Google Pixel Watch 2 rumored release date, price, specs and all the upgrades
Update: The Pixel Watch 2 launches today. Follow our Google event live blog for the latest news.
The Google Pixel Watch 2 could introduce upgrades that solidify Google’s efforts in the wearable market.
The Google Pixel Watch has a lot to offer as a first-generation device. It leverages Fitbit fitness-tracking features while supporting all the major Google apps, which is why we consider it one of the best smartwatches you can buy. But there’s room for Google to improve, from the performance and battery life to offering more size options and better health tracking.
Hopefully, some of those upgrades materialize with the Google Pixel Watch 2. Here’s everything we know about a new Pixel Watch, from a possible release date and price to what we want to see.
Google Pixel Watch 2 possible release date
Considering the Pixel Watch launched in October 2022 as the first Google-designed device of its kind, there’s not the same kind of established release schedule that we see for the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch.
We had hoped that Google might tease the device at Google I/O 2023, as was the case with the Pixel Watch the previous year, but this didn't happen. Even the Pixel 8 series didn't get a mention. But it seems likely that both products will appear at the same time.
That's exactly what a source tells 9to5Google, that we should see the Pixel Watch 2 launch with the Pixel 8 this fall. The next Made by Google event is officially taking place on October 4, and rumors claim that the Pixel 8 will be released on October 12. It would make sense for Google to release the Pixel Watch 2 on the same day, particularly given rumors that it could be given away to anyone who pre-orders a Pixel 8 Pro.
Google Pixel Watch 2 possible price
The first Google Pixel Watch started at $349 and went up to $399 for the LTE-capable model. This made it more expensive than the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and close to the same price of the entry-level Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS, 41mm).
Since the Google Pixel smartphone prices generally undercut those from Samsung and Apple, we were a bit surprised by the Pixel Watch’s cost. If Google plans to keep the same price, we’d expect significant upgrades for the next-gen model. Those upgrades could include new size options, which would likely impact the pricing structure.
Google Pixel Watch 2 latest rumors
It's early days for Pixel Watch 2 rumors, but one has the second-generation Pixel Watch set to drop the Samsung Exynos 9110 (a rather dated smartwatch chipset) in favor of the more modern Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Plus, which uses a 4-nanometer rather than 10nm process node; that means more transistors and thus more power and efficiency.
As a result, the Pixel Watch 2 could have a much better battery life than its predecessor, hopefully lasting for a proper day's use and beyond. Unfortunately a recent rumor claims that the Pixel Watch 2 will have the same 24 hour battery life as its predecessor.
The Google Pixel Watch 2 may also be able to detect your stress levels. A Google blog post details how the company's Fitbit Sense 2 can “track your stress in real-time by using a machine learning algorithm that was trained to know what to look for, like sweat levels, but also heart rate, heart rate variability and skin temperature.”
This rumor has been backed up by 91mobiles, who posted an official-looking commercial for the watch — alongside a series of possible upgrades. So it's highly likely that the Pixel Watch 2 will leverage this feature as well.
The site also claims that the Pixel Watch 2 will feature a "multi-path" heart rate monitor, which is said to offer more accurate and robust heart rate tracking — especially during rigorous exercise. As for exercise, the watch is apparently able to auto-detect 7 different kinds of workout, including running and outdoor cycling, while also using pace training to avoid inconsistent pacing.
Finally the watch could also include personal safety improvements, including Car Crash detection integration when paired with a Pixel phone and a Safety Check timer. If you don't respond when that timer ends, the watch will send your location to trusted contacts or emergency services.
A report from 9to5Google also claims that Google will swap out the stainless steel frame for one made of aluminum and 91mobiles backs this up. Aluminum is known for being cheaper and lighter than stainless steel, even if it isn't quite as durable. So this means the Pixel Watch 2 could see its weight drop from 1.26 ounces to around 0.91 ounces — the same as a Fitbit Sense 2.
Apparently this means the watch could be light enough to stop you noticing it's there. That's pretty useful for a fitness and sleep tracker, since it means your brain can focus its attention on other things.
For colors, a series of renders have shown that there will be blue, green, white and black strap options for the Pixel Watch 2.
Google Pixel Watch 2: New features we hope to see
More size options: There’s only one size option for the Pixel Watch, 41mm. For many smartwatches, 41mm (or a close equivalent) is the smaller of two size options. This provides choice and flexibility, and is one of the reasons the Apple Watch is still the better choice between the Google Pixel Watch vs. Apple Watch Series 8. A larger size option would let users see their information more clearly, especially during workouts.
Smaller bezels: While the Pixel Watch is a good-looking smartwatch, it sports a thick bezel, making a good chunk of the display unusable. We can't help but think it's a missed opportunity to not incorporate a digital rotating bezel in that space. The next-gen Pixel Watch should look to maximize the watch’s surface area so users can be more productive from their wrists.
New health sensors: We’d like to see the next Pixel Watch include more health sensors. The Pixel Watch has a heart rate monitor and SpO2 sensor for reading your blood oxygen, It can also take ECGs and detect possible signs of atrial fibrillation, but that capability has become more commonly included on smartwatches. Other smartwatches and fitness trackers from the past year have been more ambitious, with skin temperature sensing on the newest Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch lineups or electrodermal activity readings on the Fitbit Sense 2.
Longer battery life: In our testing, the Pixel Watch lost 20% per hour with GPS-based activity tracking. We didn’t get a lot of 24-hour battery life days with it, and what’s worse, we had the battery die overnight and sabotage my sleep-tracking data. Ideally, the Pixel Watch 2's battery life will last closer to 2 to 3 days, varying with GPS use and features like the always-on display or LTE connectivity. Both Samsung and Apple improved their smartwatch battery life estimates, so Google should look to do the same next time around.
