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After a month of wearing pixel watch 4 As I rode or died, the sparkle of the new watch faded and we slipped into the soothing rhythm of an old couple.
The design still feels timeless and simple, but the parts that really make this watch special are beneath the surface: the intuitive UI, the seamless syncing with my phone and the way it works within the Android ecosystem. coupled with me Pixel 9 ProNotifications arrive instantly, health data syncs the minute I open the app and Wear OS updates are delivered faster than most other devices Watches.
But while the Pixel Watch 4 remains one of my favorites Android watches 2025there are some literal kinks in its armor that are starting to surface with long-term real-world use.
Watch this: First look at the Pixel Watch 4: Google has just raised the bar
Gemini butts in my conversations
I’ve already raved about how useful it is The new Google Assistant for artificial intelligence Available on the smart watch. It handles complex requests in natural language (no automated voice needed), understands follow-up prompts without asking me to repeat the original question, and can even quickly translate text. On the watch’s small screen, where typing and reading long responses can be tedious, the Gemini actually offers a smoother hands-free experience.
Gemini isn’t limited to the Pixel Watch 4 (it’s all about newer Android watches with Wear OS 6), but it takes it a step further by letting you talk to it instantly: no buttons, no wake-up words.
During the first week, I became extremely fixated on Tracy’s cock, asking him by the wrist about every stray thought that came to my mind. I loved that he read the answers out loud so I could continue cooking or wrangling the kids without stopping to look down. That was short-lived.
Google’s AI Gemini voice assistant on the Pixel Watch 4 is often accidentally triggered by the raise-to-wake function.
After a few weeks, Gemini mostly faded into the background. Part of that is because the novelty wears off, but it’s mostly because Gemini misses the mark when I really need it. It turns out that having a readily available assistant isn’t always as convenient as it seems.
Sometimes I have to exaggerate the wrist lift that stimulates him to listen, while other times he wakes up without warning because I point with my hand emphatically like lusty Latin woman i. Often, there is a noticeable delay before he responds as well. Case in point: I was on a video call with my boss when Jiminy suddenly came in to answer…neither of us had asked for anything at all. It makes the watch appear to be eavesdropping, ready to intervene at the worst possible moment.
You can turn off the raise to wake feature and go to a button press or wake on screen. But for now, I’ll leave it on, hoping that as more time passes, Gemini and I will discover a rhythm — and he’ll learn not to interfere in my conversations.
Apparently, I’m testing walking durability
I love the circular, domed screen of the Pixel Watch 4. It’s simple, elegant, and looks great with any watch band (chic or sporty). The near 180-degree view makes it easy to read at a glance without having to tilt your wrist, and the 4,000 nits display is clear during bright midday runs. I’ve been using the 41mm model (it also comes in a 45mm), and it’s comfortable enough to wear 24/7. During the day, I would forget I was wearing it because it was so thin; At night, the bubble screen is more noticeable when touched on the pillow, but not enough to disturb my sleep.
The downside to a watch that essentially has a screen is that it’s more exposed to the reality of life (especially my life). As an outdoor enthusiast and mother of three whose personal hobbies include testing the limits of gravity, I can’t afford to be precious about technology, jewelry, or anything else. Function over form is the stage I’m at.
The domed screen on the Pixel Watch 4 makes it vulnerable to scratches like the one in the center of the screen.
So, yes, I was actually able to extract the custom 3D Gorilla Glass 5. I wish I could tell you what an epic adventure this was, but I really didn’t notice it until I was filming the review video. The scratch is definitely visible and is worth considering if you plan to use the watch for more rugged activities. You may want to invest in a screen protector, which admittedly defeats the entire sleek, minimalist aesthetic, but here we are.
The belt system requires a learning curve. It’s the same mechanism as the previous model, but pressing the release button while sliding the bar out requires coordination. If you’re planning on swapping out your outer straps to dress them up (or down), know that it will take a few tries before it becomes second nature.
The Fitbit is fun, but I’m still not sold on the trainer
The Pixel Watch 4 has all the key health and safety features you’d expect: electrocardiogram (ECG), arrhythmia detection, collision and fall alerts, and FDA approved low pulse detection feature. Fortunately, none of these are what I interact with day in and day out.
The Fitbit ecosystem is where the watch really shines. The user interface is clean and intuitive and breaks down your data into easy-to-understand snippets on both the watch and the app. I love waking up to my health summary, which contains my sleep and readiness scores (even if it’s frustrating sometimes). He’s misread a late-night couch session as sleep once or twice, but overall, his tracking seems accurate. He even noted a drop in my heart rate one night when I was fighting some sort of bug. Combined with my low level of preparedness, this gave me the push I needed to take it easy and recover. It never evolved into anything serious, which I give the Pixel Watch credit for.
