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The original Google Pixel Watch is apparently charging slower, following a recent firmware update. The Google Store page used to say that it was able to charge to 50% in 30 minutes. That’s what the new Pixel Watch 2 is able to charge at as well. But now, the original Pixel Watch can charge to 50% in 45 minutes. It’ll now take 75 minutes to get to 80% and 110 minutes to get to 100%. That’s an addition of 30 minutes for a full charge.
Google told 9to5Google that a “firmware update for Google Pixel Watches required us to review the charging times, the new times are what the average user will experience”. But Google did not specify why this update was necessary, nor when it rolled out.
Often time, we Android users make fun of Apple and its users for installing an update that slows their phone and their charging speeds. But here we have Google doing the same thing. Now this could be something as simple as the Pixel Watch was getting too hot, and Google wanted to manage thermals better so it reduced the charging speed. But we likely will never know.
Pixel Watch 2 charging times are unaffected
Perhaps the most important thing here is that the charging speeds on the Pixel Watch 2 have not changed. So you can still go from 0-50% in just 30 minutes. It’ll take 43 minutes to get to 80% and 75 minutes for a full 0-100% charge. Which is pretty decent for a smartwatch, to be quite honest.
You can purchase the Pixel Watch 2 now from Best Buy, it’ll cost you $349 for the WiFi and Bluetooth model. While the LTE model will cost you another $50. And if you’re on Google Fi, it might be worth it to go LTE, since it is included in the Unlimited Plus plan. Meaning you’d only be paying the $50 upfront for LTE.