Pixel Watch: Google's first smartwatch will not be priced as aggressively as the Pixel 6 or the Pixel 6 Pro

Business Insider and The Verge have revived rumours of the Pixel Watch, renders of which leaked in April. More recently, Max Weinbach claimed that Google had delayed its eponymous smartwatch because of 'chip availability', or a lack thereof.

The state of Wear OS 3 could be holding back a Google-branded smartwatch too, though. While Samsung released the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic with a heavily customised version of Wear OS 3, Google's stock equivalent is nowhere to be seen. Even basic functionality like Google Assistant remains absent, which may explain why any Wear 4100-powered smartwatches will not receive Wear OS 3 until 2H 2022.

Regardless, Business Insider asserts that Google is developing a smartwatch under its Pixel hardware group, codenamed 'Rohan'. For some reason, Rohan is not being developed in collaboration with Fitbit, which Google acquired earlier this year. Business Insider adds that Rohan will support Fitbit integrations, codenamed 'Nightlight', although it is unclear what features Google will bring across.

Additionally, Business Insider claims to have seen internal documents indicating that the Pixel Watch has a round face with no physical bezel, matching Jon Prosser's renders. Sadly, the Pixel Watch will also require 'daily charging' and will rely on proprietary watch bands, following in Apple's footsteps somewhat.

Google is tipped to release its eponymous smartwatch next year. According to The Verge, Rohan will cost more than a Fitbit and will 'compete more directly with the Apple Watch'. The website does not elaborate on this, but the Fitbit Sense is the company's most expensive smartwatch at US$299.95.

Hence, do not expect the Pixel Watch to arrive for anything less than US$300. If Google does position the Pixel Watch as an Apple Watch competitor, then US$349 or US$399 would seem like more probable starting prices. Either way, Google will be less aggressive in its Pixel Watch pricing than it was either the Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro. 

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