Pixel watch 4 - improvement but still needs more
I see many YouTubers and reviewers calling this the "best WearOS watch." While the hardware is almost there (it still needs a significantly bigger battery), the actual experience is frustrating. The battery is a huge improvement over the previous generations, but it’s still objectively bad. Google promises 40 to 60 hours, but in my real-world usage, I constantly have a 46% drop (100% to 54%) in less than 18 hours without even being a "power user".
OH fitbit...
The main weakness is the sports and health tracking. Fitbit was a pioneer in the late 2000s, but as part of Google, they seem stuck in the past. Even with the "Premium" subscription, the stats are a joke:
- No 24/7 SpO2 or HRV: These are only measured while you sleep, leaving you blind during the day.
- The "Cloud-First" Problem: Most modern watches (Samsung, OnePlus, Huawei) use the watch's SoC to process data in real-time. Fitbit still feels like it just gathers raw data to process in the cloud later.
I tested this alongside my OnePlus Watch 3, and the results were embarrassing for Google.
Auto-Detection, during a 30-minute walk, the Pixel detected nothing. It wasn't until 15 minutes after I got home that the phone app sent a notification about a "detected walk". My other watches detect and show the UI within 10 minutes.
On a walk I know is 2.69 km (verified by car odometer and GPS), the Pixel recorded only 2.32 km.
Calories... Despite both watches showing an identical 129-130 average BPM, the Pixel claimed I burned 321 calories vs the OnePlus's 249. It feels like the software is designed to give you "happy numbers" rather than accurate ones.
Battery Drain during GPS, in a short 25-minute walk starting at 100%, the Pixel dropped to 88%, while the OnePlus only dropped to 95%.
People tell me "it’s a lifestyle watch, not a sports watch." Fine, but Google advertises it for sports, and the hardware is clearly capable. Why not give us a "Pro Mode" to unlock the actual power of the sensors? Currently, the new Google Health preview feels like Gemini AI fluff with a live feed to Fitbit data rather than a serious health tool.
The Pixel Watch 4 is an overpriced, limited-by-software smartwatch with mediocre battery. It’s more expensive than competitors like OnePlus or Samsung, which offer better materials, 4-5 day batteries, and superior tracking without a paywall.
I had high expectations because I used Fitbit in the 2010s and thought they would have matured. Instead, the hardware is being crippled by Google’s poor software choices. It’s an expensive toy with "bragging rights," but as a tool for someone who values data and logic, it falls short.