Senior Tech Journalist

The Pixel Watch 4 is expected at Google’s August 20 hardware event, with the keynote at 10:00 AM PT (10:30 PM IST). India price and availability are still unannounced; this article separates confirmed facts from credible pre-event reporting.

Key Specs (at a glance)

What’s new vs Pixel Watch 3

• Two sizes again, with trimmer bezels and higher peak brightness for better outdoor legibility — practical visibility upgrade for runs and rides (rumor).
• Faster charging and a revised dock with side contacts — reduces time on the puck, helpful for overnight recovery or quick top-ups (rumor).
• Deeper Gemini integration on Wear OS 6 — voice tasks, summaries, and app tie-ins without pulling out the phone (platform behavior; watch-specific details pending).

Rivals to consider

Display & Design

Pre-event material points to slimmer bezels and a brighter always-on panel, addressing two common PW3 complaints: limited screen canvas and outdoor visibility. If the ~3,000-nit figure holds, glare should be less of an issue in midday sun. Final brightness specs are unconfirmed; treat current numbers as indicative until Google publishes them.

There are credible hints of improved repairability and a tweaked case back with more accessible sensor/charging hardware. That could reduce downtime and cost in the event of component failure, a pain point on earlier models. We’ll verify teardown details once units ship.

Performance & Thermals

Leaks suggest a W5+ Gen 1-class platform paired with Google’s on-device AI features in Wear OS 6/Gemini. Expect smoother animations and faster assistant responses compared to PW3, which already felt fine for daily tasks. Benchmarks will come after launch; for now the meaningful claim is better efficiency, which indirectly benefits battery and heat.

Cameras (photo + video)

Smartwatches don’t use camera sensors; the meaningful “imaging” discussion here is about positioning accuracy and motion sensing for workouts. Dual-frequency GPS and expanded exercise modes are rumored, which would help route fidelity and interval tracking for runners/cyclists. We’ll test this against PW3’s already-solid Fitbit-powered metrics.

Battery & Charging

The most practical upgrade could be the faster charge and a claimed 30–40 hours on the two sizes. Even with always-on display enabled, that would reduce anxiety for multi-day trips. As ever, stated figures depend on workloads (LTE, GPS, notifications). We’ll validate endurance after retail availability.

Software & Updates

Wear OS 6 brings UI refinements, more interactive Tiles, and tighter Gemini integration. Historically, Pixel watches have received three years of software updates (PW3 through October 2027). Google hasn’t announced PW4’s window yet; buyers should wait for official support dates in the specs fine print.

Price & Availability

• Starting price in India: TBD. For context only, the Pixel Watch 3 launched at ₹39,990 (41 mm) and ₹43,990 (45 mm) Wi-Fi-only in India last year.
• Global reveal: 2025-08-20, keynote at 10:00 AM PT (10:30 PM IST), livestream on YouTube.
• India channels: TBD. Pixel Watch 3 retailed via Flipkart (Wi-Fi only). LTE India plans for PW4 are unconfirmed.

Should you upgrade?

• From last gen (Pixel Watch 3): Hold until official specs land. If Google confirms faster charging plus longer battery life and better GPS, upgrading makes sense for outdoor athletes. Otherwise PW3 remains capable on Wear OS 6.
• From a 2-year-old watch: Likely yes. Even baseline improvements in brightness, charge speed, and AI assistance could be meaningful over watches from 2023.
• Budget-focused buyers: Consider Samsung Watch8 deals or Amazfit Active 2 if you prioritize cost and battery over tight Google integration. S

FAQs

Does it include a charger in the box?
TBD for PW4. Pixel Watch 3 includes a USB-C fast charging cable but no power brick. We’ll confirm PW4’s in-box contents at launch.

IP rating?
TBD for PW4. Pixel Watch 3 is rated 5 ATM and IP68; expect at least comparable protection, but we won’t state figures until Google publishes them.

eSIM / microSD?
Pixel Watches don’t support microSD. LTE variants have eSIM; India availability for LTE on PW4 is unconfirmed.

Pros

• Brighter screen and slimmer bezels should improve daily visibility (rumor).
• Faster charging promises less downtime (rumor).
• Wear OS 6 + Gemini improvements add utility on-wrist.

Cons

• India price, sales window, and LTE availability are unknown today.
• Pixel watch update policy historically trails Pixel phones for years of support.

Verdict

India buyers should watch the August 20 keynote and wait for confirmed specs and local pricing. If Google delivers the rumored brightness, charging, and GPS upgrades alongside Wear OS 6’s refinements, Pixel Watch 4 could be a straightforward recommendation for Android users who value Google and Fitbit integration. If India gets Wi-Fi-only again or pricing climbs, Samsung’s Watch8 and select Wear OS alternatives may offer better value locally.