Google Pixel Watch 4 vs Pixel Watch 3 - Which Google Smartwatch Should You Buy in 2025?

As the smartwatch market continues to evolve, Google’s Pixel Watch 4 delivers a smarter, faster, and more efficient experience compared to its predecessor, the Pixel Watch 3. The new generation retains the signature circular minimalist design while introducing major upgrades in battery life, fast charging, precise GPS tracking, and AI-powered health coaching.

Whether you are a loyal Pixel Watch 3 user looking for a smoother, more durable upgrade, or a first-time Android smartwatch buyer, the Pixel Watch 4 offers more accurate health monitoring, smarter activity tracking, and enhanced safety and connectivity. This guide compares the two generations across design, display, battery & charging, performance, health & fitness, and safety & connectivity, helping you determine which watch is the best fit for daily use and an active lifestyle. You can also check the article of Google Pixel Watch 4 Review.

One-line summary: If you value multi-day battery life, fast charging, precise fitness tracking, and intelligent health management, the Pixel Watch 4 is clearly the superior flagship smartwatch choice.

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Google Pixel Watch 4 vs Pixel Watch 3 - Design

The Pixel Watch 4 keeps Google’s signature circular pebble aesthetic, but introduces several refined upgrades to improve comfort, durability, and day-to-day practicality. While both models share the same minimalist silhouette, the Pixel Watch 4’s subtle structural improvements make it feel more modern and more user-friendly.

Pixel Watch 4 Design Upgrades

The Pixel Watch 4 enhances the familiar design with improvements that strengthen comfort, functionality, and long-term usability.

Softer, More Ergonomic Curves

Pixel Watch 4 smooths the edge transitions, creating a softer contour around the wrist.

This reduces sleeve snagging and increases comfort - especially for long-sleeve wearers.

Repairable Body with Standard Screws

A first in the Pixel Watch lineup: accessible screws under the lugs allow independent replacement of the battery and display.

This dramatically improves longevity and lowers repair costs compared to the sealed Pixel Watch 3.

Dual Side Buttons for Better Control

The redesigned dual-button layout provides:

• faster app switching
• quicker shortcuts
• more intuitive navigation

This transforms the watch into a more capable everyday tool.

Side Charging Contacts for Bedside Mode

By moving the charging pins to the side, the Pixel Watch 4 can rest horizontally as a nightstand clock.

This small change increases utility - though it also marks another charging redesign between generations.

Same Iconic Shape, More Modern Details

The signature pebble design remains, but refinements such as:

• tighter proportions
• updated color options
• cleaner curvature

give the Pixel Watch 4 a more polished, premium appearance.

To elevate your Pixel Watch 4 or Pixel Watch 3 experience, consider pairing it with Bandletic Google Pixel Watch 4 Bands or Bandletic Google Pixel Watch 3 Bands. These premium bands are available in a wide range of styles and materials, perfectly suited for fitness, work, or everyday wear, letting you customize your smartwatch to match any occasion.

Explore other series too: Google Pixel Watch 2 Bands and Google Pixel Watch 1 Bands to find your perfect combination.

Winner: Pixel Watch 4

Reason: The Pixel Watch 4 retains the iconic design while adding meaningful improvements in comfort, button usability, and repairability - making it the more complete and future-ready choice.

Google Pixel Watch 4 vs Pixel Watch 3 - Display

The Pixel Watch 4 brings significant upgrades to its display compared to the Pixel Watch 3, improving brightness, screen area, refresh rate, and curved design to deliver a superior visual experience and smoother touch interaction for daily use.

Pixel Watch 4 Display Upgrades

Higher Brightness for Outdoor Visibility

The Pixel Watch 4 display reaches a peak brightness of 3000 nits, a 50% increase over the Pixel Watch 3 screen. This ensures clear readability even under direct sunlight or during outdoor sports.

Larger Usable Screen Area

With the Actua 360 curved screen, the Pixel Watch 4 narrows the bezels by 15% and increases effective display area by 10%, offering more room for content and gestures without increasing the overall watch size.

