Google introduced the Pixel Watch 2 with a brand new coronary heart price sensor, extra security measures, and sooner efficiency. These adjustments construct on the unique Pixel Watch and deal with some (however not all) of the largest criticisms I had about final yr’s mannequin. It would launch on October 12 for $350 (£349, AU$549), alongside the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional. Available for pre-order now.

The Pixel Watch 2 can begin and cease some workout routines routinely, not like the primary model, and contains sensors to detect temperature and potential indicators of stress. This helps bridge the hole between the Pixel Watch and Fitbit Sense 2. That is precisely what Google meant, in line with James Park, vice chairman and co-founder of Fitbit.

“The objective is to actually ensure it will get the perfect of what Google has been engaged on from Put on OS and so forth, together with the perfect of Fitbit’s well being experiences as properly, which wasn’t true with the Pixel Watch 1,” Park mentioned. He mentioned in an interview earlier than the Google occasion.

Apart from that, the Pixel Watch 2 will get a slew of extra enhancements by way of well being, security, and general efficiency. This contains what Google claims is a extra correct coronary heart price sensor, coaching instruments primarily based on coronary heart price zones and operating velocity, a sooner processor and a brand new security alert choice.

Mixed, these upgrades ought to make the Pixel Watch 2 really feel like a stronger competitor to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 vary and different competing watches, although I will not know for certain till I strive it. The Pixel Watch 2 additionally does not have all the things on my want checklist; I nonetheless want for longer battery life and a slimmer bezel framing the watch’s round show.

The Pixel Watch 2 positive aspects extra Fitbit options

The Pixel Watch already drew closely from Fitbit’s affect, and Google is taking that even additional with the Pixel Watch 2. The brand new watch inherits Fitbit’s sensors for monitoring temperature and potential indicators of stress.

Just like the Fitbit Sense 2, the Pixel Watch 2 has a steady electrical exercise, or cEDA, sensor, which displays tiny beads of sweat in your pores and skin. It combines this knowledge with coronary heart price variability, coronary heart price, and pores and skin temperature to search for potential stress alerts all through the day. However Google says elements comparable to alcohol, caffeine and sickness may also have an effect on readings.

If the Pixel Watch 2 detects what could be stress, it’ll immediate you to file your temper and loosen up by taking a stroll or doing a respiratory train. Park says these choices are necessary as a result of customers need greater than only a notification on the subject of stress monitoring.

“They not solely need to know when it occurs, or the way it occurs, however what to do about it,” he mentioned.

Whereas I am not satisfied that stress monitoring might be a significant promoting level for most individuals, it is spectacular to see the Pixel Watch catching as much as the Fitbit Sense 2 on the subject of its well being choices given its larger value.

The Pixel Watch 2 additionally has a brand new coronary heart price sensor that makes use of a number of contact factors, which implies it captures extra knowledge and is subsequently extra correct. It additionally brings excessive and low coronary heart price notifications to the Pixel Watch 2, one other metric the unique was lacking.

Google has additionally added some new coaching choices to the Pixel Watch 2 that ought to assist it sustain with Apple and Samsung, each of which have added instruments aimed toward runners lately. For instance, the Coronary heart Zone Coaching software program sends alerts whenever you transfer between sure coronary heart price ranges throughout a exercise, and the watch may also ship alerts to assist keep your tempo whereas operating.

New timing to alert emergency contacts

Google is beefing up the security measures of the Pixel Watch, just like Apple. Security Test permits you to set a timer for particular conditions, comparable to for those who’re coming residence, taking public transit, or taking a stroll alone. When the timer ends, the watch will ask for those who’re okay and provide the choice to name emergency providers or share your location. In the event you do not reply, your Pixel Watch 2 will share your location with emergency contacts.

It sounds just like the Test In function Apple launched for iPhones in iOS 17, which helps you to routinely notify a buddy or member of the family whenever you arrive at a particular location. Regardless, it is promising to see Google and Apple undertake sensible security measures in on a regular basis eventualities slightly than simply emergency conditions.

The Pixel Watch 2 positive aspects one other safety-oriented function: the security beacon. This allows options like Security Test and emergency location sharing to work on the cellular-enabled Pixel Watch 2 even with out a knowledge plan. Nevertheless, the security sign is just obtainable to Fitbit Premium members.

Efficiency and battery life

Whereas well being and security is the place you will see the largest adjustments, Google says it is improved the Pixel Watch in different methods, too. There is a new quad-core processor contained in the watch that ought to present sooner efficiency, and the crown scrolls extra easily. Within the quick time I spent with the Pixel Watch 2, I observed that the crown appeared a bit of simpler to twist.

Nevertheless, the identical giant bezels look like current on the Pixel Watch 2. Whereas the borders framing the display is probably not noticeable when scrolling round menus, you may even see them when utilizing sure watch faces with coloured backgrounds. The Pixel Watch 2 has a barely bigger battery than the final mannequin, though battery life appears usually the identical, at 24 hours. The distinction is that Google now claims that it could final for a day with the always-on show function activated.

The largest bodily change to the Pixel Watch 2 is on the underside of the watch case. Not solely has Google added the aforementioned well being sensors, however there is a new charging mechanism just like that of the Fitbit Sense. Google says this could present a full day’s battery life in 75 minutes. Nevertheless it’s unclear whether or not this represents a major enchancment provided that the primary Pixel Watch can cost to 100% in about 80 minutes. This additionally implies that these upgrading from an previous Pixel Watch will not be capable to use their earlier charger for the brand new mannequin, however older Fitbit Sense and Versa chargers ought to work.

Software program can be getting an enormous increase because of Google’s new Put on OS 4 working system, which brings enhancements to apps like YouTube Music, Google Maps, and Google Assistant. Google can be launching new Gmail and Calendar apps, in addition to the power to ask Google Assistant to get well being knowledge from Fitbit. These requests are processed within the cloud, not like the Apple Watch Collection 9, which can deal with health-related queries on the system.

General, the Pixel Watch 2 seems like the primary mannequin. Google has solved one among my largest complaints by upping the ante on the Pixel Watch with Sense 2 on the subject of well being and health monitoring. Security Test can be a fantastic addition that ought to make the Pixel Watch 2 extra helpful in sure eventualities, like when strolling residence alone at night time. However I might nonetheless wish to see longer battery life, which is an industry-wide problem for non-Google smartwatches.

The Pixel Watch 2 nonetheless feels prefer it’s taking part in catch-up slightly than elevating the bar for smartwatches. Nevertheless, the primary Pixel Watch earned a CNET Editors’ Alternative award for its sharp appears to be like and big selection of exercise choices. If the Pixel Watch 2 lives as much as Google’s claims, it could keep this spot.