Latest news with #GalaxyWatch7
Android Authority
11 hours ago
- Android Authority
I sideloaded Galaxy Watch Ultra faces to my Galaxy Watch 7, and here's why I'm keeping them
Ryan Haines / Android Authority I won't lie — I haven't touched my Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 in a while. I liked it when I reviewed it and thought it was worth buying (it's since been replaced by the Galaxy Watch 8), but it had a few omissions that made me long for the Galaxy Watch Ultra, squircle design and all. One of those major misses was that Samsung saved a few of its best, most complicated watch faces for its top model, leaving me behind with others that were just fine. Now, though, the tables have turned. I finally have the Galaxy Watch Ultra faces that I always wanted on my Galaxy Watch 7, and it's breathed new life into this solid, stylish smartwatch. Here's how I upgraded and why you should do the same. What's so great about a Galaxy Watch Ultra face? Ryan Haines / Android Authority Like I just said, I don't think watch faces should be reserved for certain models. Sure, the Galaxy Watch Ultra has other advantages, like a tougher bezel, bigger battery, and a whole set of special watch bands — I'm cool with all that. However, when it's running the same version of Wear OS that the Galaxy Watch 7 runs, I don't see why there should be any difference in the faces it supports. Maybe I wouldn't feel so strongly about the Galaxy Watch Ultra's faces if they were just ho-hum, run-of-the-mill options that added a new color or a pop of style, but they're more than that. They have carefully designed hands that are more visible when the AOD is active, and they automatically swap to an all-red color profile when you toggle night mode on your Galaxy Watch. Maybe that red shift is a shameless pull from what Garmin, but I don't mind — it's better than the blinding brightness of pulling up my watch in the middle of the night. Samsung's Galaxy Watch Ultra faces add more than just a pop of color — they've become fast favorites. I also think the watch faces — or at least Simple Ultra, which I've taken a shine to — do a great job of applying complications. To me, some of Samsung's Rugged faces look like they're trying too hard to be adventurous, while some of its Informative faces are just plain cluttered, so for Simple Ultra to give me my heart rate, the weather, and my current direction is all I could ask for. It lets me glance at the important stuff, but doesn't pull me out of my adventure. Samsung's Ultra Analog is a bit more complicated, with a couple more metrics around the bezel, but it's still cleaner than many default faces. Maybe the secret to success is that Samsung stuck to a relatively simple black, white, and orange color profile, but whatever it is, it's working for me. I've only had to rework a few of the complications to make specific data fields easier to read, but that's easy enough to navigate on my Galaxy Watch 7. Here's how I sideloaded my fancy new watch faces Ryan Haines / Android Authority I know — it's easy to hear about the luxurious Galaxy Watch Ultra faces, but it's another thing to try them yourself. After all, I've probably made it sound like the process involves nothing more than a trip to the Wearables app and a quick download. Oh, if it were only that simple. Unfortunately, it's a bit more involved, but I promise the whole process only takes about 10 minutes if done right. I had some help from my colleague, Aamir, to put together these steps, so here's what to do: Download the Simple Ultra and/or Ultra Analog APK to your Android phone. You may have to enable developer options and give your phone permission to install apps from Chrome, but if you're here, there's a good chance this isn't your first sideloading rodeo. Install Bugjaeger Mobile ADB – USB OTG to your phone, which will allow you to connect your watch to your phone via ADB. Activate developer options on your Galaxy Watch. On your watch, go to Settings, About watch, Software information, and then tap Software version seven times. You should see a confirmation message after the seventh tap. Open the Developer options menu. Toggle ADB Debugging and open the Wireless debugging menu. Tap the Pair new device button to view your IP address and port number. Open Bugjaeger and begin the pairing process. Tap the add device button, which looks like an outlet plug with a plus sign next to it. Select the Pair option. Type in your IP address, port number, and the Wi-Fi pairing code from the Wireless debugging menu. Navigate to the Packages tab within Bugjaeger to install the downloaded watch faces. Select the Install New APK button (a circle with a plus sign inside) and choose Select from Installed Apps. Choose Simple Ultra and Ultra Analog from the list and tap Install. Simple, right? Admittedly, it took me a minute or two to figure out the Packages tab within Bugjaeger, but everything else felt like