Google might not be planning any major design or internal changes for the Pixel Watch 4. But it seems the company will make up for the lack of such changes by improving other aspects of the watch. Besides a repairable design, Google will also introduce a new health feature on the Pixel Watch: Breathing Emergencies.
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Plenty of room for improvement
Reportedly, the next Pixel Watch will feature continuous SpO2 monitoring and show an alert when it detects low oxygen levels. While current-gen Pixel Watch models also feature SpO2 tracking, they only track the blood oxygen level when you’re asleep. They do not offer real-time, hourly, or even manual readings.
Google will seemingly solve at least one of these limitations with the Pixel Watch 4 by adding continuous SpO2 monitoring and building on it by displaying an alert if the blood oxygen level drops too low.
Due to a patent dispute, newer Apple Watch models sold in the US do not feature blood oxygen monitoring. So, the addition of continuous SpO2 monitoring will at least give Google something to boast about over Apple’s offering. If the feature requires regulatory clearance, Google may initially limit its release to the US only and then expand it to more markets as it gains the necessary approvals.
While continuous SpO2 monitoring can negatively impact battery life, the Pixel Watch 4’s supposedly larger cells could help negate that to a great extent. Instead, leaks point to Google’s next smartwatch delivering up to 72 hours of battery life.
Pixel Watch might also support emergency satellite connectivity
The Android Headlines report claims Google will also add Emergency Satellite Communications to the Pixel Watch 4. While no other details are available, it appears the watch will be able to communicate with emergency services via satellite when out of network during an emergency. Apple Watch LTE models already provide this functionality, and if Google implements a similar feature, it would give the Pixel Watch 4 a big advantage over other Android smartwatches.
It’s also possible that Google will only allow the Pixel Watch 4 to piggyback on the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10’s Satellite SOS feature to contact emergency services from your wrist, rather than integrating a satellite modem directly into the watch. Either option would be a welcome improvement, as it could potentially be life-saving in an emergency.