The Pixel Watch 4 seems like your run-of-the-mill smartwatch update, but it’s also introducing the third new charging system in Google’s mere four generations of smartwatch. The new Pixel Watch 4 charger looks just fine, but I’m pretty worried about the charging pins that we’ve yet to see.
Earlier this month we caught our first look at the Pixel Watch 4’s new side-mounted charger which cradles the smartwatch for charging, allowing it to stand on its side while charging.
The charger in itself is probably going to be a good change, or at least one that ultimately won’t matter.
As our team discussed on the latest Pixelated episode recently, the charger presents the chance for Google to maybe do some interesting things while charging. Whether or not there are any practical functions on such a small display is another question, but at the very least, it’s said that this new system allows Watch 4 to charge a bit faster and also opens up the possibility of repairs.
But, as with any pin-based charging system, there have to be exposed pins on the side of Pixel Watch 4 for this to work and… I’m a bit worried about those.
In most of the leaks we’ve seen around Google’s new smartwatch thus far, we’ve solely seen the right side of the watch. The left side, where the charging pins are located, have remained a hidden detail. CAD-based renders of the smartwatch that surfaced earlier this year showed this change, but before we knew it was for charging.
It’s only through a single image that we have any idea of what Google has in store here. A leaked image of Pixel Watch 4 posted by Evan Blass this week shows a tiny sliver of the pin on the left side, and it sticks out like a sore thumb. On the black case in particular, the pin contact is clearly visible even at this off-angle.
Does that matter? Visually, it’s not great. Aesthetics are not as important on a smartwatch as they are on a tradtional timepiece, but they do still matter, and I think a lot of people will be put off by the looks of this alone. There’s really no way to avoid that either, as a contact-based charging system needs an exposed point like this to work. You can’t change the color to match and hide it, which is why most smartwatches place this underneath the chassis.
As we’ve seen in the official-looking renders that have leaked, I think Google will try pretty hard to hide this look in any Pixel Watch 4 marketing, and they’re absolutely right to do so. I’ll hold out some hope that it looks better in person or on other color variants, but this first look has me pretty concerned.
On the bright side, this does solve a problem I’ve recently run into with my Pixel Watch 3. In the humid heat of Summer in North Carolina, I’ve been having to clean my smartwatch way more often lately, but even regular cleanings hadn’t fully prevented buildup underneath the watch. Last week, I picked up the Pixel Watch off of its charger only to find that it hadn’t charged, only starting to charge again after I took a wipe to get debris out of the charging contacts. With a side-mounted design, this problem is effectively eliminated. That said, I am curious how the contacts will age when they’re even more exposed to the elements and to physical damage. I’m simultaneously worried, but also cautiously optimistic about it.
What do you think of Pixel Watch 4’s new charging setup?
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