smooth sailing. Once you install your watch faces, you can toggle between them just as easily as if you'd picked up a new face from the Google Play Store. Would I sideload Galaxy Watch Ultra faces again? Absolutely Ryan Haines / Android Authority When I first saw that I could finally load Galaxy Watch Ultra faces to my Galaxy Watch 7, I was excited. I'm always down to try something new, and I figured this was a better idea than trying to make Galaxy Watch Ultra bands fit with a completely different connection. After all, I'm all for software parity while still believing that some hardware perks can be reserved for the more premium models. Then, about halfway through the process — right around the time I was struggling with Bugjaeger — I was ready to declare the whole idea dumb. I was having trouble figuring out how to pair my watch to my phone via ADB and finding the APKs to send to my watch. As it turns out, I wasn't looking for the right buttons, as our initial steps were pretty bare bones. But once I got back on track, everything became smooth sailing. Sideloading to a Galaxy Watch takes a little learning, but I'd do it over and over again. Now that I have a pretty good grasp on what it takes to sideload watch faces onto my Galaxy Watch 7, I might be hooked. I'm even more willing to add more faces and search the farthest reaches of APKMirror to see what might be out there, whether it's a clone of an Apple Watch Ultra face or simply a clever take on a Samsung classic. Before you rush out to do the same, just be careful — sideloading can be tricky. Make sure you trust where your downloads are coming from, and don't be afraid to ditch an APK if it's causing problems. Who knows, if enough users sideload Galaxy Watch Ultra faces onto older wearables, it will push Samsung to open up its library. I know I'm keeping the cool new faces, and I hope you do the same. Follow
Phone Arena
a day ago
- Phone Arena
Google wants your smartwatch to prove you're still you
Pixel Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch 7. | Image credit – PhoneArena Google's been steadily tightening the connection between Android phones and Wear OS smartwatches – and the latest hint suggests that bond is about to get a whole lot smarter. To keep things convenient, Identity Check only kicks in when your phone is outside trusted locations like your home or office. That way, you are not constantly battling security prompts in places you've already marked as safe. The goal is to add an extra layer of protection when you are out and about, making it harder for thieves to get into your phone if it's stolen. Now, though, it looks like Google is quietly working on a new upgrade that could take things even further – by using your smartwatch as a signal that you're still the one holding the phone. New code strings found in version 25.29.31 of the Google Play Services beta point to this possible upgrade. They suggest that if your watch is nearby and connected, your phone might take that as a green light – a trust signal that you're still in control – and ease up on the constant biometric checks. Now, this wouldn't get rid of the need for a fingerprint or PIN entirely. But if your smartwatch is already strapped to your wrist and unlocked with a PIN of its own, it could help cut down on all the extra steps. Less friction, same security – that's the goal. With Identity Check you can set up your own trusted places. | Image credit – Google Of course, since this is still in development, there's no guarantee it'll roll out exactly like this – or at all. But as Android's theft protection tools keep evolving, letting a smartwatch act as a trust signal makes a lot of sense… as long as a thief doesn't grab both your phone and your watch. In short, if Google nails this, Android users could get a smoother, smarter way to keep their phones secure without feeling like security slows them down. That's a win for anyone who's ever been frustrated typing in a PIN just to do something simple on their phone. When you switch to Total Wireless, keep your number & grab 3 mo. of 5G We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
Engadget
4 days ago
- Engadget
Galaxy Watch 8 review: Samsung's best smartwatch in years
