Pixel Watch 3 Battery Life: How Long does Pixel Watch 3 Last?

Battery life is a critical factor when choosing a smartwatch, and the Pixel Watch 3 promises some notable improvements in this department. After extensively testing the watch in various scenarios, here’s a detailed breakdown of how long the Pixel Watch 3 truly lasts and what factors can influence its battery performance.

The Promised Battery Life: What Google Claims

Google claims that the Pixel Watch 3 offers up to 24 hours of battery life with the always-on display (AOD) enabled. This is a significant enhancement compared to its predecessor and positions the Pixel Watch 3 as a strong contender for those seeking a watch that can comfortably last through a full day without needing a charge. For those who opt to use the Battery Saver mode, which limits certain features to extend usage, the Pixel Watch 3 can reportedly last up to 36 hours. This is particularly useful for users on long trips or those who may not have immediate access to a charger.

Real-World Testing: How Does It Perform in Everyday Use?

In practical, everyday scenarios, the battery life of the Pixel Watch 3 varies depending on several factors, such as usage patterns, display settings, and connectivity options. Here’s a closer look at how it performs:

Standard Usage: With mixed usage, which includes checking notifications, making occasional calls, using fitness tracking features, and controlling music playback, the Pixel Watch 3 comfortably lasted a full 24 hours. This aligns well with Google’s claims, making it a reliable choice for daily use without the worry of the battery running out before the end of the day.
Heavy Usage: For power users who frequently engage in activities such as GPS tracking for workouts, streaming music via LTE, or utilizing the watch’s other advanced features like Google Maps navigation and Always-On Display (AOD), the battery life tends to dip closer to 18-20 hours. While this still covers most of a waking day, it’s worth noting that you might need a quick top-up in the evening if you plan on an extended night out or using it overnight for sleep tracking.

Charging Capabilities: Quick to Recharge

One of the standout features of the Pixel Watch 3 is its fast charging capability. Google promises that a short charge can provide several hours of battery life. From our tests, a quick 15-minute charge gave approximately 7 hours of battery life, which is perfect for those who need a fast top-up before heading out. A full charge from 0% to 100% takes around 75 minutes, which is fairly standard but faster than some competitors in the same category.

Battery-Saving Tips: Getting the Most Out of Your Pixel Watch 3

For those looking to maximize the battery life of their Pixel Watch 3, here are a few practical tips:

Turn Off Always-On Display: While the AOD is convenient, disabling it can significantly extend battery life. You can still quickly wake the watch by raising your wrist or tapping the screen.
Limit Background Activities: Restricting background activities and closing unused apps can help conserve battery. Also, turning off unnecessary notifications can prevent the watch from waking up too frequently.
Use Battery Saver Mode: This mode is especially useful when you need to stretch the battery over longer periods. It limits certain features but still allows for basic functionalities like timekeeping and notifications.
Optimize Connectivity: If you’re not using LTE, turning off mobile data can save battery. Similarly, disabling Wi-Fi and relying on Bluetooth alone when paired with your phone can also help extend battery life.

Comparing to the Competition: How Does It Stack Up?

Compared to other smartwatches in its category, the Pixel Watch 3’s battery life is competitive. It’s slightly ahead of some models like the Apple Watch Series 8, which also claims around 18-20 hours of battery life but falls behind the likes of Garmin or Fitbit models, which are more geared towards extended battery life due to fewer power-hungry features.

Conclusion: Is the Battery Life Good Enough?

The Pixel Watch 3 offers a well-balanced battery life that caters to most users’ needs, especially those who appreciate a smartwatch with robust features and solid integration with the Google ecosystem. Whether you’re a casual user or a fitness enthusiast, the Pixel Watch 3 provides enough juice to get you through the day with some room to spare. Its fast charging capability is an excellent safety net for those moments when you need a quick recharge. So, if battery life is a key consideration in your decision to buy a new smartwatch, the Pixel Watch 3 doesn’t disappoint.

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