During exercise, the numbers on your Pixel Watch 4 change color to match the heart rate zone you’re in.
The Pixel Watch 4 does all the fitness basics, but it goes beyond the details. For example, instead of making me look through screens for my heart rate zone, the watch simply changes the color of the workout interface to match my heart rate zone so I can quickly see where I am in my training without breaking my stride.
I’ve always thought Fitbit was one of the most intuitive apps in the wearable space, but after testing the redesigned version (which goes public next year), it might be the best. Instead of focusing on a single day, it now gives you an entire week’s view of your fitness data, which feels much more realistic. If I skip a workout, the broader context keeps me from feeling defeated and, oddly enough, makes me more motivated.
The redesigned Fitbit app interface has a weekly view of exercise goals.
However, the biggest update lies behind Fitbit Premium’s $10-a-month paywall: Fitbit traineran AI-powered chatbot that should help translate your data into actionable instructions.
Preparation requires answering a series of questions about your goals, equipment, and time commitment. My goal was to get the most bang for my buck from workouts within my time. The coach created a personalized plan to fit my needs, though entering similar information into the free version of Gemini on my phone resulted in almost identical suggestions. The difference is that the trainer gave me video examples of the exercise moves, which was a nice touch.
Fitbit’s new “Coach” feature can create personalized training plans with video examples of each move.
Coach also has access to your habits and health data to make quick adjustments, which is really useful. She suggested that exercising after 9pm was counterproductive for me based on my sleep patterns and energy scores. She also recommended skipping my workout on that bad sleep day and opting for a nap instead (which I didn’t have time for, but still appreciated the permission to rest).
But there are limitations. Unlike Gemini, which I can summon at any time on my watch, Coach is only available in the Fitbit app on my phone, which makes the experience feel oddly passive. I wish he would coach me during workouts and push me to get to a target zone or tell me when it’s time to move on to the next exercise in my training plan.
The coach also can’t give medical advice (which is a good thing), and when I tried to entice him into doing so, he correctly told me to talk to a doctor. However, handing over so much health data to an AI makes me feel a bit uncomfortable because I’m not entirely sure what it could be used for in the future.
To be fair, the trainer is still in beta and is supposed to adapt as you learn your habits. So, it may get better over time, and the version you ultimately receive may look very different from what I was previewing.
The battery on the 41mm Pixel Watch 4 will last about 30 hours.
Battery life is okay
Over the past month, my opinion about the battery hasn’t changed much. It’s a welcome improvement over the last generation, but that 30-hour mark still hits quickly — usually in the middle of my second day when I’m not near a charger. I’ve fallen into a routine of partially charging for 10 minutes before bed or right when I wake up. This is usually all you need for a full night of sleep tracking.
Google claims a full charge takes 60 minutes, but in my experience, it’s closer to 40 minutes.
Some of its best features are ones I haven’t had to use yet
Even if I manage to scratch the screen into oblivion or break it completely, I have peace of mind knowing that Google made this watch easy to fix. The screen, battery, and other components can be swapped out without buying a completely new device — just don’t try to build it yourself. This level of repairability is rare in the smartwatch world, and may save me from having to pay for a brand new watch in the future.
A demo of the emergency satellite calling feature on the cellular version of the Pixel Watch 4.
I tested the LTE model, which can contact emergency services via satellite if you’re off the grid and need help. I’ve never been without a cell signal (or in distress, fortunately), but it’s a nice safety net, especially for the price. Similar satellite clocks, e.g Apple Watch Ultra 3 or Garmin Fenix 8 Procosts more than $700, while the price of the LTE version of the Pixel Watch 4 starts at $450.
Closing thoughts
After a month straight together, this is where I’m at: If you’re looking for an Android watch that does almost everything well, the Pixel Watch 4 is a solid choice. The 41mm battery still needs work (the 45mm should be better), and if you’re only buying it for the Fitbit Coach, I’d hold off: it’s promising, but it’s not quite there yet.
Even without Coach, the redesigned Fitbit app alone is enough to get excited. Add to that the sleek design, ease of use, and seamless integration, and the Pixel Watch 4 will keep this watch at the top of my list. If Google eventually nails the training aspect, it will be the cherry on top of an already well-rounded sundae.
I’m sure in another month I’ll have more gems and quirks to report. This is the case with the wearables you live with day in and day out, especially now that they’re constantly adapting to your habits.