Pixel Watch 4 Step Counter

[KrisJ1991]

I am not a fan of the pixel 4 step counter! It is WAY off compared to the fitbit inspire 3. (Almost 3k less steps)

[Gr4ndp4]

Hi, @KrisJ1991, Welcome. As a modest experiment, I tried "Gemini" with your question ", Is Pixel Watch 4 accurate?" and raised this response. It covers a number of valid points. The difference you report, however, indicates you may have a different root to your problem. Note the comments about how your steps are tracked by arm movement. If you are pushing a buggy or using walking aids/ski sticks and your arm movement is unnaturally limited, it may be the cause of your problem.

Based on recent reviews and tests, the Pixel Watch 4's step count is highly accurate for dedicated walking activities. Reviewers found it to be very close to manual counts and other leading fitness trackers. However, like most wrist-based trackers, it may register a small number of steps from non-walking arm movements. 

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Limitations and potential inaccuracies

• False step counts: Like most smartwatches, the 
  Pixel Watch 4
   can count a small number of false steps from certain arm movements, such as washing dishes, air drumming, or even just sitting at a desk. While these "phantom" steps are minimal, users concerned with perfect precision should be aware of this limitation.
• Movement-based tracking: The watch primarily relies on its internal accelerometer to measure the swing of your arm. This can lead to undercounting when your arms are not swinging, such as when pushing a shopping cart. However, some users report that carrying objects doesn't cause major discrepancies. 

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How to maximise accuracy

If you are concerned about getting the most accurate count possible, you can take the following steps:

• Ensure a proper fit: Make sure the watch is snug on your wrist so that its sensors can get the best possible readings.
• Provide initial data: Allow the watch a few days to get "attuned" to your stride and movement patterns.
• Track specific exercises: For activities like runs or long walks, start a dedicated workout in the Fitbit app to provide the most precise tracking.
• Double-check settings: Confirm that activity tracking and location permissions are enabled for Google Fit in your phone's settings. 

For most users, the Pixel Watch 4 provides a reliable and very accurate estimate of daily steps, particularly for activities like walking and running.

Please post here again & let us know what you think.

Cheers