Latest news with #Watch3
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Business Standard
21-07-2025
- Business Standard
Google Pixel Watch 4 may get new features, bigger batteries: What to expect
Ahead of the Made by Google event on August 20, key feature enhancements and alleged prices of the Pixel Watch 4 series have surfaced on the web New Delhi The anticipated Google Pixel Watch 4 series is expected to bring modest upgrades, with a few notable enhancements. According to a report by Android Headlines, slightly bigger batteries, new colour options, and subtle hardware tweaks aimed at allowing repairability of the Pixel Watches are expected in the upcoming series. Additionally, as per a 9To5Google report, a French deals and coupons platform has revealed pricing information of the Pixel Watch 4 series. Notably, Google has scheduled the Made by Google event for August 20 where it is expected to unveil the Pixel Watch 4 lineup, alongside the next generation Pixel 10 series smartphones. Here is what consumers can expect from the Pixel Watch 4 series. Google Pixel Watch 4 series: What to expect According to a consumer technology focused news platform, Android Headlines, one key addition that consumers can expect from the next generation of Pixel watches is the extension of blood oxygen (SpO2) monitoring. Unlike current models that track SpO2 only during sleep, the Pixel Watch 4 may offer all-day monitoring, with alerts for low oxygen levels. The report also hints at a possible 'Emergency Satellite Communications' feature, though specifics remain unclear at the moment. Another new function tied to Android 16 is "notification cooldown," which reduces notification noise by disabling sounds and vibrations when alerts come in too frequently. This is expected to be available on the Pixel Watch 4, likely as part of the broader Wear OS 6 update. As for the processor, the Pixel Watch 4 series is expected to be powered by Snapdragon W5 Gen 1, akin to its predecessor. However, it might ship with a new co-processor (likely a Cortex-M55) that could allow Google to do more, especially around AI. The 41mm model may feature a 327mAh battery (a seven per cent increase over the Watch 3's 307mAh), and the 45mm model a 459mAh battery (a nine per cent increase over the Watch 3's 420mAh). Google Pixel Watch 4 series: Expected pricing As per the 9To5Google report, the Pixel Watch 4 (41mm) is expected to be priced at 399 Euros for the Wi-Fi model and 499 Euros for the LTE variant in France. The larger 45mm version is likely to cost 449 Euros for Wi-Fi and 549 Euros for LTE.
Forbes
08-07-2025
- Forbes
OnePlus Buds 4 Debut With Dual Drivers, Personalized Audio, And Smarter Noise Cancelation
OnePlus Buds 4 OnePlus introduced the Buds 4 alongside the Watch 3 (43mm) and two new phones at its summer launch event today. While the OnePlus Nord 5 trades its all-metal design for a new look, the Buds 4 borrow their design language from the OnePlus Buds Pro 3. The company's aim across both products remains the same, which is to deliver more for less. This new OnePlus Buds 4 add a bunch of premium features without crossing into flagship pricing. They come equipped with a coaxial dual-driver setup, which includes an 11mm woofer with a 30-layer ceramic-metal diaphragm for deeper bass, paired with a 6mm tweeter for better highs. You also get dual DACs for cleaner sound processing. The OnePlus Buds 4 support for LHDC 5.0 codec with a sampling rate of up to 192kHz, plus certification for Hi-Res Audio Wireless. It adds OnePlus 3D Audio for immersive spatial sound, and Buds Pro 3's Golden Sound feature, which offers a personalized listening profile based on ear canal mapping and sound perception analysis. The OnePlus Buds 4 come in two colors Zen Green and Storm Gray, with a matte metallic finish. They're IP55 rated for dust and water resistance, so they should be fine for workouts or the occasional drizzle. As for controls, you get swipe and tap-based gestures on the stem, so you can control volume, music playback and more. The Buds 4 also bring 47ms low-latency Game Mode, Bluetooth 5.4, dual-device connectivity, and Google Fast Pair. OnePlus Buds 4: Pricing and availability The OnePlus Buds 4 are priced at $129.99 on Amazon and You can grab a $30 discount with the code ONEPLUSBUDS4 or BUDS4 until July 31. Students can get an extra 10% off during the same window. In India, the OnePlus Buds 4 are priced at INR 5,999 (approx. $70). Open sale begins on July 9 at 12 PM IST, along with the OnePlus Nord 5 open sale. The OnePlus Buds 4 are more expensive than their $100 predecessor but improve on various essential aspects to deliver a more complete sound and personalization experience.
