Alongside the Pixel 10 series, Google unveiled the Pixel Watch 4, the biggest upgrade to its watch yet. The new Actua 360 display is brighter and has a full-edge bezel, the battery lasts longer, Wear OS 6 is faster and more colorful, and the LTE version brings standalone satellite SOS to the US for the first time. Pre-orders are now open, with sales starting on October 9.
The Pixel Watch 4 is a watch that at first glance looks like an analog "Ressence for Android”: a curved, glass dome display, the edges almost disappearing, the dial floating. There’s some serious technological drama going on in the background: new chipset, new system design and — yes, this is not a drill — connecting to satellites when all else fails.
Actua 360: more light, less edges, more “wow”
Google describes the new display as Actua 360: a domed AMOLED with up to 3,000 nits of brightness, smaller bezels, and about 10 percent more active screen area. Translation: the watch is readable in midday sunlight and looks more borderless than before.
Speed and elegance: Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 + Wear OS 6
Under the hood, a Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 ticks, accompanied by dedicated ML co-processor logic that should reduce power consumption while maintaining the same comfort. On the wrist, it runs Wear OS 6 with Material 3 Expressive — smoother, more colorful, and more customizable, with “raise-to-talk” and faster smart replies via Gemini.
Health and sports: more accurate GPS, skin temperature, smarter sleep
Pixel Watch 4 brings dual-frequency GPS for more accurate tracking, improved sleep tracking, and more accurate skin temperature measurement. All of this is combined with new sport profiles and updated Fitbit metrics. AI Coach, powered by Gemini, arrives in October as an upgrade to Fitbit Coach.
The security you get “from orbit”
When there’s no signal, the LTE model of the Pixel Watch 4 triggers a standalone satellite SOS. Google achieves this with an NB‑NTN connection (via Skyla), so you can send an emergency message and location from your watch — without a phone or cellular network. Important: This is the first such system on a smartwatch for the US; Huawei has been offering Beidou satellite messaging in select markets since 2023, but it’s tied to a different ecosystem and coverage.
Battery, charging and repairs: less panic, more opportunities
Google claims up to 40 hours of battery life for the 45mm model and around 30 hours for the 41mm. The new Quick Charge Dock charges the watch to 50W in 15 minutes, meaning you can get through half a day of power while showering. And another change that should become standard: a replaceable battery and display, officially and officially.
Design and durability
The case remains waterproof to 50m and has an IP68 rating, and the body is made of aircraft-grade aluminum. The domed glass is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass; the whole thing gives that “one-piece” feel that minimalist enthusiasts love to flaunt.
Prices, sizes, date
Available in 41mm and 45mm sizes, in Wi-Fi and LTE versions. Starting prices in the US: 41mm Wi-Fi 349 $, 45mm Wi-Fi 399 $, LTE versions 449 $ and 499 $. Pre-orders are open, with sales starting October 9.
Specifications at a glance: Pixel Watch 4
- Display: Actua 360 dome AMOLED, up to 3,000 nits, thinner bezels.
- Platform: Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 + ML coprocessor; Wear OS 6 with Material 3 Expressive and Gemini features.
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi/LTE, standalone satellite SOS (LTE, USA), dual-frequency GPS.
- Health: smarter sleep, skin temperature sensor, new sports metrics; AI coach coming in October.
- Endurance: 50 m waterproof, IP68, Corning Gorilla Glass.
- Battery and charging: up to 30 h (41 mm) or up to 40 h (45 mm); up to 50 % in 15 min with new dock.
- Repairs: replaceable screen and battery.
Verdict: A watch that thinks about light, your health, and the worst possible day
The Pixel Watch 4 isn't just a brighter, prettier, and faster watch; it's a smaller safety net that connects directly to the sky when needed. Anyone who's been waiting for Google to combine design, durability, real-world autonomy, and independent security in a watch will have a hard time finding a compelling counterargument. The questions to come aren't technical, but practical: satellite SOS coverage, service prices, and how quickly the AI coach will actually become usable in everyday life. Until then, we can enjoy the fact that "smartwatch" has regained a meaning beyond notifications.