The Google Pixel Watch’s journey has been remarkable. From a shaky start with the first generation, Google significantly improved the Pixel Watch 2 and seemingly perfected it with the Pixel Watch 3. It’s a comeback story few predicted, transforming the Pixel Watch into a genuine contender in the smartwatch arena. This evolution has even me, a long-time Samsung Galaxy Watch user, considering a switch to the upcoming Pixel Watch 4. However, one persistent issue prevents me from taking the plunge, and until it’s addressed, I can’t see myself buying any future Pixel Watch.
Fitbit app on an Android phone, showing sleep tracking information.
The Fitbit Premium Subscription: A Necessary Evil?
Let’s be clear: the Fitbit platform itself is excellent. Its health and exercise tracking capabilities are widely praised, and Google’s acquisition of Fitbit in 2021 initially sparked hope for a brighter future. However, that hope was tempered by the continued presence of the Fitbit Premium subscription. While understandable for a smaller company like Fitbit, requiring a premium subscription for a premium smartwatch like the Pixel Watch feels unjustified. Fitbit devices are generally budget-friendly, making a subscription for advanced features more palatable. The Pixel Watch 3, however, sits firmly in the premium price bracket, making the added subscription cost feel like an unnecessary cash grab by Google.
A Premium Device Deserves Premium Features
A card stored in Google Wallet on the Fitbit Charge 6.
Having reviewed smartwatches for nearly a decade, the Fitbit Premium subscription has always prevented me from wholeheartedly recommending Fitbit devices, including the Pixel Watch. Features like Sleep Score and Daily Readiness Score, locked behind a $10 monthly paywall, are standard inclusions on competing devices like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and Apple Watch Series 10. This discrepancy highlights a stark contrast in approach. While Garmin also introduced a subscription model, it focuses on providing additional features rather than restricting core functionalities. This makes Garmin’s approach significantly more acceptable.
A Simple Solution: Bundle Premium with Pixel Watch
Google doesn’t need a radical overhaul to rectify this issue. A simple acknowledgment that the Pixel Watch 4, as a premium product, includes Fitbit Premium features at no extra cost would be sufficient. This single change would make the Pixel Watch 4 a significantly more compelling proposition. Until then, while the Pixel Watch 4 may be desirable, it remains a purchase I’m hesitant to make.
