Google has finally launched a much more improved version of its smartwatch with Google Pixel Watch 2. It gets a multi-path heart-rate sensor which is a major upgrade over the Pixel Watch.
Google Pixel Watch 2:
The new Google Pixel Watch 2 will arrive with a standard watch-like design with a circular bezel-less dial. There is a digital crown placed on the right to navigate the UI. The multi-path heart-rate sensor is on the back of the device. The Pixel Watch comes with user-replaceable straps which are made out of silicone or leather.
The new Google Pixel Watch 2 will sport a 1.2-inch (384 x 384px) AMOLED display with 320ppi. It comes with 1000nits of brightness & also gets Always-On display support. The screen gets Corning Gorilla Glass 5 3D on top. It comes in a single dial with 41mm.
The new Google Pixel Watch 2 is now powered by the Exynos 9110 SoC the same that is also powering the Galaxy Watch 4 and 5 series. It is coupled with a Cortex M33 co-processor with 2GB RAM and 32GB internal storage space.
Google’s second-generation smartwatch will have a skin temperature sensor to take readings whenever they feel like it. It’s different from Fitbit Sense 2, which only measures nighttime temperatures.
With the second-generation offering, it’s expected to get a lot better. Car crash detection will be built in, and it’ll work with Pixel phones. It’s like last year’s iPhone 14 series and Apple Watch Series 8 and later. Pixel Watch 2 will display core medical information so emergency responders can find it easily. Users can also share their location with trusted emergency contacts with Emergency Sharing. It works without a phone if it has an active LTE connection.
The Pixel Watch 2 will feature Fitbit’s multi-path heart-rate sensor for accurate heart rate measurement even during vigorous exercise. A skin temperature sensor is also confirmed in the promo video. In addition, there will be an electrodermal activity test (cEDA). Fitbit’s stress management system is said to be used to detect stress in the user’s body through the wearable device. The user will be asked to log their current mood and provide suggestions. The pace will also be tracked.
The Safety Check feature confirms that the user is okay and that if they don’t respond, their emergency contacts will be notified of their location. Trusted contacts will also be notified of the user’s location through Emergency Sharing. With AOD enabled, the smartwatch is claimed to last 24 hours.
The device comes with standard connectivity options like Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz, and NFC support. There is also an LTE model that also supports making calls directly from the watch. The device also gets a Heart rate sensor and ECG feature as well. It is 5ATM certified making it swim-proof. Lastly, the Google Pixel Watch 2 will last for about 24 hours on a single charge.
This year’s addition is UWB, which should allow the watch to track other UWB-enabled devices more accurately than Bluetooth, and even indicate direction. While Google has not yet released its own tracking tags, it is building out an Android-based Find My Device network.
Fitbit’s app is also compatible with the Pixel Watch 2, allowing you to view health metrics such as your breathing rate, heart rate variability, and more. The Sleep Score and Sleep Stages apps let you understand your sleep and receive recommendations, and GPS support helps you detect signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib).
Pricing:
The Pixel Watch 2 cost $349 (Rs.29,100/-) in the US for the WiFi variant. The LTE variant costs $399 (Rs.33,400/-). The Indian pricing will be revealed on Oct 5.
