Google Pixel Watch 4 Review: Excellent Tracking Marred by Battery Life

Overview

The Google Pixel Watch 4 represents Google's latest effort to compete in the premium smartwatch market. With dual-frequency GPS, advanced AI features powered by Gemini, and comprehensive Fitbit integration, this Android-exclusive timepiece aims to deliver a complete fitness and smart features experience.

At the £399 starting price, the Pixel Watch 4 sits firmly in premium territory, competing directly with Samsung's Galaxy Watch 8 and Apple's Watch Series 11. However, several design compromises and subscription requirements prevent it from achieving true flagship status.

Design and Build Quality

Premium Materials Meet Practical Challenges

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The Pixel Watch 4 maintains Google's signature rounded design with curved glass that flows seamlessly into the aluminium case. Whilst this creates an undeniably premium aesthetic, the 14.3mm thickness makes it noticeably chunkier than competing watches.

The curved display glass feels pleasant to touch and swipe, but proves more prone to reflections than flat-screened alternatives. Direct sunlight can make the display difficult to read, despite the 3,000 nits peak brightness.

Design: 8.0/10

The proprietary band attachment system remains unnecessarily complicated compared to standard quick-release mechanisms. However, the 5 ATM water resistance and solid build quality inspire confidence.

Display Quality

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Bright AMOLED with Reflection Issues

The always-on AMOLED display delivers vibrant colours and deep blacks. Available in both 41mm and 45mm sizes, the screen provides ample clarity for notifications, fitness stats, and app interfaces.

Peak brightness of 3,000 nits should theoretically handle any lighting condition, but the curved glass creates reflection problems that diminish real-world usability in bright environments.

Display: 8.0/10

For indoor use and moderate lighting, the display performs excellently. The always-on mode provides useful at-a-glance information without draining battery excessively.

Performance and Features

Wear OS with Comprehensive Smart Features

Running Wear OS with Google's custom interface, the Pixel Watch 4 provides full access to the Play Store for app installation. From Spotify to WhatsApp, the watch supports a comprehensive app ecosystem.

Google services integration proves seamless - Google Pay, Google Maps navigation, and Google Calendar all work flawlessly. The watch can even function as a digital car key for compatible Pixel phone owners.

Gemini AI Integration

The headline feature is Gemini AI with "Raise to Talk" activation. Simply lift your wrist and speak to activate the assistant without touching the screen. This works remarkably well in practice, providing genuinely useful voice control.

The AI can handle complex queries, control smart home devices via Google Nest integration, and provide contextual information. For users heavily invested in the Google ecosystem, this integration adds genuine value.

Smart Features: 8.5/10

The LTE version provides standalone connectivity, allowing phone calls, music streaming, and notifications without your phone nearby. However, this requires an additional monthly subscription.

Fitness and Health Tracking

Comprehensive Fitbit Integration

The Pixel Watch 4 leverages Fitbit's extensive fitness tracking capabilities, offering 52+ workout modes with automatic detection for running, walking, and cycling.

Heart rate monitoring proved highly accurate in testing, matching chest strap monitors within 2-3 bpm during both resting and intense exercise. The optical sensor performs well even during high-intensity interval training.

Fitness Tracking: 8.5/10

Sleep tracking delivers detailed insights into sleep stages, restlessness, and overall sleep quality. The watch is comfortable enough for all-night wear, and morning readiness scores help plan your training load.

The Fitbit Premium Problem

Here's the significant caveat: many advanced features require Fitbit Premium subscription (£9.99/month). Daily readiness scores, advanced sleep analysis, guided workouts, and detailed health metrics all sit behind the paywall.

Whilst a trial period is included, long-term users face ongoing subscription costs on top of the already premium watch price.

GPS and Location Tracking

Dual-Frequency Excellence

The dual-frequency GPS (L1 + L5) delivers exceptional accuracy, even in challenging environments with tall buildings or tree cover. Route tracking proves impressively precise, with minimal drift or wandering.

For runners and cyclists who prioritise accurate distance and pace tracking, the GPS performance ranks among the best in any smartwatch.

GPS: 9.0/10

The watch locks onto satellites quickly and maintains connection reliably throughout activities.

Battery Life

Still Not Two Days

Battery endurance remains the Pixel Watch 4's most significant weakness. Google claims "up to 24 hours", but real-world usage with always-on display, regular workout tracking, and notifications rarely stretches beyond 20 hours.

Two full days of use - a milestone achieved by many competitors - remains frustratingly out of reach. You'll need to charge nightly, which can prove inconvenient for sleep tracking.

Battery Life: 6.5/10

The improved magnetic charging dock does provide faster charging speeds, and the watch supports side charging (magnets work from either side of the dock). Still, daily charging remains an unfortunate reality.

Compatibility and Ecosystem

Android Exclusive

The Pixel Watch 4 requires Android 11 or higher - iPhone owners need not apply. This limitation restricts the potential market, though Android users benefit from tighter integration.

Expandability and Storage

With 32GB storage, there's ample space for offline music, maps, and apps. The watch can sync playlists from Spotify, YouTube Music, and other streaming services for phone-free listening.

Value Proposition

Premium Price, Subscription Reality

Starting at £399 for the GPS-only version, with the LTE model commanding a premium, the Pixel Watch 4 isn't cheap. Factor in the £9.99/month Fitbit Premium subscription for full functionality, and the long-term cost becomes substantial.

Value for Money: 7.5/10

Compared to Samsung's Galaxy Watch 8, which offers longer battery life, broader compatibility, and more included features, the Pixel Watch 4 struggles to justify its premium.

Verdict

The Google Pixel Watch 4 delivers excellent heart rate accuracy, precise GPS tracking, and genuinely useful Gemini AI integration. For users deeply embedded in the Google ecosystem, the seamless services integration adds real value.

However, the thick design, reflection-prone display, limited battery life, and Fitbit Premium subscription requirements prevent this from being an unreserved recommendation. Samsung's Galaxy Watch 8 offers similar features with longer battery life and broader compatibility.

The Pixel Watch 4 is a good smartwatch that excels in specific areas, particularly fitness tracking accuracy and AI features. But with battery life remaining inadequate and many features subscription-locked, it falls short of true flagship excellence.

Rating: 4.1/5 - A capable smartwatch with excellent tracking accuracy, held back by battery limitations and subscription costs.