Google’s Pixel Watch 5 delivers a refined design and notable AI improvements, but its launch is marred by missing features that won’t arrive until next month. The watch introduces on-device Gemini support, allowing users to set timers, start workouts, or control music without a phone connection—a long-overdue fix from the Pixel Watch 4. Faster charging and a refreshed Wear OS interface with new complications and gestures also debut, though the latter requires navigating a labyrinth of settings at launch.
The hardware remains largely unchanged from its predecessor, with a 320ppi AMOLED display and a Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 Accelerated processor. Battery life holds up well, but the screen’s readability suffers in power-saving mode. Google’s claim of a 3,000-nit peak brightness is impressive, yet the watch’s domed glass makes it more vulnerable to damage than competitors like the Galaxy Watch 9 or Apple Watch Series 11.
Critically, the Pixel Watch 5 lacks several promised health features, including blood pressure and insulin resistance trend reports, which Google plans to roll out in September. Until then, the watch’s appeal hinges on its AI enhancements and customizable widgets, which streamline access to frequently used functions.
