Everything we know so far about the third-gen smartwatch
With the Google Pixel Watch 3 expected to launch in just a few months, we’re beginning to see a steady stream of leaks and rumors.
To keep you abreast of everything related to the next Google smartwatch, we’ve rounded up everything we know so far; release date speculation, potential price information, and a summary of all the latest reports.
It’s best to take everything with a grain of salt until we get closer to the Pixel Watch 3’s official reveal, but the picture is certainly beginning to take shape.
When will the Google Pixel Watch 3 be announced?
- ‘Made by Google’ event announced for 13 August
- Google did not provide a teaser at I/O 2024 in May
Through two generations, Google has proven very consistent with its announcement schedule – but it looks as though that will deviate for the coming generation.
While the original Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 were announced in the first week of October and released the following week, the Mountain View company is mixing up the month of the ‘Made by Google’ event for 2024.
Announced in June, the hardware event will go down on Tuesday, 13 August.
This leaves us in uncharted waters with regard to the actual Pixel Watch 3 release date. It’s almost certainly set to be announced at the August event, but there’s no current indications of whether or not it will be held until October or, like the previous generations, arrive the following week.
Should you wait for the Pixel Watch 3?
At the time of writing, we’re within a few weeks of the Pixel Watch 3 announcement – and, thus, we think it’s worth waiting for the next-gen smartwatch.
The Pixel Watch 2 is an excellent smartwatch – our pick for the best Wear OS watch available – and will remain available for the latest software updates for some years, but the rumors do suggest some sizeable upgrades for the next model.
Even if you prefer the idea of the Pixel Watch 2, remember that the release of the third-gen device will also cause the price to tumble. It’s worth holding off for that reason alone.
How much will the Pixel Watch 3 cost?
- No leaks regarding the Pixel Watch 3 RRP
- The rumored larger edition could cost more
As with the release date, Google hasn’t moved the price of the first two Pixel Watch generations.
And, again, at least at the moment, there’s nothing to suggest it won’t stick with the current system for the Pixel Watch 3.
This would mean that we can expect the Pixel Watch 3 to begin at $349 / £349 – with that rising to $399 / £399 for the LTE edition.
The only potential spanner in the works here is if Google decides to offer an additional case size – or completely mix up the case sizes and features. And that does look likely.
It’s difficult to know what to expect in this event; we could see a lower starting price for the cheapest Pixel Watch 3 with the larger model assuming the typical price, or that bigger edition could just start around $400 / £400 for the Bluetooth edition and rise to $450 / £450 for LTE.
The eventual pricing is anybody’s guess, so we’ll update this section when we have more concrete info.
Latest Google Pixel Watch 3 rumors
Rumors and insider information are starting to pick up, with the Pixel Watch 3 launch now just a few short months away. Based on recent patents and the odd leak, we’re getting a good idea of what to expect.
Below, we’ll list all the credible rumors in more detail, but this is a quick look at what the Pixel Watch 3 announcement looks set to include:
- Pixel Watch 3 XL edition (45mm case size)
- Pixel Watch 3 XL expected to feature better battery life
- Pixel Watch 3 standard edition case will remain at 41mm
- Wear OS 5 will debut on the watch series
- Unchanged circular design but may feature touch-sensitive bezel
- Gesture control akin to Apple Double Tap may debut
- Watch Unlock via UWB set for a boost
Pixel Watch 3 XL now looks very likely
The Pixel Watch 2 may be an excellent device, but the fact Google didn’t introduce a bigger case size was a huge disappointment. Thankfully, this is looking likely to change for the next generation, with a June 2024 leak suggesting a ‘Pixel Watch 3 XL’ is being prepared alongside the standard model.
Though no major design changes are apparent in the renders shown above, it’s said that the XL model will feature a thicker body, up to 13.89mm, and the case size will jump to 45mm.
It’s also speculated – as is typical in bigger watches – that this should also house a larger battery unit than previously seen in a Pixel Watch.
We feel that is fairly credible, given reports that Google is planning two Pixel Watch 3 case sizes for release first appeared back in January.
Initially, it was unclear whether we’d see two all-new case sizes or a larger edition introduced alongside the current 41mm case.
Since then, a couple of reports have beefed up the initial claim. As such, it appears most likely will introduce a 45mm Pixel Watch 3 alongside a standard 41mm model. Huzzah!
The home for Wear OS 5
It’s not just hardware changes that we’re expecting for the Pixel Watch 3 – new software is also being reported to debut through the smartwatch (and Galaxy Watch 7).
As revealed by Google at I/O 2024 in May, Wear OS 5 will arrive later this year, with the major improvements coming via improved battery efficiency and refinements for different case sizes.
Interestingly, this announcement breaks Google’s habit of delivering a major Wear OS update alongside every other Android update. Going forward, it looks likely Google will move to annual smartwatch updates, much like we see from Apple.
Touch-sensitive bezel
The dead space on the Pixel Watch display may have been hidden well by the black background of Wear OS in the first two generations, but we would love to see this inner bezel put to some use.
And we may get our wish in the Pixel Watch 3.
In a patent filing uncovered by Wareable, Google explains how sensors within the housing of the watch’s display could be used to control actions on the device. These sensors would respond to presses, taps, squeezes, and swipe gestures and feature specific uses for different apps.
The other wrinkle to this potential design change is that it would negate the need for the side button and crown, Google says.
Whether we see it in the Pixel Watch 3 remains to be seen, but it would certainly represent a dramatic and useful design shift.
Gesture control
We’ve already seen Apple push forward modern gesture control with the introduction of Double Tap through the Series 9 and Ultra 2, but Google could be planning its own move with the forthcoming Pixel Watch 3.
According to another patent filing spotted by Wareable, Google explains how a radio frequency-based system could be used to track hand and finger movements on a micro-scale.
The result would be less need for the user to perform touch interactions with the screen.
The radio-based gesture tech described in the patent can overcome the hardware limitations of current systems, thanks to a simpler single-radar emitting element and antenna, though it’s unclear whether this is something that’s being slated to arrive as early as the Pixel Watch 3.
Watch Unlock set for UWB boost
Google introduced Watch Unlock as a way for the Pixel Watch and Pixel phones connected via Bluetooth to smoothen the unlocking process. And there are strong hints that Google will build on this feature through the Pixel Watch 3.
Initially, 9to5Mac dug around in the Google Play Services code and found references to ultra-wideband (UWB) alongside Watch Unlock codewords, suggesting the feature is being planned.
Since that initial report, Pixel Watch 3 FCC listings disclose that all four variations of the upcoming range will support 5GHz Wi-Fi and UWB.
