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Google Pixel Watch (1st Gen)
Google's first smartwatch, with Fitbit health tracking, built-in GPS and Google Wallet in a 41mm stainless steel case.
Expert opinion
The original Pixel Watch brought Fitbit’s health tracking to Wear OS for the first time. Activity, sleep and heart rate tracking, Active Zone Minutes, Sleep Score and Daily Readiness sit alongside Google Maps, Google Wallet, Google Assistant and phone notifications on the wrist. Fall detection arrived in a February 2023 update, and the LTE model can call for help without a phone nearby.
Age and battery life are its limits. Google’s three years of guaranteed updates ended in October 2025, leaving the watch on Wear OS 5.1, so it missed Wear OS 6 and 7. The rated 24 hours of battery means charging every day for anyone who sleeps in it, and its magnetic charger does not fit later Pixel Watches.
Specifications and features as at launch, with later software updates noted.
Specifications
Every figure comes from Google’s official Pixel Watch specifications.
| Feature | 41mm |
|---|---|
| Case diameter | 41mm (small) |
| Height | 12.3mm |
| Weight (without band) | 36g |
| Case material | 80% recycled stainless steel |
| Display | 320ppi AMOLED, DCI-P3 colour, brightness boost up to 1,000 nits, always-on display, custom 3D Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 9110 + Cortex-M33 co-processor |
| Storage and memory | 32GB eMMC, 2GB SDRAM |
| OS | Wear OS 3.5 at launch, final version Wear OS 5.1 |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (2.4GHz), NFC, 4G LTE (LTE model) |
| Sensors | Optical heart rate, multipurpose electrical sensor (ECG), blood oxygen, compass, altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light |
| Interaction | Side button, haptic crown, premium haptics |
| Audio | Microphone, speaker |
| Water resistance | 5ATM |
| Band (included) | Active band, fluoroelastomer, small and large sizes |
| Band fit | Small 130-175mm, large 165-210mm |
| Android compatibility | Android 8.0 or newer (not Android Go, no iPhone) |
| Warranty | One year (US, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, UK), two years (EU, Australia) |
| Software support | Guaranteed updates ended October 2025 |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | |
| In box | Watch, Active band (small and large), USB-C magnetic charging cable |
| Announced | 6 October 2022 (previewed at Google I/O, 11 May 2022) |
| On sale | 13 October 2022 |
| Predecessor | None |
| Successor | Pixel Watch 2 (October 2023) |
| UK price at launch (Wi-Fi / LTE) | £339 / £379 |
| US price at launch (Wi-Fi / LTE) | $349.99 / $399.99 |
Battery life
| Mode | 41mm |
|---|---|
| Always-on display | Up to 24 hours |
| Capacity | 294mAh |
| Charge to 50% | ~45 minutes |
| Charge to 80% | ~75 minutes |
| Charge to 100% | ~110 minutes |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | |
Key features
Health and fitness
Google’s health app, formerly Fitbit, records steps, heart rate, sleep stages, Active Zone Minutes and workouts, and gives a Sleep Score each morning. A Premium subscription adds Daily Readiness and deeper trends. The ECG app and blood oxygen readings depend on regional approval.
Smartwatch
Google Maps gives turn-by-turn directions on the wrist, Google Wallet handles contactless payments, and Google Assistant answers voice requests. Third-party apps install from the Play Store on the watch.
Safety
Emergency SOS and international emergency calling are built in. Fall detection, added in February 2023, can call emergency services after a hard fall when the wearer does not respond.
Training and workouts
Built-in GPS records a run or ride without a phone, and the watch offers 40 exercise modes. Auto-start and auto-stop begin and end running, walking, elliptical, spinning, outdoor bike and rowing sessions for you, and treadmill sessions start on their own. Pace Training lets you set a target speed and buzzes your wrist when you drift off it, with voice cues through compatible earbuds such as Pixel Buds Pro. Heart Zone Training shows how long you spend in each of your heart rate zones. Pace Training, Heart Zone Training and auto-start and auto-stop all arrived in the March 2024 Pixel feature drop.
Health and sleep
The optical sensor records heart rate all day, and the ECG app checks for signs of atrial fibrillation in the countries where it is approved. Sleep stages and a daily Sleep Score show how well you recovered, and the Health Metrics Dashboard gathers your key health numbers in one place. Daily Readiness needs a Premium subscription. The Relax app guides breathing exercises on the wrist.
