At a Glance
- Pixel Watch 4 offers a 3,000-nit curved display and fast charging.
- Battery lasts over a day on light use, with 0-50% in 15 min and 0-100% in 45 min.
- The watch’s curved Actua 360 screen and slimmer bezels improve visibility and comfort.
- Why it matters: It shows Google’s push to compete in the Android smartwatch market with standout battery and display tech.
For years I kept to analog watches and fitness bands, but the new Pixel Watch 4 has changed that. The review by Sophia A. Reynolds from News Of Los Angeles explores the watch’s design, battery, and fitness features in depth.
Design and Display
The Pixel Watch 4’s display is a curved domed Actua 360 panel that sits flush against the wrist. It has thinner bezels than last year’s model and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, making it easy to read outdoors. The 41-mm unit I tested feels lightweight, though the 45-mm size offers a larger screen and longer battery life.
- Curved domed Actua 360 panel
- Thinner bezels than previous generation
- Peak brightness 3,000 nits
- 41-mm and 45-mm size options
Battery Life and Fast Charging
Despite its compact size, the Pixel Watch 4 delivers more than a full day of use on light activity days. The proprietary puck-shaped charger is simple to use, and the watch reaches 50 % charge in about 15 minutes and 100 % in roughly 45 minutes. This rapid charging means you can top-up the watch while making coffee or doing a quick chore.
| Charge Level | Time |
|---|---|
| 0 % → 50 % | ~15 min |
| 0 % → 100 % | ~45 min |
Fitness Tracking and Software
I mainly used the Pixel Watch 4 for pickleball, walking, and gym workouts. The watch records calorie burn but offers limited sport-specific insights; it detects cardio after 15 minutes of continuous activity, but walking metrics are inconsistent. Floor-count accuracy is also unreliable, and sleep or readiness scores are not actionable in the daily summary, though the Fitbit app suggests readiness tips.
- Core training
- Weights
- General workout
- Treadmill
- Elliptical
Google’s new Material UI design feels fresh and aligns with the Pixel Fold’s theme. The weather app shows hourly and daily forecasts clearly, and the exercise app allows quick start for three workout types. Gemini can be invoked by raising the wrist, but beyond timer starts and occasional sports updates, it isn’t heavily used.
Pinch gestures now dismiss notifications, play or pause media, and even end calls. These usability tweaks add to the overall polish, but the core fitness experience remains solid yet unremarkable compared to competitors.
Overall Verdict
The Pixel Watch 4 shines with its bright, curved display and robust battery life, complemented by fast charging that keeps the watch ready for the day. While the fitness tracking is adequate for casual use, it lacks the depth and AI-driven insights that other Android watches are beginning to offer. For anyone looking for a reliable, well-designed smartwatch that balances performance and battery, the Pixel Watch 4 stands out as one of the best Android options available.
Key Takeaways
- The watch’s 3,000-nit display and fast charging make it a standout in the Android smartwatch space.
- Battery life exceeds a day on light use, with 15-minute half-charge and 45-minute full charge times.
- Fitness tracking is solid but not as advanced as competitors, and sleep insights are limited.
Overall, the Pixel Watch 4 proves that Google can deliver a compelling smartwatch that blends impressive hardware with a user-friendly experience. It’s a strong choice for Android users who value battery longevity and a bright, readable display.
