The Google Pixel Watch 5 provides a premium, circular-design smartwatch experience with advanced health metrics, though it faces stiff competition from simpler, more affordable fitness trackers like the upcoming Fitbit Air. While the Pixel Watch 5 excels in display quality, haptic feedback, and integration with the Google Health app, its battery life is limited to approximately 1.5 days. This necessitates frequent charging, which the reviewer finds cumbersome compared to the 8-9 day battery life of the Fitbit Air. The Pixel Watch 5 includes sophisticated sensors for heart rate, SpO2, and skin temperature, alongside features like ECG and emergency detection, though some of these were not fully functional or available at the time of testing. The device is powered by the Snapdragon Wear W5 Gen 2 processor, which ensures smooth performance, but the reviewer concludes that for users primarily focused on fitness tracking, the significantly lower cost and longer battery life of a dedicated tracker may be more practical than the premium features of a full-fledged smartwatch.
The Pixel Watch 5 features a circular, domed display design that provides a classic aesthetic while maintaining modern smartwatch functionality. Battery life on the 41mm Pixel Watch 5 is limited to approximately 1.5 days, requiring frequent charging compared to simpler fitness trackers.
The device includes a comprehensive suite of sensors, including heart rate, SpO2, skin temperature, and an altimeter for detailed fitness tracking. Some advanced health features, such as ECG and emergency detection, were either unavailable or not fully functional during the review period.
The Pixel Watch 5 is powered by the Snapdragon Wear W5 Gen 2 processor, delivering responsive and smooth performance across the interface. The reviewer suggests that for users focused solely on fitness tracking, the cost-to-value ratio of a dedicated tracker is superior to the Pixel Watch 5.
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Worth noting
- The Fitbit Air is an unreleased product expected to launch in October 2026, and its performance metrics are based on preliminary information.
- Certain health features, such as ECG and blood pressure tracking, were not fully functional or available at the time of testing.
- The reviewer notes that the watch automatically and incorrectly tracked motorcycle rides as cycling workouts, suggesting a need for software updates.