Stuff.tv
08-07-2025
- Stuff.tv
The OnePlus Watch 3 43mm slims down my favourite WearOS wearable
How do you make the current king of Android smartwatches even more of a terrific timepiece? Shrinking it down to a smaller package, so anyone can strap one on no matter their wrist size, sounds like a good plan. That's exactly what OnePlus has done with the Watch 3 43mm. Essentially a skinnier take on the OnePlus Watch 3 I gave a glowing five star score to at the start of 2025, the Watch 3 43mm swaps that model's 1.5in circular AMOLED screen for a 1.32in panel, and ditches the numbered bezel. The result is a 10% smaller footprint, while smarter component placement has also made it 7% thinner and 24% lighter than its bigger brother. The slimmer watch body has skinnier straps to match, with quick-release lugs and a flush fitting that should make swapping between bands a bit easier than the chunkier 45mm Watch 3. There are two strap options at launch – one black, one white – with both being made from the same rubber polymer as the regular Watch 3. It's still packing the same comprehensive set of health and fitness tracking sensors, including the touch-sensitive shortcut button that can take ECG readings. The functional rotating crown also makes a return, for easily scrolling through the Wear OS interface. OnePlus has expanded its mind and body tracking here, and included a female reproductive health record too. Expect the same degree of protection from the elements, with IP68, 5ATM and MIL-STD-810H ratings so you can wear it just about anywhere, and for any sport or activity. Speaking of, it'll track over 100 different kinds. Power again comes from Qualcomm's Snapdragon W5 chipset, paired with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of on-board storage. OnePlus has also kept its second, lower-power CPU for maximum battery savings when in the Watch-only or always-on display modes. That means the Watch 3 43mm should be able to manage an impressive 60 hours in smart mode, or seven days in power saver, despite OnePlus having to shrink the battery in order to squeeze inside the smaller chassis. A few days less than the larger Watch 3 can manage, sure – but still as good as, or better, than most mainstream Wear OS rivals. The OnePlus Watch 3 43mm is on sale from today, for £269/€299 – so essentially the same as the larger model, now that post-launch discounts are easier to come by. That makes it a little pricier than the 40mm Samsung Galaxy Watch7, but a whole lot easier on the wallet than Google's Pixel Watch 3. There was no word on US pricing or availability at the time of writing.
The Verge
08-07-2025
- The Verge
OnePlus launches five new products, including Buds 4 and smaller Watch 3 for the US
OnePlus has launched five new products today, including the midrange Nord 5 phone and a smaller version of its Watch 3 wearable. The 43mm version of the Watch 3 and the new Buds 4 earbuds are the only new products launching in the US, with the others going on sale in Europe and India. The Watch 3 43mm is exactly what it sounds like: a more compact version of the existing OnePlus wearable, which only launched in a single 47mm option. That was my colleague Victoria Song's 'big design gripe' with the original Watch 3, so a fix is certainly welcome. The new version is not only much smaller, but also drops the angular elements around the rotating crown and button for a simpler, circular design that's less distinctive, but which I certainly prefer. The compact design comes at a cost to battery though. OnePlus says the new Watch 3 is 7 percent thinner and 28 percent lighter than the original, but it has just 50 percent of the battery life. That's still 60 hours on typical settings, but a far cry from the 120-hour battery life that was a key selling point first time round. That's despite using a much less bright display, with 1,000 nits of peak brightness, down from 2,200 in the 47mm model. As before, it runs on Wear OS and is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chipset, with a second low-power chip to help with battery life. There are some new features too, with reproductive cycle tracking, and an updated version of its 'Wellness' score that claims to use the watch's barometer to measure your fatigue levels and show you a corresponding emoji as a result. The Watch 3 43mm is available from the OnePlus website from today for $299.99 — $100 less than the larger model — and will arrive on Amazon and Best Buy in August. In Europe it'll set you back €299 / £269. The other US release is the Buds 4, a new pair of affordable earbuds. Available in green or gray, these support both Hi-Res and spatial audio, powered by dual 11mm and 6mm drivers in each bud. I'm a fan of the slightly concave touch controls, which make it easier to feel where you're meant to swipe and tap. They cost $129.99 in the US, and €119 / £119 in Europe. The Nord 5 is the star of the other launches, though it won't come to the US. This midrange phone launches in Europe for €449 / £399, powered by the Snapdragon 8S Gen 3. There's a clear gaming focus, with a 144Hz OLED display, but also an unexpectedly capable 50-megapixel selfie camera. This one's for the kids, I guess. It's a big phone, with a 6.83-inch display, but it's relatively slim and light, so doesn't feel too bulky from my time testing the phone so far. It also follows the Asia-only OnePlus 13S (known as the 13T in China) in dropping the company's classic Alert Slider in favor of a new button, the Plus Key. This is fully customizable, but by default triggers (you guessed it!) AI stuff. I'm reviewing the Nord 5 right now, so we'll have a full verdict on the phone soon. It's joined by the Nord CE 5, a €349 / £299 handset that looks similar but makes compromises across the board. It's a hair smaller, with a 6.77-inch screen, and drops to a slower MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Apex chipset. The screen has a lower resolution, refresh rate, and peak brightness, and the camera specs are less impressive too, though at least it includes the same 5,200mAh battery and 80W charging speed as the Nord 5, and a similar promise of four years of OS updates. I'd pay a little more for the Nord 5 if you can afford to. Finally, the Pad Lite is a cheaper take on the OnePlus tablet line-up. I'm disappointed to see it uses the ugly circular camera design of the older Pads (since changed on the recent Pad 3), but otherwise there's a lot to like for the price. It has an 11-inch, 2K display (though only at 90Hz), and a decently sized 9,340mah battery. It's just €229 / £199, but an extra €30 / £30 will net you more RAM, double the storage, and LTE support, which sounds like a bargain.
