While Google’s been gearing up for its upcoming launch event this August, the Internet has been rather busy digging up everything it can about the company’s upcoming hardware. This includes everything from foldables, phones, all the way down to wearables.
Speaking of the latter, it looks like we now have a much more accurate look at what to expect with Google’s Pixel Watch 3, courtesy of the folks over at Android Headlines. Google is no stranger to the smart wearable industry, having tested the waters with its acquisition of Fitbit a few years ago. With that in mind, the third-generation Pixel Watch is almost here, a culmination of several years of R&D. Of course it goes without saying that these are still leaks from an unofficial (aka non-Google source), so there’s still a chance that things might change. Either way, let’s get on with the show.
Two of a Kind
One major change that Google is shifting to this year is that the Pixel Watch 3 will be available in two different sizes. Early rumors hinted that we might finally get two different sizes this time, something that fans have been yearning for some time now.
Unlike Samsung and Apple which sell different sizes of their smart wearables, Google stuck to a single model with the first two Pixel Watches, which proved to be a bit too small for some users. This time however, we’ll be getting a 41mm and 45mm model, at least according to the leaked marketing materials.
New Display Tech
Another upgrade this year is the addition of new hardware for the Pixel Watch 3’s display. Based on the leaks, the Watch 3 series will come equipped with bright screens which max out at 2,000 nits of peak brightness – the same as on the Pixel 8 series.
In fact, Google is marketing this new display as part of its “Actua” display technology, as per the leaks. It can be remembered that Google first used the Actua branding when it launched the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro last year, which featured much brighter and colour accurate displays compared to previous models.
Battery Specs
The leaks also give an idea as to what we can expect with the battery on the Pixel Watch 3. One of the main complaints with the original Pixel Watch (which was somewhat addressed in the sequel) was the lackluster battery performance, with most users complaining that their watch was barely able to last a day on a single charge.
It looks like things might not change much this year unfortunately, as the leaked material only advertises up to 24 hours of usage per charge, up to a maximum of 36 hours on power saving mode. For users after a more capable Wear OS device, it looks like the OnePlus Watch 2 is still unmatched. On the other hand though, we still have to see the Pixel Watch 3 in real-world action.
Familiar Sights
As for the overall design of the watch, Google hasn’t strayed from the general look of its first two watches. We still get that dome design (which while attractive seems a bit prone to damage), as well as the rotating crown and action button on the side.
Based on the images, it looks like Google will still be using the same design for the charging connectors on the Pixel Watch 3. The charging puck shown on the photos appears to be the same one that we saw on the Pixel Watch 2, with charging pins instead of a fully magnetic design (ala Apple). On the other hand, the Pixel Watch 3 might feature newer strap designs this time around.
Other Details
Other features mentioned in the leaks include a new morning briefing which summarizes health insights, real-time monitoring of nest cameras directly on your wrist, more features for running activities, as well as faster charging speeds. With all this being said, Google is expected to unveil the full set of Pixel Watch 3 features during its August launch event, alongside the Pixel 9 series.
