One of the biggest announcements in 2022 as far as wearable is concerned is the arrival of the Pixel Watch. I don’t think it’s the best smartwatch, but it’s obviously one of the very best watches. It’s a major competitor to Apple Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch 5. The Pixel Watch has up to 24hrs battery life, it arrives in a circular shape and is equipped with 32GB storage, a microphone, a speaker, Google Pay, Google maps, ECG, and a host of health-tracking features powered by Fitbit.
Flash! the Pixel Watch 2 has been announced and it set to be released on the 12th of this month. Like the Pixel Watch, the Pixel Watch 2 is also available in LTE and Wi-Fi. You can learn the difference between the LTE and Wi-Fi models of the Pixel Watch 2
Just like Galaxy watches and Apple Watches, the Pixel Watch is available in two models; Wi-Fi and Cellular model. These two are absolutely the same in every aspect except that the Cellular model is a standalone smartwatch that can make and receive calls without connecting to your phone. The Bluetooth model can also make calls but it needs your phone nearby. In this post, we’ll show you the differences between the Google Pixel Watch Wi-Fi and the Cellular model.
Google Pixel Watch Wi-Fi vs Cellular – What’s the Difference?
Basically, the Wi-Fi and Cellular models are the same. The only difference is that the LTE model is equipped with an eSIM that enables cellular connectivity. Thus, it’s a standalone smartwatch that can make and receive calls without connecting to your phone. The WiFi model can also make and receive calls but it needs your phone nearby.
One fine advantage of a standalone smartwatch especially for seniors who might forget their phone is that with its standalone status, it will start a call when the watch detects a hard. Emergency and international emergency calling are also important advantages. The Wi-Fi model needs your phone for calls.
Moreover, the LTE model will be able to receive and reply to messages without your phone. You need your phone to receive and reply to messages with the Wi-Fi model.
Furthermore, with the LTE model, you can stream and download music without your phone. You can access Google Assistant, Google maps and Google Pay without your phone. Meanwhile, with a working Wi-Fi network, the Wi-Fi model can stream music and can access Google Assistant and Google maps without your phone.
Basically, in terms of connectivity, the Wi-Fi model is equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth while the Cellular model is equipped with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and LTE. The presence of LTE makes it a standalone smartwatch.
Google Pixel Watch Wi-Fi vs LTE Full Specifications
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Google Pixel Watch LTE – What you should know
Before you decide to order the LTE model of the Pixel, below are a few things to note.
- Pixel Watch LTE must be on the same carrier as your phone. In other words, both the phone and the watch must be on the same carrier.
- The Pixel Watch LTE comes unlocked and when successfully activated, it will share a phone number with your phone. Both the watch and phone will use the same phone number. In other words, you will be making calls from the Pixel Watch using your current phone number.
- Before you order the Pixel Watch, contact your current phone carrier and ask if they offer any plan for the Pixel Watch. As of the time of writing this, Pixel Watch LTE carriers are available in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Japan, France, Germany and Taiwan. In the US, supported carriers include AT&T, Google Fi, T-Mobile, Verizon, Cellcom, CSpire, and US cellular. You can confirm other supported carriers from this list.
- Just like with Apple Watch Cellular and Galaxy Watch LTE, Pixel Watch LTE requires a subscription. This will definitely vary among carriers, but on average, it’s about $10 monthly in the US.
How Does Google Pixel Watch LTE Work?
Like other standalone smartwatches, the Pixel Watch LTE is equipped with an eSIM that enables cellular connectivity. The Pixel Watch LTE comes unlocked and must be activated on the same carrier as your phone. The Pixel Watch LTE will share a number with your phone. That is, both the watch and phone will have the same phone number, and you will be able to make calls from the watch using your phone number.
Google Pixel Watch Review
- Google Pixel Watch – Design
- Google Pixel Watch – Display
- Google Pixel Watch – Health Tracking
- Google Pixel Watch – Making and Receiving Calls
- Google Pixel Watch – Music and Apps
- Google Pixel Watch – Battery Life
- Google Pixel Watch LTE vs Wi-Fi – Price
The Pixel Watch comes in a circular shape that mimics a traditional watch. It has a stainless steel case with a durable Corning Gorilla Glass 5 screen protecting the display. The straps are made of fluoroelastomer and can be changed. The Watch is shipped with both a large and small band.
The Pixel Watch is rated 5ATM, which translates to 50 meters waterproof rating. You can wear it while swimming or showering.
With a 41 x 41 x 12.3 mm dimension and weighing 36 grams, the Pixel watch is equally very compact and lightweight. It comes in four different colors. This includes champagne-gold case/hazel band, matte-black case/obsidian band, polished silver case/chalk band and polished silver case/charcoal band.
The Pixel Watch welcomes a decent display, it has a full-color AMOLED display with brightness up to 1000nits. The 1.2 inches display might be too small for users, but still very easy to read even under direct sunlight.
