Switching from a Huawei or Garmin watch to a Google watch is complicated. I’ll admit it. There are several reasons for this difficulty. Battery life is the main problem. It was obvious we were going to talk about that. Especially when you look at its price compared to the competition.

Hello everyone, I’m Hugo. Today, I’m talking about my experience with Google’s latest watch. This is the Pixel Watch 4. I tested it for several weeks. I ran with it. I slept with it. And I’m going to tell you everything. So, let’s get started with my full verdict.

A Familiar Design That Divides

I directly chose the 41mm model. I appreciate this round and compact format. The curved screen gives a nice “edge-to-edge” impression. Additionally, the 100% recycled aluminum finish is very well done. Google tells us the domed screen reduces the bezels. This supposedly increases the display area.

However, I have a strange feeling. I feel like I have the same watch as last year. The design hasn’t really changed. It even seems to me that it’s still just as thick. This is disappointing because the battery life doesn’t improve with this thickness.

Next, I turned the watch over. The heart rate sensor on the back is very domed. Personally, I feel it way too much on my wrist. It’s a discomfort I feel daily. That’s not ideal for an object you wear 24/7.

Unexpected Compromises for this Price

Now let’s talk about the front. The screen is not made of sapphire glass. So, I’m constantly afraid of scratching it. A simple scuff could damage it very quickly. At nearly 400 euros, a sapphire crystal should be standard. This is a hard compromise to accept.

My other major criticism is the band. I hate this type of silicone band. Sure, from a distance, its design is harmonious. There’s no extra bit of the band hanging off. However, it is very uncomfortable. Especially for working out.

When I run, I sweat. The band then sticks to my skin. The sweat doesn’t drain away. I also feel a discomfort on my veins. Right where the band tucks in to close. If you have the choice, I strongly advise you to get another band.

An Immersive Screen, on One Condition

The watch has a beautiful AMOLED LTPO screen. Its domed design creates a very immersive bubble effect. With a black background watch face, it’s magnificent. The Wear OS 6 interface seems to float on the edges. The effect is truly successful under these conditions.

Unfortunately, the magic disappears quickly. As soon as you choose a colorful watch face, you see the truth. Big black bezels appear. They are very present. Fortunately, the 1000-nit brightness is excellent. It allows for perfect readability in direct sunlight.

Finally, despite my criticisms, I find it pretty. I wonder if I should try the 45mm size next time. I used to find it too big. But I’m getting more and more used to larger watches.

Precise and Complete Health Sensors

So what’s inside this watch? It is filled with high-performance sensors. There’s an optical heart rate sensor. There is also an electrical sensor compatible with ECG. Infrared sensors measure oxygen saturation (SpO2).

In addition, it includes a skin temperature sensor. The dual-frequency GPS is a major asset. Its accuracy is essential for sports. You’ll see its comparison with benchmarks like Garmin later. The watch also includes:

• An altimeter
• A barometer
• A magnetometer
• A compass
• An accelerometer
• A gyroscope

All this ensures a complete tracking of your movements. The sleep tracking is also very advanced. It details your light, deep, and REM sleep stages. Finally, the smart workout detection is convenient. If you start running, it will prompt you to start an activity.

The Field Test: Against Garmin and Huawei

To judge its performance, I put it to the test. I participated in a trail run in the forest. I compared the Pixel Watch 4 to a Huawei Watch Ultimate and a Garmin Fenix 7. Here are the raw results.

For distance, the Huawei shows 9.86 km. The Garmin measures 9.72 km. The Pixel Watch 4 indicates 9.71 km. So we see a very close result to the Garmin, a market reference.

Regarding pace, the Huawei was at 6’26″/km. The Garmin at 6’23″/km. In contrast, the Pixel Watch 4 was at 6’38″/km. So it gave me a slower average pace.

For elevation gain, the Huawei measured 136 m. The Garmin 151 m. The Pixel Watch 4 displayed 150 m. Once again, the data is very similar to the Garmin’s. This is an excellent point.

However, the calories burned are strange. The Huawei counted 800 kcal. The Garmin 776 kcal. The Pixel Watch 4 blew away the scores with 946 kcal. This data seems overestimated.

Finally, the average heart rate was 180 bpm on the Huawei. It was 184 bpm on the Pixel Watch 4. This is therefore quite consistent. The GPS track on the map is also very clean. It faithfully follows the other two watches, even in a dense forest.

The Real Problem: Disastrous Battery Life

So far, the pros and cons are balanced. But now we come to the flaw that spoils everything. It’s the battery life. It is simply mediocre. Google claims about a day with the always-on display. In reality, you struggle to reach that duration.

Especially if you work out. During my one-hour trail run, I lost 35% of the battery. For a one-hour weightlifting session, it easily loses 10%. So the watch offers very good stats. But you can’t use them with peace of mind.

You are constantly forced to charge it. Going to take a shower? You have to put it on the charger. It’s a constant constraint. Meanwhile, competitors like Huawei offer up to 15 days of battery life. The comparison hurts.

Who is This Watch Really For?

So, what should we think of this Pixel Watch 4? It offers reliable sports and health data. I didn’t notice any major bugs during my test. The only, and huge, downside is its battery life. It’s truly disastrous. Brands like Samsung and Apple fall into the same trap.

Google and others must stop offering such poor battery life. The argument of Gemini AI could be a plus. But this feature is coming to other Wear OS watches. So it won’t be an exclusive advantage.

In conclusion, the Pixel Watch 4 is a competent smartwatch. It is smart and nice to look at. Unfortunately, its battery is a deal-breaker for many. It’s for fans of the Google ecosystem who are willing to charge their watch every day. For everyone else, you’ll have to look elsewhere.