Google (GOOG, GOOGL) took the wraps off its Pixel Watch 2 on Wednesday, giving the world a look at the second generation of its Fitbit-powered smartwatch. Starting at $349 — $50 less than the Apple (AAPL) Watch Series 9 — the Pixel Watch 2 sports an improved heart rate sensor, personal safety options, and a number of enhancements to its exercise capabilities.
A stylish Android smartwatch, the Pixel Watch 2 features a classic circular watch design with an aluminum housing and domed display. I loved the original Pixel Watch’s setup and that hasn’t changed with the Pixel Watch 2. Unlike the original Pixel Watch, Google says the Pixel Watch 2’s battery will now last 24 hours with its always-on display active. That’s a big change from the original Pixel Watch, which would give up the ghost after about 12 hours with the always-on display enabled.
I scrolled through various apps and settings on a demo unit of the Pixel Watch 2 and found it far more responsive than its predecessor. That, Google says, is thanks to its new quad-core processor, which makes performance about as smooth as you could ask. That alone makes the Pixel Watch 2 far more appealing than the first-gen Pixel Watch, which occasionally suffered from slowdown.
Google is also rolling out a series of new faces that will allow you to pack more content onto the watch, so you won’t have to dive into apps to get the information you want when you need it. Google has also updated the watch’s charging system, opting for contact charging rather than wireless. The company says that helps boost charge speeds, ensuring you can go from a depleted battery to a 50% charge in 30 minutes or less.
The Pixel Watch 2’s upgraded heart rate sensor and tracking algorithm mean that it is now 40% more accurate at capturing your heart rate during strenuous exercises. Google has also added a temperature sensor and continuous electrodermal activity sensor that, combined with its heart rate tracker can help tell you when you’re stressed and remind you to relax and breathe via mindfulness exercises.
The Watch 2 also gets a slew of Fitbit fitness features including six months of free access to the company’s Fitbit Premium service, which normally costs $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year. Fitbit Premium includes a host of exercise courses, as well as the company’s Sleep Profile and Readiness Score functionalities.
Readiness Score is easily one of Fitbit’s more impressive offerings, combining information about your prior day’s workout, your sleep history, and stress levels to determine if you can exercise vigorously today or should take it easy and rest.
Google has also added automatic exercise detection for seven workouts including running and outdoor cycling. In addition to knowing when to start and stop your workout, the Pixel Watch 2 can also pause it when you’re catching a quick break.
And because it’s a Google product, the Pixel Watch 2 gets Gmail and Google Calendar integration, not to mention the ability to send and receive calls and messages.
As far as safety features, Google has added its new Safety Check, which lets you set a timer for when you should check in with friends or relatives. So if you’re traveling home or out for a run, you can set a timer for when you expect to return. If the time goes off, and you don’t respond to it, Safety Check will send out an emergency alert to your emergency contacts.
The Pixel Watch 2 hits stores Oct. 12.
Daniel Howley is the tech editor at Yahoo Finance. He’s been covering the tech industry since 2011. You can follow him on Twitter @DanielHowley.
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