Google's first Pixel wearable appears to be close to launch, with real-life pictures and certifications popping up left and right

Google has not seen much success with Wear OS in the near-decade since it launched, and the blame largely lies with itself. Wearables have been neglected for years, missing out on meaningful updates and any significant hardware refreshes. However, since partnering with Samsung last year, Wear OS has made a comeback of sorts. To make this transition fully successful, Wear OS needs a hero device. During Google I/O this year, the big G has finally revealed exactly that in the form of the Pixel Watch, which will be released this fall, likely alongside the Pixel 7. The wait for the long-rumored elusive Google accessory is finally over.

In the meantime, here is everything that we know about it so far.

There have been numerous rumors and leaks showcasing what the watch will look like ahead of the big reveal, including a non-functional unit that was "left" at a bar in the US. The design the company finally showed off on stage looks exactly like this forgotten unit, though the official renders give us a much better idea of how it will actually function, given that the company shared all of its visuals with the screen turned on.

The Pixel Watch comes in an understated, almost floating design that is very much in line with the Apple Watch, if not even sleeker. Google calls it a "domed" shape, with the bottom featuring recycled stainless steel. The device comes with a "tactile" crown on the right, which will help you navigate through the UI and long lists. The hardware itself is supposed to be about half an inch thick and roughly 11/2" in diameter, which is in line with other round watches like the Samsung Galaxy Watch. The round display does have quite some big bezels, though, but this might not be so obvious when you use a clock face with a dark background, which seems to be what Google is going for in all of its press renders.

The Google smartwatch comes with custom wristbands that are supposed to be easy to attach and replace, though the company opted for a custom hinge — you won't be able to buy standard watch bands. The bands that Google has shown so far all seem to be made of high-quality rubber materials, giving the watch a sporty look.

It's still unclear which sensors the Pixel Watch exactly packs, but Google is making a point that this is going to be a great wearable for fitness tracking. It is going to be the first Wear OS watch to bring Fitbit integration, giving users access to Fitbit's excellent metrics and stats, like Active Zone Minutes. Owners will additionally be able to take advantage of the newly announced Heath Connect APIs which will allow for interconnectivity between different fitness tracking apps like Google Fit, Fitbit, and Samsung Health.

Like other smartwatches on the market, the Pixel Watch should pack a bevy of health-related sensors, including a gyroscope, an accelerometer, and a heart-rate monitor. The wearable could offer a fitness tracking experience similar to other Wear OS smartwatches on the market; however, it is unclear if it will measure advanced metrics like blood oxygen levels or not.

As for Wear OS, Rick Osterloh explained during the keynote that the Pixel Watch is supposed to come with an improved UI, with more fluid navigation and smarter notifications. He also mentions that the new UI is designed to be tappable, voice-enabled, and glanceable, without going too much into depth about what exactly we can expect. It's clear that Google wants to use the Pixel Watch as a hero device to showcase new features, though.

Rick Osterloh also demonstrated how you can use the Assistant to ask the watch to get things done, which would be the first time a Wear OS 3 watch can take advantage of Google's voice-controlled AI. In a video demonstration, we can see a woman asking the Assistant for the weather forecast, with the animated watch responding quickly with a card giving out that information. Only a proper review will tell how well the watch handles these requests, though.

Google Maps has also made an appearance on stage, with Rick Osterloh describing how an LTE-connected version of the Pixel Watch can give you directions even when you're out and about without your phone. This will be particularly useful for those who prefer to walk or ride a bike. The new Google Wallet will also be included on the watch, making it possible to pay without taking your physical wallet with you.

Right now, the Samsung Galaxy Watch4 is the only smartwatch on the market running Wear OS 3. However, it is more of a Samsung wearable than a Google one, and it misses out on Google Assistant—though presumably, it's supposed to be coming to it very soon, too.

Rumors claim that a Tensor-branded chip will power the Pixel Watch, but the company hasn't shared anything on this yet. Supposedly, the chip will be based on the 5nm Exynos chip currently found inside the Galaxy Watch4, with perhaps some Google-specific tweaks thrown in.

Don't expect the watch to spring a surprise in the battery life department: Rumors say that will apparently offer just enough juice to make it through a day. That should not be surprising since that's the ballpark of how long most Wear OS watches last. More worryingly, though, there will seemingly be no support for fast charging, so topping up the battery will take a fair bit of time.

There have been conflicting reports about the release date of the Pixel Watch, but Google has finally revealed that it will happen in the fall, possibly alongside the Pixel 7.

You can already view the Pixel Watch on the Google Store, where you can see a few more images and sign up to get news on it delivered right to your inbox. There's no word on pricing yet, but don't expect the Pixel Watch to be cheap. We might be looking at a price tag similar to the $250 price tag that the Galaxy Watch4 carried at its launch, though LTE variants may cost even more—a price of up to $400 could very well be realistic for these.

Given Google's recent habit of launching its Pixel products in only a handful of markets, don't expect the watch to be available in all major markets worldwide.

It looks like there might be more than just one version of the Pixel Watch, with a new "Pixel Watch Fit" name now floating around in rumors, but we don't know the specifics just yet. Presumably, this Fit device is supposed to have a price of around $400. The leak isn't clear if this is the same device that has been presented on stage at I/O or not. For what it's worth, the Pixel Watch Fit name has been corroborated by two independent leakers, so there might just be something to it. It's possible that it's going to be a differently performing but otherwise identical looking version of the watch, maybe with more tracking features or with a lower price tag.

Google has built a solid foundation for the comeback of Wear OS by merging it with Tizen. The platform now needs a great Android smartwatch to showcase its full capabilities to make it a success, so it is important for the Pixel Watch to deliver on all key aspects.

Rajesh Pandey started following the tech field right around the time Android devices were going mainstream. He closely follows the latest development in the world of smartphones and what the tech giants are up to. He loves to tinker around with the latest gadgets to see what they are capable of.