Google’s first smartwatch is out. The company teased the watch, called the Pixel Watch, at its I/O conference on Wednesday, alongside the Pixel 6A, the Pixel 7 with the new Tensor chip, the Pixel Buds Pro, and Android 13.
But Google‘s announcement is just a preview, not the full release. That means many details remain a mystery, such as the watch’s price, battery life and health sensors. Google will likely reveal more details about the Pixel Watch closer to its fall 2022 launch, but here’s what we know so far.
It will launch with the Pixel 7 this fall
In an announcement on Wednesday, Google said the Pixel Watch will be officially released this fall. The exact time hasn’t been set, but Google typically holds a fall product launch in late September or October. For example, the Pixel 6 debuted at an event on October 19, 2021, while Google held a press conference on September 30 to launch the Pixel 5 in 2020.
Pixel Watch features a circular design with customizable straps
As the leak states, Google’s first smartwatch has a round face with a dome design and what looks like glass with curved edges. The watch is made from recycled stainless steel and has a tactile crown similar to the Apple Watch. Customizable shoulder straps will also be available.
Google’s Wear OS software and apps will power watches
Google’s new smartwatches will run on its Wear OS platform. Other than calling it “smooth” and “easy to navigate,” Google hasn’t commented much on the watch’s software features. Rick Osterloh, Google’s senior vice president of devices and services, described the operating system as “clickable, voice-enabled and self-explanatory.” During the presentation, the company briefly showed how apps like Google Maps, Wallet, Home and Google Assistant would appear on the watch.
It will integrate with Fitbit, but not replace it
You can expect to see some familiar Fitbit features on Google’s watch. These include continuous heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and active zone minutes, which measure how much time you spend in specific heart rate zones during exercise. Google also showed how to view Fitbit health stats, such as heart rate and steps, directly from the watch face. However, we don’t know which specific health tracking sensors will be used in the Pixel Watch. But it seems clear that the Pixel Watch will inherit more Fitbit features in the future.
It will only be compatible with Android devices
Since the Pixel Watch is designed to complement Google‘s Pixel devices, it won’t be compatible with the iPhone, according to a Google spokesperson. Given that Fitbit’s watches and trackers are compatible with both iOS and Android, that may be part of the reason why the Pixel Watch won’t replace Fitbit’s products.
There will be a cellular option
Google will offer a 4G LTE option for the Pixel Watch, which will allow it to maintain a cellular connection when the phone isn’t nearby. Fitbit’s smartwatches don’t have the option to support cellular, so it’s a way for Google to differentiate the two product lines.
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