Google Pixel Watch 2: what we want to see
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We were hoping for a Google own-brand smartwatch before Wear OS was even called “Wear OS,” and after years of enjoying the platform on third-party wearables, we finally got our wish with the 2022 Google Pixel Watch. good news is, now that it’s here, we won’t have to wait that long for a Pixel Watch 2.
Granted, since the first Pixel Watch is just a recent arrival, the Google Pixel Watch 2 probably won’t land until late 2023; mainly because we haven’t heard any rumors about it yet, but that’s still a much faster turnaround than the eight years between the debut of Android Wear and the arrival of the current Pixel Watch.
A successor is something Google is almost certainly already working on, so expect leaks and rumors to surface soon enough. When that time comes, we’ll add them to this article, so check back often for the latest developments on the Pixel Watch 2.
In the meantime, you’ll find our best guesses on the Pixel Watch 2’s release date and price, followed by a wish list of what we want from it.
Cut to the chase
- What is it? Google’s next Pixel smartwatch
- When is it out? Possibly October 2023
- How much is it? Unclear, but probably at least $350 / £340 / AU$550
Google Pixel Watch 2 release date and price
We don’t know when the Pixel Watch 2 will be announced, but since the smartwatch industry generally tends to move in annual cycles, there’s a good chance it’ll be unveiled about a year after the original Pixel Watch.
That would mean a launch in or around October 2023, but since there’s only been one model so far, we can’t be quite sure that Google will stick with annual updates.
Still, assuming it lands in 2023 at all, the most obvious timing would be alongside the Google Pixel 8, which itself will likely land in October 2023.
As for the price, it may have a similar cost to the current Pixel Watch, which starts at $350 / £340 / AU$550, but that’s just speculation for now.
Google Pixel Watch 2 news and leaks
There’s no Pixel Watch 2 news at the time of writing, but we’ll be filling in this section as soon as we hear anything.
However, there are a few things we can predict. First, it will no doubt run Wear OS; not only does the current Pixel Watch have the same platform, Google makes the platform, so running anything else would be ridiculous.
It will presumably also keep most of the features of the current model, which – in addition to all the standard smartwatch functions – includes an EKG.
What we want to see
As good as the Pixel Watch is, there are many things Google can do to make the Pixel Watch 2 even better, including the following:
1. Multiple sizes
The Google Pixel Watch is a one-size-fits-all device, which of course inevitably means it’s not the ideal size for everyone.
In all honesty, it might be the best possible balance for a wearable that only comes in one size, but we’d still much rather be given the choice; like you get with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Apple Watch 8, for example — both of which come in two sizes.
2. Easier Band Change
One of the main issues we found with the Google Pixel Watch was how difficult it was to switch bands. Google has opted for its own system, which makes for a fairly limited selection of compatible bands.
Proprietary systems sometimes make the band swapping process easier than it would otherwise be, but the opposite is true with the DSLR camera lens-inspired mechanism at work on the Pixel Watch.
Once we got the hang of it, the system proved less painful, but there’s definitely a learning curve, so this is definitely something we hope Google refines for the Pixel Watch 2.
3. A smaller border
Despite being a fairly premium price point, the Google Pixel Watch has a huge bezel around its circular display, which goes against its otherwise high-end look and feel, and makes it look cheaper than it is.
Thanks to some clever choices of Google’s UI, the bezel isn’t usually particularly noticeable, but it’s still a shocking size for a modern smartwatch. As such, we’d like to see this shrink by the time people wrap the Google Pixel Watch 2 on their wrists.
4. Make it more comfortable to sleep in
Our review found that the Pixel Watch’s domed back made it a little uncomfortable to sleep in, and it even woke our reviewer from sleep several times.
This isn’t ideal, of course, and while some sleepers may not have this problem, we want the Pixel Watch 2 to have a flat back so it won’t wake anyone up.
5. Better Fitbit Integration
The Google Pixel Watch is a full-fledged Fitbit device, with access to a dedicated Fitbit app and Fitbit Premium features (it comes with six months of access as part of the price).
However, this all feels unnecessarily disjointed, as you need a separate Fitbit account to access many of the health and fitness features on the Pixel Watch, while a Google account handles everything else.
Since Google now owns Fitbit, it doesn’t seem too much to ask for your Google account to work as your Fitbit login as well. As such, we hope this is all streamlined in time for the Pixel Watch 2; because that would set it on the path to becoming a killer wearable and arguably one of the best smartwatches out there.
If you can’t wait that long, check out our roundup of the best smartwatch deals available now and the best Black Friday smartwatch deals, if you can wait until November 25th.