I'm too tired to write this review. Last week, I penned a work-in-progress version because I hadn't yet spent enough time to fully explore the new features Samsung packed into the Galaxy Watch 8 . One of those features is the new AI-powered running guidance, which I followed. I have run more in the past week than I ever have before. In my life. Ever. But I'm pretty sure my editors would still appreciate the full assessment I've proposed, so I've plied myself with caffeine and will do my best here. Luckily, most of what I experienced in my first few days with the watch still stands: I was impressed then and remain so now. Not only are there a few valuable health and fitness additions, but the redesigned hardware looks great as well. Plus, the on-watch integration with Google's Gemini has proven surprisingly seamless. (When AI interactions actually yield positive results, I'm always taken aback.) Samsung also fixed not one but two of the complaints I had with the Galaxy Watch 7 . Since the company probably didn't base its updates on my personal opinions, I imagine others had concerns over the comfort of the Watch 7 — and I know from other reviews that many people were disappointed in its battery life. Before I get to Gemini, the redesign and exactly how my watch exhausted me, I want to discuss antioxidants. It's a compelling new health metric the Galaxy Watch can now measure — and despite my hard work, I scored miserably. The redesigned Galaxy Watch 8 has a longer battery life and much more comfortable fit. The Gemini integration is actually helpful and the new health metrics and fitness guidance are useful. $350 at Amazon The Galaxy Watch 8 has the same processor and sensors as the previous generation, but it's using those to detect a new metric: antioxidant levels. You have to take the watch off and hold your thumb on the sensor node for five seconds to get a reading and you'll need to refer to the Health app in your phone for detailed results. The first time I tested, I got a score of 60, which falls right in the middle of the 'low' segment of the scale. The only other results are 'very low' and 'adequate,' which will surely be a disappointment to the over-achievers out there. The Health app suggested I 'try eating one (100g) persimmon today.' When my grandmother was alive, she made persimmon cookies every Christmas and the last time she did so was also the last time I thought about that fruit. Considering South Korea is one of the world's largest persimmon producers , it might make sense that a Samsung device suggested them. The produce guy at my local grocery store said they only carry them around the holidays (no doubt because grandmas insist, plus that's when they're in season). Turns out persimmons are high in antioxidants such as Vitamin C and beta-carotene (Vitamin A). Cantaloupe also has those nutrients — plus it's orange like persimmons — so I bought one. In fact, I went hard on the antioxidants and did everything I could to see if I could get a better score. I ate a bunch of cherries and a little dark chocolate. For breakfast, I had half a cantaloupe instead of the very tasty-smelling breakfast hash my husband made, and I drank plain green tea instead of my usual oat matcha latte. I did yoga and went to my monthly medical massage appointment (stress is said to increase oxidant levels). I got eight hours of sleep and drank my weight in water. I felt ready. So I took the test again and my antioxidant levels were… two points lower. Sigh. I wasn't expecting overnight transformation, but I'd hoped for a little improvement. Next time, I'm eating the hash. Taking the test on subsequent days — days that I did nothing special to improve my score — I never scored higher than 60 and dropped as low as 56. So it seems this is a metric that may take some time and effort to budge. Since its fourth generation , the Galaxy Watch has looked pretty much the same: a round glass screen set in a round metal case with large prongs popping out of the top and bottom to hold the band. While there was nothing wrong with sticking with a good design, giving a device a refreshed look lends the yearly update cycle some meaning — instead of feeling like an obligatory move to appease stockholders. With 3,000 nits of peak brightness, the watch is easy to read even in the bright Albuquerque sun. (Amy Skorheim for Engadget) This time around, the Galaxy Watch 8 looks markedly different thanks to a shape borrowed from last year's Ultra model (and some high-end timepiece profiles). Samsung calls it a 'cushion design' — a circular glass display set atop an aluminum case that looks like a roundish square (or squircle as our own Cherlynn Low calls it). The Sport band on my review model curves to meet the width of the case, creating a smooth arch that I think is more refined than the clunkier pronged configuration. In fact, the entire look is classy — much more so than the Apple Watch, which looks like a miniaturized iPhone 11 glued to a silicone strap. The cushion design is great in one way, but also worrisome. Because the glass display stands proud of the case by at least two millimeters, my first thought was: 'I'm going to trash this screen.' Immediately after taking the watch out of the box, I ordered screen shields and, during the course of this review, managed to crack one. That's possibly because I was cheap and ordered off-brand screen protectors, or perhaps the protruding glass cushion is simply begging for misfortune. However, the raised glass solves one issue with the Galaxy Watch 7 . One way to scroll is by running your finger along the outer edge of the screen. In fact, on-screen cues