The Google Pixel Watch 3 has several unique features that are not present on the Apple Watch Ultra 2, reflecting Google's focus on detailed fitness tracking, seamless Android integration, and distinctive safety capabilities.
One prominent unique feature of the Pixel Watch 3 is its ability to detect loss of pulse and automatically alert emergency services. This is a first-of-its-kind feature in smartwatches, designed to recognize when the wearer might be experiencing a cardiac event and respond by calling for help without user initiation. This feature is complemented by fall detection, emergency sharing of location to chosen contacts, and safety check timers that automatically share location if a timer expires. These safety features create a robust emergency response system directly from the wrist.
In fitness, the Pixel Watch 3 allows the creation and syncing of structured running workouts with multiple interval sets directly from the phone to the watch. Users can build workouts comprising warm-ups, cool-downs, and intervals with heart rate or pace targets, then instantly push them to the watch for use during runs. This functionality supports complex workout regimes and is distinct from the workout building capabilities commonly found on competitor devices.
The Pixel Watch 3 also introduces advanced cardio load metrics that track cardiovascular strain throughout all forms of elevated heart rate activity, not just during defined workouts. This includes physical exertion throughout the day like manual labor or incidental activity, offering a more holistic view of cardio load. In contrast, many other watches only track cardio load during specific workout sessions. This comprehensive cardio load tracking aims to better represent actual daily physical stress on the body.
Improvements in heart rate accuracy have been highlighted for the Pixel Watch 3 as well, with significant algorithmic enhancements and slight hardware tweaks to the optical heart rate sensor. Reviews demonstrate excellent heart rate tracking in diverse activities including interval running and mountain biking, even in challenging conditions for wrist-based sensors, showing performance close to chest strap monitors.
For usability, the Pixel Watch 3 supports quick phone switching mid-use without loss of data, an uncommon feature among smartwatches, allowing seamless transitions between phones during activities or travel. Additionally, Pixel Watch 3 users can use the watch as a remote control for Pixel phone cameras and integrate tightly with Google services like Google TV remote control, Nest camera feeds, and unlocking phones using ultra-wideband technology, enhancing the ecosystem experience for Android users especially.
Display and battery-wise, the Pixel Watch 3 features a larger, brighter screen and significantly improved battery lifeâ24 hours with the always-on display and up to 36 hours in battery saver mode, alongside 20% faster charging. This extends the daily usability substantially while maintaining a quality display experience.
The Pixel Watch 3 also integrates Fitbit health metrics and new AI-based assistive features, such as AI-generated running workouts and Morning Brief digests, aiming to provide smarter coaching and personalized fitness guidance directly on the watch. These tools seek to engage users with fitness planning and readiness scores more intelligently than a typical fitness tracker.
In summary, the Pixel Watch 3's unique features compared to the Apple Watch Ultra 2 include:
- Loss of pulse detection that automatically calls emergency services.
- A comprehensive, all-day cardio load tracking system that accounts for physical exertion outside of workouts.
- Structured running workout builder that syncs multiple interval sets seamlessly from phone to watch.
- Exceptional optical heart rate accuracy with improved algorithms for difficult conditions.
- Instant data continuity when switching phones mid-tracking.
- Remote control for Pixel phone cameras and integration with Google ecosystem features like TV and Nest controls, plus ultra-wideband phone unlocking.
- Larger, brighter display with extended battery life and faster charging.
- AI-driven fitness coaching features and Fitbit health data integration enhancing workout and readiness experiences.