Leaked Google Pixel Watch face designs show how it could replace your Fitbit

Man sitting on sofa wearing Fitbit Charge 5
(Image credit: Fitbit)

We've got out first glimpse of how Google is planning to integrate Fitbit tech into the forthcoming Pixel Watch. Watch faces featuring the Fitbit logo and health stats have been discovered in the official Wear OS 3 emulator (a tool used by developers to ensure their apps will run correctly on real devices).

The new faces, spotted by 9to5Google, include several simple designs that simply show the time in various formats. Other faces also include the wearer's current step count, heart rate, and local weather conditions, but the most interesting one has the Fitbit logo positioned prominently at the bottom, along with the number of stairs climbed, and the day's calorie burn.

The top of this watch face shows a number that may be the wearer's current Active Zone Minutes – points that are earned by engaging in physical activity that raises your heart rate. 

This number is accompanied by an icon of a person running. On most Fitbit devices this represents how many times you've met your activity goal in the last week, but that doesn't seem to be the case here.

Face facts

These details are tantalizing, but it's likely to be several months before we can be certain about the details. We don't yet have a release date for the Google Pixel Watch, but we're expecting it to arrive some time in 2022, coinciding with the launch of Wear OS 3.

We're keeping our ears to the ground for news, leaks and rumors, and will keep you up to date as soon as we know any more.


Analysis: the end of Fitbit OS?

Google completed its purchase of Fitbit earlier this year, and at the 2021 Google IO event in May, the two companies revealed some interesting details of how they plan to work together in future. 

Google began by explaining that it was planning to introduce Fitbit health tracking features to Wear OS – and that's exactly what we're seeing in these newly discovered watch faces.

Google IO 2021

(Image credit: Google)

However, we're expecting more than just a pre-installed Fitbit app and some on-screen stats when Wear OS 3 rolls out next year. Google's presentation claimed that its partnership with Fitbit would result in "a unified platform" with a "new consumer experience" – and it's possible that this could spell the end of Fitbit's own operating system as we know it.

Fitbit OS, which is used by all of the company's current range of fitness trackers and smartwatches, is optimized to give maximum battery life, and is part of the reason why they can run for at least five days between charges.

Any "unified" platform would need to be similarly frugal with its demands. A combined Google/Fitbit OS may even require a solution like Android Go, which is a lightweight version of the Android operating system with less demanding system requirements. We can only speculate for the time being, but by 2024, fitness trackers as we know them may be transformed.

Cat Ellis
Homes Editor

Cat is TechRadar's Homes Editor specializing in kitchen appliances and smart home technology. She's been a tech journalist for 15 years and is an SCA-certified barista, so whether you want to invest in some smart lights or pick up a new espresso machine, she's the right person to help.

Read more
Pixel Watch 3
Google Pixel Watches may be about to get a battery-extending charging feature - and it's one Pixel owners already love
Pebble Family
Pebble is back! The iconic smartwatch is returning with its OG founder and 'hackable' software
The Fitbit Charge 4 and the Fitbit app
Android 16 tipped to get big health monitoring upgrade – and your Fitbit could be the first to take advantage
OnePlus Watch 3 on wrist with rotating digital crown
Exclusive: OnePlus Watch 3 revealed, with an Apple Watch-style rotating digital crown and Galaxy Watch-beating battery life
Google Pixel Watch 3
Google rolls out major Pixel Watch upgrade for all users – here's what's new in Wear OS 5.1
Google Pixel Watch 3 side dial and button
The Pixel Watch just got a secret display upgrade in Wear OS 5.1, but here’s why you probably shouldn’t use it
Latest in Smartwatches
Garmin clippd integration
Garmin's golf watches just got a big software integration upgrade to help you improve your game
Oura Ring 4
Activity tracking on Oura Ring is about to get a whole lot better, but I've got bad news about your step count
Google Pixel Watch 3, 41mm and 45mm
Google says it will fix broken Wear OS 5.1 update, but why does this keep happening?
Apple Watch Series 9 with Snoopy
Please, Apple, don't add a camera to the Apple Watch – it's not the change we're hoping for
Apple Watch Ultra 2 timer
The Apple Watch is getting a sleep alarm upgrade it probably should have had 10 years ago
Google Pixel Watch 3
Google Pixel Watches hit with delayed notifications, crashing, and performance issues following Wear OS 5.1 update
Latest in News
An image of Pro-Ject's Flatten it closed and opened
Pro-Ject’s new vinyl flattener will fix any warped LPs you inadvertently buy on Record Store Day
The iPhone 16 Pro on a grey background
iPhone 17 Pro tipped to get 8K video recording – but I want these 3 video features instead
EA Sports F1 25 promotional image featuring drivers Oscar Piastri, Carlos Sainz and Oliver Bearman.
F1 25 has been officially announced, with this year's entry marking a return for Braking Point and a 'significant overhaul' for My Team mode
Garmin clippd integration
Garmin's golf watches just got a big software integration upgrade to help you improve your game
Robert Downey Jr reveals himself as Doctor Doom to a delighted crowd at San Diego Comic-Con 2024
Marvel is currently revealing the full cast for Avengers: Doomsday, and I think it's going to be a long-winded announcement
Samsung QN90F on yellow background
Samsung announces US prices for its 2025 mini-LED TV lineup, and it’s good and bad news