More smart features
Google Home controls let you run lights and other smart devices from the wrist, and Gmail and Google Calendar notifications arrive as they do on your phone. Google Maps adds public transit directions, and LTE models can start a trip from the wrist. Fast Pair connects compatible earbuds quickly, Tiles put your most used information a swipe away, and Google Photos can supply a watch face. The watch launched with 19 watch faces and 32GB of storage. Google says Gemini is rolling out to Wear OS 4 and later watches, which includes this model’s final software, but it does not name individual Pixel Watches.
What it does not have
The first Pixel Watch has no sleeping skin temperature tracking, which starts with the Pixel Watch 2. It also lacks Car Crash Detection, emergency contact dialling from the watch and Loss of Pulse Detection, and it gets fewer workout modes than the later models.
Software support
The watch shipped with Wear OS 3.5, moved to Wear OS 4 in October 2023 and finished on Wear OS 5.1. Google’s guaranteed update window closed in October 2025, so newer Wear OS features will not arrive, although apps from the Play Store can still update.
Google Pixel Watch (1st Gen)
Google's first smartwatch, with Fitbit health tracking, built-in GPS and Google Wallet in a 41mm stainless steel case.
Quick answers
When was the Google Pixel Watch (1st Gen) released?
Google announced the first Pixel Watch on 6 October 2022, and it went on sale on 13 October 2022. Launch prices were GBP 339 or USD 349.99 for the Wi-Fi model and GBP 379 or USD 399.99 for the LTE model.
Is the first Pixel Watch waterproof?
The first Pixel Watch has a 5ATM water rating, so it can be worn swimming in a pool.
What size is the first Pixel Watch?
It came in one size, 41mm across and 12.3mm high, and weighs 36g without the band.
What is the first Pixel Watch battery life?
Google quotes up to 24 hours. A full charge takes about 110 minutes.
Does the first Pixel Watch still get updates?
Google’s guaranteed updates ended in October 2025. Its final version is Wear OS 5.1, and it did not receive Wear OS 6 or Wear OS 7.
Does the first Pixel Watch work with iPhone?
No, it needs an Android phone running Android 8.0 or newer.
Further reading
- Pixel Watch 2 specifications: the successor
- Pixel Watch 3 specifications
- Pixel Watch 4 specifications
- Google Pixel Watch 4 review: GPS and heart rate accuracy data, sleep comparison and Gemini
- Google Fitbit specifications: every Pixel Watch and Fitbit model
- Pixel Watch upgrade guide: whether to move to a newer Pixel Watch
- Google Fitbit and Wear OS hub
Explore the full resource library
This site covers endurance sport technology across a range of dedicated reference sections. Each one collects the most relevant articles, tests, and analysis on its topic in one place.
Buyer guides
- Best sports watch: tested recommendations by sport and athlete type (triathlon, running, marathon, cycling, hiking, and women)
- Best Garmin watch: Forerunner versus Fenix by series, sport, and budget
- Best wearables: fitness trackers, recovery trackers, heart rate monitors, running power meters, and female athlete tech
- Best cycling products: computers, smart trainers, indoor cycling apps, power meters, and cycling heart rate monitors
- Buying guides: every upgrade guide and product comparison in one place, by brand, for owners deciding whether to move to the newest model
- Gear I use: the watches, bikes, sensors, fuel and sleep kit tfk actually trains and races with, and what his partner uses
Brand and product guides
- Amazfit: the full Amazfit range from Balance to Cheetah to T-Rex, accuracy tests, HYROX partnership, and Zepp Health analysis
- Apple Watch: athlete-first coverage of Apple Watch across running, cycling, and triathlon
- COROS: watches, features, and firmware across the full COROS range
- Garmin: the company, the platform and the full range, and the starting point for choosing across every Garmin product line
- Garmin Edge: bike computers from entry-level navigation to flagship endurance and mountain biking
- Bike computers: Garmin, Wahoo, Hammerhead, COROS and the value brands compared
- Bryton: the Rider range compared, from basic GPS units to the S810 with maps
- Garmin Fenix: every model, feature, and firmware development for Garmin's flagship outdoor watch
- Garmin Fenix 8 Series: which variant to buy, upgrade advice, accuracy data, and the full Fenix 8 review and firmware coverage
- Garmin Forerunner: the full Forerunner line covered from entry level to triathlon flagship
- Garmin Instinct: rugged GPS watches for endurance and adventure athletes
- Garmin Features Explained: how Garmin's metrics work, from Training Load and Body Battery to Race Predictor and HRV Status
- Garmin Connect IQ charts: the most popular watch faces, apps, data fields and music services on the Connect IQ Store, updated monthly
- Google Fitbit: Fitbit Edge, Fitbit Air, Google Health, Pixel Watch and the Wear OS platform
- Magene: which Magene bike computer to buy, from the C506 to the C706, with tested verdicts
- Polar: watches, sensors, Polar Flow and training science across the full Polar range
- Runna: coach-written running plans that adapt as you train
- Suunto: Race, Vertical, Run and the SuuntoPlus ecosystem
- Strava: features, privacy, segments, and how Strava fits into a serious training setup
- Ride with GPS: route planning, navigation and how it works alongside Strava
- Wahoo: KICKR trainers, ELEMNT bike computers, and the Wahoo ecosystem
