Google’s first wristwatch will be on sale on October 13 for $350, the Alphabet Inc company announced on Thursday, entering a market dominated by Apple Watch at a time when consumers are avoiding all types of pricy wearables due to the impact of inflation.
The Google Pixel Watch has significant barriers to adoption because it is only available to owners of Android phones, costs $100 more than Apple Inc.’s entry-level model, and is extremely expensive. Even Apple Watch sales have decreased this year as buyers put off buying or opt for less expensive alternatives.
Jitesh Ubrani, a research manager at market intelligence company IDC, stated that aggressive discounting will be essential for Google because “the market is not as solid as it previously was.”
Google apps are already compatible with watches made by Apple, Samsung Electronics Co., and Fitbit, a company Google acquired last year and whose products are renowned for tracking user health.
The brand-new round-faced Pixel Watch, which comes in a variety of bracelet styles and is composed of glass and stainless steel, supports contactless payments, music control, and turn-by-turn navigation. It costs $50 extra for a device with cellular connectivity.
The timepieces will be offered for sale in the US as well as other nations. According to Sandeep Waraich, a Google director of product management, Apple grants its own watches exclusive access to messaging and other key services that customers would desire, so they won’t pair with iPhones.
Google added that its most recent devices would start selling on October 13 in 17 nations. They consist of the 6.3-inch Pixel 7 for $599 and the shinier, 6.7-inch Pixel 7 Pro for $899, both of which have more RAM and a better camera.
Despite being a minor participant overall in the smartphone market, Google’s sales are rising. According to tracking company Canalys, it shipped 3 million phones in the first half of this year, rising 131% from the same period last year.
