Google’s upcoming Pixel Watch 3 will feature the same Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 5100 chipset and Cortex M33 co-processor as last year’s model. It also includes 2GB of SDRAM and 32GB of eMMC flash storage, so users should not expect major differences in performance this year. The Pixel Watch 3 has a very minor increase in battery capacity, moving up to 307mAh from the Pixel Watch 2’s 306mAh.
This slight change means the battery life remains approximately the same. The new 45mm model of the Pixel Watch 3 includes a 420mAh battery. Since this is the first 45mm size for a Pixel Watch, there is no predecessor for comparison.
Both models offer 24 hours of battery life with an Always-on Display and 36 hours with Battery Saver mode on.
Pixel Watch 3 enhancements
A major upgrade in the Pixel Watch 3 is its 60Hz display refresh rate, a big improvement over previous models that featured 30Hz displays.
This not only makes the watch look more fluid but also makes interactions feel more responsive. The adaptive refresh rate ranges from 1Hz for the Always-on Display to 60Hz when in use. The watch can reach a peak brightness of 2,000 nits but can also dim to as low as 1 nit, suitable for nighttime wear.
Sleep Mode ensures that the display does not disturb users overnight. While the Pixel Watch 3 has received some much-needed upgrades, other components remain the same. These include the choice not to implement a dual operating system despite the presence of a co-processor.
