Google Pixel Watch: price, release day, how to buy

The Pixel Watch was announced in May during Google’s I/O presentation. It launched alongside the Pixel 6A and Pixel Buds Pro, although unlike those devices it’s been left up in the air as it’s “coming this fall”. Now, after a long wait, Google has finally announced all the details about the upcoming smartwatch, along with details about the Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro and other new Google hardware and features. The Pixel Watch will ship on October 13th at a starting price of $349.99, with pre-orders open now.

If you’ve long forgotten what the Pixel Watch is all about, it’s Google’s first internal smartwatch, launched well over a full year after the company’s $2.1 billion acquisition of Fitbit comes. This is also the first smartwatch in the Pixel range, as it appears Google is aiming for a more complete ecosystem of its own to better compete with Apple and Samsung – rather than relying on Wear OS partners as it has in the past. The Pixel Watch offers a new Wear OS experience, health and fitness tracking from Fitbit (which may require a second app), and a domed circular design with UI elements controlled by the crown and side button in addition to touch.

Unlike wearables from Apple and Samsung, the Pixel Watch only comes in one size – 41mm, which is average in the world of traditional watches but compares to newer chunkers like the 45mm Galaxy Watch Pro and 49mm Apple Watch is ultra tiny.

We’ve yet to review the new Pixel Watch and see if it’s really good or just more of the same wearable clutter from Google. However, if you want to be an early adopter of Google’s shiny new wearable, you can pre-order the upcoming smartwatch now. Here we’ll walk you through the main differences between the various Pixel Watch configurations and where to buy your own.

As the Pixel Watch only comes in a 41mm round design and all color options are stainless steel, your choices are limited. Each model is equipped with Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth 5.0, essential for a wearable. It just depends if you want to shell out $349.99 for the Wi-Fi version or $399.99 for the cellular connected version with LTE.

Each version’s finish options allow you to choose from matte black with a black band, silver with an anthracite band, silver with a white band, or champagne gold with a hazel band. Each color option is a stainless steel case, and Google sells optional watch bands that dress up the Pixel Watch with a faux strap attachment or give it a sportier style.

You can pre-order the Pixel Watch directly from Google and Best Buy right now, while other retailers are sure to come online with their own pre-order lists soon. The price is $349.99 for the base model with a stainless steel body and Wi-Fi connectivity, or $399.99 for a model with an LTE connection.

Google currently offers six months of Fitbit Premium service and three months of YouTube Music Premium service with the purchase of any Pixel Watch. The Fitbit promo is aimed at new and returning subscribers, while the YouTube Music promotion is only open to US customers who are new to the service.

If you prefer your smartwatch to be connected to a cellular signal – so you can let go of your phone while exercising or adventures – you can also currently pre-order the Pixel Watch directly through cellular carriers. Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile have pre-orders for the LTE versions, with AT&T offering to buy, get a free deal and T-Mobile offering 50 percent off the watch if you also add a line.

These can be good alternatives if you already have a device payment plan for your phone through your carrier. Just remember that promotions offered by carriers will typically pay you back over time via monthly bill credits rather than just a flat discount.