Google Pixel Watch: Here’s Everything We Know So Far

If you’re on the lookout for the next hot thing in smartwatches, you’re not alone — Android fans have been waiting patiently to see what Google has planned to follow up on last year’s smash hit, the Pixel 2 smartphone. Rumors have been circulating that Google will be launching its own smartwatch, called the Pixel Watch, sometime this fall. Here’s everything we know so far about this highly anticipated wearable device.

What is the release date?

We expect the Google Pixel Watch to launch sometime in Fall of 2019. The latest rumors have pegged the release date to be between October and November. The most reliable sources for leaks about the Pixel Watch are Evan Blass and Roland Quandt, but both publications have stated that their information is speculative.

Another source, who runs a popular YouTube channel where he breaks down new devices, also claimed in a recent video that Google will release the watch on 10/29. It’s possible that Google will try to get ahead of Apple by releasing its product first. However, it’s worth noting that none of these reports can be confirmed at this time.

What features should we expect?: Rumors say that the watch will come with a circular display (rather than square) and LTE connectivity for always-on access to notifications, calls, and messages without having your phone nearby. There are also reports claiming there will be an option for two different sizes—a bigger 46mm version and a smaller 42mm version—which would accommodate all wrist sizes.

How much does it cost?: Unfortunately, we don’t know how much the Google Pixel Watch might cost because pricing has not been leaked yet. But some analysts speculate that it may cost around $400-$500 based on what other companies are charging for smartwatches.

That price range is comparable to what you might pay for the newest Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch. For reference, the cheapest Apple Watch currently available costs $199 while the cheapest Samsung Galaxy Watch costs $279. It seems reasonable to assume that Google won’t charge more than those competitors given they want people to adopt their technology as quickly as possible.

What colors will it come in? Many of the renders floating around show a light grey color with pink accents which would make sense considering how many products Google puts out in pastel colors. There were also recently released pictures of alleged models from eCommerce website DHGate which offer additional insight into potential colors like blue and red – though those pictures cannot be verified at this time.

What will it look like?

The design is unknown at this point, but rumors speculate it’ll look like a traditional watch, like Apple Watch. It will also come in different colors and may have beveled edges on the sides.

The watch will not be an Android Wear device (something Google has experimented with in the past), which means that developers won’t have to worry about Google suddenly making their existing work useless because of hardware updates.

However, the watch could still make use of Google’s voice assistant to control devices or set alarms remotely. Plus, any data collected through your day could help developers build algorithms to improve user health or monitor nutrition habits.

The watch will also rely heavily on artificial intelligence, using machine learning to study how you interact with your phone. For example, if someone texts you while they’re driving, your watch might send them a message suggesting they call instead. The watch will also provide recommendations for places to visit based on location.

For example, when traveling abroad, the watch would suggest nearby museums and attractions by drawing from its internal database of landmarks around the world. If a friend posts something on social media without tagging themselves in the photo, Google Lens can scan the image for those tagged photos automatically; just tap one and then tap send reply.

And as expected, the Google Pixel Watch will include an always-on display, meaning you can glance down at your wrist anytime to see who’s calling or what time it is. It will also come equipped with LTE so you can leave your phone behind during workouts or if you want to go out in public without worrying about carrying your phone. You’ll be able to do things like get turn-by-turn directions, access Uber, and check flight status all right from your wrist!

 How much will it cost?

The Google Pixel Watch is expected to be priced at $399, but the company has yet to officially announce pricing. Initial rumors pegged the price around $349. That would put it in competition with other more affordable smartwatches such as the Apple Watch and the Samsung Gear S3 Classic.

The higher cost is also comparable to Google’s Android Wear smartwatches and all of their associated pricing structures that range from free up to about $400 for more premium models. These watches are compatible with iPhone as well as Android devices. And some manufacturers have even started offering dedicated apps or features just for iOS users.

What features will it have?: There’s no word on exactly what the Google Pixel Watch will include, but we can expect many of the same features that are currently available on the company’s flagship smartphone line. Those include always-on displays and battery life topping a day without charging. The fitness tracking should work just like any other high-end smartwatch on the market today.

Will it have a camera?

Yes, one will be present on the watch, but it won’t do much more than take pictures. The main camera of the watch will only come out when you take off the watch from your wrist and press a button near the digital crown.

This is most likely for security reasons, in order to keep your photos secure at all times. Otherwise, with Google Now/Assistant always on your wrist ready to act like a personal assistant to search for anything you need or do any app request that you may need it too–there isn’t much reason to ever use the camera on your Apple Watch.

You can ask your phone, which has a much better camera than the watch does (and can also record video), Siri what time is lunch on Tuesday? And so on and so forth. That being said, the convenience of using Assistant on your wrist instead of fumbling around with your phone is worth it.

This brings us to another question – where are we going to charge this thing? Wear OS watches can just plug into a charging cradle like an apple watch, but those are bulky and inconvenient if you want them to charge wirelessly. It’s possible that there might be some sort of magnetic power transfer through charging bands, similar to how Samsung Gear S3 owners were able to charge their devices by putting them onto specific parts of their wristswatch bands.

 How does the battery last?

Battery life is usually a major concern for new electronic devices, but it doesn’t appear to be much of an issue with the Google Pixel Watch. On the other hand, there has been some controversy over the need for a screen on the watch. Besides these two aspects, we know very little about this device, so there are still many questions unanswered.

Some believe that Google is not making it just because they’re trying to push smartwatches as part of their AR ecosystem and they want a company like Apple or Samsung to take over and make all the profits. However, others think that Google is working on something else entirely and will announce it at the right time. What do you think? Are you looking forward to the release of this product? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Is there GPS and LTE?

The rumors suggest the Google Pixel Watch will run on Android Wear, and that there will be a standalone LTE version. One rumored feature for the watch is that it can be used to make phone calls without using a smartphone. It will also supposedly have GPS, Bluetooth, LTE and Wi-Fi, plus NFC with full Android Pay integration. The most recent rumors peg it as launching this fall—and at least one report says preorders start in the next few weeks.

In addition to the more substantive specs we’ve been hearing about, one of our sources believes there are some additional health features slated for inclusion on Google’s wearable device.

While details were sparse, they told us that Google plans to include tons of activity tracking features for things like cycling and running; heart rate monitoring; sleep tracking; and other wellness features. We don’t know yet how much all these new bells and whistles might add to the price tag, but considering how many other brands are offering similar (or better) functionality than even Apple Watch Series 3 at a fraction of the cost these days, it’ll be interesting to see what kind of package deal Google puts together.