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The Pixel Watch 4 is set to introduce a brand new charger \u2013 the third one in four generations of Google\u2019s smartwatch \u2013 and while it really seems like the pros outweigh the cons here, I\u2019m dreading a couple of small things.<\/p>\n
This issue of 9to5Google Weekender is a part of 9to5Google\u2019s rebooted newsletter that highlights the biggest Google stories with added commentary and other tidbits. Sign up here<\/a> to get it delivered to your inbox early!<\/p>\n To summarize what\u2019s coming, the Pixel Watch 4 is getting a new \u201cQuick Charge Dock.\u201d This new charger is still pin-based, but sits on the side of the watch instead of underneath, leaving the smartwatch to rest on its side whenever it is being charged.<\/p>\n There are good and bad things here.<\/p>\n \tAdvertisement – scroll for more content<\/p>\n First and foremost, this new system is apparently much faster. Per a recent leak<\/a>, the Pixel Watch 4\u2019s \u201cQuick Charge Dock\u201d is 25% faster. That\u2019s a big step up from what was already pretty quick, and it\u2019s certainly good motivation to move to a new system. Beyond that, this new charging dock is probably a bit less prone to issues. As I mentioned in a previous post<\/a>, the new location for the pins will probably see less build-up from sweat which would probably make charging that little-bit-more reliable than it is today. If you\u2019ve ever worn the Pixel Watch 2 or 3 on a humid, sweaty day and tried to charge it without cleaning it first, you might know what I\u2019m talking about there, as that can occasionally lead to the charger not reliably charging the watch.<\/p>\n This new design also eliminates any confusion in charger alignment. While it\u2019s pretty easy to get used to the existing charger \u2013 especially if you just remember that the button should align with the cable \u2013 it\u2019s also totally understandable that people can get the alignment wrong and try to charge their watch only for it to not sit correctly.<\/p>\n There are definitely a lot of potential downsides, though.<\/p>\n As previously mentioned, the exposed pins on the side of the watch may very well be an eyesore, and they\u2019ll also be exposed to more opportunities for damage. The new location also presents a problem for accessories like cases, which won\u2019t be able to carry over from prior generations, assuming they work at all. <\/p>\n Then, there\u2019s just the fact that Pixel Watch owners are going to be left swapping out their chargers entirely, and I think that\u2019s going to happen to a lot of fans.<\/p>\n The original Pixel Watch was good, but the Pixel Watch 2\u2019s upgrades were so major, it nearly necessitated an upgrade. That means that anyone who owned both has already experienced two chargers. If they decide to get a Pixel Watch 4 this year, that\u2019s a third new system. And let\u2019s continue with that idea. If someone had a Pixel Watch 2 and didn\u2019t upgrade last year, they still benefited from a growing number of charging accessories that have popped up on the market, and may have amassed a number of spare chargers or perhaps even a dock for their watch and phone<\/a>. Google\u2019s new charger makes that all worthless.<\/p>\n On top of that, the way this charger is designed, it\u2019s very possible that the two Pixel Watch 4 sizes won\u2019t be able to use the same dock. I really hope that\u2019s not the case, but it\u2019s a possibility! <\/p>\n Personally, one thing I\u2019m not looking forward to is that, if I have a Pixel Watch 4 but my wife sticks with her Pixel Watch 3, we can no longer share a charger while travelling. It\u2019s been nice not having to worry about a second charger as she charges hers as needed and wears it to bed, and then mine sits on the charger overnight. But if the two watches use different systems, that goes out the window \u2013 and is not even to mention that the new charger looks bulkier.<\/p>\n So, while I\u2019m overall looking forward to the benefits of this new charger, I\u2019m also dreading some of the downsides \u2013 and also interested to see the reaction from existing Pixel Watch owners who upgrade. <\/p>\n Google, realistically, needs to pick a system and stick with it. This new side-mounted setup doesn\u2019t feel like it has staying power. I think that there will be a lot of negative reactions to the pins on the side alone, beyond the fact that this new design is pretty restrictive to what Google can do with the hardware going forward. But, either way, Google needs to stop making these drastic changes. As we\u2019ve discussed on Pixelated in the past, one thing Apple has going for it with the Apple Watch is that, while speeds may differ, you can use the same charger from 2016\u2019s original Apple Watch all the way up to the current generation of the smartwatch, and it\u2019ll still work.<\/p>\n What do you think?<\/p>\n This Week\u2019s Top Stories<\/p>\n Did you really think a week would go by without more Pixel leaks?<\/strong><\/p>\n Another week, another deluge of Pixel leaks!<\/p>\n Google also dropped some video teasers of the Pixel 10 Pro.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Samsung confirms Android 16 rollout details<\/strong><\/p>\n After launching the update with its Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 last month, Samsung has been quiet regarding rollout plans for the One UI 8 update, its Android 16 upgrade. This week, the company finally announced an expansion of the beta program to more devices, as well as confirming rollout plans that begin in September.<\/p>\n More Top Stories<\/p>\n From the rest of 9to5<\/p>\n 9to5Mac:<\/strong> OpenAI officially announces GPT-5, its next major upgrade to ChatGPT<\/a><\/p>\n 9to5Toys:<\/strong> New Burton Goods leather organizer case \u2013 the most gorgeous way to tame your tech accessories<\/a><\/p>\n Electrek:<\/strong> Tesla used car prices keep plumetting, dips below average used car<\/a><\/p>\n Follow Ben:<\/strong>\u00a0Twitter\/X<\/a>,\u00a0Threads<\/a>, Bluesky<\/a>, and\u00a0Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t![\"Pixel](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-Watch-4-charger-1.jpg\"){kind=tracking}
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