- WHOOP: strain, recovery, sleep and the full WHOOP ecosystem
Specifications database
- Full Specifications Database: detailed spec sheets, battery life, sensor lists and generation-on-generation comparisons for current Garmin, COROS, Amazfit, Samsung, Google Fitbit, Huawei, Polar, Suunto, Wahoo and Apple Watch models
Glossary
- Sports Technology Glossary: non-branded terminology across running, cycling, swimming, triathlon, hiking, strength training, HYROX, sensors, ecosystems, and brands
Sport and topic guides
- Running Watches: how to choose by discipline (road racing, trail, track, beginner, and multisport)
- Triathlon and Multisport Technology: watches, sensors, and race-day tools for swimmers, cyclists, and runners
- HYROX: training science, race analysis, and technology for the functional fitness race format
- parkrun: technology, training, and performance for the weekly 5K
- Hiking Technology: navigation, safety, and trail tech for walkers and hikers
- Heart Rate Monitoring: optical sensors, chest straps, accuracy comparisons, and how to set training zones
- Optical Sensors (PPG): the 40 things a wrist optical sensor could measure, from heart rate to glucose, ranked by evidence
- GPS Accuracy: how satellite systems perform across brands, terrains, and conditions
- Sports Watch Battery Life: battery claims, real-world tests, and how to manage battery life across Garmin, Apple, Amazfit and COROS
- Recovery Trackers: WHOOP, Oura, and the science of readiness scoring
- Muscle Oxygen Sensors: SmO2 and NIRS explained, Train Red and Moxy compared, and the category from BSX and Humon to Garmin and WHOOP
- Female Athlete Tech: wearables, physiology, and performance for female endurance athletes, covering cycle-synced training, RED-S, HR accuracy, and VO2max
- Sports Science: peer-reviewed research on HRV, VO2max, lactate threshold, running power, wearable accuracy, and supplementation
- Testing Methodology: how this site tests GPS accuracy, heart rate, battery life, and other performance claims
Content series
- Release Radar: confirmed launches, leaks, and rumours across Garmin, Apple, COROS, Polar, Suunto, and Wahoo
- Deep Dive Feature Files: weekly firmware feature updates across all brands (bug fixes excluded)
- Fix Files: weekly firmware bug fix tracking across all brands
Small things I always use
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin from any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one.
- Body Glide: The blue anti-chafe stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
- Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
- Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe.
- Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Beet It Sport nitrate shots: Beetroot shots I take in the days before a race. I use them.
- Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one.
- Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them.
- Ultimate toe protectors: Stop black toenails on long runs. They work. I use them.
- Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them.
- Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
- TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three.
- G8 insoles: Adjustable insoles that are good. I use them.
- Cycplus Cube: A 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. I carry one. 5% off with code THE5KRUNNER.
Watches and sensors
- Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
- Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor.
- Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
- Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I’ve used.
- Tymewear: Accurate heart rate and reliable ventilatory zones. I use it to pace endurance rides over an hour.
- Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
- Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: I’ve just bought one.
On the bike
- Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions.
- Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both.
- Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one.
- Ravemen FR1000: The light and the computer mount in one unit, so nothing else goes on the bars. Better than mine.
- Ravemen FR1500SE: 1,500 lumens hanging under your Garmin, for proper night rides.
- Ravemen FR1100SE: 1,100 lumens under your Garmin, and up to 46 hours on slow flash.
- Ravemen FR500: A brighter FR300 with the same mount.
- Wahoo TRACKR Radar: I use it on one bike and Varia on the other. They perform the same.
- Garmin Varia RTL515: Radar that warns you of cars from behind. I use this model.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3: The bike computer that’s easy to use. I use mine on most rides.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2: Accurate power pedals that swap easily between bikes. I use this model.
Home and indoor training
- NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
- Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
- Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
- Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home. I use it.
Health, recovery and sleep
- FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet.
- hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors.
- Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
- Kineon MOVE+: Red and infrared light for sore knees, Achilles and other joints after hard training. I use it.
- Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
- Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.
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