Pixel Watch 5 review: A fantastic watch that's missing features at launch
Engadget · C · trust 55/100
Still a solid smartwatch that does just enough to make up for the price hike.
Cherlynn Low for Engadget RATING : 9 / 10 Pros On device Gemini is overdue but welcome and speedy Fast-charging battery remains supreme Customizable, tap-friendly navigation Helpful gestures for one-handed use Cons A lot of settings to wade through for some new features Watch faces could be more sophisticated One of the most frustrating things about reviewing any new device before it is available to the public is ensuring we have the right software and features. Often, companies announce upcoming features that will come to devices in the weeks or months after they go on sale, but don't have them available for testing before that. The testing process is all the more tricky with things like smartwatches, where you frequently have to wear them for at least a week before certain features kick in.
All that is my overwrought excuse for why I didn't have a full review of the Pixel Watch 5 ready earlier this week. I've had it for just about seven days and simply don't feel like I've managed to get enough testing done. Plus, new features like the workout builder and blood pressure and insulin resistance trend reports won't be available until September, and it felt remiss to put up a review with a score.
That's not to say there isn't enough here for me to tell you whether the watch is good. I've learned about a lot of the basics, like how it tracks activity and sleep, or whether it holds up to my daily workouts and weekend adventures. And I've spent time with new features like Gemini updates, more accurate GPS tracking and overall performance.
For now, I'm reviewing the Pixel Watch 5 as it is. I will continue to use and test it in the following weeks and, when the new functions land, I will update this review with my impressions. While I don't expect that any of these new features will affect the initial score I'm giving the Watch 5, I will adjust that number accordingly and note the change if they do.
The Pixel Watch 5 isn't very different physically from the Pixel Watch 4 . According to Google's own comparison chart , there is a slight disparity in the display, with the newer watch listed as using a 320ppi AMOLED panel while the older model's is described as "custom." I'll get into how the display held up in real life, but long story short, the two devices are basically the same.
I do love the peachy canyon shade of my Watch 5 review unit, and it was a beautiful match for the Pixel 11 Pro in the same hue. I will say, though, that I'm a bit concerned to find some discoloration on the band already, with some sort of dark stain appearing along its edges. I'm not sure if this might be because I recently started using a new black purse that might be leeching color, but it was saddening. Google does sell replacement or additional bands from $50 to $200, in case you wanted a spare.
We're at the point in smartwatch maturity where I no longer need to say how these compare to traditional watches. Like the Galaxy Watch 9 and the Apple Watch Series 11, the Pixel Watch 5 is light and mostly unobtrusive. While I still hate to wear any of these things to sleep, it's at least easy to forget you have them on when you're out on a grocery run or just lounging around at home.
The one thing I will point out is that because of its domed glass case and display, the Pixel Watch seems more vulnerable to damage than the competition. But I've yet to break one, and thanks to its repairable design, I'm not very worried about completely ruining the device. And yes, the Pixel Watch 5 remains the only mainstream smartwatch with a replaceable screen and battery, which adds to its appeal.
Speaking of, the Pixel Watch 5 can get as bright as up to 3,000 nits, which is the same as its predecessor. In practice, the Watch 5 was easy enough to read, though that's at its highest setting. When the screen dimmed in battery-saving mode, I struggled to see words on it.
While I'm talking about hardware, I might as well point out that the Pixel Watch 5 has a Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 Accelerated processor, compared to the Watch 4's Snapdragon W5 Gen 2. It's essentially the same chip, but the "Accelerated" version adds more memory and increases clock speeds slightly.. Both devices have the same IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, too.
In the process of this review, I had to update the following:
The Android software of the phone my watch was connected to, which happened to be a Pixel 11 Pro.
I also had to go into the Play Store on the watch itself and update at least eight apps there, including Health, ECG, Gemini, Messages, Pixel Watch Manager, Wear OS and Wear Media. At every step of testing, when a feature wasn't working or was missing, I had to make sure I turned on yet another setting (Gemini, Gestures, Proactive Intelligence etc).
I say all that to add to the excuse pile of why it has taken me so long to write this review, but also to warn you that, should you get a Pixel Watch (or perhaps any other smartwatch) at launch, there will be a lot of settings and possible updates to wade through.
When you're all set, you should find quite a few improvements. Google has introduced a few new elements to the Pixel Watch's interface, including redesigned complications, new At a Glance pop-ups, expanded one-handed gestures and a refreshed appearance for Gemini on your wrist. And since it's the era of AI, there's also a new watch face generator that takes your prompts and turns them into wacky clocks.
The entire mechanism is a bit simplistic, though. No matter what you describe, it only impacts the style of the clock font. The rest of the stuff on the face, like the complication size and placement, are all fairly rigid. You can customize the four arcs around the clock by choosing which complications to use, and pick the color palette you prefer. Otherwise, all your whimsical descriptions like "flowery nature vibe" or "woodland elves prancing around a…
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