The Pixel Watch has an eye-catching design and fitness features that might appeal to many users, but does Google's watch work with the iPhone?
There are several smartwatches that work with both Android smartphones and iPhones, but is Google's Pixel Watch among them? Google's new Pixel Watch runs Wear OS 3.5 which is the latest version of Wear OS. Alongside the Pixel Watch, Samsung's Galaxy Watch 4 series and Galaxy Watch 5 series are the only other smartwatches running this version of Wear OS.
The Pixel Watch is Google's first smartwatch, and it comes with some key features that make it appealing to many users. Like the Apple Watch, Google is offering several watch bands for customization – over 20, to be precise. Additionally, the watch offers access to the Google Play Store and can measure the wearer's heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and even take an ECG. Perhaps the best feature of the smartwatch is the integration with Fitbit for tracking health and fitness data.
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While Google offers cross-device compatibility with some of its products such as the Pixel Buds Pro, the story is different with the Pixel Watch. The spec sheet for the Pixel Watch reveals that the smartwatch is only compatible with Android devices running Android 8 or later. This means that it won't work with non-Android devices including iPhones and iPads. Google also clarifies that the Pixel Watch won't work with Android Go devices. The reason behind Google's decision not to include support for non-Android devices is unknown, but it's not surprising given that Samsung's Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 5 don't work with iPhones either.
iPhone users who have their eyes on the Pixel Watch will be disappointed, but there are alternative Google smartwatches they can pick up. The Fitbit Sense 2 and Versa 4, which are technically Google products, are compatible with both Android and iOS devices. What's more, they're also cheaper than the Pixel Watch. The Sense 2 which starts at $299.95 has the same health tracking features as the Pixel Watch. In addition, its six-day battery life puts the 24-hour battery life of the Pixel Watch to shame. The Versa 4 is even more affordable at $229 but lacks features such as an ECG sensor. However, there's support for irregular heart rhythm notifications which can also be used to detect signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib).
Where the Fitbit watches trail behind the Pixel Watch is in the smart features department. There is no Google Assistant, but there is Amazon Alexa built-in. They also lack Wi-Fi support and don't have built-in storage for playlists and audiobooks. Also, none of the Fitbit watches have LTE, but users can take calls on them when they are connected to a phone. In addition, it has been confirmed that Google Maps and Google Wallet will come to the two wearables in the future, but they are unlikely to get the new Google Home app which debuted on the Pixel Watch. So while the Pixel Watch doesn't work with iPhones, there are some great alternatives.
NEXT: How To Pair Your Apple Watch With A New iPhone (& Why It Isn't Working)
Habeeb has years of experience covering consumer technology and has written for multiple publications. As a Senior Writer at Screen Rant, he enjoys writing about wearables, smartphones, tablets, and Chromebooks. Several of his articles include guides and comparisons that help users get the best out of their devices or choose the one that bests suits them. When he's not writing, he's catching up on the latest TV shows. He considers The Crown as peak drama and Castlevania as one of the best game-to-screen adaptations. And on days when there is nothing to watch (is that even possible?), he sneaks in a few hours of games on his PlayStation and Nintendo Switch.