Differences Between Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2
The Google Pixel Watch 2 seems to embody everything Google did right with the original Pixel Watch released in 2022. But how does the second generation of wearables stack up against the first? Is it worth upgrading? Here are the big differences between the two Google-branded wearables.
Design
If you look at the Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 side by side, you won’t see too many differences. Both devices feature the same AMOLED 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5 display with 320 PPI resolution, up to 1000 nits of brightness and a curved display.
The Pixel Watch 2 is also slightly lighter, but that’s because Google has changed the overall design of the case. The Pixel Watch 2 is made from 100% recycled aluminum, while the original Pixel Watch is only made from 80% recycled aluminum and has a stainless steel back.
The back of the watch also looks a little different, as the Pixel Watch 2 replaces wireless charging with pin charging, changing the way the new wearable can be charged. Additionally, the two devices look almost identical when placed next to each other.
Hardware, Software and Performance
There is also not much difference between the hardware of the two wearables. The Pixel Watch 2 uses a newer Qualcomm SW5100 processor built on a 4nm process, while the original Pixel Watch uses a slightly older Samsung Exynos 9110 processor built on a 10nm process. Overall, however, there isn’t a big leap in performance between the two devices, so don’t let that determine whether you should upgrade or not.
The software is also very similar, with both the Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 running WearOS, Google’s operating system for Android wearables. The Pixel Watch 2 offers more features than Fitbit as Google gradually combines the two companies’ features into its wearable devices. This includes a set of new sensors compared to the original Pixel Watch.
Here’s a look at all the sensors you’ll find on the Pixel Watch:
- Compass
- Altimeter
- Optical pulse
- Gyroscope
- Accelerometer
Now let’s see what the Pixel Watch 2 offers:
- Compass
- Altimeter
- Multi-beam optical heart rate sensor
- Gyroscope
- Electrical sensor for EDA
- Skin temperature
- Barometer
- Magnetometer
- Accelerometer
Battery life and durability
The original Pixel Watch had a long battery life of up to 24 hours thanks to its 294 mAh battery. Of course, to go that long without using a device, you had to ditch the Always On Display, which has become a mainstay of premium wearables like the Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch. With Pixel Watch 2, you can now expect up to 24 hours of battery life when using the Always On Display feature, Google says.
This change is likely due to the improvements Google has made to the software for the Pixel Watch 2, as well as the larger 306mAh battery found in the Pixel Watch 2. The Pixel Watch 2 is also rated at 5 ATM water resistance. and IP68 water and dust resistance, which means you can easily wear it underwater up to 50 meters, although I wouldn’t recommend going too far.
On the other hand, the Pixel Watch is only rated at 5 ATM water resistance. However, neither device is waterproof, so you should limit your exposure to water as much as possible, as the water resistance of these devices will wear out over time.
Is the Pixel Watch 2 worth buying?
Now that you have a clearer idea of what to expect from the Pixel Watch 2 , you can see that it’s not all that different from the original Pixel Watch. With that in mind, the Pixel Watch 2 could be a good buy, especially if you want the latest and greatest Google device with Fitbit integration.
However, if you already have the original Pixel Watch, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading, as the Pixel Watch 2 doesn’t yet offer enough features to justify replacing your Pixel Watch.