I will purchase the Pixel Watch 4 if Google modifies this specific feature.

      For me, the Google Pixel Watch 3 was the standout success of 2024. In the span of just three generations, Google released the Pixel Watch, which was fairly underwhelming, significantly improved it with the Pixel Watch 2, and then perfected it with the Pixel Watch 3. I must admit, it’s a redemption story I didn't anticipate. While I recognized that the Pixel Watch 2 was quite impressive, I never expected it to break through the barrier in my heart that was reserved for “Only Samsung Galaxy Watches here.” But it did break through, and like a soaring angel, it rose above the fragments of shattered glass.

      Alright, I might be exaggerating a bit. Nevertheless, it's crucial to highlight how sought after the Pixel Watch has become over the past year. I'm even contemplating spending my own hard-earned money on the Google Pixel Watch 4 when it launches later this year. However, I have one persistent issue with the Pixel Watches that has bothered me since the beginning. Until that problem is resolved, I can't see myself purchasing the Pixel Watch 4 or any future models.

      Google really needs to eliminate the Fitbit subscription fee.

      That’s a bold statement, so let me clarify: Fitbit’s platform is robust. It's actually great. I have no issues with Fitbit’s functionality, and although I haven’t had the opportunity to try out a Fitbit product in the nearly ten years I’ve been writing about smartphones and smartwatches, I know that there are rarely any negative comments about Fitbit’s capability to monitor health and fitness. When Google acquired Fitbit in 2021, I hoped it would mark the beginning of a new era for Fitbit, ultimately leading to the end of my biggest grievance with the Fitbit ecosystem – the subscription cost.

      It frustrates me that the Pixel Watch, a premium smartwatch, is burdened with an extra subscription fee. I understand why it used to be necessary — Fitbit, while not a small company, needed continuous funding to remain operational. I haven’t verified this, but it seems plausible. Coupled with the fact that Fitbits are quite affordable, it made sense. Sure, it involves an ongoing subscription fee, but the low initial cost made it more acceptable.

      However, Google is not a small company in need of financial support, and the Pixel Watch 3 isn’t as inexpensive as Fitbit products, so why should I be charged as if both scenarios are true? It comes across as sheer greed on Google’s part, and it's difficult to view it any other way.

      I want to recommend Pixel Watches and Fitbits, but I'm unable to.

      Having spent nearly a decade writing about smartwatches, I've found that the subscription model has prevented me from recommending a Fitbit to my friends and family — and this applies to the Pixel Watch as well.

      If it were just a few additional exercise classes or perhaps an AI-generated report or two, like Apple Fitness Plus offers, I wouldn’t be as irked. But no, in order to access a Sleep Score or Daily Readiness Score, you have to pay Google, one of the largest companies in the world, $10 a month. It’s even more frustrating because competitors don’t impose such fees. When I wear a Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, it doesn’t charge me for sleep tracking, and the Apple Watch Series 10 doesn’t require a donation before I can check my energy levels. That’s part of their service, and both Apple and Samsung understand that. Google still doesn’t get it, and it creates a significant obstacle.

      I was irritated when Garmin introduced a subscription model, but unlike Fitbit, Garmin hasn’t withheld features that seem like standard offerings. Instead, they're just adding extra functionalities, which I can accept. Can I manage without a Sleep Score or Daily Readiness? Sure, I’ll get by, but will I excel? Google doesn’t even need to do much to fix this. All they need to say is, “and since the Pixel Watch 4 is a premium product, it will include these features from Fitbit Premium for free.” That’s all it would take for me to fully support it. But until that happens? I can admire the Pixel Watch 4, but I won't be purchasing one.