suggest that gesture when there's more content to view. On the Watch 7, my finger was always getting in the way of the text I wanted to read. Now that the display is elevated, there's room for my finger to travel further out along the outer edge and stay out of the way. Appearance aside, my favorite hardware update is the much more comfortable design. The Watch 7's underside had a sizable sensor node, and it took me a week to get used to the feel — I wrenched it off the first night I tried to wear it to sleep. The Watch 8, however, felt good the first time I put it on. And now that I've spent more time with it, I can say it's the most comfortable watch I've tested. I often forget I have it on and don't mind wearing it to bed, which is saying a lot. In fact, when I slept with it on one wrist and an Apple Watch Series 9 on the other to compare sleep data, I woke up in the middle of the night and took off the Apple Watch, but felt no compulsion to do the same with Samsung's model. The Galaxy Watch 8 is the first smartwatch to ship with Google's Wear OS 6, though Samsung overlays it with its own One UI interface. The first time we'll get a look at the unfiltered wearable software will be on Google's upcoming Pixel Watch 4 . The headline feature is Gemini integration. Now, most things you can do with the Gemini app on your phone can be done through your watch. Just note that you'll need to have your Gemini-compatible phone nearby to use it. Amy Skorheim for Engadget Google's AI was pretty snappy at basic tasks like setting reminders and timers. Requests that required more 'thought' took only marginally longer (and completed more quickly when I was using my home Wi-Fi versus relying on cell signals out in the world). I asked for the best record stores in my city and a good place to eat lunch. I was pleasantly surprised to hear of a new-to-me answer for each category. The record store turned out to be two bins of LPs inside a book shop, but still, I hadn't heard of it before. I asked why my eight-year-old talked about lava chicken all the time and was correctly informed about Jack Black and A Minecraft Movie . The assistant displays answers in text form on the watch screen and also reads out every word. That can turn into a lot of talking, but tapping the screen stops the chatter if you prefer to read. Gemini can handle follow-up questions and tasks, but since it doesn't usually keep listening after it speaks, you have to tap the mic icon to make your next request. I reached out to Samsung to ask if I could change a setting to make Gemini keep listening, but there isn't one at this time. For now, you'll need to tap or say "OK Google" again for followups like, 'Add that to my Google Keep' or 'Remind me about that.' If Gemini asks you a question, however, such as verifying a text it's about to send, it does keep listening for the answer. You can also combine commands at the outset, such as asking to look up an address and text it to someone. I requested some fairly specific tasks and didn't hit any snags. I asked it to text the address of a local restaurant to my husband and it verified which location I wanted then sent the message. I asked when the Albuquerque Isotopes were playing the Sacramento River Cats and it gave me the upcoming dates. I tapped the mic and said, 'Add that to my calendar,' which it did. It only let me down twice. When I asked whether it was going to rain, it just read me the general weather forecast instead of answering the question. All the other assistants in my life (Alexa and Siri) can answer those questions — though technically that's a Gemini problem, not the watch's fault. The other disappointment is a matter of integration. I was out on a walk and I asked for directions to a nearby grocery store. Gemini gave me the address and the distance, but told me to look at my phone for the actual directions. When I asked Siri the same thing on the same walk, directions simply showed up on my Apple Watch. (Yes, I've been wearing two watches and carrying around two activated phones like a double agent, just much less cool.) Tiles on the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic (Amy Skorheim for Engadget) In addition to Gemini, Wear OS 6 introduces updated and larger tiles which organize and display information on your watch. By default, the tiles are separated into categories: Health, Fitness and Basic (weather, media playback, calendar) with each box displaying a bit of pertinent info — activity metrics, current temp, your next event and so on. If the limited info isn't enough, tapping a tile opens the respective app. You can categorize, rearrange, swap out and add as many pages of these cards as you want in the Wear app on your phone. I spent some time tweaking the layout to my liking, but really didn't alter the defaults too much. Already this feels like a much smarter way of interacting with a watch. Now you can glean key information from