Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch: Is it upgrade time?

The Google Pixel Watch 3 next to the Pixel Watch.
Pixel Watch 3 (left) and Pixel Watch Joe Maring / Digital Trends

It’s been two years since Google burst into the smartwatch market, and that means we’ve seen a few upgrades since Google launched the very first Google Pixel Watch. If you’re still using that watch, you may wonder if now is the time to upgrade and whether the third-generation Pixel Watch 3 is worth it. Or you may be getting your first smartwatch and considering buying either a cheap first-generation Pixel Watch or the latest and greatest of Google’s wearables.

Choosing between these two devices is surprisingly easy. Sometimes, the newest is the best, and this is the case with the Pixel Watch 3. However, there’s a significant price difference, so is the Pixel Watch still worth buying? Let’s examine the differences to help determine which you should pick, and explain why now is the best time to upgrade from the original Pixel Watch.

Recommended Videos

Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Google Pixel Watch: specs

Google Pixel Watch 3 Google Pixel Watch
Display 45mm: 1.4-inch

41mm: 1.2-inch

Always-On Display

Up to 1,000 nits

1.2-inch

Always-On Display

Resolution and brightness 45mm: 456 x 456 pixels (320 pixels per inch)

41mm: 408 x 408 pixels (~320 ppi density)

450 x 450 pixels (320ppi)

Up to 1,000 nits

Dimensions and weight 45mm: 45 x 45 x 12.3 mm (1.77 x 1.77 x 0.48 inches)

37 grams (without band)

41mm: 41 x 41 x 12.3 mm (1.61 x 1.61 x 0.48 inches)

31 grams (without band)

41 x 41 x 12.3 mm (1.61 x 1.61 x 0.48 inches)

36 g (without band)

Processor Qualcomm W5 Gen 1 Samsung Exynos 9110 SoC
Storage & RAM 32GB eMMC, 2GB RAM 32GB eMMC, 2GB RAM
Battery 45mm: 420mAh

41mm: 307mAh

2.5W charging using a dedicated USB-C to magnetic puck charger

294mAh

2.5W charging using a dedicated USB-C to magnetic puck charger

Software Wear OS 5.0 Wear OS 3.5
Sensors Compass

Altimeter

Red and infrared sensors for oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitoring

Multipurpose electrical sensors compatible with the ECG app

Multi-path optical heart rate sensor

Accelerometer

Gyroscope

Ambient light sensor

Electrical sensor to measure skin conductance (cEDA) for

Body response tracking

Skin temperature sensor

Barometer

Magnetometer

Compass

Altimeter

Blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitor

Multipurpose electrical sensors compatible with the ECG app

Optical heart rate sensor

Accelerometer

Gyroscope

Ambient light sensor

Connectivity 4G LTE (LTE models only)  and UMTS

Bluetooth 5.0

Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz

NFC

GPS

GLONASS

BeiDou

Galileo

Quasi-Zenith Satellite

4G LTE (LTE models only)  and UMTS

Bluetooth 5.0

Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz

NFC

GPS

GLONASS

BeiDou

Galileo

Materials and durability 100% recycled aluminum shell

Soft-touch polymer Active band

Gorilla Glass 5 over display

IP68 rating (50 meters or 5ATM)

80% recycled stainless steel shell

Soft-touch polymer Active band

Gorilla Glass 5 over display

IP68 rating (50 meters or 5ATM)

Colors Matte black aluminum case, obsidian Active band

Polished silver aluminum case, porcelain Active band

Matte hazel aluminum case, hazel Active band

Matte black stainless steel case, Obsidian Active band

Polished silver stainless steel case, Charcoal Active band

Polished silver stainless steel case, Chalk Active band

Champagne gold stainless steel case, Hazel Active band

Price From $349 From $350

Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch: design and display

A demonstration of the new running features for the Google Pixel Watch 3 in the Fitbit app.
Joe Maring / Digital Trends

Put the Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Watch alongside each other, and aside from the size, it’s difficult to tell the difference. Google’s design language hasn’t changed a huge amount in three generations, and the minimalist look is attractive and works with most outfits.

The Pixel Watch 3 is the first of Google’s smartwatches to come in two sizes. The smaller 41mm size is identical to the original but 5 grams lighter, while the bigger 45mm version is just 1 gram heavier than the original. The larger size is ideal if you have bigger wrists or find the original Pixel Watch too small for daily use.

The new AMOLED-LTPO display gives the Pixel Watch 3 display a big upgrade over previous generations. Both sizes get the upgrade, which offers a variable refresh rate of 60Hz and shrunken bezels to maximize the screen real estate.

The apps page on the Google Pixel Watch 3.
Joe Maring / Digital Trends

The display represents a significant upgrade in legibility, but otherwise, these two watches share the same physical traits. Domed Gorilla Glass displays provide protection, a rotating bezel allows you to scroll and select — a feature sorely missing from the new Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra — and the same lug-style watch band system lets any Pixel Watch band work with the third-generation model.

