Google Pixel Watch 4 vs. Pixel Watch 3: The key upgrades explained

The Google Pixel Watch 4 has officially landed, building on the strong foundation of last year’s excellent Pixel Watch 3. But with the predecessor still holding our top spot as the best smartwatch for most Android users (for now), the big question is: what’s new, and is it worth the upgrade?

We won’t have our final, tested verdict until we’ve lived with the new watch. However, based on the official specs, this is a significant upgrade. Google has clearly heard the key criticisms of the last generation and delivered meaningful improvements in the areas that matter most to runners and adventurers, while also introducing a couple of neat upgrades to the hardware.

Here, we’ll break down all the key differences between the Google Pixel Watch 4 and the Pixel Watch 3 to give you a clear idea of what’s changed.

Pricing and versions

While we’re expecting the price of the Pixel Watch 3 to plummet following the arrival of the latest generation, it currently remains (on Google’s store, ar least) at the same price as it launched at.

However, the good news here is that all versions of the Pixel Watch 4 are available at the same price as last year’s equivalents, and there are no new versions or case sizes to wrap your head around.

• Google Pixel Watch 4 (41mm, Wi-Fi): $349/£349
• Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm, Wi-Fi): $399/£399
• Google Pixel Watch 4 (41mm, LTE): $449/£449
• Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm, LTE): $499/£499

Design and display

At a glance, the core design remains the same. The Pixel Watch 4 retains the minimalist, domed look in both 41mm and 45mm case sizes. However, Google has made some crucial refinements.

The new ‘Actua 360’ display features bezels that are 15% smaller, resulting in 10% more active screen area. This should make the watch feel more immersive without increasing the physical footprint, though it’s naturally difficult to tell until we have it on our wrist whether this really translates to a different-feeling experience.

What should be a very noticeable change is that the display itself is now dramatically brighter, capable of hitting a peak of 3,000 nits compared to the 2,000 nits on the Pixel Watch 3. This should make a huge difference for outdoor visibility in harsh sunlight, and something we’ve experienced on a device like the Huawei Watch 5 when we tested earlier this year.

Perhaps the most radical physical change, however, is the new side-mounted ‘Quick Charge Dock’. This reimagines how you charge the watch, moving away from the traditional rear puck. It also signals a new, welcome focus on repairability, with Google confirming that the display and battery are now serviceable parts.

We’re not necessarily sold on this being upgrade-worthy just yet, but the quoted improved charging times will no doubt prove huge for some users. It’s something we’ll be looking to test in detail when we come to Pixel Watch 4 testing.

Features and tracking

This is where the Pixel Watch 4 takes its biggest leaps forward. The headline addition is emergency satellite communications, a first for any smartwatch (though a feature rumored to be coming to Apple’s next generation when it’s slated to be announced next month).

Continuing its good form for delivering innovative safety features, Google describes the system as allowing users to contact emergency services even when they’re completely off-grid without Wi-Fi or cellular signal—a potentially life-saving feature for anyone who hikes, runs, or cycles in remote areas. It’s similar to what we saw debuted on the iPhone a few generations back.

The other major upgrade for outdoor exercisers is the inclusion of dual-frequency GPS. This was one of our key criticisms of the Pixel Watch 3. While its standard GPS was solid, it wasn’t a top-tier performer. The new L5 GNSS support should deliver much more accurate and reliable location tracking, bringing it into line with premium sports watches from Garmin and Samsung.

Most other core health and fitness features, powered by Fitbit, remain the same. You’ll still get the excellent multi-path optical heart rate sensor, ECG, SpO2, and skin temperature tracking.

The deeper integration of Gemini AI is also a key software focus, with a new ‘raise to talk’ feature coming soon. We loved this integration when we tested the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 recently, and would expect it to be similarly effective in Google’s latest watch. However, it’s also certain to roll back to the Pixel Watch 3, so not a feature you’ll have to upgrade for.

Battery life and charging

When we reviewed the 45mm Pixel Watch 3, we were delighted to find it comfortably delivered a genuine 48-hour battery life, finally solving the biggest issue of the first two generations. For the Pixel Watch 4, Google is quoting “up to 40 hours” for the 45mm model.

This is a little confusing, however. Based on our testing of last year’s model, Google drastically underestimated the staying power of its 45mm edition. So, one of two things is now true: the Pixel Watch 4 will (like its predecessor) outlast this new battery life estimation, or this latest estimation is more accurate than last year’s and we should see ~two days of AOD time once again.

We’ll put the claims to the test in our review testing—much like the new charging speed estimates.

Google says the new Quick Charge Dock is 25% faster than its predecessor, and that users will be able to go from zero to 50% in just 15 minutes. That would represent a huge improvement, potentially giving users an extra day or so of wear from a quick top-up.

Initial verdict: A targeted and powerful upgrade (for some)

On paper, the Pixel Watch 4 looks like a smart and targeted evolution. Google has addressed the two most significant hardware gaps from the last generation—GPS and a killer safety feature—while refining the display and charging experience in unique ways.

For Pixel Watch 3 owners, particularly those with the 45mm model who already enjoy great battery life, the decision to upgrade will likely hinge on the value of dual-frequency GPS and satellite SOS.

If you’re a serious runner or spend a lot of time outdoors, these are compelling reasons to make the jump. For more casual users, the core experience will likely feel familiar.

For owners of an older Pixel Watch or those coming from another brand, however, the Pixel Watch 4 is shaping up to be the undisputed king of Wear OS (just like the Pixel Watch 3 was).

We’ll deliver our full, tested verdict in our upcoming review, so stay tuned for an updated version of this comparison following that.