The Google Pixel Watch 4 will not arrive for an additional yr, however that hasn’t stopped us from brainstorming all of the methods it could actually repair the Pixel Watch 3’s shortcomings come 2025.Â
The Pixel Watch 3 specs and design sound awfully just like the Pixel Watch 2 in a whole lot of methods; though we respect the brand new 45mm measurement possibility, a whole lot of different issues carried over from the final technology.
Whereas our Pixel Watch 3 hands-on impressed us, a lot of our pleasure comes from the brand new software program methods like AI-generated exercises, Nest Cam livestreams, cardio load, Google TV distant controls, and so forth. By the Pixel Watch 4 launch, we are able to hope for brand new {hardware} perks.
Right here is our early Google Pixel Watch 4 wishlist for areas of enchancment, plus the scant rumors and patents we have heard about Google’s subsequent smartwatch.
Google Pixel Watch 4: Rumors and patents
Google patents dozens of concepts per thirty days, a lot of which is able to by no means see the sunshine of day in a industrial product. That mentioned, there are just a few Pixel Watch and Fitbit patents we have noticed that we might wish to see within the Pixel Watch 4, in principle.
Probably the most weird and intriguing Pixel Watch patent is one the place Google turns its rounded-edge bezel right into a squeezable, touch-sensitive management interface. Within the displays under, you’ll be able to see how Google envisions you tapping or sliding particular parts of the Pixel Watch edge to set off actions like music controls, a flashlight, or a favourite app.Â
You could possibly squeeze the display screen to pause a track or open a notification, doubtlessly as a substitute of utilizing the Pixel Watch 3’s trademark crown. The patent features a lengthy listing of potential actions primarily based on the size, course, pace, or location of your swipe or squeeze, which sounds a bit too difficult to work in observe however nonetheless sounds intriguing.
We extremely doubt the Pixel Watch 4 would ditch its crown, however utilizing the bezel edge for controls is not that completely different from what Samsung does with its digital contact bezel on the Galaxy Watch 7.
One other intriguing patent comes from the Google-owned Fitbit, claiming the thought for a smartwatch “Match Rating” that informs the consumer how nicely the watch’s backside sensors can learn your well being knowledge primarily based on how snugly you are sporting it, in addition to “variations in wrist measurement, pores and skin shade, hair density, BMI, fats proportion, and the likes.”
The Pixel Watch 4 would want a “Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS)” that may alter your knowledge if it detected that your watch wasn’t fitted correctly; for instance, it might disregard low SpO2 warnings in case your watch comes free when you’re sleeping.
One other Fitbit patent that makes use of on-wrist video games to observe your psychological well being may very well be a pleasant characteristic, however we’re focusing extra on potential Pixel Watch 4 {hardware} adjustments. On that notice, Fitbit has patented a number of blood strain monitoring programs up to now few years, together with one this August. We all know Google needs to implement these sensors quickly; we simply doubt it’s going to be consumer-ready by the Pixel Watch 4.
We additionally noticed a Fitbit patent for detecting arterial stiffness as a warning signal for cardiovascular points.
Past these long-term plans and concepts, we do not know but what Google has deliberate for the Pixel Watch 4; Google itself most likely would not know but. So let’s talk about what they need to do.
Google Pixel Watch 4 wishlist
The Google Pixel Watch 3 ought to preserve the Watch 2’s place among the many finest Put on OS watches as soon as we have totally reviewed it, however the competitors is not that fierce, and software program is not Google’s most important challenge.Â
Listed below are all of the ways in which the Google Pixel Watch 4 ought to enhance on its predecessor.
Higher battery life
After we have a look at the most effective Android watches, a lot of them can final in a spread from 40–100 hours, relying on the scale and setting. The Pixel Watch 3’s 24 hours with AOD or 36 hours with Battery Saver settings are decrease than the remainder of the competitors. Even earlier than we assessment it, we all know that is a draw back for lots of people, particularly people who use watches for sleep monitoring.
To be clear, most watches with three-day battery lives just like the OnePlus Watch 2 and TicWatch Professional 5 are bigger and heavier than the Pixel Watch 3, with about twice the battery capability. However the truth stays that these watches are way more handy to make use of as a result of they do not require day by day expenses.
By the Pixel Watch 4 launch, we might like to see Google make use of its Put on OS Hybrid Interface and rely extra on the Cortex coprocessor (or a extra environment friendly MCU) to stretch out its battery life to 48+ hours with out AOD. That’ll most likely begin by including a greater CPU, which brings us to our subsequent level…
Add a brand new Snapdragon or Tensor CPU
Qualcomm developed the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 in 2022, and it mainly saved the Put on OS model by giving watches the ability they wanted to revamp their software program. Nonetheless, its 4nm silicon is already behind Samsung’s 3nm Exynos W1000 within the Galaxy Watch 7, and we might anticipate a correct efficiency increase after three years.
