We got our wrists on what we believe to be official Pixel Watch bands before the first watch from Google has gone on sale. While this may not be the most exciting early look at a product we’ve ever shown you, since there’s no watch to attach to them, we thought some might find it interesting.
The two bands we snagged are labeled as the Pixel Watch “Active band” in both “Chalk” and “Lemongrass.” We were also aware of “Charcoal” and “Obsidian” versions from the mega-retailer who briefly had them up for sale, but only picked up these two. We paid $49 for each, so I’d imagine they will cost that once officially available.
These are the “Sports” bands we have seen in other leaks, but again, the box actually says “Active band” on the back in official Google packaging. It could be called “Sports” outside of the US and “Active” here. I’m not sure it matters much. Either way, on the back of the box you can see the official colors, wrist sizing for the included small and large bands, and that they work “only with Google Pixel Watch.” Mmmm, proprietary systems, tasty.
The small Pixel Watch Active Band fits wrists sized 130-175mm, while the large band sizes from 165-210mm.
As for the rest of the details, we get to see the instructions for how to attach or detach Pixel Watch bands, as well as how to put the watch on. Google even offers up cleaning tips should you get busy in your Pixel Watch and need to wipe it down. The guide book lists out g.co/pixelwatch/care and g.co/pixelwatch/help as links you’ll visit in the future, both of which are currently not live.
Removal and attachment of a Pixel Watch band sounds kind of tricky, as there is apparently a “band secure button” that is pressed before you make a sliding maneuver to either detach or place. When removing, you physically press that button, but when attaching you use the band to press it. And that slide makes a lot of sense when you consider the Google promo videos that have shown a twisting of the Pixel Watch into bands.
Since I don’t have a Pixel Watch at this moment, I can’t tell you how these fit, only that they feel like very premium rubber watch bands. I’d put the quality up there above Samsung’s active bands and as good if not better than Apple’s. These Pixel Watch bands are quite soft to the touch.
Like an Apple Watch band, you’ll loop these through an initial hole, clip the band in place, and then tuck the extra under the band itself, onto your wrist. We knew that from all of the pictures that have already surfaced, but wanted to show you that here, on the wrist.
And well, that’s pretty much it. The bands are very high quality. At $49, they certainly aren’t cheap, but after fondling these two for a bit, I can’t say I’m mad about paying that much as long as it holds up to sweat and daily use. That price also matches Apple’s Sport band and is $10 higher than Samsung’s similar offering.
3 days to go.
is there Japanese description?
I wonder what the quality will be like. The Galaxy Watch 4 I have easily has some of the softest and most comfortable silicone I have put on my wrist.
I know that attachment is not worth a
$30$20 premium over Fitbit’s already expensivesportbands lol$50 is completely bonkers for watch band made of that silicone material. Hopefully there are some big sales on these. I’d also hope for that price that these bands remain forward compatible at least for 1 generation to fully justify that cost. I am happy to hear that the bands are comfortable though and on par or better than Samsung’s and Apple’s offerings. It is growing increasingly clear that Google really wants this device to push secondary sales though, between these watch bands costing that much, and the “leaked” inclusion of FitBit premium.
My Nike band for my Apple Watch was $50 and this is just some “Google” branded band. These are made for about $5 in china.
I mean, let’s get hands on before it’s called garbage. That Nike band was also made in China for cheap I assume. ????
What isn’t made in China for cheap? lol Part of the reason why everything is falling apart right now.
Would be great if they gave you a discount with the purchase of a watch.
Why don’t smart watch manufactures ever have options with a good METAL band?
Sure, $20 on Amazon solves it, but would be nice to have a good factory matched option.
Metal bands are coming after launch
Dangit!! It’s the same fitbit watch band everyone has been having a reaction to, me included. I wish Google had listened to complaints about the Fitbit watch bands when they decided to make their watch. There were definitely improvements Google had the chance to make once they bought Fitbit.
There are 3 other material options just not confirmed officially.
Hate those plastic bands.. they sweat and are itchy. I couldn’t imagine being ‘active’ in them.
I hope there’s better than that available at launch. Leather might be too much to hope for but at least some form of nylon/cloth band.
Pixel Watch is really trying to take it to Apple, I like it! Prices, not so much.
Google isn’t going to go cheap. Why would they? If they are gonna compete with apple, they will price like apple or be called “cheap”
I’m hoping the reason for the proprietary attachment points on the band is that there’s some kind of i/o that future bands can use for more advanced sensors or something.
But if not, I give it a month or two before there’s an aftermarket adapter for standard watch bands.
$50 is a ridiculous price for a simple watch band. $35 would be more appropriate.
more like $30
The band is incredibly hard to attach and remove from watch.
Are these going to avoid the rashes that were common with the bands that came with the Versa watches? They look like the same material. The price seems high to me. Maybe if they come out with some cloth ones or secondary market ones I’ll consider it. I really would love this to be successful for Google.
Wife’s skin is sensitive and no complaints of rash from band.
There are 3 other material options.
Have the same concerns as well.