LTPO Variable Refresh Rate

The 1–60Hz variable refresh rate automatically adjusts based on content and interaction, balancing smooth visuals with power efficiency.

Curved Glass for Immersive Interaction

The rounded, curved glass design makes touch interactions feel more natural and immersive compared to the Pixel Watch 3 flat screen, enhancing the overall smartwatch user experience.

Improved Touch and Interaction Space

Smaller bezels and curved edges provide a larger usable touch area, smoother swiping, and a more engaging interaction, allowing users to operate apps and read content more comfortably.

Winner: Pixel Watch 4

Reason: The Pixel Watch 4 display outperforms the Pixel Watch 3 screen in brightness, usable area, refresh rate, and curved design, delivering a brighter, smoother, and more immersive experience for both indoor and outdoor use.

Google Pixel Watch 4 vs Pixel Watch 3 - Performance & System

The Pixel Watch 4 offers significant improvements over the Pixel Watch 3 in processor performance, system functionality, and overall user experience, delivering smoother operations, faster response times, and more reliable smartwatch performance.

Pixel Watch 4 Performance Upgrades

More Efficient Processor for Stronger Performance

The Pixel Watch 4 processor (Snapdragon W5+ Gen 2 + Cortex-M55 co-processor) delivers higher efficiency and faster app response compared to the Pixel Watch 3’s Gen 1 + M33 setup, enhancing overall smartwatch performance.

Improved System Stability & Battery Efficiency

The upgraded dual-chip design optimizes battery life while supporting dual-frequency GPS and satellite SOS, providing more reliable outdoor navigation and safety features.

Enhanced Software Experience

The Material 3 Expressive UI offers smoother animations and more responsive interactions, improving the overall user interface experience, while the Pixel Watch 3 interface feels more basic and less frequently updated.

Winner: Pixel Watch 4

Reason: The Pixel Watch 4 combines an upgraded processor, optimized Wear OS 4 system, and enhanced stability, delivering faster, smoother, and more reliable smartwatch performance, making it the clear choice over the Pixel Watch 3.

Google Pixel Watch 4 vs Pixel Watch 3 - Battery Life & Charging

The Pixel Watch 4 delivers a significant upgrade in battery life and charging efficiency compared to the Pixel Watch 3, offering more practical all-day usage and faster recharging for modern smartwatch users.

Pixel Watch 4 Battery & Charging Upgrades

Increased Battery Capacity

The Pixel Watch 4 increases battery capacity over the Pixel Watch 3, with the 41mm model at 327mAh (+7%) and the 45mm model at 459mAh (+9%), supporting longer all-day smartwatch usage.

Extended Daily Battery Life

With Always-On Display (AOD) enabled, the Pixel Watch 4 offers up to 30 hours (41mm) and 40 hours (45mm) of use. Real-world testing shows 45mm devices can last around 2 days, a major improvement over the Pixel Watch 3’s 24-hour AOD life for the 41mm and 48-hour practical life for the 45mm.

Enhanced Power-Saving Mode

Power-saving mode extends the 41mm device to 48 hours and the 45mm device to 72 hours, providing flexibility for multi-day usage without frequent charging.

Faster, More Convenient Charging

The side-mounted charging design increases charging speed by 25%, achieving 50% charge in just 15 minutes and full charge in 45 minutes, compared to the slower rear-mounted charging on Pixel Watch 3.

Winner: Pixel Watch 4

Reason: With larger batteries, longer real-world usage, efficient power-saving modes, and significantly faster charging, the Pixel Watch 4 provides a clear leap in battery life and usability over the Pixel Watch 3, making it the superior choice for users who value endurance and convenience.

Google Pixel Watch 4 vs Pixel Watch 3 - Health & Fitness

The Pixel Watch 4 builds on the strong health-tracking foundation of the Pixel Watch 3, enhancing AI coaching, GPS accuracy, sensor precision, and automatic activity detection. It delivers a more intelligent and personalized fitness companion without completely redefining the tracking system.

