GoKawiilKaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
I’ve been increasingly impressed with every iteration of Google’s smartwatch lineup. Each year, the company has chipped away at a different weakness, from battery life to overall polish. In that vein, the Pixel Watch 4 brings plenty to the table, but after countless runs, rides, and walks, the upgrade I keep noticing most is GPS.
The Pixel Watch 3 left me wanting
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
Last year, the Pixel Watch 3 got very close to being an easy recommendation for runners. Having owned both of the first generations, I already loved the aesthetic of the line and the robust experience of Wear OS. On the 3, though, Google introduced a secondary case size that better fit my small wrists. It was clear the line was hitting its stride. Yet, what was most notable was that Google absolutely nailed heart rate accuracy.
Throughout my review period and the months of testing afterwards, the Pixel Watch 3’s results consistently held up against even my most reliable chest straps. The data was fantastic for structured training, and I quickly bought into running with a constant eye on my color-coded heart rate zones. In short, the sensor won my heart (pun intended).
But every time I hit the pavement, the GPS gave me pause. It wasn’t wildly inaccurate, but it lacked the reliability that more dedicated athletes depend on. The Pixel Watch 2 wasn’t the sharpest in terms of GPS, and I had been hoping to see improvement, but got more of the same instead. Routes dipped into yards, buildings, and streets, distances didn’t match my control devices, and pace data didn’t always reflect my actual workout.
The Pixel Watch 3 delivered phenomenal heart rate tracking, but lacked the GPS data to match.
For neighborhood runs and basic routing, like the map above, it got the job done, and overall, it was fine for my level of casual training, but not nearly as impressive as the heart rate data. That gap made it hard to view the Pixel Watch 3 as a true training tool, even though so much of the experience was great. After months with the Pixel Watch 4, that hesitation is gone.
The upgrade for runners
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