the apps that are important to you just by browsing your tiles. The Galaxy Watch 8's built-in, AI-fueled running guidance sounds a bit like the upcoming Workout Buddy that Apple announced for watchOS 26 . I plan to test that out next and it will be interesting to compare the two. Google Pixel watches and Fitbits currently have the option of an AI-powered running coach, but it's limited to Premium subscribers. Garmin offers an adaptive training program called Run Coach as well, so this isn't an entirely novel idea. Samsung's running coach begins with an assessment: Run as fast as you can maintain for twelve minutes. You'll then be awarded a performance level ranging from one to ten. Each level comes with a tailored, four-week plan with four workouts per week intended to get you ready to complete a 5K, 10K, half or full marathon. My 12-minute, 22-second per-mile pace put me at a level three. My plan was geared towards getting me to run a sub-35-minute 5K at the end of four weeks. The first workout was low-intensity interval running with four segments of running hard, interspersed with cool-down walks — which felt easy and attainable. Two days later I did the second routine, which had me run for thirty minutes at my assessment pace (which it referred to as a 'slow jog'). For the next session, I was told to run for 30 minutes on a hilly course. There was some walking on the inclines, but I completed it. After that, I was startled to see it wanted me to run for 3.1 miles with a target pace below 12 minutes. Yes, on workout four (of 15 total), I was supposed to run a 5K faster than my assessment pace. This felt unfair. Unhinged. Not nice. But in the name of proper gadget testing, I tried. During every run, the AI coach chimes in each minute with a pace update, letting you know whether you're going slower, faster or right around your target. You also get updates on your completion level, with a shout out at 30 percent, half way and 80 percent. Three or four times per session, the coach gives you some canned advice like telling you to focus on maintaining a consistent pace and not speed, reminding you that runs build cardiovascular health or suggesting that you cool down after a workout to avoid injury. You also get interjections like 'You're doing great' or 'You're almost done, finish strong.' At first, I hated the constant pace checkins. Once I hit the halfway point of the 5K, I started to lag. My watch told me over and over: 'You're running slower than your target pace. Try to speed up if you can.' I wheezed obscenities in response. But then, when I really just wanted to quit, I started to look forward to the next update, knowing it meant I'd stayed on my feet for one more minute. Ultimately, I ran faster and farther than I would have without a coach. I wouldn't have attempted a 5K, because that's just insane. Of course, I'm a pretty easy win for Samsung's running coach. I'm an optimistic person and I've never been coached before, so anything that says it "believes in me' and pushes me to try something I don't think I can do is pretty likely to get some results. Samsung calls this an AI-powered regimen — and sure, it knew my pace, distance and heart rate and adjusted its encouragement accordingly — but I didn't hear anything uniquely personalized to me and my journey. But I still have three weeks to go. Two new features require overnight data gathering. Vascular load takes readings while you sleep to evaluate the health of your circulatory system, then tells you when your load is higher or lower than normal and offers recommendations. It requires three nights of data to set a baseline. After that, you'll be able to check whether your load is higher, lower or steady. My range has been lower or steady over the past few days. The internet tells me that a high vascular load can lead to bad things like hypertension and heart attacks. And the Health app offers suggestions to improve your vascular load, too — things like getting better sleep, being active, limiting stress and maintaining a healthy weight. Personally, this isn't an area I'm concerned about, but considering the prevalence of heart disease, it's a good metric to keep an eye on.. Three nights of sleep also triggers the Bedtime Guidance feature, but I didn't see any notifications. I asked Samsung why, and was told to turn it on in the Health app (Health > Sleep > tap three dots icon > Bedtime guidance). I still didn't get any guidance, which I realized was due to the fact that I have my bedtime set for 10PM, but I turn on the watch's sleep mode by 9PM most nights. What can I say, I like sleeping. One of the prior model's shortcomings was battery life. The always-on display (AOD) tanked the charge, so I kept it off. The Galaxy Watch 8 has a bigger 325mAh battery, compared to the 300mAh one on the Watch 7. Twenty-five milliamp hours isn't a huge jump, but in batteries, bigger is always better. And that's true here. I