Pixel Watch 2

Pixel Watch 2
A Pixel Watch 2 on display at a store in
Shibuya Stream in Tokyo, Japan
BrandGoogle
TypeSmartwatch
SeriesPixel
First releasedOctober 12, 2023; 12 months ago (2023-10-12)
Availability by region30 countries
PredecessorPixel Watch
SuccessorPixel Watch 3
Compatible networks
Dimensions
  • D: 41 mm (1.6 in)
  • H: 12.3 mm (0.48 in)
Weight31 g (1.1 oz)
Operating systemWear OS 4.0
System-on-chip
GPUQualcomm Adreno 702
Memory2 GB SDRAM
Storage32 GB eMMC flash
Battery306 mAh (lithium-ion)
DisplayAMOLED at 320 ppi with DCI-P3 color
Sound
  • Speaker
  • Microphone
Connectivity
Data inputs
Water resistance5 ATM
Codename
  • Eos
  • Aurora
OtherCustom 3D Gorilla Glass 5
WebsitePixel Watch 2
References[1]

The Pixel Watch 2 is a Wear OS smartwatch designed, developed, and marketed by Google as part of the Google Pixel product line. It serves as the successor to the first-generation Pixel Watch.

The Pixel Watch 2 was officially announced on October 4, 2023, at the annual Made by Google event, and was released in the United States on October 12.

History

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In May 2023, 9to5Google reported that Google intended to release a successor to the Pixel Watch, a Wear OS–powered smartwatch, in October.[2] Two codenames for the watch, believed to be in reference to the Wi-Fi and cellular models, were later discovered to be "Eos" and "Aurora".[3] Three models were approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in August,[4] while the Eos model was listed on the Google Play Console device catalog for developers.[5] After previewing the watch in September,[6] Google officially announced the Pixel Watch 2 on October 4, alongside the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, at the annual Made by Google event.[7] Pre-orders became available the same day, before being released in 30 countries on October 12.[8][9] The watch suffered from significant shipping delays at the online Google Store.[10]

Specifications

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Design

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Visually, the Pixel Watch 2 is near-identical to its predecessor, save a "slightly redesigned haptic crown". Six new families of watch faces were made available at launch.[8][11] It is available in four case–band color pairs:[12]

Color options for the Pixel Watch
Case Polished Silver Matte Black Champagne Gold Polished Silver
Active Band Bay Obsidian Hazel Porcelain

Hardware

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The Pixel Watch 2 is made of recycled aluminum, a departure from the original Pixel Watch's stainless steel watch frame. Google stated that the change was made to make the watch lighter and more comfortable for users.[13][8] It is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon SW5100 system-on-chip (SoC), a departure from its predecessor's Samsung Exynos chip.[5] The watch's new circular sensor array consists of several new sensors.[14] A multipath heart rate sensor boasts more accurate readings; a skin temperature sensor tracks sleep but not menstruation; while an electrodermal activity sensor detects sweat beads to assess the wearer's mood. The Pixel Watch 2 is not compatible with the first generation's proprietary magnetic charger, instead requiring a newer and faster one.[8]

Software

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The Pixel Watch 2 shipped with Wear OS 4.0.[5] Like its predecessor, the watch features heavy Fitbit integration, given Google's acquisition of the company in 2021.[15] New personal safety features include emergency location sharing, Safety Check, and Safety Signal.[8]

Reception

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In her review for The Verge, Victoria Song praised the Pixel Watch 2's improvements from the first-generation on all fronts, especially battery life,[16] as did Yahoo! Finance reviewer Daniel Howley and Digital Spy reviewer Jason Murdock.[17][18] Julian Chokkattu of Wired concurred, writing, "I get a watch that actually comes with everything I wish the original did out of the box. Hooray!"[19] Matthew Miller of ZDNET highlighted the watch's deep Fitbit integration and safety features, but was ambivalent toward its small size.[20] Will Greenwald of PCMag praised the watch's design, performance, and health features,[21] while Mark Knapp of IGN called it "elegant and performant" but "still not a killer".[22] CNN Underscored's Max Buondonno and TheStreet's Jason Cipriani hailed its health, performance, and battery life enhancements.[23][24] Writing for The Guardian, Samuel Gibbs appreciated the improved performance and battery life but was disappointed with the lack of advanced health features and ability to be repaired.[25] Engadget's Cherlynn Low was conflicted, commending Google's efforts to close the gap between other smartwatches but still finding it mediocre overall;[26] Inverse's Raymond Wong agreed, calling it "a better smartwatch, but not the best".[27] Elizabeth de Luna of Mashable described the watch as "playing catch-up to the Apple Watch",[12] while Robert Leedham of GQ thought it was the ideal smartwatch for those indifferent toward smartwatches.[28]