Pixel Watch 4 Health & Fitness Upgrades

Gemini AI-Powered Smart Coaching

The Pixel Watch 4 introduces AI-driven coaching, offering personalized guidance based on your sleep, activity, and health data—a major upgrade over the standard Fitbit metrics on Pixel Watch 3.

Dual-Frequency GPS for Accurate Tracking

The upgraded dual-frequency GPS ensures more precise location tracking, especially in urban or obstructed environments, improving workout route accuracy and outdoor exercise reliability.

Enhanced Sleep & Health Sensors

Upgraded skin temperature sensors improve sleep stage detection accuracy by ~18%, while core health sensors remain consistent with Pixel Watch 3, providing ECG, SpO₂, and stress monitoring.

Smarter Automatic Activity Detection

Pixel Watch 4 can intelligently detect and prompt workouts after activity completion and calibrates to your preferred exercises, unlike Pixel Watch 3 which only prompts during activity.

Advanced Fitness Metrics

The 4th-gen model supports strength training and advanced running metrics (cadence, vertical oscillation, ground contact time), delivering deeper insights for serious fitness enthusiasts.

Winner: Pixel Watch 4

Reason: Pixel Watch 4 delivers smarter, more accurate, and personalized health and fitness tracking than Pixel Watch 3.

Google Pixel Watch 4 vs Pixel Watch 3 - Safety & Connectivity

The Pixel Watch 4 delivers significant improvements over the Pixel Watch 3 in safety features and connectivity upgrades, enhancing emergency response, daily device connections, and smart ecosystem integration for a safer and smarter user experience.

Pixel Watch 4 Safety & Connectivity Upgrades

Satellite SOS & Safety Features

Pixel Watch 4 supports satellite SOS, allowing emergency calls even in remote areas without cellular coverage. Fall and crash detection algorithms are optimized, and SpO₂ emergency alerts enhance overall safety. Pixel Watch 3 relies on standard networks and basic sensors, offering less comprehensive protection.

Faster & More Stable Connectivity

Equipped with Bluetooth 6.0 and Wi-Fi 6, the Pixel Watch 4 ensures faster and more reliable data transfer, with seamless multi-device switching. Pixel Watch 3 delivers adequate connectivity but is slightly slower and less stable.

Smart Home & Device Integration

Pixel Watch 4 fully integrates with the Google ecosystem, enabling direct control of smart home devices, and closer collaboration with Pixel phones and Chromebooks, with faster cross-device voice assistant responses. Pixel Watch 3 supports basic smart home control but often requires a phone intermediary, making it less seamless.

Expanded NFC Payments

Pixel Watch 4 supports a wider range of NFC payment scenarios and regional compatibility, while Pixel Watch 3 has limited payment options in some areas.

Winner: Pixel Watch 4

Reason: With satellite SOS, advanced fall and respiratory alerts, Bluetooth 6.0/Wi-Fi 6, and deep device ecosystem integration, the Pixel Watch 4 outperforms Pixel Watch 3 in safety and connectivity, providing a more reliable and intelligent experience for users.

Google Pixel Watch 4 vs Pixel Watch 3 - Conclusion & Recommendation

After a detailed comparison of the Google Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Watch 3, it’s clear that the fourth-generation model delivers meaningful improvements across the board. From longer battery life and faster charging, to enhanced display, dual-frequency GPS, AI-powered health coaching, and advanced safety features, the Pixel Watch 4 is built for users who demand precision, reliability, and seamless integration with the Google ecosystem.

While the Pixel Watch 3 remains a solid option for basic smartwatch needs, the upgrades in performance, display, fitness tracking, and connectivity make the Pixel Watch 4 the standout choice for active users, tech enthusiasts, and those who prioritize safety and smart device integration.

Final Recommendation: For anyone seeking a future-proof Android smartwatch with smarter health tracking, better outdoor navigation, and comprehensive safety features, the Pixel Watch 4 is the clear winner. The Pixel Watch 3 is only recommended if you are on a tighter budget or do not require the latest innovations.