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Pixel Watch Review: First Gen Fumbles!

Marques Brownlee@mkbhd3.4M viewsOct 15, 202212:26
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Description

The second gen should be much more interesting. Thank you to Rocket Money for sponsoring today's video!

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Check out rocketmoney.com to start managing your personal finances today. Shop Merch: mkbhd.com Tech I'm using right now: amazon.com Intro Track: youtube.com Playlist of MKBHD Intro music: goo.gl Smartwatch provided by Google for review ~ discord.gg twitter.com @MKBHD @MKBHD

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The Pixel Watch review begins with an acknowledgment that first-gen devices often reveal both potential and growing pains. The host walks through the physical design, noting the circular 41mm case, Gorilla Glass 5, domed glass, and the minimalist two-button setup with a rotating crown. He highlights the bracelet attachment system as cleverly simple, allowing quick band changes without bulky lugs, and praises the unibody look that can be dressed up or down. Hardware choices, including stainless steel construction and water resistance to 50 meters, are framed as visually appealing but constrained by a relatively small screen and noticeable bezels. The reviewer stresses that battery life is the major weakness, calling it a “trash” result in practical use, with Google’s claimed 24 hours rarely met in everyday scenarios even with the always-on display disabled. He contrasts this with the fast charging puck, which replenishes from near zero to full in about an hour, offering some relief to the otherwise limiting endurance. The message is clear: the Pixel Watch looks promising and integrates nicely with Google services, yet its first-gen limitations around battery and ecosystem coherence leave room for improvement, especially if Google intends the Watch to be a long-term wearable platform. The overall verdict is cautiously optimistic,the device demonstrates meaningful potential, but a number of core experiences still feel unfinished at launch, leaving room for a more cohesive and compelling follow-up.

Topics · technology · wearables · consumer_electronics

Questions answered

What are the Pixel Watch's standout hardware features at launch?
The Pixel Watch features a 41 millimeter circular case with Gorilla Glass 5, a domed glass display, a rotating crown, a secondary button, and a seamless top-bottom band attachment system. It is stainless steel, water resistant to 50 meters, and includes a heart rate sensor, blood oxygen sensor, and ECG. The screen is a 1000 nit OLED, though the bezels are noticeable.
Why is battery life considered a major drawback in this review?
The reviewer notes that despite Google's up to 24 hour claim, with always-on display off, real-world endurance is around 18 hours and can require charging twice daily if sleep tracking is used heavily. The constant heart rate monitoring also contributes to the rapid drain, making all-day use challenging without multiple charges.
How is the Fitbit integration described, and what is the concern?
Fitbit data is integrated into the Pixel Watch UI, but much of the advanced analytics become behind a paid Fitbit Premium subscription after a six-month free trial. This creates a split experience where basic data is available, but deeper insights require an ongoing subscription, and some features live under Fitbit rather than Google Fit.