Google finally released its first Pixel smartwatch in 2022, impressing us with its usability and functionality. Now, with the sequel planned, what does the search giant have up its rather baggy sleeves?
We’re rounding up all the Google Pixel Watch 2 news and rumors we’ve seen so far.
When will the Google Pixel Watch 2 be released?
There’s no official word from Google yet, and the Google I/O event in May 2023 came and went without any mention or tease of an update to the smartwatch lineup, only covering instead than the Pixel 7a, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet.
Instead, 9to5Google reports that the Pixel Watch 2 will debut in October 2023 alongside the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.
How much will the Google Pixel Watch 2 cost?
Again, there are no confirmed pricing details from Google at this time. With the Pixel Watch only releasing in October 2022, we don’t think there will be too much of a change to the price of this smartwatch:
- Google Pixel Watch (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth) – $349/£339/$379
- Google Pixel Watch (LTE) – $399 / £379 / $429
What new features will we see in the Google Pixel Watch 2?
We don’t yet know the official specs of the Google Pixel Watch 2, so we’re relying on the rumors that have surfaced so far to give us a hint as to what we might see when the new model arrives.
There haven’t been many leaks so far, and things are complicated by the fact that Jon Prosser reported Google is actually working on two models: a standard Pixel Watch 2 and a separate version for kids, although it admits that the latter may end up being marketed under the Fitbit brand, perhaps as an extension of the Fitbit Ace 3 from 2021.
Other than that, it’s been surprisingly quiet news-wise. GSMArena posted that it thinks it’s likely we’ll see a new Snapdragon W5+ processor in the new model, which will hopefully deliver improved efficiency and increased battery life.
Other than that, he’s been pretty thin on the pitch. So here are the things we hope Google improves with the Pixel Watch 2.
Better battery life
If there was one main weakness with the Google Pixel Watch, it was battery life. The small 294mAh cell is a fairly normal size for a smartwatch, but when we reviewed it we encountered some inconsistencies in performance, which meant that the durability varied from 48 hours to 12 hours, with no real change in the way we interacted with the device.
Software improvements can undoubtedly improve this, but in the new model, we hope that Google can define this very important aspect. As we mentioned above, there are rumors of a new chipset in the Pixel Watch 2, so if that comes with a software optimization, Google’s second edition smartwatch could last a lot longer. longer than the one it replaces.
Qi wireless charging support
Although the Pixel Watch comes with its own wireless charger, the device doesn’t support Qi charging, which means you won’t be able to use it with third-party options. It’s especially annoying when you consider that the Pixel 7 offers reverse wireless charging, but the Pixel Watch is incompatible.
We’d like to see that change in the Pixel Watch 2, because it seems like a weird oversight by Google in the first place.
Fitness tracking improvements
While the Pixel Watch offers a good range of fitness tracking options, it omits the auto start, stop, and pause features that appear on some current Fitbits such as the Fitbit Sense 2. This means that she may miss workouts and not give you the results you’ve gained from your efforts. Again, this seems to just be down to software improvements, so we’re hoping to see this implemented in the Pixel Watch 2.
That’s all we have on Google’s new smartwatch so far, but we’ll continue to update this article as more information comes to light. In the meantime, why not check out our guides to the best smartwatches and the best fitness trackers to see what other options are available.
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