Google’s latest Pixel Watch update changes everything

After months of radio silence, Google has finally dropped a fresh update for Pixel Watches across all generations. The Wear OS 5.1 update, based on Android 15, introduces a handful of notable changes that should make your smartwatch experience more intuitive and functional. But there’s a twist — you might want to mark your calendar for June 2025 because Google is shifting to a quarterly update cycle instead of monthly releases. More on that in a bit. First, let’s dive into what’s new!

The latest update brings a mix of user experience improvements and new features:

• Credential manager support – Your Pixel Watch now supports passkeys and federated identity systems, making it easier and more secure to log in to apps.
• Playback through watch speaker – If an app supports the Wear Output Switcher, you can now play audio directly through your Pixel Watch speaker. While it won’t replace your earbuds, it’s handy for quick listens.
• New “Modes” settings – Google has grouped “Do Not Disturb,” “Bedtime Mode,” and “Theater Mode” under a single “Modes” menu, making it easier to tweak these settings.
• UI display size customization – Previously, you could only adjust font size. Now, you can change the overall display size, making it more accessible for users with different vision needs.
• New accent color in settings – Say goodbye to lettuce green! The settings menu now has a pale purple color instead.

Alongside Wear OS 5.1, the March Pixel Feature Drop introduces additional enhancements:

• Loss of Pulse Detection (Pixel Watch 3, US only) – Your watch can now detect sudden drops in pulse rate, which could be crucial for health monitoring.
• Menstrual Cycle Tracking in Fitbit App (Pixel Watch 3) – Google continues to expand Fitbit integration, and menstrual tracking is the latest addition.
• Auto Bedtime Mode (Pixel Watch 2) – No more manually toggling Bedtime Mode; it will now activate automatically.
• Improved Step Counting Accuracy (All Pixel Watches) – A refined algorithm should make tracking your daily steps more reliable.
• New Media Controls – Fast-forward, rewind, adjust playback speed, or manage your playback queue directly from your watch.

Now for the important bit — Google is switching to a quarterly update schedule for the Pixel Watch, meaning updates will now drop every three months instead of monthly. The last time we got a regular update was in November 2024, so this new schedule means the next update won’t arrive until June 2025. If you were used to frequent tweaks and fixes, you might need to adjust your expectations.

While some users may be disappointed by fewer updates, others might appreciate Google taking its time to refine features and squash bugs more thoroughly before pushing updates.

Wear OS 5.1 finally brings some long-awaited refinements to the Pixel Watch lineup, but the move to quarterly updates signals a shift in Google’s smartwatch update strategy. Whether this leads to better stability or just longer wait times remains to be seen. Either way, at least you now have new features to play with until June rolls around!