How does the Google Pixel Watch 2 compare to its big brother?

Google has consistently made its mark with its Pixel lineup. Among these offerings, the Pixel Watch has long been anticipated, and the wait is finally over with the release of the Google Pixel Watch 2.

This highly-anticipated smartwatch is set to take the market by storm with its impressive features, stylish design, and enhanced health-tracking capabilities.

Before we delve into the Google Pixel Watch 2's specs, check out Made By Google's video on their new smartwatch below.

What are the new Google Pixel Watch 2 features?

Almost precisely a year after its debut in the smartwatch arena with the original Pixel Watch, Google has now unveiled the highly-anticipated Google Pixel Watch 2. Let us go trough the key features of Google Pixel Watch 2.

Enhanced health and fitness tracking

The Pixel Watch 2 boasts an all-new multi-path heart rate sensor for improved accuracy during workouts, sleep tracking, and more. It also introduces Body Response tracking, which monitors signs of stress in your body and offers intervention options.

Safety Check, a feature shared with Pixel phones, allows you to schedule safety timers and share your location with emergency contacts if necessary.

Wear OS 4

The Pixel Watch 2 is the first Google smartwatch to feature Wear OS 4. This new software update includes pre-loaded Gmail and Calendar apps, allowing you to manage emails and events directly from your wrist. Google Assistant is also enhanced, enabling voice commands for Fitbit features like sleep stats.

Impressive battery life

With a 306mAh battery, the Pixel Watch 2 offers up to 24 hours of use with the Always-on Display. Charging is faster, taking about 75 minutes for a full charge.

Updated hardware

The smartwatch is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 processor, ensuring faster performance, improved power efficiency, and better Wear OS performance.

It retains a 1.2-inch 320 PPI AMOLED display, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, Wi-Fi, GPS, 4G LTE (on the LTE model), 32GB storage, and 2GB RAM.

Google Pixel Watch 2 specs

Of course, in order for the Google Pixel Watch 2 to do all these things, it also needs to include powerful hardware. The specifications that give the watch its power are as follows:

• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon W5
• Storage: 32GB eMMC flash
• Memory: 2GB SDRAM
• Battery: 306mAh (typical)
• Sensors:
  • Compass
  • Altimeter
  • Blood oxygen sensor
  • Multipurpose electrical sensor
  • Optical heart rate sensor
  • Accelerometer
  • Gyroscope
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Electrical sensor to measure cEDA
  • Skin temperature sensor
  • Barometer
  • Magnetometer
  • Audio
• Connectivity:
  • 4G LTE and UMTS
  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz
  • NFC
  • GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, Quasi-Zenith Satellite

Google Pixel Watch 2 design and color options

The Pixel Watch 2 maintains its 41mm dial with a thickness of 12.3mm, but it now weighs six grams less than its predecessor, thanks to a 100% recycled aluminum housing. The watch retains its distinctive domed cover glass, albeit thinner this time, although concerns about its durability still exist.

What's particularly noteworthy is the Pixel Watch 2's official IP68 water and dust resistance rating, a feature lacking in the original Pixel Watch. This enhancement allows the smartwatch to withstand immersion in water up to 1.5m in depth for at least 30 minutes, making it suitable for swimming when paired with a water-resistant Pixel Watch 2 band.

The Pixel Watch 2 offers an array of colors and bands, including Polished Silver with Bay, Polished Silver with Porcelain, Matte Black with Obsidian, and Champagne Gold with Hazel. Additionally, new Metal Slim and Active Sport bands are available, and you can choose from a variety of other band types, making it easy to personalize your Pixel Watch 2 to match your style.

Google Pixel Watch 2 vs Google Pixel Watch 1

The release of the Google Pixel Watch 2 has naturally sparked comparisons with its predecessor, the Google Pixel Watch 1. Let's explore the key differences and improvements between these two smartwatches.

Design and build

• Design evolution: The Pixel Watch 2 maintains a design similar to the Pixel Watch 1, with a 41mm dial and a 12.3mm thickness. However, it's slightly lighter at 31g, compared to the Pixel Watch 1's 36g weight.
• Durability: The Pixel Watch 2 comes with an IP68 water and dust resistance rating, making it more durable and water-resistant than the Pixel Watch 1

Performance

• Processor: The Pixel Watch 2 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 processor, offering faster performance compared to the Pixel Watch 1, which used the Exynos 9110 processor
• Battery life: The Pixel Watch 2 boasts a larger 306mAh battery, providing up to 24 hours of use with the Always-on Display. In contrast, the Pixel Watch 1 had a slightly smaller battery

Health and fitness

• Heart rate sensor: The Pixel Watch 2 features an all-new multi-path heart rate sensor, offering improved accuracy during workouts and all-day tracking. The Pixel Watch 1 had a less advanced heart rate sensor
• Body Response tracking: The Pixel Watch 2 introduces "Body Response tracking" with a cEDA sensor to measure stress levels, a feature not present in the Pixel Watch 1

Software

Both watches run on Wear OS, but the Pixel Watch 2 comes with Wear OS 4, featuring pre-loaded Gmail and Calendar apps, along with enhanced Google Assistant capabilities.

Pricing and Availability

• Price: The Pixel Watch 2 is competitively priced, starting at $349, while the Pixel Watch 1 was similarly priced
• Availability: The Pixel Watch 2 is available in the same countries as the Pixel Watch 1, with plans for expansion

The Google Pixel Watch 2 offers several notable improvements in performance, durability, health tracking, and software. If you're looking for an upgrade, especially in terms of fitness and performance, the Pixel Watch 2 is a compelling choice.

Who knows, maybe Google will make the Pixel Watch 2 repairable this time.

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