Google rolls out redesigned always-on display for Pixel Watch: What's new

Google is rolling out a redesigned always-on display for select Pixel Watch models, introducing minimal visuals across Timer, Stopwatch and media controls

Google has reportedly begun rolling out a visual redesign to always-on display (AOD) behaviour on the Pixel Watch, a change that it earlier promised to Wear OS 6 users. According to a report by 9To5Google, the update introduces revised AOD modes for the Timer, Stopwatch and media controls. For now, the update is said to be available only on select Pixel Watch 4 models.

Updated AOD display in Pixel Watch: What’s new

According to 9To5Google, the updated Timer interface now stays usable even when the watch face times out or the user lowers their wrist. The AOD view removes the circular countdown ring that appears around the countdown timer. The restart, end and pause buttons switch to thin, outlined versions instead of filled icons.

 

Seconds do not appear on the screen, instead they are displayed as simple dashes. Similar changes apply to the Stopwatch, where the progress ring and increment markers disappear, buttons become hollow outlines and milliseconds are omitted in the low-power view.

These changes are tied to Google Clock version 6.11, which as per the report, is not yet widely available. The report also states that some users are receiving new AOD-style media controls, with all playback buttons adopting the same outlined visual treatment, meaning that it is being rolled out gradually. The report mentioned that the feature appears on select Pixel Watch 4 units for now, and Google recommends ensuring the Media Controls app is updated via the Play Store.

Google’s Android Show XR Edition

In related news, Google will host The Android Show XR Edition tonight (December 8), where it will share new details on its upcoming extended-reality hardware, including XR glasses and a headset. The event will outline Google’s recent progress in XR, following earlier previews and a brief demo at Google I/O 2025. The company’s first XR headset is expected to share several capabilities with Samsung’s Galaxy XR, as both devices are built on the Android XR platform and are likely to offer overlapping features and system behaviours.