The Google Pixel Watch 4 just changed the Android smartwatch game. After years of Samsung dominating the space, Google's latest $349.99 wearable delivers the complete package with dramatically improved battery life, a repairable design, and Gemini AI integration that actually works. The Verge's Victoria Song calls it "the most interesting flagship smartwatch launch of the season" - high praise for a device that wasn't even on anyone's radar five years ago.
Google's smartwatch strategy just paid off in a big way. The Pixel Watch 4 lands as the Android wearable to beat, marking a dramatic shift in a market that Samsung has controlled for years.
The transformation is remarkable. Victoria Song from The Verge awarded the device an 8/10, noting how five years ago she "used to groan when it came time to review an Android smartwatch." Now she's calling Google's latest the best Android smartwatch available.
The hardware upgrades tell the story. Battery life jumps dramatically - the 45mm model delivers 45 hours on a single charge compared to just 32 hours from last year's Pixel Watch 3. The 41mm version manages about a day and a half of regular use. Fast charging adds another win, going from 14% to 97% in just 34 minutes.
But the real breakthrough is repairability. After years of Google offering replacement-only policies for damaged Pixel Watches, the fourth-generation device features standard screws that let users replace the battery and display themselves. Components will be available through iFixit, with Google also offering direct repair services.
The domed Actua 360 display brings both form and function improvements. Bezels shrink 16%, providing 10% more screen real estate. The curved design works particularly well with Google's new Material 3 Expressive interface, where tiles hug the display edges and animations feel more fluid.
Gemini AI integration represents the device's most ambitious feature. The Raise-to-Talk gesture activates Google's AI assistant with a simple wrist motion - no dramatic gestures required. Song found it works best for simple tasks like turning off smart home devices, though complex multi-step queries still suffer from latency issues.
The revamped Gemini Tile lets users save two frequent query shortcuts, making the AI more practical for daily use. Smart Replies offer personalized message responses, but only when paired with newer Pixel phones (8 Pro or later).
