After Google issued a firmware update, charging speeds for the first Pixel Watch changed. Originally, Google said the watch could reach 50% in just 30 minutes. This was even listed as the “charging speed” on the Google Store page.
But recently, Google quietly updated the specs. Now it takes a full 45 minutes to hit that 50% mark. That’s 15 extra minutes compared to before. Even worse, getting to 80% takes a whole 20 minutes longer than 75 minutes. And 100% charge takes a sluggish 110 minutes, up 30 minutes from the original 80 minutes.
Pixel Watch: Old
20–50%, 30 minutes
0-80% 55 minutes
0-100% 80 minutes
Pixel Watch: New
20–50%, 45 minutes
0-80%, 75 minutes
0-100%, 110 minutes
Pixel Watch 2
20–50%, 30 minutes
0-80%, 43 minutes
0-100%, 75 minutes
Why did Google do this? In a statement, they said a firmware update “required us to review charging times.” The new slower rates now better reflect what users see. Thermal issues from fast charging may have caused the change.
The update is frustrating as the original Pixel Watch remains on sale. At $279, it’s only $70 off the regular price. With significant hardware boosts in the Pixel Watch 2, like the powerful Snapdragon W5 chip, it’s a much better value going forward.
So in summary, a sneaky Google software tweak made the first Pixel Watch charge way slower without warning.