The watch face is very much customizable, and you get a bunch of preloaded watch faces to choose from. You can also download more watch faces from the Google Playstore.
Interacting with the watch is through a touch-sensitive screen, a physical button and the rotating crown with a haptic mechanism. ECG can be measured when you place your finger on the rotating crown.
In the health tracking department, the Pixel Watch is loaded with a host of fitness tracking features. It’s equipped with an altimeter, compass, accelerometer, gyroscope, blood oxygen sensor, heart rate, and a multi-electrical sensor that handles ECG measurements.
These sensors enable steps & calorie counting, and 24/7 heart rate tracking. The Pixel Watch will also monitor your blood oxygen, floors climbed, stress and ECG.
It features over 20 preloaded sports modes, incidental fall detection and international emergency calling. Since Fitbit handles health tracking on the Pixel Watch, you can also access Fitbit Premium to get access to more insightful health tracking details (premium users only).
The Pixel Watch is equipped with a microphone and speaker, which will enable the watch to make and receive calls. Both the WiFi and LTE models can make and receive calls, but the Wi-Fi model needs your phone.
The Pixel Watch ships with a 32GB storage capacity that allows you to load music onto the watch. You can add your personal tracks to the watch, and you can also download music with YouTube Music Premium and Spotify premium.
Users in the US and Canada can stream music with Youtube Music on the Pixel Watch just like you would on your phone. You can play music over the speaker or via a Bluetooth headphone which gives the best experience. And thanks to the Wear OS platform, the Pixel Watch features many of your favorite apps like Google Maps, Google Pay, Google Assistant, and many other interesting apps.
One downside to the Pixel Watch is the battery life. The watch is equipped with a 294mAh lithium-ion battery which Google says can last up to 24hrs. It comes with a USB-C magnetic charger and it takes 1hr 20mins to fully charge the watch.
The Pixel Watch Wi-Fi model retails for $350 while the LTE model retails for $400.
Google Pixel Watch LTE or Wi-Fi – Which is Right For You?
The Wi-Fi and Cellular model are two very similar watches, though the Cellular model offers additional freedom from your phone.
In other words, the LTE model is the right choice for you if you really want to be able to make and receive calls from the watch without your phone. The LTE model is the best choice for seniors and anyone who likes to workout outdoors, the incidental fall detection can be a lifesaver if you forget your phone at home.
If you choose to go for the LTE model, you need to also factor in the cost of a monthly subscription for LTE services.
Meanwhile, the Wi-Fi model is a popular choice. It’s cheaper and offers all the features present in the LTE model except that you will need your phone nearby to make calls and reply to messages from the watch.
Frequently Asked Questions?
Can the Pixel Watch make and receive calls?
Yes, both the Wi-Fi and LTE models of the Pixel Watch can make and receive calls. However, while the LTE model can make and receive calls without connecting to your phone, the Wi-Fi model needs your phone nearby to make calls.
Will Pixel Watch LTE work with my carrier?
Google has listed the support carriers in countries where the LTE model is available. Nonetheless, still contact your current phone carrier to inquire if they offer any plan for the Pixel Watch LTE. In the US, supported carriers include Google Fi, T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, Cellcom and CSpire, US Cellular.
Does the Pixel Watch LTE have its own number?
No, the Pixel Watch doesn’t have its own number, it shares number with your phone. Both the watch and phone will have the same number.
Does Pixel Watch LTE need a SIM card?
No, the Pixel Watch doesn’t need a SIM card. The watch is already equipped with an embedded SIM card.
Does Pixel Watch LTE have Wi-Fi?
Yes, the Pixel Watch LTE also has Wi-Fi. For connectivity, it has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and LTE. Meanwhile, the Wi-Fi model has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
The Pixel watch like every other smartwatch connects to your phone mainly through Bluetooth.
Does Pixel Watch have GPS?
Yes, the Pixel Watch has an inbuilt GPS. The watch will be able to track your routes and locations when you workout outdoors or simply wants to track your movements outdoors.
Does Pixel Watch have ECG?
Yes, the Pixel Watch has ECG. The watch is equipped with a multi-electrical sensor that handles ECG measurements.
Does Pixel Watch work with Samsung?
Yes, the Pixel Watch works with Samsung. The Pixel Watch requires Android phones running Android 8.0 and above to pair the watch with a phone.
The Pixel Watch like the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 5 doesn’t work with iPhone.
Will Pixel Watch work with my phone?
The Pixel Watch will work with only Android phones running on Android 8.0 and above.
Will Pixel Watch work with iPhone?
No, the Pixel Watch will not work with iPhone.
How does Pixel Watch charge?
The Pixel Watch comes with a USB-C magnetic charger. You can charge the watch by placing the watch on the base of the charger and connect the USB-C end to a power source. A 5V or 12V power source is required.