Tom's Guide
24-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
The Pixel Watch 3's biggest safety feature sounds like a gimmick, but I just read the study and I think it might actually save lives
When Google announced the Pixel Watch 3 last summer, the company promised it would get a life-saving new feature — Loss of Pulse detection — at a later date. I was skeptical, and not just because you shouldn't buy devices on what they might do. Even though it's clearly one of the best smartwatches (how could it not be after Google decided to bury the best Fitbits and incorporate that brand's fitness tracking smarts into its own watch), a life saving software update sounded like vaporware to me. But then in February this year, six months after the Watch 3 launched, Google was granted FDA clearance for the feature, and, in March, it began rolling out to all Watch 3 owners in the U.S. That was one objection overcome — the company did release it — but I was cynical that a feature on the Pixel Watch 3 would be as revolutionary as Google claimed. But then I read the team's study in the journal Nature, and it changed my mind. To go alongside the launch of the feature, the research team at Google published a study in the scientific journal Nature detailing how they developed the Loss of Pulse detection feature and the algorithm that detects when your heart stops beating. There's a lot of detail in there, which surprised me as Big Tech companies are usually very reluctant to discuss how these critical health features actually work. I guess that's not shocking; they do have products to sell and need an edge over the competition. But if you spend your money on a new smartwatch because it could potentially save your life in a specific circumstance, you want to be sure it can actually do that effectively. A recent experience on vacation brought home to me just how critical that is. I was involved in a vehicle collision while traveling, and had been wearing the Amazfit T-Rex 3 for testing. Thankfully, everyone involved was okay, so when taking stock later on, I realized this would have been a rare test of some critical features. Unfortunately, the T-Rex 3 doesn't have collision detection like the Pixel Watch or Apple Watch Series 10, so all I could do was look nervously at how my heart rate rocketed at the moment the two vehicles smashed into each other. But this got me thinking; how would you know for sure that the collision detection feature worked, until it's too late? And similarly, how would you know if the Pixel Watch 3 Loss of Pulse detection can actually save your life? Of course, when you think about it, the tech companies have the same problem. You can't really test a feature like this in the real world; you'd need to wait until someone has a cardiac arrest and then delay care to see if the watch does it's job. So the team came up with a lab testing method instead. When my colleague Dan Bracaglia interviewed Edward Shi, the product manager on the Google Safety Team, Shi mentioned that they enlisted "stunt" participants. The team used "a pneumatic tourniquet to cut off blood flow in an arm, to simulate temporary pulselessness," and then would see if the watch picked up on these signals. This is similar to how Apple tests its collision feature with crash test dummies. It's not a real world test, but it's an approximation. Though this is a good reminder that these features aren't guaranteed to work, so if you have a watch with safety tools like this, it's a good idea not to be solely reliant on them. And while there's a good appeal to authority with the 'FDA cleared' label, this isn't quite as useful as it seems. There are two main FDA labels; cleared and approved. If a product or feature is "cleared" that doesn't mean that it's shown to be effective. What it really means is that the FDA is aware of the feature and believes it to be similar to something else already for sale or in use, so the applicant (ie, Google) can market it. But the FDA has not actually verified anything at this stage. To see whether it works as intended, it'd need to be FDA approved. But just because Google didn't aim for approval, that doesn't mean they don't have confidence in it. In a past life, I worked in regulatory affairs for a medical device company. To gain FDA clearance, it's (almost) as simple as filing some forms. But FDA approval is the standard medicines are held to, so you need a lot of evidence and testing to even begin the very lengthy approval process, so many companies don't bother with this. Okay, so Google has been a bit more open about the Loss of Pulse detection feature than it's peers, but that doesn't quite explain why I changed my mind and stopped seeing the LoP feature as a gimmick. According to Shi, one of the main motivations to develop LoP was that "many of these [cardiac arrests] are unwitnessed," so someone's heart could stop when they're alone and no one would know, so no one calls for help. And the way I see it, even if the Loss of Pulse feature can't detect all events with absolute certainty, there'll be enough people who suffer some form of heart-stopping emergency who will get life-saving treatment because the watch called for help. Plus, the Nature study notes that the algorithm "was trained on smartwatch sensor data collected from diverse participants (age, sex and skin tone)." This is super important because different skin tones absorb light at different rates, effecting optical heart rate measurements the system is based on. Historically, tech companies have thought very little about training their systems on diverse, less homogenous sources, so I was relieved to see Google had at least thought about it (even if you couldn't verify this as participants' data is hidden due to protect their privacy). Do I now believe that it'll work perfectly every time? No. But even if it only works half the time, that'll still save lives, as without it, no one would come to the aid of people who have suffered a potentially fatal health emergency.
