1-minute news: Google Pixel Watch 2 is smarter, faster and longer-lasting
What’s the story?
The Google Pixel Watch 2 was fully unveiled at today’s Google Pixel 8 event, which also saw the unveiling of the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones.
The tech giant showed off a smartwatch that looks similar to the previous model (read our Pixel Watch review for more on that), but promises to be smarter and more durable than its predecessor. Pre-orders are live now and the Pixel Watch 2 will start shipping on October 12. Prices start from $349 / £349 for the Wi-Fi model and $399 / £399 for the LTE version; prices in Australia have yet to be announced to us.
What should I know about it?
Google has refined the Pixel Watch 2 – while it looks much the same as its predecessor on the outside, there are a few minor design tweaks, such as using more recycled aluminum to make the watch lighter, in addition to a thinner glass cover.
On the inside, the smartwatch now has a more powerful chipset, while battery life has been improved for a full day of use. Charging has also been improved, allowing the watch to reach 50% capacity in 30 minutes.
But the biggest improvements come in the form of the Pixel Watch 2’s software capabilities. Because Wear OS 4 comes standard, more can be done with native apps like Gmail and Google Calendar right on the smartwatch, while Google Assistant can better handle health-related questions, such as using sleep data to answer questions about how well a wearer slept.
Speaking of sleep, a new skin temperature sensor can better read the warmth of a person’s skin and provide improved data on things like sleep tracking. In addition, heart rate tracking has been improved thanks to three new sensors. There are also smart features such as body response monitoring to detect signs of stress, automatic exercise detection and smart coaching features including haptic feedback to prompt wearers to maintain their pace while running.
For those who exercise alone, the new Safety Check feature lets you schedule a timer for specific situations where you want your friends or family to know your location. When the timer runs out, Safety Check will ask you to confirm that everything is fine, or if you want to share your location or contact emergency services. If there is no response, Safety Check activates Emergency Sharing, sharing your real-time location and situation with your pre-selected emergency contacts.
What do we think?
Our first impressions of the Pixel Watch 2 are positive, as Google has taken and refined the formula of a rather nicely designed and competitively priced smartwatch.
The likes of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 won’t be affected. But for people looking to get their first smartwatch and have one of the best Android phones (or any Android phone for that matter), the Pixel Watch 2 could be worth keeping an eye on. on – check back with TechRadar soon for our full review.