The Google Pixel Watch 4 is now official, and it features a couple of upgrades, none of which are on the design side. The new Pixel Watch looks exactly the same as its predecessor, but offers a better display, higher performance and longer battery life. Google also announced the Pixel Buds 2a – a pair of budget TWS buds that sit below the currently available Pixel Buds Pro 2.
Pixel Watch 4
The watch comes in two variants, like before – 41mm and 45mm, with the display size being 1.2″ and 1.4″. Both displays are upgraded and can go up to 3,000 nits, matching other 2025 smartwatches like the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 series. This will provide better legibility outdoors.
Additionally, the duo upgrades the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chipset with the Plus variant – Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1. While the upgrade may sound incremental on paper, the newer SoC is equipped with an AON (always-on) co-processor. It’s a built-in low-power 22nm processor, and it takes care of essential processes while the main SoC is asleep. This preserves energy.
Speaking of energy, the two models come with an upgraded 327 mAh (+20 mAh) for the 41mm and 459 mAh (+39mAh) for the 45mm. With the new batteries, Google expects the 41mm to run for 30 hours on a single charge, while the 45mm will offer 40 hours of battery life with AOD.
When it comes to charging, the Pixel Watch 4 series has a new docking station offering “side charging”. You will need to place it on its side, and it will turn into an alarm on your desk. But more importantly, charging is now 25% faster.
Notably, the Pixel Watch 4 is “Gemini-ready”, meaning you can speak to Gemini by just raising your wrist. Gemini is also deeply integrated in some apps on your watch, and it will respond to your queries. Health and sport-tracking features include tracking for over 40 types of exercise, ECG, SpO2, breathing rate and HRV monitoring.
The available Active band colors are Obsidian, Porcelain and Moonstone, while the Sport band comes in Indigo, Limoncello and Iris.
Interestingly, the Active band is made of a new material this year, making it a tad more comfortable.
The Pixel Watch 4 ships with Wear OS 6 on board, and pricing for the 41mm model starts at $349 for the non-LTE variant, while the LTE-enabled version is $399. The 45mm Pixel Watch 4 starts at $399 for non-LTE and $449 for the LTE.
In Europe, the pricing is similar – €399 and €499 for the 41mm, respectively, while the 45mm option asks €449 and €549.
Pixel Buds 2a
The new Pixel Buds 2a are a more budget-oriented alternative to the Pixel Buds Pro 2 that are currently available. Still, they seem to offer a bunch of premium features that will make you think twice before opting for the full-fledged Pixel Buds Pro 2.
Google Pixel Buds 2a in Gray
Compared to their predecessors, the Pixel Buds 2a are a significant upgrade, since the original Pixel Buds A series were released about four years ago. The budget pair offers active noise cancellation and omits the Pixel Buds Pro 2’s passive Silent Seal 2.0 noise isolation.
Google Pixel Buds 2a in Iris
Additionally, the buds have spatial audio, but without the head-tracking feature.
The battery is enough to last you 7 hours of playback time, while the charging case extends that time to 20 hours. Unlike the Buds Pro 2, the Buds 2a’s case doesn’t support wireless charging.
The buds come in Gray and Iris colors and are priced at €149 in Europe and $129 in the US.