Google Pixel Watch to Get Feature Drops, Software Updates for Up to 3 Years: Details

Google intends to be “regular” when it comes to delivering these software updates.

Written by Sheldon Pinto, Edited by Siddharth Suvarna | Updated: 10 October 2022 13:10 IST

Google Pixel Watch to Get Feature Drops, Software Updates for Up to 3 Years: Details

Google Pixel Watch has yet to be announced in India, but will go on sale in nine other countries.

Highlights

Google’s Pixel Watch has not been launched in India
Watch software updates follow a strategy similar to Pixel smartphones
There will also be quarterly ‘feature drops’ adding new features

Google's Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro smartphones will go on sale in India on 12 October. The pre-order window is already open and Pixel Buds Pro also went on sale back in July. With the ecosystem almost complete, there are still no details about the Pixel Watch coming to India. But a new support document gives us more information regarding software support for Google's first smartwatch. And by the looks of it, the search giant seems to be giving its first smartwatch a similar treatment as its Pixel smartphones.

The support document shows how Google takes the Pixel smartphone approach to software updates for its Pixel Watch. The short document first spotted by 9to5Google mentions that its Pixel Watch will receive Wear OS software updates that include security enhancements, new features, operating systems updates, and the usual bug fixes. It also mentions that these updates will be “regular' without stating how many will arrive. There's no mention of a timeline either.

[Sponsored] Samsung Galaxy S24: The Ultimate Camera Phone With Smarter On-Device AI

Google does make it clear that Pixel Watch owners will receive updates for at least three years, from the time it first becomes available on the Google Store in the US. The software update strategy is very similar to the treatment its Pixel 6a smartphone has received in India, which includes security updates. But Google has specified that it may also include feature drops and other software updates, meaning that users can expect new features showing up on their Pixel Watch just like the quarterly feature drops that show up on Pixel smartphones.

Google guarantees software updates for its Pixel Watch until October 2025, so those interested in purchasing one don't need to worry about software updates for the next three years. Apple never explicitly mentions software support for its Apple Watch models, but its Series 3 (now discontinued) did receive up to 5 years of software updates until watchOS 8.7.1.

Google Pixel Buds Pro Review

The Pixel Watch, unlike Google's recent Pixel smartphones, does not use a custom-designed Tensor processor, but goes with Samsung's Exynos 9110 SoC that's paired with a Cortex M33 coprocessor and has 2GB of RAM. It has a heart-rate sensor, offers ECG tracking and has health and fitness features by Fitbit. The device is priced at $349.99 (approximately Rs. 28,700) for the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi-only model, while the LTE model along with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi will cost $399.99 (approximately Rs. 32,800). It will be available in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Japan, Australia and Taiwan from 13 October.

5G is here. Should you buy a 4G phone? We discuss this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.

Google Pixel Watch

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Compatible OS Android 8.0+

Dial Shape Round

Ideal For Unisex

More Google Smartwatches

Google Pixel 7

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Sharp, 90Hz display
Good quality cameras
Good gaming performance
Bloatware-free software, timely updates
Good battery life
IP68 rating

Bad
Video recording could be better
Gets warm under load
No bundled charger
Relatively slow charging

Read detailed Google Pixel 7 review

Display 6.30-inch

Processor Google Tensor G2

Front Camera 10.8-megapixel

Rear Camera 50-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB

OS Android 13

Resolution 1080x2400 pixels

More Google mobiles Google mobiles price in India

Google Pixel 7 Pro

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Sharp, 120Hz display
Good quality cameras
Good gaming performance
Bloatware-free software, timely updates
Premium design, IP68 rating

Bad
Gets warm under load
No bundled charger
Underwhelming battery life
Relatively slow charging

Read detailed Google Pixel 7 Pro review

Display 6.70-inch

Processor Google Tensor G2

Front Camera 10.8-megapixel

Rear Camera 50-megapixel + 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 12GB

Storage 128GB

OS Android 13

Resolution 1440x3120 pixels

More Google mobiles Google mobiles price in India

Google Pixel 6a

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
IP67-rated design
Impressive cameras for photos
Vibrant OLED display
Stock Android 13 software

Bad
Plastic back is prone to scratches
60Hz display does not feel fluid
Cannot handle heavy gaming
Recorded video needs work
Relatively slow charging, no wireless charging
Battery life could be better

Read detailed Google Pixel 6a review

Display 6.10-inch

Processor Google Tensor

Front Camera 8-megapixel

Rear Camera 12.2-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 6GB

Storage 128GB

Battery Capacity 4410mAh

OS Android 13

Resolution 1080x2400 pixels

More Google mobiles Google mobiles price in India

Comments

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Further reading: Google, Google Pixel Watch, Google Pixel Watch Availability, Google Pixel Watch Specifications, Google Pixel Watch Software

Sheldon Pinto

Email Sheldon Pinto

Sheldon Pinto is based in Mumbai, and has several years of experience in reviewing smartphones and gadgets. As a Senior Reviewer at Gadgets 360, you will always find him deeply immersed in his reviews, switching from one phone to another. When the battery dies out, Sheldon is always browsing the web for a good sci-fi movie or reading up on cars and bikes. He also loves creating lists of interesting places to eat and travel. Sheldon is available on Twitter at @shellshocd, and you can mail him at ...More