One of the most disappointing things about the original Pixel Watch was that it couldn’t actually be repaired. Instead, users would need to get a replacement watch. This trend seemingly continued with the Pixel Watch 2, and it now turns out the brand-new Pixel Watch 3 can’t be repaired, either.

In response to an Android Authority query, a Google representative revealed the steps you need to take if your Pixel Watch 3 is damaged:

If your device is damaged, you can contact the Google Pixel Watch Customer Support Team to check your replacement options.

The above statement didn’t mention repairs, so does that mean the Pixel Watch 3 can’t be repaired at all?

“Correct! Pixel Watch 3 is replacement only,” the representative told us in response to a follow-up question.

The Google representative also noted that Preferred Care is available in the US. This insurance program covers accidental damage and out-of-warranty issues, although Pixel Watch 3 owners still have to pay a $49 service fee. Needless to say, you’ll be getting a replacement smartwatch instead of a repaired device.

This is nevertheless a disappointing turn of events as it strongly suggests that any broken Pixel Watch 3 units could end up in landfills. This is also bad news if you were hoping to keep your new Google smartwatch for years and wanted to swap out the battery or conduct any repairs yourself.

Google has just rolled out the Pixel Watch 3, and it’s already being hailed as the company’s best smartwatch yet. The Pixel Watch now offers a unique blend of Google’s top-tier software and Fitbit’s legendary fitness tracking, making it one of the most well-rounded smartwatches to date. But here’s the kicker: it might be the only smartwatch you’ll be seeing from Fitbit moving forward.

In an interview with Engadget, Sandeep Waraich, senior director of product management for Pixel Wearables, hinted at the future of Fitbit’s smartwatch lineup. When questioned about the potential for new Fitbit smartwatches, Waraich stated, “Pixel Watch is our smartwatch part of the portfolio.”

Before you gasp, Fitbit isn’t disappearing altogether. The report notes that while the Fitbit brand will stick around, its focus will be solely on fitness trackers like the Inspire, Luxe, and Charge series, leaving the smartwatch game to the Pixel Watch line.

We reached out to Google for a comment, and the company had this to say:

“We are very committed to Fitbit, and even more importantly to the customers that use and depend on those products and technology. It’s also worth noting that many of the health and fitness features we launched in Pixel Watch 3 were because of Fitbit’s innovation and ground-breaking fitness advancements. In addition, we just launched Fitbit Ace LTE, and you’ll continue to see new products and innovation from Fitbit.”

Now, while this statement shows Google’s love for Fitbit, it doesn’t really address the elephant in the room. The statement keeps things vague about whether we’ll actually see any new Fitbit *smartwatches*. Instead, it talks up Fitbit’s fitness features being integrated into the Pixel Watch — a detail that, while true, leaves the original report’s assertion basically unchallenged.

When you look at what Google's been doing with Fitbit recently, it kind of makes sense.

The company never explicitly announced any plans to phase out the brand. However, there have been clear signs, like the Fitbit Sense 2 being an objective downgrade from the original Sense. Ever since the Pixel Watch came along, it felt like Fitbit smartwatches were being nudged out of the spotlight. The older Fitbit Versa 3 and Sense models boasted features like third-party app support, Wi-Fi connectivity, and Google Assistant integration, which are absent in the newer Versa 4 and Sense 2.

Given these developments, one could argue that rather than continuing to release diluted versions of Fitbit smartwatches, Google might be better off retiring the Fitbit smartwatch line entirely. This would preserve the brand’s reputation rather than risking it with subpar offerings. For fans of Fitbit, there is still hope that the brand’s legacy will continue through its fitness trackers, like the Fitbit Charge 7.

We're big fans of the Pixel Watch 2 it's one of our favorite smartwatches. It's not the flashiest update coming from the first-gen Pixel Watch, but it makes improvements where it counts: battery life, in particular, is much improved in the newer model. But now that we're used to Google's latest wearable, we can't help but think about what could be in store for a future Pixel Watch 3.

One of the major issues with the Pixel Watch 2 and its predecessor is that they are only available in one 41mm casing size. This makes the watch unsuitable for people with large wrists, as it looks comically small on their hands. Rumors from early January 2024 suggested Google was potentially working on two sizes for the Pixel Watch 3. A new report now sheds more light on Google's 2024 smartwatch lineup and reveals tidbits about the Pixel Buds Pro 2 as well.