Is this the end of battery issues on Pixel smartphones? The November update includes a power‑saving mode that employs the always‑on display to conserve energy, providing greater screen time for navigation and daily use. Here’s how it works.
Compared to other competing smartphones, Pixel handsets are not known for having the best battery life. However, Google has progressively added intelligent features over the years to help stretch screen time. The most recent is a new Google Maps power-saving function that was added with the November update and is currently being made available to more Pixel 10 owners.
How to save battery while using Google Maps
The addition, as its name suggests, offers a power saver mode to Google Maps. In theory, it makes use of the Pixel 10’s always-on display when navigating. This saves battery compared to fully utilizing the normal OLED panel, since most elements transition to black and white with inactive pixels switched off.
In addition, the mode lowers the screen refresh rate and brightness to further preserve power. Some UI components and metrics in Google Maps won’t be available when enabled, and only portrait orientation is supported.
Google Maps Power Saver: how to turn it on
If the feature is accessible on your Pixel 10 or Pixel 10 Pro, you’ll see a pop‑up card pointing you to the option in driving settings. Alternatively, you may manually activate it by going into Maps settings and finding it under driving choices.
It’s unclear why Google is limiting the feature to the Pixel 10 series, especially given earlier versions like the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro use the same LTPO OLED displays. However, it’s feasible that Google will increase support later on.
Google is also working on another battery‑saving feature for Pixel and Android devices: a smarter always‑on display that automatically shuts off when the device isn’t in use or after a specified duration.
Over the last two years, the Wear OS ecosystem has advanced significantly. Google, Samsung, and OnePlus all have great options.
The Pixel Watch 3 is one of the greatest smartwatches, and Google appears to have mastered it, but it still requires some improvements. I use these everyday tips to get the most of my Google Pixel Watch 3.
Pixel Watch 3
The Google Pixel Watch 3 might not be a massive departure from its predecessor, but the company did pack it with some interesting new features. The larger 45mm version sports a bigger battery and new fitness features help track and plan your runs. If you’re a smart home user, the Pixel Watch 3 can stream live video of your security cameras.
Even when using your phone, Android continues to transmit a notification tone to the Pixel Watch 3, despite the fact that it provides an excellent experience. This is not user-friendly because the notice appears on the screen of your phone, negating the need for the watch.
You may turn off the option that makes your watch vibrate or ding when your phone is in use, which I find bothersome. Here’s how to disable this if you find it annoying:
Open the Watch app on your phone.
Select Notifications.
Toggle on Mute notifications from phone.
Pixel Watch 3 as a camera remote
Using the Pixel Watch 3 as a camera remote is a feature I regularly utilize, particularly when traveling. It functions as a hands-free camera control for your smartphone, which makes it ideal for snapping pictures or selfies when you do not have both hands free. Numerous features are available in the app, such as the ability to change the camera’s zoom level or enter video mode.
The Pixel Watch allows you to remotely activate your phone’s camera, displaying a live feed of the images you are taking. It is a handy function that comes in particularly handy while traveling alone. If you have not tried it yet, it is worth it. To make use of this function:
Click the crown on your Pixel Watch.
Select the Camera app.
Wait a moment for it to connect to your phone.
Now, you can take photos, record videos, zoom, and explore different modes from the watch.
Use Google Maps offline
I use the offline maps on my Pixel Watch virtually every day. This is useful since it lets me navigate without taking out my phone while driving, which is very convenient while I am commuting. It is revolutionary because you can tap “Home” to get directions anywhere in the city. In the Himalayas, where connectivity can be erratic, this function is very helpful for trekking.
You must use the Google Maps app to download offline maps to your smartphone in order to enable this function. After that, you can sync them to your watch by choosing the city you wish to download offline maps for and going to the Offline Maps area of the Google Maps app on your Pixel Watch.
Customization
I can not continue using the default watch faces that Google supplies with the Pixel Watch, but everyone has different demands when it comes to smartwatches. The Pixel Watch comes with a number of fully customisable first-party watch faces, several of which allow you to add complexities to your liking.
Because I work in the Eastern Standard Time zone, I use the Active watch face with complexities like World Clock, At a Glance to keep track of my day, and widgets like calories and batteries. Here’s how to personalize the face of your Pixel Watch:
Open the Watch app on your phone.
Tap Watch faces from the home screen and choose your favorite watch face.
After it’s selected, tap the Edit option.
Customize the watch face by selecting your preferred color, complications, and more.
Pixel Watch 3
The Google Pixel Watch 3 might not be a massive departure from its predecessor, but the company did pack it with some interesting new features. The larger 45mm version sports a bigger battery and new fitness features help track and plan your runs. If you’re a smart home user, the Pixel Watch 3 can stream live video of your security cameras.
Like Android, the Wear OS ecosystem’s greatest feature is how customizable it is. You can modify the entire system to your liking or download hundreds of apps from the Play Store. The Pixel Watch offers a wealth of tips and tricks to help you customize the experience to your liking, but Wear OS still has space to learn from rivals.
When you download offline maps, you can access Google Maps’ most useful features even when you’re not connected to the internet. If you’re traveling in a distant place with spotty service or to a foreign nation where you may not have access to a data plan, it’s a terrific option.
When using Maps offline, not all functions are available. You won’t be able to get instructions for public transportation, bicycling, or walking, and you won’t be able to get real-time traffic statistics. You will, however, be able to acquire directions and routes, as well as navigate and search for sites.
Not only can you manually download maps of specified places, but Google Maps will also attempt to automatically update these maps. Because there are many regions in my hometown where the internet connection is sketchy at best, I keep an offline map downloaded at all times to ensure I don’t get lost.
How to download an offline map
Tap your profile icon in the top right of Google Maps.
Google Maps may also suggest maps based on saved addresses and upcoming trips. To download, simply tap the blue arrow to the left of the location.
Pinch in and out to set the area to download.
There is a limit to how far you can zoom out. If you wish to download a more extensive area, you’ll need to repeat this process for each section.
Tap Download.
Your map will now start downloading. The app will return you to the Offline maps screen, where you can monitor its progress.
To rename the map, tap the three-dot overflow menu to the right of its name.
Enter a name and tap Save.
Update an offline map
It’s critical to update your maps on a regular basis, and configuring your offline maps to update automatically saves you time. Most maps will expire a year after being downloaded, and you’ll be notified two weeks ahead of time if they haven’t been updated.
Automatically update and download maps
Tap your profile icon in the top right of Google Maps.
Tap Offline maps.
Tap the Settings button in the top right of your screen.
Toggle the Auto-update offline maps switch to turn on automatic updating.
Toggle the Auto-download recommended maps switch to automatically download recommended maps (e.g., home, work, upcoming trips).
How to manually update maps
Tap your profile icon in the top right of Google Maps.
Tap Offline maps.
Tap the three-button menu to the right of the map you wish to update.
Tap Update.
You don’t need to do anything extra after downloading an offline map. When you’re not connected to the internet, simply open Google Maps to see your saved maps.
