The smartwatch market is increasingly competitive, with Apple and Google offering compelling options at different price points. The Apple Watch SE 3 represents Apple’s entry point into their smartwatch ecosystem, while the Google Pixel Watch 2 aims to deliver a refined Wear OS experience. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two devices, focusing on their processing power, charging capabilities, and the broader ecosystems they inhabit.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, the Apple Watch SE 3 offers a seamless experience and strong performance. However, the Google Pixel Watch 2 presents a compelling alternative for Android users, offering a modern Wear OS experience and comparable charging speeds, despite relying on a wired connection.
| 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 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, September 09 | 2023, October 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, September 19 | Available. Released 2023, October 12 |
| 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) | 41 x 41 x 12.3 mm (1.61 x 1.61 x 0.48 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 26.4 g or 33 g (1.16 oz) | 31 g (1.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Ion-X strengthened glass (2025 gen) | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 448 x 368 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 450 x 450 pixels (~320 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.78 inches | 1.2 inches |
| Type | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core | - |
| Chipset | Apple S10 | Qualcomm 5100 |
| GPU | PowerVR | - |
| OS | watchOS 26, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 | Android Wear OS 4 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 64GB | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate (2nd gen), barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, temperature (body) | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, altimeter, compass, SpO2, thermometer (skin temperature), skin conductance |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless, 80% in 45 min | Wired, 80% in 45 min |
| Type | Li-Ion | Li-Ion 306 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight, Starlight | Polished Silver, Matte Black, Champagne Gold |
| Models | A3325, A3324, A3328, A3326, A3327, A3329, A3391, A3392 | G4TSL, GC3G8, GD2WG |
| Price | € 234.00 | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | 1.18 W/kg (head) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.42 W/kg (head) | - |
Apple Watch SE 3
- Seamless integration with Apple ecosystem
- Optimized performance with Apple S10 chip
- Wireless charging convenience
- Limited compatibility with Android devices
- Potentially lower peak brightness compared to Pixel Watch 2
Google Pixel Watch 2
- Modern Wear OS experience
- Integration with Google services (Fit, Assistant)
- Comparable charging speed (80% in 45 mins)
- Requires wired charging
- Potential for slightly lower performance optimization compared to Apple S10
Display Comparison
Both watches lack detailed display specifications in the provided data. However, given the SE 3’s positioning, it likely utilizes an OLED panel with standard brightness levels. The Pixel Watch 2, aiming for a premium feel, likely features a higher-quality OLED display with potentially better color accuracy and peak brightness. Bezels are a key differentiator, and the Pixel Watch 2’s circular design may offer a more immersive experience, though this is speculative without specific measurements.
Camera Comparison
Neither device features a camera, a common omission in modern smartwatches. This section is therefore not applicable.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Apple Watch SE 3 utilizes Apple’s dual-core S10 chip, a system-on-a-chip (SoC) designed for efficiency and optimized for watchOS. The Google Pixel Watch 2 employs the Qualcomm 5100, a platform built for Wear OS. While a direct clock-speed comparison is unavailable, Apple’s silicon benefits from tight hardware-software integration, often resulting in smoother performance despite potentially lower raw processing power. The S10’s architecture is optimized for the specific tasks a smartwatch performs, while the Qualcomm 5100 aims for broader compatibility across Wear OS devices. This means the Pixel Watch 2 may experience slightly more latency when launching apps or processing complex tasks.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve 80% charge in 45 minutes, a comparable charging speed. However, the Pixel Watch 2 relies on wired charging, while the Apple Watch SE 3 offers wireless charging convenience. The actual battery life will depend on usage patterns and features enabled, but the efficiency of the Apple S10 chip could potentially translate to slightly longer battery life for the SE 3, despite potentially having a smaller battery capacity. The Qualcomm 5100’s power consumption will be a key factor in the Pixel Watch 2’s real-world endurance.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple Watch SE 3 if you prioritize seamless integration with iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices, and value Apple’s established health and fitness tracking features. Buy the Google Pixel Watch 2 if you are an Android user seeking a stylish smartwatch with a modern Wear OS interface and integration with Google services like Google Fit and Google Assistant.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Qualcomm 5100 chip in the Pixel Watch 2 experience throttling under sustained load?
While the Qualcomm 5100 is a capable processor, its thermal management within the compact Pixel Watch 2 chassis could lead to some throttling during prolonged, intensive tasks like GPS tracking or complex app usage. However, typical smartwatch usage patterns are unlikely to push the chip to its thermal limits consistently.
❓ Is the wireless charging of the Apple Watch SE 3 significantly slower than the wired charging of the Pixel Watch 2?
Both devices reach 80% charge in 45 minutes, indicating comparable charging *speed*. The difference lies in the *method* – wireless versus wired. Wireless charging offers convenience, while wired charging may be slightly more efficient, but the practical difference in overall charging time is minimal.
❓ How does the Apple S10 chip's optimization affect app launch times compared to the Pixel Watch 2?
Apple’s tight integration of hardware and software with the S10 chip generally results in faster and smoother app launch times. The Pixel Watch 2, running Wear OS on the Qualcomm 5100, may experience slightly longer launch times, particularly for more complex applications.
