As we thought might happen, Google announced the Pixel Watch 3 alongside the Pixel 9 series of smartphones at its latest hardware launch event.
It lands in September and fans will be rejoicing as Google has fixed the biggest problem with its own-brand Wear OS smartwatch.
The most common request we’ve seen since Google launched the original Pixel Watch in 2022, from customers and media alike, is a choice of size.
Until now, the Pixel Watch has only been available in a 41mm model. But now, there’s an additional 45mm option, meaning Google now offers a similar choice to key rivals like the Apple Watch Series 9 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 7.
It’s the opposite problem to the OnePlus Watch 2, which only comes with a mammoth 47mm body.
The new 45mm Pixel Watch 3 means you get a larger 1.4-inch display, while the new generation also has 16% smaller bezel. Overall, that means 40% more screen real estate than the Pixel Watch 2, for “richer and more glanceable information”.
You can see above that the same watch face on the 45mm model has more information around the edge.
The screen, on both models, is a new ‘Actua display’ and offers double the peak brightness at 2000 nits. It can also go as low as 1 nit for night time always-on usage, plus it offers a refresh rate between 1- and 60Hz for a balance of smooth operation and efficiency.
You also get a bigger 420mAh battery vs 307mAh which could provide longer battery life, although Google lists both models as up to 24 hours with the always-on display active.
Otherwise, the two Pixel Watch 3 models are essentially the same, with Wear OS 5, a Qualcomm SW5100 chipset and features such Bluetooth 5.3, Ultrawideband, and IP68/10ATM waterproofing.
However, Google has done something similar to its phone colourways, where it’s not the same choice regardless of size. The 45mm comes in a Polished Hazel Aluminium, and the 41mm model comes in Champagne Gold Aluminium – both with a Hazel band.
The Pixel Watch 3 goes on sale 10 September, starting at £349/$349.99 for the 41mm version and £399/$399.99 for the 45mm model.
See also: The Pixel Watch 3 is the first smartwatch with this potentially life-saving feature.
Author: Chris Martin, Reviews Editor, Tech Advisor
Chris got his break as a reporter at infamous site The Inquirer and has been at Tech Advisor for more than 12 years. With a BA degree in Music Technology, audio is his specialism, but over the years he has reviewed all kinds of gadgets, from smartwatches to mesh Wi-Fi to coffee machines.