clear that it provides significant improvements over previous models. So, is the 45mm upgrade worth it?
Google asserts that the Pixel Watch 4 can achieve 30 to 40 hours on a single charge, depending on your choice of size. I have subjected my Pixel Watch 4 45mm LTE to numerous battery evaluations over the last month, enabling me to inform you about its actual longevity before you decide to spend more for size or connectivity, especially concerning intensive activities like music streaming or GPS training.
In brief, anyone transitioning from a Pixel Watch 1 or 2 will be delightfully surprised by the enhanced battery performance.
While I touched on battery performance in my review of the Google Pixel Watch 4, I didn’t delve into particular scenarios such as phone conversations or cellular streaming. The table below outlines battery consumption expectations for the Pixel Watch 4 45mm.
(Note: Without a 41mm variant for testing, we can only presume it would last approximately three-quarters as long in most situations.)
Google Pixel Watch 4 45mm battery evaluations
| Scenario | Pixel Watch 4 battery consumption percentage |
|———————————————–|———————————————|
| Sleep tracking | Test 1: 10% in 8 hours (1.25%/hour) |
| | Test 2: 7% in 7 hours (1%/hour) |
| Phone call (Wi-Fi/ speakers) | 12% in 26 minutes (Approximately 4 hours max) |
| Streaming music (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth) | 11–12% in two tests (Approximately 8 hours max) |
| Streaming music (LTE/Bluetooth) | 18% in 1 hour (Approximately 5.5 hours max) |
| Streaming (LTE/Bluetooth) & dual-band GPS | 28% in 1 hour (Approximately 3.5 hours max) |
| Dual-band GPS for running or walking | 8–12% per hour across five tests (Approximately 8–10 hours max) |
My “maximum” predictions are merely extrapolations; prolonged use of demanding applications may diminish the Pixel Watch 4’s battery life more swiftly. You could notice a shorter duration if you receive more notifications than I do or if you are actively utilizing Gemini or other applications at the same time.
Having stated those disclaimers, the battery life of the Pixel Watch 4 has remained remarkably stable and reliable throughout weeks of evaluation. I find that the 45mm variant consistently meets Google’s 40-hour estimate with Always On Display (AOD) activated, with ample battery reserve. Unless you frequently stream music or utilize GPS, it is reasonable to expect you will achieve two days on a single charge.
During my fitness evaluations with the Pixel Watch 4, I mainly relied on GPS and was pleasantly surprised by its minimal effect on overall battery life, despite enhanced accuracy from dual-frequency tracking.
Tshaka Armstrong, a contributor at Android Central, also owns the Pixel Watch 4 45mm and mentioned he has “been achieving approximately 42 hours of battery life with an hour or more of GPS and an hour of streaming to earbuds.” After accounting for the 20% or so of battery used during his workout and streaming, that indicates he managed to keep the Watch 4 running as long as Google’s prediction, utilizing only 80% power.
The primary battery drain for the Watch 4 occurs when cellular data and GPS are used together. If you are a dedicated athlete planning to leave your phone behind while streaming music, it may be wise to download your playlists in advance and reserve cellular data for emergencies.
Nonetheless, the Watch 4 can sustain several hours even under heavy use, which is remarkable.
On an ordinary workday, where the Watch 4 is primarily used for notifications and heart rate tracking, its standby battery life is superb. I’ve noticed it typically uses around 15% of its battery over eight “normal” hours and even less during the night. Typically, I finish with 10–15% remaining after 48 hours.
You will utilize applications like Gemini that consume additional power, but it’s reassuring to see the efficiency of Wear OS 6, together with the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chip’s enhanced performance.
Equally crucial is the fact that the Pixel Watch 4 charges exceptionally quickly, thanks to the new Quick Charge Dock. Google suggests that it will take about an hour to fully recharge the Watch 4 45mm, and it usually completes the process much faster unless the battery is completely drained. For instance, I connected it when it had 9% power, and it took only 42 minutes to reach full charge.
Should you invest in the Pixel Watch 4 45mm for improved battery life?
The Pixel Watch 4 45mm may not outlast a OnePlus Watch 3 or Galaxy Watch Ultra, but it’s