charged the watch to full at 12:30PM, turned the AOD on and after two auto-detected bike rides, one walk, some Gemini requests, checking notifications and using a few timers, it was still at 75 percent at 8:45PM. I enabled sleep mode shortly after and slept until 6:15AM. Then I did an AI-coached three-mile run and it still had 27 percent at 9AM. At 2:30PM it hit seven percent and I put it on the charger. Samsung promises up to 30 hours of use on a charge with the AOD on. This was slightly less than that, but it was an activity-filled day and I was fine with the lifespan. The spinning-bezel version of the latest watch is obviously aimed at the luxury watch-hound crowd. The knurled spinning bezel, inset diving bezel replica and the default chronograph watch face gives off serious Rolex Daytona/Omega Speedmaster wannabe vibes. It ships with a stitched leather-look band and the steel case has the heft and stature of an automatic mechanical timepiece. The always-on display and chunky buttons only add to the effect. Amy Skorheim for Engadget For me, the main advantage it has over the standard Galaxy Watch 8 is the protection the spinning bezel offers the raised display. The glass is shielded at the edges and it's even inset slightly, which should ward off scratches. At first I thought it would be too chunky, but it's surprisingly comfortable for its size and I really like how it looks. It's an extremely attractive watch. I mostly tested out the standard version of the Watch 8, because I think most people will opt for that model, but if I got one for myself, I think I'd go with this beaut Samsung added $50 to the price tag on the 40mm Galaxy Watch 8, bringing it to $350. The larger 44mm model is now $380 (versus $330 last year) and the Classic variant is $500 for the single 46mm size. For reference, there was no Galaxy Watch 7 Classic and the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic sold for $400 for the 43mm size and $430 for the 47mm. At $350, the base model Galaxy Watch 8 costs the same as Google's Pixel Watch 3 (though the Pixel Watch 4 is almost certainly on the way and could be more expensive.) The Apple Watch Series 10 starts at $399, but it went as low as $279 during Prime Day. And, of course, a new Apple wearable is likely coming this September with a potential price bump as well. So Samsung's Galaxy Watch 8 could end up being the most affordable of the major smartwatch releases once the dust settles from 2025's launches. And if you're a Samsung smartphone user, it's easily your best bet. The core functions of the Galaxy Watch 8 haven't changed all that much. We went in-depth on the fitness and health features for our review of the Galaxy Watch 6 and covered the notable perks of Samsung's wearable in our Galaxy Watch 7 review and our Galaxy Watch 5 review . So I'll just point out that the workout tracking is still accurate — and it's faster to suss out when I'm on a walk than my Apple Watch. The companion Health app, where you view all the data your watch gathers, is helpful and a delight to use with its common-sense suggestions and friendly animations. And the daily Energy Score is a useful indicator of how I'm doing with my sleep and movement goals. Amy Skorheim for Engadget The Watch 8 is an industrious accessory for a Galaxy phone. My only lingering gripe is that the notifications aren't as intrusive as my distracted brain needs them to be. They're easy for me to miss. The double tap feature is great — a pinch gesture that dismisses or triggers actions without you having to touch the screen. I use it often and the watch almost always registers the motion. The screen has only become more responsive and navigation is plenty zippy. And finally, I love how customizable the watch faces are. The substantially refreshed look was the first indicator that Samsung was (finally) doing something different with the Galaxy Watch. I was pleasantly surprised by how well and how quickly Gemini was able handle functions on the wearable itself, as well as answer my questions. The tiles make hunting down info on the watch much easier and the new health metrics like antioxidant levels and vascular load could come in handy for many folks. Also the Classic variant this year is a truly stunning timepiece, finally bringing a true grown-up style to smartwatches. The AI running coach got more out of me than I thought possible (and ensured that I will be fast asleep before any Bedtime Guidance suggestions kick in). But the changes that pleased me the most were the improved battery and markedly increased comfort. Those were two factors that prevented the just-good Galaxy Watch 7 from being a great smartwatch. Of course, if you don't have a Samsung phone, there's no point in considering any Galaxy Watch (and if that's you, you probably haven't read this far down anyway). But if you're a Galaxy fan, this watch may very well delight you and help you get the most out of your phone.