Each watch has the same 5ATM water resistance, which provides protection when submerged up to 500 meters, and a suite of sensors on the rear. The Pixel Watch 3’s sensors are improved over the original’s, and they have a different design, but otherwise, these two watches share many similarities.

Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch: health, fitness, sensors

Someone wearing the Google Pixel Watch 3.
45mm Pixel Watch 3 Joe Maring / Digital Trends

The Pixel Watch 3 shares the same sensors as last year’s Pixel Watch 2, which saw Google improve the accuracy of the data collected. The heart rate sensor is one of the most accurate on any smartwatch and one of the many hardware sensors that are improved over the original.

The Pixel Watch 3 adds a thermometer and skin conductance sensors, which provide valuable insights into your skin temperature while asleep and are used for cycle tracking. There’s also a new light sensor, barometer, gyroscope, and the pulse oximeter used for the new Loss of Pulse Detection feature.

The 45mm and 41mm Google Pixel Watch 3 models next to each other.
Joe Maring / Digital Trends

This feature is designed to get you help when you need it most. Most smartwatches offer a fall detection feature that will get you emergency help if you have a fall, but Loss of Pulse Detection takes things much further. If your Pixel Watch 3 fails to detect a pulse, it’ll undergo a further check to rule out a false negative and, failing that, contact emergency services. It’s only available in certain EU countries, but it’s a worthy reason to upgrade to the Pixel Watch 3.

The Pixel Watch 3 also adds new Cardio Load and Target Load features, a Daily Readiness score, and a Morning Briefing that gives you pertinent information on your health and sleep. The two Load features are designed to track your heart’s performance over the day (and longer) and give you a numerical understanding of your cardiac function. The Target Load feature then sets a daily goal to aspire to, ensuring you won’t overtrain or undertrain.

Someone wearing the Google Pixel Watch 3.
Joe Maring / Digital Trends

All of this information is presented in the Fitbit Premium app. Certain features, like the Daily Readiness score, required a Fitbit Premium subscription, but now all users get it included. The Pixel Watch 3 comes with six months of Fitbit Premium for free — just like the original — after which the subscription costs $10 per month or $80 per year.

Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch: two versions of the same platform

A demonstration of the new running features for the Google Pixel Watch 3 in the Fitbit app.
Joe Maring / Digital Trends

The Pixel Watch 3 offers significantly more than the original, including hardware improvements and useful wellness features in Wear OS 5. Many of these are powered by Google AI, which analyzes and provides recommendations on achieving and surpassing your goals.

There are also unique features that only work when the Pixel Watch 3 is used alongside a Pixel phone. For example, if you have the Pixel 9 Pro or Pixel 9 Pro XL, you can use the Pixel Watch 3 to control the camera. You can also use it to control Google TV, letting you change volume, inputs, and virtually everything else from your watch.

The 45mm and 41mm Google Pixel Watch 3 models next to each other.
Joe Maring / Digital Trends

You can also see your Nest Cam feed on the tiny screen and either respond using the microphone or send a canned response. Then, there are features like call screening and a smart recorder that can record and analyze audio using AI in real time. There are many Pixel Watch 3 features that will delight anyone who upgrades.

The original Pixel Watch is far more limited. It runs Wear OS 3.5 and offers a fairly standard introduction to the Pixel Watch experience. Many of the Pixel Watch 3 improvements launched on the Pixel Watch 2, and while some of these may eventually come to the original, some will likely remain exclusive to Google’s newer models.

Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch: battery and charging

A live view of a Nest doorbell on a Google Pixel Watch 3.
Joe Maring / Digital Trends

One of our biggest complaints about the first Pixel Watch was its battery life. Simply put, it’s not very good and requires recharging more than once per day. The Pixel Watch 3 solves these problems with a more efficient chipset, a larger battery, and improvements in the operating system.

The Pixel Watch has a 294mAh battery, while the Pixel Watch 3 has a larger 307mAh battery in the 41mm model and a 420mAh battery in the 45mm. The Exynos 9110 processor in the Pixel Watch offers far less efficiency than the Snapdragon SW5100 powering the Pixel Watch 3.

Our Pixel Watch 3 review found that the battery life on Google’s latest smartwatch is exceptional and routinely exceeds Google’s own estimates. That’s with the always-on display enabled, tracking multiple workouts and sleep overnight, and receiving notifications throughout the day when paired with the Pixel 9 Pro. Simply put, the battery life has been very impressive and is one of the best reasons to upgrade from the original.

The 45mm and 41mm Google Pixel Watch 3 models next to each other.
Joe Maring / Digital Trends

This means you can expect all-day battery life of around 24 hours with the Always On display turned on or up to 36 hours with the Battery Saver mode enabled. Both are large improvements over the original Pixel Watch, which requires recharging to last a full day.

