The Google Pixel Watch 4 is poised to transform GPS tracking in smartwatches with its dual-band GPS technology, a notable enhancement over the Pixel Watch 3’s inadequate GPS-only tracking. The Pixel Watch 4 utilizes both L1 and L5 GPS signals, enabling more precise route tracking even in difficult settings such as urban landscapes and thick forests. This progress places Google on par with rivals like Samsung, Apple, and Garmin, who have previously embraced dual-frequency GPS.
Munjal Shah, Senior Product Manager for the Pixel Watch 4, highlighted the significance of precise GPS for runners, stating that it improves real-time pace tracking and post-exercise summaries. The dual-band GPS of the Pixel Watch 4 is anticipated to deliver the “most accurate route tracking achievable,” positioning it as a promising option for athletes dependent on exact data for training and performance evaluation.
The Pixel Watch 4 utilizes the new Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chipset, which facilitates location-based machine learning and offers 50% greater accuracy compared to typical GPS-only watches. Google has performed extensive evaluations to ensure the watch’s dual-frequency GPS operates effectively on a global scale, without sacrificing battery life.
Scheduled for launch on October 9, the Pixel Watch 4 aspires to become a top choice for runners and fitness aficionados, featuring attributes such as an ultra-bright AMOLED display, prolonged battery life, and Fitbit AI coaching. The watch’s success will rely on its capability to fulfill the promise of enhanced GPS accuracy, potentially establishing it as one of the premier running watches of the year.
