete smartwatch. Samsung has very attractive options, such as the Galaxy Watch 6 (369 euros), which also has a larger screen and very interesting options in terms of health and sports. It is not the cheapest either: for 250 euros, for example, we can have the latest from Huawei, although this one is more limited in terms of functions. Now, if you are looking for a compact, beautiful, and easy-to-use watch, without neglecting health options, the Google watch is an ideal option.