Google has added three useful new features to its Pixel Watch wearable with a free software update. If you’ve got a Pixel Watch strapped to your wrist, you can expect to see blood oxygen saturation measurements, which take advantage of the Pixel Watch's blood oxygen sensor, notifications for worryingly high and low heart-rate, and the ability to automatically pause workouts (handy for forgetful gym-goers).
With the latest update installed, Pixel Watch issue an alert if your heart rate falls outside of your normal thresholds. This is a crucial health feature that could literally save your life.
In our Pixel Watch review, we noted that the watch didn't have some of these features – including the blood oxygen sensor – so it’s great to see Google add this useful functionality after the fact.
All of these features are common across other smartwatches, including the best-selling Galaxy Watch series and Apple Watch. It’s great that Google has finally caught-up with the competition.
And the good news doesn’t stop there! If you were thinking about treating yourself to a Pixel Watch, many UK carriers have dropped prices in recent months, offering the device with very affordable monthly repayments.
O2 is currently offering the Pixel Watch for just £7-a-month if you pay £60 upfront. But if you don't want the upfront cost, Vodafone is offering the device for £16-a-month.
But if you've been eyeing a smart watch for a while, Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5 may have one major advantage over the Pixel Watch you might want to consider.
The battery life on the Pixel Watch was one of the most disappointing aspects we found during our review, giving our reviewer only 12 hours worth of juice.
Depending on the size of the Galaxy Watch 5 you get, you could get a whopping 50 hours of batter life out of the device which massively trumps the Pixel Watch.
There's also the rough-and-tough version of the Galaxy Watch - the pro model which can provide up to two days worth of battery life depending on what you use it for.
Vodafone is currently offering the Galaxy Watch 5 for £16-a-month with a £29 upfront cost and the Pro version for £20-a-month with a £29 upfront cost.
