The Pixel Watch 4 is set to introduce a brand new charger – the third one in four generations of Google’s smartwatch – and while it really seems like the pros outweigh the cons here, I’m dreading a couple of small things.
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To summarize what’s coming, the Pixel Watch 4 is getting a new “Quick Charge Dock.” This new charger is still pin-based, but sits on the side of the watch instead of underneath, leaving the smartwatch to rest on its side whenever it is being charged.
There are good and bad things here.
First and foremost, this new system is apparently much faster. Per a recent leak, the Pixel Watch 4’s “Quick Charge Dock” is 25% faster. That’s a big step up from what was already pretty quick, and it’s certainly good motivation to move to a new system. Beyond that, this new charging dock is probably a bit less prone to issues. As I mentioned in a previous post, the new location for the pins will probably see less build-up from sweat which would probably make charging that little-bit-more reliable than it is today. If you’ve ever worn the Pixel Watch 2 or 3 on a humid, sweaty day and tried to charge it without cleaning it first, you might know what I’m talking about there, as that can occasionally lead to the charger not reliably charging the watch.
This new design also eliminates any confusion in charger alignment. While it’s pretty easy to get used to the existing charger – especially if you just remember that the button should align with the cable – it’s also totally understandable that people can get the alignment wrong and try to charge their watch only for it to not sit correctly.
There are definitely a lot of potential downsides, though.
As previously mentioned, the exposed pins on the side of the watch may very well be an eyesore, and they’ll also be exposed to more opportunities for damage. The new location also presents a problem for accessories like cases, which won’t be able to carry over from prior generations, assuming they work at all.
Then, there’s just the fact that Pixel Watch owners are going to be left swapping out their chargers entirely, and I think that’s going to happen to a lot of fans.
The original Pixel Watch was good, but the Pixel Watch 2’s upgrades were so major, it nearly necessitated an upgrade. That means that anyone who owned both has already experienced two chargers. If they decide to get a Pixel Watch 4 this year, that’s a third new system. And let’s continue with that idea. If someone had a Pixel Watch 2 and didn’t upgrade last year, they still benefited from a growing number of charging accessories that have popped up on the market, and may have amassed a number of spare chargers or perhaps even a dock for their watch and phone. Google’s new charger makes that all worthless.
On top of that, the way this charger is designed, it’s very possible that the two Pixel Watch 4 sizes won’t be able to use the same dock. I really hope that’s not the case, but it’s a possibility!
Personally, one thing I’m not looking forward to is that, if I have a Pixel Watch 4 but my wife sticks with her Pixel Watch 3, we can no longer share a charger while travelling. It’s been nice not having to worry about a second charger as she charges hers as needed and wears it to bed, and then mine sits on the charger overnight. But if the two watches use different systems, that goes out the window – and is not even to mention that the new charger looks bulkier.
So, while I’m overall looking forward to the benefits of this new charger, I’m also dreading some of the downsides – and also interested to see the reaction from existing Pixel Watch owners who upgrade.
Google, realistically, needs to pick a system and stick with it. This new side-mounted setup doesn’t feel like it has staying power. I think that there will be a lot of negative reactions to the pins on the side alone, beyond the fact that this new design is pretty restrictive to what Google can do with the hardware going forward. But, either way, Google needs to stop making these drastic changes. As we’ve discussed on Pixelated in the past, one thing Apple has going for it with the Apple Watch is that, while speeds may differ, you can use the same charger from 2016’s original Apple Watch all the way up to the current generation of the smartwatch, and it’ll still work.
What do you think?
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