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It’s shocking to think that it’s been more than a decade since the first Android smartwatch launched, and yet, we still don’t have a universal charging system. Even within a single company’s smartwatch lineup, we often see new charging systems introduced every few years, and often the new system isn’t backward-compatible. This can be highly frustrating , as it effectively renders your older chargers and accessories redundant when it’s time to upgrade.
Google, unfortunately, is not exactly helping this cause when you look at its own Pixel Watch series. In a span of just four generations, we’ve had three different charging systems for the Pixel Watch (four, if you count the new Fitbit Air ).
The Pixel Watch 4 introduced a new charging dock with side-mounted pins on the watch and much faster charging speeds. Mercifully, the upcoming Pixel Watch 5 is expected to have this same charging system, which is great news. But it doesn’t address the larger problem at hand: the proprietary charging system — and with it, its own set of limitations.
Do you want wireless charging on the Pixel Watch 5?
The problem with the Pixel Watch 4’s charging system
The official Google Pixel Watch 4 Quick Charge Dock costs $30 and is meant to be placed in a part of your home that you frequent the most. It’s not something you carry with you every day on your way to work. This means you need to buy additional docks for your work desk or for when traveling out of town.
Then there are instances where the cable could get damaged, or you could misplace the charger, requiring you to spend on replacements. Depending on how carefully you use your personal tech, $30 per charger can add up over the years. A few cheaper, third-party options are available on Amazon, but I can’t vouch for their longevity or charging efficiency.