Google Pixel Watch does not work with iPhone. It is based on the Wear OS 3.5 operating system. Google Pixel Watch is designed to work with Android smartphones only.
You will need an Android phone to register and setup the Google Pixel Watch. On a similar basis, you require an Android phone for pairing with the Pixel Watch for management of the device.
Google Pixel Watch is a first generation watch. It has two variants. Google Pixel Watch 4G LTE and Pixel Watch Bluetooth Wi-Fi variants were released in September 2022. Both these models can work with Android operating system phones only.
Pixel watch can work with Google Pixel phones and Android version 8 or higher Android devices. Here is the information that Google has released for the Pixel Watch compatibility with Android and Pixel phones:
In addition to compatibility with Pixel phones, Google Pixel Watch also works with other Android 8.0+ phones and is available in two connectivity configurations: built-in 4G LTE for phone-free convenience or Bluetooth/Wi-Fi only. source – Google.
We would like to add that Wear OS project is funded by Google and Samsung. Samsung has focused its attention on the Wear OS development after it has ceded interest in the Taizen operating system for mobile phones.
It is a natural progression for both companies to support the Wear OS development and adoption in the smartwatch industry.
Google Pixel Watch is being made available in US, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, France, Japan, Australia and Taiwan from October 13, 2022. Initially, the Pixel Watch is limited for sale in these nine countries only.
Is Wear OS incompatible with iOS?
Surprisingly, Wear OS is not incompatible with iOS.
Google Pixel Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, Fossil Gen 6 smartwatch and Montblanc Summit 3 have adopter Wear OS operating system for the smartwatches. These watches are based on Wear OS 3 or the latest Wear OS 3.5 version.
Of all these watches, only Montblanc Summit series 3 smartwatch is compatible with iOS and Android alike. So, Wear OS is not the issue here as it seems to have an ability to support iOS devices.
Samsung and Google seem to have embraced Android platform only. Leaving iOS compatibility behind may have been a conscious decision for both companies. There seems to be an attempt to pitch Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Google Pixel Watch as credible alternatives to Apple Watch.
It may be pertinent to mention over here that Apple Watch is based on the Watch OS operating system. It is incompatible with the Android mobile operating system and can work with iPhone and iOS devices.
Pixel Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 tend to be positioned as credible choices against the Apple Watch ecosystem.
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Helen Kurt is a geeky nerd who loves to cover the wearables space. She has over 5 years of experience in the smartwatch domain. You can reach her on email at [email protected].