The smartwatch market offers a compelling blend of fitness tracking, notification management, and mobile convenience. This comparison pits Apple’s value-focused Watch SE (2022) against Google’s latest offering, the Pixel Watch 4, examining how their differing approaches to chipset architecture and charging impact the user experience. While the Apple Watch SE prioritizes affordability within the Apple ecosystem, the Pixel Watch 4 aims to deliver a premium Wear OS experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Google Pixel Watch 4 emerges as the stronger choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chipset, built on a 4nm process, provides a significant performance advantage over the Apple Watch SE’s S8, and the faster wired charging is a practical benefit. However, Apple Watch SE remains a compelling option for existing Apple users deeply invested in the ecosystem.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 07 | 2025, August 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 16 | Available. Released 2025, October 09 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic/sapphire crystal back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 44 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.73 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) | 45 x 45 x 12.3 mm (1.77 x 1.77 x 0.48 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 33 g (1.16 oz) | 31 g or 37 g (1.09 oz) |
| | 50m water resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Ion-X strengthened glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 448 x 368 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 456 x 456 pixels (~320 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.78 inches | 1.4 inches |
| Type | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) | LTPO AMOLED, 3000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core | Quad-core (4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Apple S8 | Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR | Adreno A702 |
| OS | watchOS 9.0, upgradable to 9.4 | Android Wear OS 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | - | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 6.0, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate (2nd gen), barometer, always-on altimeter, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, altimeter, compass, SpO2, thermometer (skin temperature), skin conductance |
| | Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode) | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless | Wired, 50% in 15 min, 80% in 30 min, 100% in 60 min - 45mm model
Wired, 50% in 15 min, 80% in 25 min, 100% in 45 min - 41mm model |
| Type | Li-Ion 296 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 455 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight, Starlight, Silver | Matte Black, Polished Silver, Champagne Gold, Satin Moonstone |
| Models | A2722, A2723, A2724, A2727, A2856, A2725, A2726, A2855, watch6,10, watch6,11, watch6,12, watch6,13 | - |
| Price | € 289.00 | € 353.94 |
| SAR | 0.27 W/kg (head) 1.96 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.27 W/kg (head) 1.96 W/kg (body) | - |
Apple Watch SE (2022)
- Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem.
- Generally lower price point.
- Established watchOS app library.
- Older dual-core processor.
- Slower wireless charging.
- Less powerful chipset compared to the Pixel Watch 4.
Google Pixel Watch 4
- Powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chipset.
- Fast wired charging (50% in 15 minutes).
- Wear OS offers greater customization options.
- Potentially higher price point.
- Reliance on Google’s Wear OS ecosystem.
- May not integrate as seamlessly with iPhones.
Display Comparison
Neither device’s specifications detail display characteristics beyond size. However, the Pixel Watch 4’s use of a more modern chipset suggests potential for a more efficient display driver, potentially impacting battery life. Apple’s display technology is generally known for color accuracy, but without specific nit brightness or panel type data, a direct comparison is difficult. Bezels are likely comparable given the design language of both devices.
Camera Comparison
Neither device is focused on camera capabilities, and detailed camera specs are absent. Smartwatches primarily utilize cameras for limited functions like video calls, making high-resolution sensors less critical. Therefore, this section doesn’t offer a significant differentiating factor between the two.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Google Pixel Watch 4’s Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2, fabricated on a 4nm process, boasts a quad-core configuration running at 1.7 GHz. This contrasts with the Apple Watch SE (2022)’s dual-core Apple S8. The 4nm node of the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 offers superior power efficiency and thermal performance compared to the S8, translating to potentially smoother performance during sustained tasks and reduced throttling. While core count isn’t everything, the architectural advantage and process node give the Pixel Watch 4 a clear edge in processing power. The Pixel Watch 4 is likely to handle complex apps and background processes more efficiently.
Battery Life
The Pixel Watch 4’s charging capabilities are a standout feature. It supports wired charging, reaching 50% charge in 15 minutes, 80% in 25-30 minutes (depending on the 41mm or 45mm model), and 100% in 45-60 minutes. The Apple Watch SE (2022) only offers wireless charging, lacking the speed of the Pixel Watch 4’s wired solution. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2’s efficiency could offset any potential capacity differences, providing comparable or even superior real-world battery life on the Pixel Watch 4.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple Watch SE (2022) if you are already heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem, prioritize seamless integration with iPhones, and seek a reliable smartwatch experience at a lower price point. Buy the Google Pixel Watch 4 if you prefer the Wear OS platform, value faster charging speeds, and desire a more powerful processor for demanding applications and a potentially wider range of app compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 in the Pixel Watch 4 generate noticeable heat during extended use?
The Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 is fabricated on a 4nm process, which is significantly more efficient than older nodes. This translates to lower heat generation, even during demanding tasks. While some warmth is normal, the Pixel Watch 4 is unlikely to experience significant overheating issues.
❓ Is the Apple Watch SE (2022) still a good choice if I don't own other Apple devices?
While the Apple Watch SE (2022) integrates best within the Apple ecosystem, it *can* be used with Android phones with limited functionality. However, you'll miss out on features like seamless pairing, iMessage integration, and access to the full range of Apple services, diminishing its overall value.
❓ How does the charging speed of the Pixel Watch 4 compare to other smartwatches on the market?
The Pixel Watch 4’s charging speed (50% in 15 minutes) is notably faster than many other smartwatches, including older Apple Watch models. It’s competitive with the fastest charging smartwatches currently available, offering a significant convenience factor for users who frequently need to top up their device.
