Pixel Watch 4 upgrades built to last

Google unveils the Pixel Watch 4 with a subtle look but major hardware and software improvements.

Pixel Watch 4 delivers a major upgrade under familiar design

At Made by Google 2025, Google introduced the Pixel Watch 4. The watch keeps the familiar circular silhouette but packs a bigger upgrade than it appears. A raised center glass and a domed under-display, part of the Actua 360 system, make the pixels feel closer to the surface. The result is about 10% more screen real estate and a bezel that’s about 16% smaller, while the display reaches up to 3,000 nits of brightness and stays protected by Gorilla Glass. The watch is aluminum, rated IP68, and water resistant to 50 meters.

Inside, Google moves to a Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chip with 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage. A Cortex-M55 co-processor runs machine learning tasks 25% faster at half the power, and the display uses 50% less power in ambient mode. Battery life improves to about 30 hours for the 41mm model and 40 hours for the 45mm, with two to three days in Battery Saver mode. A new Quick Charge Dock can push the battery from 0 to 50% in 15 minutes. The Pixel Watch 4 also adds standalone LTE with Satellite SOS connectivity in the contiguous US, useful for emergencies when there is no phone signal. Health features include 18% more accurate sleep tracking, a skin temperature sensor, and dual‑frequency GPS for better route tracking. AI features include on‑device smart replies and a Gemini‑powered Coach linked to a redesigned Fitbit app, all running on Wear OS 6.

These changes show Google is treating the Pixel Watch as a platform rather than a one‑off gadget. The hardware refresh is quiet but meaningful, delivering practical upgrades in brightness, durability, and charging speed that could shift how often wearers reach for the watch. The emphasis on AI, health analytics, and a closer Fitbit partnership points to a broader strategy of weaving the wearable into daily routines rather than treating it as a standalone device.

The real test is how users respond to the mix of familiar design and deeper software integration. Satellite SOS is a tangible safety feature, but its value depends on coverage and user education. The new coach and on‑device responses promise a more proactive experience, yet they raise questions about data privacy, battery life in real‑world use, and whether the ecosystem can scale across users who already own older Pixel Watches or Fitbit products.

Highlights

The Pixel Watch 4 signals Google’s intent to turn wearables into a daily, AI‑assisted companion.