References

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  1. ^ "Google Pixel Watch Tech Specs". Google Store. October 4, 2023. Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  2. ^ Li, Abner (May 5, 2023). "Source: Google planning to launch Pixel Watch 2 with Pixel 8". 9to5Google. Archived from the original on May 5, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  3. ^ Bradshaw, Kyle (June 13, 2023). "Google app reveals Pixel Watch 2 'Eos' code name, suggests similar design". 9to5Google. Archived from the original on June 13, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  4. ^ Song, Victoria (August 14, 2023). "The Pixel Watch 2 may not get UWB support after all". The Verge. Archived from the original on August 14, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c Cantisano, Timi (August 18, 2023). "Pixel Watch 2 Google Play Console listing reveals Snapdragon W5, 2GB RAM, and more". XDA Developers. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  6. ^ Roth, Emma (September 7, 2023). "Google teaser previews Pixel Watch 2 and both Pixel 8 phones". The Verge. Archived from the original on September 7, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  7. ^ Haselton, Todd (August 30, 2023). "Google announces event for Oct. 4, where new Pixel phone and smartwatch expected". CNBC. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d e Chokkattu, Julian (October 4, 2023). "Google's Pixel 8 and Pixel Watch 2 Have Arrived. Here's What's New". Wired. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  9. ^ Waraich, Sandeep (October 4, 2023). "Google Pixel Watch 2: New ways to stay healthy, connected and safe". The Keyword. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  10. ^ Schoon, Ben (November 1, 2023). "Pixel Watch 2 is still heavily delayed at Google Store, but shipping immediately from Best Buy". 9to5Google. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  11. ^ Wong, Raymond (October 4, 2023). "Google Pixel Watch 2 Hands-On: The Major Upgrades Are All Internal". Inverse. Archived from the original on October 5, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  12. ^ a b De Luna, Elizabeth (October 4, 2023). "The Google Pixel Watch 2 feels like deja vu". Mashable. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  13. ^ Li, Abner (July 24, 2023). "Sources: Pixel Watch 2 will use aluminum, Fitbit 'Coach' coming". 9to5Google. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  14. ^ Song, Victoria (September 8, 2023). "Pixel Watch 2 teaser shows off a new crown and sensor layout". The Verge. Archived from the original on September 8, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  15. ^ Blum, Sofia (October 4, 2023). "Google's latest Pixel phones have new camera AI tricks". CNBC. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  16. ^ Song, Victoria (October 11, 2023). "Google Pixel Watch 2 review: better battery, better watch". The Verge. Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  17. ^ Howley, Daniel (October 12, 2023). "Google Pixel Watch 2 review: Google's smartwatch is better the second time around". Yahoo! Finance. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  18. ^ Murdock, Jason (November 1, 2023). "Google Pixel Watch 2 review: The most stylish wearable returns". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  19. ^ Chokkattu, Julian (October 13, 2023). "Review: Google Pixel Watch 2". Wired. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  20. ^ Miller, Matthew (October 11, 2023). "Google Pixel Watch 2 review: In one key area, it surpasses every other smartwatch". ZDNET. Archived from the original on October 12, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  21. ^ Greenwald, Will (October 11, 2023). "Google Pixel Watch 2 Review". PCMag. Archived from the original on October 12, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  22. ^ Knapp, Mark (October 13, 2023). "Google Pixel Watch 2 Review". IGN. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  23. ^ Buondonno, Max (October 12, 2023). "The $350 Google Pixel Watch 2 is a big improvement over the original". CNN Underscored. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  24. ^ Cipriani, Jason (October 18, 2023). "The Pixel Watch 2 marries Google brains with Fitbit brawn in an elegant design". TheStreet. Archived from the original on October 19, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  25. ^ Gibbs, Samuel (October 26, 2023). "Pixel Watch 2 review: Google smartwatch gets speed and battery boost". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on October 26, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  26. ^ Low, Cherlynn (October 11, 2023). "Pixel Watch 2 review: Not leading the way, but no longer lagging". Engadget. Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  27. ^ Wong, Raymond (October 24, 2023). "Google Pixel Watch 2 Review: A Better Smartwatch, But Not the Best". Inverse. Archived from the original on October 26, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  28. ^ Leedham, Robert (October 13, 2023). "Google's Pixel Watch 2 is a great smartwatch for people who don't like smartwatches". GQ. Archived from the original on October 14, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
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