The Google Pixel Watch 4 just got its first major discount, courtesy of Black Friday

The Google Pixel Watch 4 sitting on an armrest with the app drawer icons visible on the Actua 360 display.

(Image credit: Michael Hicks / Android Central)

As the site's Wearables lead, I've tested dozens of smartwatches and fitness watches in 2025. The fitness watch battle was competitive, with many exciting options from Garmin and others. For true smartwatches, though, there's one clear winner that shone above the competition in 2025: the Google Pixel Watch 4.

Its domed, 3,000-nit display looks fantastic, the battery life is excellent thanks to a new, more-efficient Snapdragon processor, and the combination of Fitbit sensors, dual-band GPS, and Gemini coaching makes it a compelling fitness watch option.

or: Pixel Watch 4 45mm LTE: $499.99 $399.99 ($100 off) at Best Buy

Android Central verdict: ★★★★½

One of the best Android smartwatches of the year, the Google Pixel Watch 4 leans into its distinct rounded look, curving and stretching the display so there's virtually no gap beween the display and the rounded case border. You also get speedy Wear OS updates, six months of Fitbit Premium, and the best Gemini AI experience.

You'll have to choose whether to get the more petite, affordable 1.33-inch Watch 4 or the 1.49-inch upgrade. Wear OS 6 reflows content to fit the extra space, so you'll see more information on screen if you pay extra; however, the 41mm option is lighter and slightly more comfortable for sleep tracking.

The LTE option gives you the biggest discount, but you're still paying extra. Google gives you two years of free Google Fi data out of the box for messaging and music streaming — but you'll have to add it to your carrier for phone-free calling. You also get two years of satellite SOS, which sends a message to 911 and your emergency contacts if you're in trouble in a cellular dead zone.

✅Recommended if: You're a regular Google Workspace or Gemini user who'll benefit from the Pixel Watch's exclusive Gemini tricks like Gemini Raise to Talk; you're interested in the new Fitbit Premium Health Coach for its personalized training plans; or you simply want a fast, stylish Wear OS watch for the apps and messaging.

❌Skip this deal if: You don't own an Android phone, you'd prefer a watch you can wear for a week or more per charge, or you'd rather opt for a more traditional, rugged smartwatch design with a bezel and sapphire glass.

The Satellite SOS test connection feature on the Google Pixel Watch 4. — (Image credit: Michael Hicks / Android Central)

Google doesn't tend to be as liberal with its smartwatch deals as Samsung, which has already dropped the rival Galaxy Watch 8 to $279 ($70 off). You'll get more chances to save $50 in the future, but I wouldn't expect anything lower until well into 2026, so you might as well snag one now or accept that you'll be waiting months for a significantly better deal.

Unlike the Pixel Watch 3, which still had some flaws and growing pains, the Pixel Watch 4 feels like the smartwatch that Google has spent four years trying to make, with a stylish design, noticeable battery life improvements from both the new Snapdragon hardware and more efficient software, and blazing-fast charging. The new Wear OS 6 UI is also excellent, featuring dynamic animations and a wider array of custom watch faces.

There's still room to grow in terms of making Gemini smarter and faster, and the new Fitbit Health Coach powered by Gemini is still in beta until next year. But for now, the Pixel Watch 4 is the best smartwatch of 2025 that'll appeal to a wide range of people.

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