The Pixel Watch 3 is also vastly improved when it comes to charging. The 41mm is rated as recharging to 50% in just 24 minutes and reaching 85% in 35 minutes, while the 45mm is slightly slower at 28 minutes and 50 minutes, respectively. We found that it charges from 12% to 62% in 30 minutes, and a full charge takes just over an hour, but the fast charging is great for those days when you’ve been using it heavily.

Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch: price, availability, colors

The Google Pixel Watch 3 lying on top of a plant.
Joe Maring / Digital Trends

The Pixel Watch 3 is available now with a starting price of $349, while the original Pixel Watch launched at a similar price and is now available for just under $200. The price difference is significant, but the Pixel Watch 3 represents much better value despite the higher price.

If you want the Pixel Watch 3 in the 41mm size, the Bluetooth-only model is $349, while the LTE version is $449. For the larger size, add $50 to both of those prices.

The Pixel Watch 3 comes in a choice of colors. If you buy the 41mm model, you can choose from Polished Silver, Matte Black, or Champagne Gold, while the larger model ditches the gold option in favor of a more neutral Hazel color. There is a choice of bands, including a striking new Rose Quartz option that matches the colors of Google’s latest phones.

Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. Pixel Watch: verdict

The Google Pixel Watch 3 lying on top of a plant.
Joe Maring / Digital Trends

If you have the original Pixel Watch, there’s never been a better time to upgrade. The Pixel Watch 3 offers everything you need from a smartwatch and is one of the most stylish options on our best smartwatch list. Crucially, it also adds features that will make your life easier and potentially even save it one day. If you’re considering which to buy and don’t currently have a Pixel Watch, it’s worth first looking at the Pixel Watch 3.

It is Google’s best smartwatch, but it costs double the original. If budget is a concern, the first Pixel Watch is a decent choice, but keep in mind that there are other smartwatches from the same era that are much better, like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5. If you’d rather stay with Google, then we’d recommend buying the Pixel Watch 2, which is just $70 more, but a much better smartwatch.

However, if you can stretch your budget or snag a good deal, our Pixel Watch 3 review found that it’s the Google smartwatch we have been waiting for. It’s the best that Google offers and one of the best smartwatches you can buy in 2024. The original Pixel Watch still has some value, but given the vast improvements in the third generation, there’s no doubt that the Pixel Watch 3 is the better one to buy.

Nirave Gondhia
Nirave is a creator, evangelist, and founder of House of Tech. A heart attack at 33 inspired him to publish the Impact of…
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max: Upgrade time?
apple iphone 16 pro max vs 14 thumb

It’s been two years since Apple launched the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which ushered in a new era for Apple with the revamped Dynamic Island and the addition of an Always-On display (AOD). In the two years since, Apple has pushed on the Pro Max range to include not only these features, but also a range of new hybrid experiences. These include the Action Button -- which replaced the Mute switch -- and new for the iPhone 16 series, the Camera Control button, which helps unlock some of the new and upcoming features of the camera.

Then there's the push for AI. In the two years since Apple launched the iPhone 14 Pro Max, the AI era has descended upon us, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max is one of the first iPhones built with Apple Intelligence in mind. If you’ve got an iPhone 14 Pro Max, is now the time to upgrade? Is the iPhone 16 Pro Max worth upgrading to? Let’s dive into the details.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro Max: specs

Read more
Apple iPad mini (2024) vs. iPad mini (2021): a difficult upgrade
iPad mini (2024) vs. iPad mini (2021).

The iPad mini has always been a pocket-sized powerhouse, offering an Apple tablet experience in a compact form. Initially, it catered to the same audience as the larger iPads. Apple later positioned the iPad mini to better match the specs of the iPad Air. After a three-year wait, Apple has finally unveiled the new iPad mini (2024). Has Apple given the iPad mini the attention it deserves? Is now the time to upgrade?

Join us as we explore the changes and similarities between the iPad mini (2021) and the iPad mini (2024) and discuss whether the new one is worth an upgrade, or if you should wait and see what Apple puts out in the future.
iPad mini (2024) vs iPad mini (2021): specs

Read more
The best Google Pixel 9 Pro XL cases for 2024
A Pixel 9 Pro XL in a case.

Google decided to change up its smartphone lineup this year with the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. But don't let the "XL" fool you; Google's latest plus-sized smartphone isn't that much larger than last year's Pixel 8 Pro. The extra letters have been added to make room for a more pocketable 6.3-inch Pixel 9 Pro for those who want the power of Google's best Pixel without the extra size.

If you're a fan of Google's largest phones, the Pixel 9 Pro XL will be right up your alley, but a big phone also needs a big case — not just because of its size, but also for protection. Thanks to the popularity of Google's smartphones, it hasn't taken long for casemakers to get on board with their latest products. Here's a rundown of the best picks out there that offer a balance of style and protection to suit nearly every Pixel fan.

Read more