Google Pixel Watch recharges only half as fast after firmware update

Google has adjusted the Pixel Watch's specs - a full recharge now officially takes 2.5 hours, or 150 minutes, almost twice as long as before. Charging from 0 to 50 percent now takes 45 minutes instead of 30, and for a charge to 80 percent the Pixel Watch now has to stay on the charger for 75 minutes, 20 minutes longer than before.

Speaking to 9to5Google, the Pixel Watch manufacturer has stated that the recharging time had to be reevaluated after a firmware update and that these new specifications should be more in line with what the average user should expect. After the first generation Pixel Watch demonstrated a full recharge in just 68 minutes in our detailed review, Google's original statements weren't exactly over-ambitious. However, firmware updates have reduced the recharging speed of the Pixel Watch, reports 9to5Google.

One possible reason for this change is the heat generated during charging - the Pixel Watch originally became quite warm while charging, which can negatively impact battery life. With a one-day runtime and over two hours of recharging time, the Pixel Watch now spends more time on the charger than most competitors. For this reason, among other things, Google has done away with wireless recharging on the Pixel Watch 2 (US$399 on Best Buy) and instead installed four metallic contacts on the back of the smartwatch, which are used for recharging.