The Google Pixel Watch has a paywall problem, and it's only getting worse

Published Oct 16, 2026, 7:00 PM EDT Jon is a seasoned journalist who has written definitive coverage of consumer tech at publications like Engadget, Android Authority, and BetaKit. He's an expert on making tech accessible ranging from mobile and PCs to emerging platforms like wearables. When he's not writing, he's going on adventures with ihis family and is an avid photographer. The Google Pixel Watch is wonderful. It's not only the 'official' smartwatch for Android users, but it also stands on its own with a distinctive look, timely software updates, and long battery life. But Google is undermining its own success. More Pixel Watch features are locked behind subscriptions, whether from Google itself or a necessary third party. That wouldn't be such an issue if other watches sometimes offered similar features for free — as you'll see, this paywall can steer you to rivals simply because they're more affordable in the real world. Fitness tracking is limited without paying up AI coaching is free elsewhere The most conspicuous paywall is Google Health Premium. On the Fitbit Air and Fitbit Edge, you'll need to pay $10 per month (or $100 per year) for an AI fitness coach, adaptive exercise plans, advanced insights, and workout videos. Those are certainly useful features, but they can make the Pixel Watch prohibitively expensive to own. Wear one for four years, and you'll have paid $400, or as much as the watch. Here's the catch: Samsung's Galaxy Watch 9 offers its own coaching and health insights at no extra charge. Even if you don't find them as powerful as Google's, they might be good enough that you skip the Pixel Watch altogether. You do need a Samsung phone, but there's a real chance you already have one. You can still use the Pixel Watch as an everyday fitness tracker, and it excels at that. However, you'll always know that its full potential is out of reach unless you spend extra, and it will be hard not to look at other smartwatch owners with envy. That shouldn't be the case when Pixel phone owners regularly get exclusive AI features for free. Some free safety features are going away Your two-year-old watch might cost you more For a while, you could get an LTE version of the Pixel Watch 2 or 3 knowing that you could always have a lifeline. Safety Signal offered automatic emergency service calls and fall detection at no additional cost if you had Google Health Premium, even if you didn't have cellular data service. However, Google has revealed that it's discontinuing Safety Signal on December 12. If you want to keep using those automatic calls and fall detection away from your phone or Wi-Fi, you'll need a cell carrier's data plan. You likely already have one if you bought an LTE Pixel Watch, but you now have no choice if you want that reassurance during your morning run. You can still make free manual calls for help, and enhanced services like these typically require paid cellular access with other smartwatches. Nonetheless, Google now requires two subscriptions instead of one for life-saving features. It's effectively pushing you toward a newer model with satellite SOS, which could be painful if you bought a Pixel Watch just two or three years ago. Don't forget Gemini subscriptions The best AI is pay-only Gemini is a key Pixel Watch selling point, even more so than on other smartwatches. You can ask general knowledge questions and otherwise talk to AI in a more natural way. It won't surprise you to hear that the most capable versions of Gemini require subscriptions. Want the more advanced Gemini 3 models? You'll need a Google AI Plus plan at $5 per month. And if you want the cutting-edge Gemini 4 Argon model, you're paying at least $20 per month for Google AI Pro. To be fair, you don't need top-tier AI to get travel advice or learn the origins of French toast. You also get plenty of cloud storage. If you insist on the best answers or just want to try Google's most recent models, though, you can't settle for what comes with a free Google account. What can I do if I don't like paying for Pixel Watch features? Your best bet is another watch It's difficult to completely avoid the Pixel Watch paywall. You can use a free Google account, of course, and you can make do with your own fitness plans if Google Health Premium is too pricey. The affected safety features still work at home or when you're out with your phone. But you can only make the most of the Pixel Watch if you pay up, and there's no indication that Google will change its mind any time soon. If you want to skip Google altogether, there are smartwatches that can save you at least some money. If you're a Galaxy phone owner, the obvious alternative is the Galaxy Watch 9 with its included AI coaching and strong overall features. You can also buy the new Moto Watch Ultra if you want Polar health data and a running coach. Whatever you choose, the best option is to vote with your wallet. Don't feel pressured to subscribe to services (or even buy a Pixel Watch) for fear you're missing out — let Google know you want more functionality out of the box.