Google’s Pixel Watch 5, which went on sale last week, is facing an unusual launch problem: several of its most talked-about features are not available yet. The watch’s new health tools, including blood pressure and insulin resistance trends, nightly sleep breathing quality, and strength training cues, will not start rolling out until next month. A breathing emergency detection feature that would call emergency services when the wearer stops breathing is still waiting on approval from the US Food and Drug Administration, though it will launch in Europe. That leaves the device’s $399.99 price tag - $50 more than last year’s model - hard to fully evaluate, according to The Verge’s review.
What is available on the Pixel Watch 5 at launch is a mix of refinements and upgrades. The watch runs Wear OS 7, which is not a major departure from the prior version, but it now integrates double pinch and wrist turn gestures more directly into the interface. Animated chips appear on the screen to show when gestures can be used, and flipping the wrist can dismiss a screen or a call. These gestures are similar to features on the Apple Watch, but The Verge praised how prominently they are featured on the Pixel Watch.
The watch also works with offline Gemini, which proved useful in testing. The Verge’s reviewer was able to start a workout via voice command and get a GPS signal while paired to a phone that was out of Bluetooth and internet range. There is some latency with wrist-based Gemini, but it is acceptable for basic tasks. A feature called Proactive Assistance offers Gemini-powered suggestions, like a calendar chip appearing when a friend texts about plans, but it only worked in orchestrated test scenarios and not in real-world use, the review said.
The most significant improvement is in GPS accuracy. Google claims the Pixel Watch 5 outperforms the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro in this area, using 3D building models, weather data, dual-frequency GPS, and other sensor signals to correct tracking after an activity. The Verge tested the watch on three separate walks in Manhattan’s West Village, walking in zigzags and circles. The Pixel Watch 5 accurately registered some of those movements, while the Apple Watch Ultra 3 overcorrected and showed mostly straight lines. The review noted that the GPS is not perfect but that accuracy is no longer a reason to avoid the Pixel Watch.
The hardware itself is largely unchanged from the previous model. Swiping is snappy but not radically improved, and the 45mm watch lasted roughly 36 to 40 hours on a single charge in testing, similar to its predecessor. The watch stand charger remains a point of praise, and fast charging is good enough for a quick top-up.
One odd addition is AI-generated watchfaces, which allow users to prompt a text-to-image system for custom designs. The Verge’s attempts produced mixed results, including a poorly rendered manta ray and a serviceable Kirby-inspired design. The customization options are limited, with only basic layouts, colors, and fonts available. The review concluded that while the feature is whimsical, it is not a major selling point. The watch’s launch-day software makes it a promising device, but the full picture will only be clear once the health features arrive.