Digital Trends
5 days ago
- Digital Trends
Revisiting the Pixel Watch 3 one year later: is it still the best?
It's been almost a year since Google announced the Pixel Watch 3. The third-generation smartwatch was the first to feature closer integration with the beloved Fitbit platform, following Google's acquisition of Fitbit a couple of years prior. Our Pixel Watch 3 review found that Google's latest smartwatch is one of the best on the market, thanks to its larger size, excellent build quality, smaller bezels, impressive battery life, useful running features, and robust health tracking capabilities. Google is widely expected to unveil a new Pixel Watch 4 next month alongside the Pixel 10 series, but a year on from its launch – and with even more competition on the market – is the Pixel Watch 3 still as beloved as it was last year? Recommended Videos Let's revisit Google's third-generation smartwatch to find out. First, a quick reminder of the Pixel Watch 3 specifications. Size and Weight 41mm: 41 x 41 x 12.3mm, 31g without strap 45mm: 45 x 45 x 12.3mm, 37g without strap Display 41mm: 1.3-inch 45mm: 1.7-inch Corning Gorilla Glass 5 2,000 nits peak brightness 1-60Hz dynamic refresh rate Always-on display Durability IP685ATM (~50 meters) water resistance Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 5100 Cortex M33 co-processor RAM and storage 2GB RAM 32GB storage Software Wear OS 5.0 Battery 41mm: 306mAh 45mm: 420mAh Connectivity 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.3, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, NFC, Ultra-Wideband Materials and colors Polished silver aluminum with 'Rose Quartz' Active band (41mm only) Polished silver aluminum with 'Porcelain' white Active band Matte black aluminum with 'Obsidian' black Active band Champagne gold aluminum with 'Hazel' green Active band Price 41mm: $349 (Wi-Fi only) / $449 LTE) 45mm: $399 (Wi-Fi only) / $449 (LTE) Class-leading in battery life, but not in charging The Pixel Watch 3 features a 420 mAh battery, which isn't the best among its rivals. However, in my testing, the Pixel Watch 3 has proven to have the best battery life. In our smartwatch battery test, the Pixel Watch 3 lasted for 52 hours and 30 minutes on a full charge, which is significantly better than the Apple Watch Series 10 (38 hours and 30 minutes) and the Galaxy Watch 7 (43 hours). Samsung has just unveiled the new Galaxy Watch 8 series, and in my testing, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic comes close to the Pixel Watch 3, but Google's current smartwatch remains the leader in battery life. Unfortunately, the same testing results revealed that while battery is a considerably strong point for the Pixel Watch 3, charging speeds are the opposite. It's faster than the Galaxy Watch 8 series, which takes 1 hour and 42 minutes, the same as the Galaxy Watch 7, but considerably slower than the new Apple Watch Series 10, which charges to full in just 57 minutes. Part of this may be due to the use of pogo pins to charge the Pixel Watch 3, which is extremely frustrating to use with the pogo pin dock. The new Pixel Watch 4 is rumored to switch to wireless charging, which should enable Google to charge its next smartwatches much faster. The Fitbit Premium report card One of my biggest complaints with the Pixel Watch 3 is not related to the hardware, but rather the integration with Fitbit and Google's commercial decision-making. The Pixel Watch 3 comes with six months of Fitbit Premium, but after this, it costs $10 per month. Although there have been some improvements to Fitbit, the requirement to continue paying a subscription fee for features like more in-depth sleep reports and a running coach remains. When the Pixel Watch 3 first launched, the daily readiness score also required an active Fitbit Premium subscription; however, Google has subsequently made this feature free for all Pixel Watch 3 users. The same applies to the hero Cardio Load and Target Load features, which are particularly useful. Yet, Apple and Samsung both offer a similar amount of data for free. After my Fitbit Premium trial expired, I found that I had returned to using the Apple Watch, and most recently, the new Galaxy Watch 8 Classic. For some users, Fitbit Premium features like a digital running coach, integration with Peloton, and a large library of workout videos will be worth the subscription, especially since my top three Pixel Watch 3 health features are now