Description

Google Pixel Watch 2

Google Pixel Watch 2 is in Kenya. The smartwatch, announced on 4th October, measures 41 x 41 x 12.3 mm and weighs 31g. Moreover, it features a 1.2-inch AMOLED display with 1000 nits brightness, 320ppi resolution, and Corning Gorilla Glass screen protection. Pixel Watch 2 now runs on Android Wear OS 4 and is powered by an efficient Qualcomm 5100 chipset, which optimizes multifunctionality. Although it does not support additional memory, it packs 32GB internal and 2GB RAM. Powering the smartwatch is a Li-Ion 306 mAh, non-removable battery, recharged by a Wireless (Qi) charger capable of fast charging 1-80% of the battery in 45 minutes.

Design Philosophy

Minimalist Elegance: Google seems to be prioritizing a minimalist and refined design language with the Pixel Watch 2.
Focus on Comfort: The switch to aluminum and the potential for a redesigned underside highlight Google’s commitment to user comfort.
Seamless Integration: The overall design likely aims to seamlessly integrate with different styles and functionalities.

The Google Pixel Watch 2 appears to be an evolution rather than a revolution in design. It retains the core strengths of the original while incorporating subtle improvements for a lighter, potentially more health-focused, and comfortable experience.

Pixel Watch 2 Performance

The Google Pixel Watch 2 tackles a major shortcoming of its predecessor with a significant performance upgrade. Let’s delve into how the new watch elevates the user experience.

Faster and Smoother Operations
At the heart of the improvement lies a brand new quad-core CPU. This powerhouse delivers noticeably smoother performance compared to the original Pixel Watch. Apps launch quicker, navigating through menus feels more fluid, and overall responsiveness is enhanced.

Power Efficiency and All-Day Battery Life

The upgraded performance doesn’t come at the expense of battery life. Google cleverly pairs the powerful CPU with a low-power co-processor. This combination allows the Pixel Watch 2 to achieve a remarkable feat:  a full 24 hours of battery life, even with the always-on display enabled. This surpasses the battery life of most Apple Watches, making the Pixel Watch 2 a perfect companion for day-to-day activities without worrying about running out of juice.
Faster Charging
Gone are the days of waiting for your smartwatch to charge. The Pixel Watch 2 boasts a new, faster charging system that utilizes a four-pin charger (different from the original Pixel Watch). This translates to reaching 50% charge in just 30 minutes, ensuring you’re quickly back on track.

Real-World Performance

Reviewers have put the Pixel Watch 2 through its paces, and the results are positive. While some users might not perceive a night-and-day difference in everyday use compared to the original Pixel Watch, the smoother performance is undeniable. The extended battery life and significantly faster charging are both significant improvements that enhance the overall user experience.
The Google Pixel Watch 2 addresses a key pain point of the first generation by delivering a noticeable performance boost. This, coupled with excellent battery life and faster charging, makes the Pixel Watch 2 a compelling option for Android smartwatch users seeking a smooth and reliable experience.

Pixel Watch 2 Display

The Google Pixel Watch 2 boasts a stunning display designed to deliver a clear and vibrant user experience. Here’s a detailed breakdown of its key features:

Display Technology

AMOLED: The Pixel Watch 2 utilizes an AMOLED (Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display. AMOLED technology offers excellent contrast with deep blacks and rich colors, perfect for viewing notifications, fitness stats, and watch faces.

Size and Resolution

1.2-inch Display: The display measures 1.2 inches diagonally, providing a good balance between readability and size on your wrist.
Sharp Resolution: With a resolution of 450 x 450 pixels, the Pixel Watch 2 packs in 320 pixels per inch (ppi). This ensures sharp text, crisp details, and a smooth viewing experience.
Brightness:
1000 nits Peak Brightness: The display boasts a peak brightness of 1000 nits, making it easily readable outdoors even under direct sunlight.

Durability
Corning Gorilla Glass 5: Google has incorporated Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for scratch and damage protection, ensuring your watch display stays clear and functional.

Additional Features

Always-on Display Option: The Pixel Watch 2 offers an always-on display option, allowing you to see the time and other essential information at a glance without needing to activate the watch.
Custom 3D Glass: Google utilizes a custom 3D sculpted Corning Gorilla Glass 5, which seamlessly curves around the watch face for a sleek and comfortable look.

Get More Done With Wear OS 4

Smart Notifications

Pixel Watch 2 is the only smartwatch with all of Wear OS 4’s capabilities, which helps make your watch more customizable and easier to use. Wear OS 4’s more intelligent notifications show preview images and GIFs, allowing you to start a call or message or get directions with just one tap from your notifications screen.

Improved Accessibility and Customization

Additionally, Wear OS 4 improves accessibility and customization with features like bold text and better text-to-speech for faster screen reading. When it’s time to switch to a new phone or watch, you can use watch transfer to pair to the new phone or backup and restore to easily transfer your data and settings from your previous Pixel Watch.

Moreover, Pixel Watch 2 also has new apps to help you get more done. With the new Gmail and Calendar apps, you can accept or decline events and catch up on your inbox right from your wrist.

Major Improvements to Apps

Google has also made improvements to existing apps:

• You can listen to podcasts on YouTube Music and check nearby place information in Google Maps.
• Google has added more apps to download on Google Play for Wear OS, including AllTrails, Audible and WhatsApp.

Memory Specifications on Pixel 2

Memory is becoming necessary for smartphones as technology improves and the watch uses become more sophisticated. A smartwatch is now becoming a device required to support the functionalities of smartphones. In this case, the Pixel Watch 2 comes packed with 32GB internal memory (ROM) and 2GB RAM (no MicroSD slot). Such memory is necessary for the smartwatch, especially considering its specifications and capabilities to execute several functionalities.

Better Battery Power Management

With the low-power co-processor, the new CPU gives the watch 24 hours of battery life, even with an always-on display. Combined with a faster charging rate that powers your clock to 50% in just 30 minutes, six your Pixel Watch 2 can support your activities from day to night.

Health Insights on Google Pixel Watch 2

All-New Heart Rate Sensor

Pixel Watch 2 has three new sensors to give you deeper insights into your health. Working alongside Google’s improved AI heart rate algorithm, an all-new heart rate sensor with numerous LEDs produces a more accurate heart rate reading than ever. It’s up to 40% more precise for vigorous activities like HIIT, spinning and rowing. This means you will also get more accurate readings for other essential health metrics — from calories burned and Active Zone Minutes to Daily Readiness Score and sleep.

The New Continuous Electrodermal Activity (Ceda) Sensor

Google has also brought Fitbit’s Body Response feature to its Pixel Watch 2, powered by a new continuous electrodermal activity (cEDA) sensor. The new sensor can point to possible signs of stress using a machine learning algorithm incorporating heart rate, heart rate variability and skin temperature.

When the algorithm picks up on physical indicators of positive and negative stress, including excitement, the Body Response feature will send you a notification. It will then prompt you to reflect on how you feel or take action to reduce your stress, like guided breathing or a mindfulness session. Reflecting on these moments may help you identify patterns to anticipate potential stress and plan.

Skin Temperature Sensor/ skin conductance

Once you are ready to turn in, Google’s new skin temperature sensor tracks at night to reveal insights into your sleep and monitor for changes in your overall wellness.