Following leaks of information about the band options, promotional material for the Pixel Watch 3 has surfaced online revealing several key features. Chief among them are multiple improvements to the display, such as slimmer bezels.
According to images obtained by Android Headlines, one of the models will offer “10 percent more display than the Pixel Watch 2,” while the other will offer “40 percent more display.” The former is presumably the 41mm Pixel Watch 3, as that device is closer in size to the Pixel Watch 2, while the latter is most likely a 45mm Pixel Watch 3.
In addition to the bezel upgrade, both models are groundbreaking in that they’re the first Google smartwatches to feature Actua displays, much like the Pixel 8. It’s unknown whether the Actua display will result in higher resolutions, but they’ll reportedly hit a peak brightness of 2,000 nits. That’s double the brightness of the Pixel Watch 2, which sits at 1,000 nits.
The leak claims that the displays will be “ultra-sensitive.” Unfortunately, it doesn’t explain what this means exactly, though we believe the text implies that the wearables will have a higher refresh rate.
Improving physical fitness
So far, it’s all been about the hardware, but things get more interesting when you look at the software. It seems that one of the most notable fitness features on the Pixel Watch 3 is “Advanced Running Metrics,” which allows you to create custom cardio workouts. What’s interesting about the tool is that it can actively guide users during exercise. With the help of “audible and haptic cues,” Advancing Running Metrics will tell you “when to sprint, cool down, or pace” during a run.
The health features don’t end there. Morning Brief on the Pixel Watch 3 will reportedly offer a breakdown of “your most important health metrics each morning,” telling you how well you slept and “your readiness score for the day.” Cardio Load is another metric that measures your heart and will likely let you know if you’ve been pushing yourself too hard lately, or not hard enough.
Own applications
In addition to fitness apps, Google plans to update several of its own apps. Promotional materials indicate that Google Maps on the smartwatch will be able to work offline thanks to Offline Maps.
Google Home is getting a big update, as it will reportedly allow homeowners with a Google Nest camera to view a live feed on the watch. Wearables are also gaining more control over the Pixel Camera app by giving users a way to switch between photo and video modes quickly.
Battery life is expected to be 24 hours, but Google will add a battery-saving mode that will extend life to a maximum of 36 hours. Charging speeds will be 20 percent faster on the 41mm model. It's not known how long it will take to charge the 45mm Pixel Watch 3.
As you can see, this is a pretty significant leak, although we're still missing some vital information about the smartwatches, such as what kind of chipset they'll use. We won't have to wait too long, as Google will hold its next Pixel event in less than two weeks, on August 13.
Of course, take everything you read here with a grain of salt. Things can always change. In the meantime, check out TechRadar's list of the best smartwatches for 2024.