available without a subscription. Two final things for Google to improve in the Pixel Watch 4 There's one area of the Pixel Watch 3 experience that I hope Google will improve with the next generation: the thickness. The Pixel Watch 3 measures 12.3mm thick, while the Apple Watch Series 10 is 9.7mm thick, making the Pixel Watch 3 noticeably heavier on your wrist. The latest Pixel Watch 4 rumors suggest that Google will make its next-generation smartwatch thicker in order to increase the battery size. As we've found in testing, the battery life of the Pixel Watch 3 is already superior to that of its direct competitors. Thin is the new trend, and devices like the Galaxy S25 Edge, Galaxy Z Fold 7, and Apple Watch Series 10 are raising expectations around the thickness of technology. Google will eventually have to follow that trend, and a thinner Pixel Watch 3 with a few improvements would be one of the best smartwatches you can buy. Alongside the thinner body, I also hope that Google follows Apple's trend of creating a smartwatch with a slightly larger display. The 1.5-inch OLED display on the Pixel Watch 3 is excellent, but its circular shape and size make it feel much smaller than the Apple Watch Series 10, which features a square design with a larger 1.96-inch display. Samsung's new Galaxy Watch 8 screen is smaller than the Watch 7's, a result of the shift to a cushion-like design. Therefore, it's up to Google to follow the trend of lighter devices with bigger displays. Overall, the Pixel Watch 3 remains one of the best smartwatches available, and while Apple and Samsung have launched compelling alternatives, Google's Pixel Watch 3 remains a firm favorite. The question is, will the Pixel Watch 4 follow suit, and will Google deliver on the four features I hope they add to the Pixel Watch 4?
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Walmart Deals of the Day: Score Sonos' Premium Ace Headphones for a Record Low $299
There's typically a lull in major sales around this time of year, but with a little digging, you can still score some serious savings. That's our specialty here on CNET's shopping team, so we're rounding up the best bargains you can shop every day at Walmart. For today, July 21, those include a significant $150 discount on Sonos' top-rated Ace headphones, a convenient Keurig iced coffee brewer that you can pick up for less than $60 and an unreal Galaxy Watch 7 deal that's only available in certain locations. We've also found the best deals you can shop today at Amazon as well. Sonos Ace: $299 (save $150) See at Walmart Sonos makes some of the absolute best speakers and soundbars on the market right now, so it's no surprise that its Sonos Ace headphones have also earned a spot on our list of the overall best headphones for 2025. These premium over-ears impressed CNET audio aficionado David Carnoy with their comfortable design and top-of-the-line sound and noise-canceling capabilities, though Carnoy found the $449 price tag a little too high to justify. But they're a great bargain now that you can grab them at a record-low price, which makes them an excellent and more affordable alternative to the AirPods Max. Galaxy Watch 7: $200 (save $150) See at Walmart The Galaxy Watch 8 hits shelves soon, but for the time being the Galaxy Watch 7 is still one of the best smartwatches on the market. And it's a steal now that you can pick it up for a record-low $200 -- half the price of the Apple Watch Series 10. It impressed our reviewer with its vibrant 2,000-nit display, helpful Quick button and impressive fitness features. Just note that select functions like the ECG and sleep apnea monitor require a Galaxy phone. At the moment, only the 44mm silver configuration is on sale at this price, and availability may vary by location. If you are looking to take advantage of this deal, we'd recommend getting your order in fast. Keurig K-Iced Essentials: $59 (save $20) See at Walmart With warm summer weather in full swing, a refreshing iced coffee is the perfect way to start your day. And with this single-serve Keurig brewer, you can make it at home in minutes. It has a special "brew over ice setting" that starts hot to help extract flavor and then cools down so it won't melt the ice and water down your drink. It has multiple cup size settings, and this deal also comes with a 12-ounce tumbler so you can take your coffee on the go. Plus, it's just 6.5 inches wide to help you conserve counter space.