Our first hope is that Qualcomm pronounces a brand new Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 CPU at its upcoming Snapdragon Summit, or at any level earlier than subsequent summer season so the Pixel Watch 4 can incorporate it. Ideally, it might carry out background duties extra effectively to stretch out the Watch 4’s lifespan.
Instead, we all know that Google is difficult at work creating a 3nm Tensor G5 CPU utilizing TSMC as a substitute of Samsung, to make the Pixel 10 sooner and extra environment friendly than the Pixel 9. It additionally made a proprietary Tensor A1 CPU for its Pixel Buds Professional 2. If Google could make its personal 3nm Watch 4 CPU by way of TSMC, that may be thrilling in its personal proper.
Twin-band GPS and new sport focuses
The Pixel Watch 3 launch explicitly focused runners with new software program like customized run exercises, Fitbit Premium AI-generated day by day run exercises, weekly cardio load monitoring versus your goal load, working kind evaluation, and a Morning Temporary showcasing your Every day Readiness to work. It additionally promised “probably the most correct coronary heart charge for working” with a brand new Watch 3 HR algorithm that reduces “mild artifacts” throughout fast-paced actions.
So why on Earth did not Google give the Pixel Watch 3 dual-band GPS the one {hardware} improve it wanted to take full benefit of this?
GPS-only working watches battle with sign blockage, exhibiting you off your precise working route whenever you’re close to tall buildings or beneath foliage. It may considerably change your estimated run distance and tempo. That is why we have been comfortable to see Samsung give the Galaxy Watch 7 dual-band GPS, and different manufacturers like Amazfit have introduced dual-band monitoring to cheaper watches.
By the Pixel Watch 4, we hope to see Google rectify this and supply extra correct monitoring. On high of that, we hope that Google and Fitbit proceed to enhance their health software program for different sports activities like biking or climbing. Operating was a great place to begin, however they need to preserve going.
A correct wheelchair mode
It is unconscionable that so few smartwatch manufacturers and working programs have applied a wheelchair mode. People like Android Central’s Jerry Hildenbrand cannot get enthusiastic about watches that solely provide “steps” as a substitute of “pushes” and have transfer alerts that insist you get up when you’ll be able to’t.
That is why the Garmin Venu 3, with its devoted wheelchair mode that judges issues like cardio vitality in a different way to take incapacity into consideration, is such a terrific possibility. And it is disappointing that we have not seen the same tack taken by different watch manufacturers. Ideally, when the Pixel Watch 4 tracks your Fitbit Lively Zone Minutes, it’s going to give wheelchair-bound of us a tailor-made expertise.
New well being knowledge
Watch On
Whereas the Pixel Watch 2 added some thrilling health-tracking methods like steady physique response (cEDA), passive irregular coronary heart rhythm warnings, and pores and skin temperature, the one new well being characteristic the Pixel Watch 3 presents is the Lack of Pulse characteristic that makes use of the PPG and put on detection to find out in case you’re experiencing a cardiac occasion and name emergency providers for you.
We love this characteristic, however we hope that Google and Fitbit can carry new well being knowledge with the Pixel Watch 4 outdoors of emergencies. We wrote above about Fitbit patents for blood strain or arterial stiffness, that are doable candidates.Â
Samsung lately gave its Galaxy Watch 7 blue, yellow, violet, and ultraviolet LEDs to allow new well being knowledge just like the AGEs Index, that are “merchandise fashioned when sugar interacts with proteins or fat within the bloodstream.” A excessive Index corresponds with potential “diabetes, coronary heart illness, and renal failure” points, making it helpful as a preventative metric. The Pixel Watch 4 would not have to trace AGEs particularly, nevertheless it’s the kind of factor we might like Google to give attention to so opponents do not go away it behind.
We have now loads of different potential requests for the Pixel Watch 4. One colleague with the Pixel Watch 2 says he needs Google to enhance notifications, making them seen with out all the time having to show your wrist or faucet the display screen. One other mentioned jokingly that he needs the Pixel Watch to morph into a wise ring at night time; we all know there is a potential Fitbit Ring in improvement, so perhaps we’ll see that alongside the Watch 4.
Google follows Samsung’s lead so much, and what with the brand new Samsung Galaxy Watch Extremely making waves, we surprise if we’ll see a Pixel Watch Extremely subsequent yr, addressing a few of our complaints with longer battery life. We’re unsure if we might really need this, as a lot as we might hope the bottom Pixel Watch 4 improves by itself.
No want to attend
The Google Pixel Watch 4 would possibly make among the fixes above, however the Pixel Watch 3 is already a terrific enchancment in its personal proper. You get a brand new measurement possibility, revamped show, sooner wi-fi downloads, sooner charging speeds, and different upgrades. It is one among our favourite watches of the yr up to now.