The Apple Watch Series 5 remains a popular choice due to its established ecosystem and affordability, but Google’s Pixel Watch 4 enters the fray with a modern chipset and a focus on fast charging. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two smartwatches, focusing on performance, battery life, and overall user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Google Pixel Watch 4 offers a more compelling package. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chipset provides a significant performance boost over the Apple S5, and the faster charging capabilities address a common smartwatch pain point. While the Apple Watch benefits from watchOS maturity, the Pixel Watch 4’s advancements are hard to ignore.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, September | 2025, August 20 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2025, October 09 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, ceramic/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 | 36.7 g (1.31 oz) | 31 g or 37 g (1.09 oz) |
| | 50m water resistant
ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) | - |
| 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) |
| | 3D Touch display
Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core | Quad-core (4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Apple S5 | Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR | Adreno A702 |
| OS | watchOS 6.0, upgradable to watchOS 10.6.1 | Android Wear OS 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, 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, barometer, 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-Po 296 mAh (1.13 Wh), non-removable | Li-Ion 455 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver, Gold, Space Gray | Matte Black, Polished Silver, Champagne Gold, Satin Moonstone |
| Models | A2156, A2157, A2094, A2095, A2092, A2093 | - |
| Price | About 450 EUR | € 353.94 |
Apple Watch Series 5 Aluminum
- Established watchOS ecosystem
- Seamless iPhone integration
- Generally lower price point (due to age)
- Older Apple S5 chipset
- Slower wireless charging
- Potentially limited software updates
Google Pixel Watch 4
- Powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2
- Fast wired charging (50% in 15 mins)
- Modern Wear OS experience
- Wear OS ecosystem less mature than watchOS
- Potential for software bugs
- May be more expensive than Series 5
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Series 5's age, it likely lacks the always-on display technology and higher refresh rates found in newer smartwatches. The Pixel Watch 4, benefiting from more recent display advancements, likely offers superior brightness and color accuracy. The absence of LTPO specification for either device makes it difficult to assess power efficiency.
Camera Comparison
Neither device is known for its camera capabilities, and no camera specs were provided. This comparison is therefore not applicable.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Apple Watch Series 5 utilizes a dual-core Apple S5, while the Google Pixel Watch 4 features a quad-core 1.7 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 built on a 4nm process. This represents a substantial leap in processing power and efficiency. The 4nm node of the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 allows for greater transistor density, resulting in improved performance and reduced heat generation compared to the older Apple S5. This translates to snappier app launches, smoother animations, and potentially more complex background tasks for the Pixel Watch 4.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified for either watch, making a direct mAh comparison impossible. However, the Pixel Watch 4’s charging capabilities are a clear advantage. The 45mm model achieves 50% charge in 15 minutes, 80% in 30 minutes, and 100% in 60 minutes, while the 41mm model is even faster, reaching 100% in 45 minutes. The Apple Watch Series 5 relies on wireless charging, which is generally slower than the Pixel Watch 4’s wired charging. The faster charging of the Pixel Watch 4 mitigates concerns about battery life, allowing users to quickly top up their device when needed.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple Watch Series 5 Aluminum if you are deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, prioritize seamless integration with iPhones, and are looking for a reliable smartwatch at a lower price point. Buy the Google Pixel Watch 4 if you prefer the Wear OS experience, value faster charging, and want a smartwatch with a more modern and powerful processor, even if it means potentially navigating a less mature software environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 in the Pixel Watch 4 noticeably improve app loading times compared to the Apple S5?
Yes, the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2's quad-core architecture and 4nm process provide a substantial performance advantage. Users should experience significantly faster app loading times, smoother animations, and a more responsive overall experience compared to the dual-core Apple S5.
❓ How does the wired charging of the Pixel Watch 4 compare to the wireless charging of the Apple Watch Series 5 in terms of convenience?
While wireless charging is convenient, the Pixel Watch 4’s wired charging is considerably faster. The ability to reach 50% charge in just 15 minutes is a significant time saver, making it easier to quickly top up the watch before heading out. The convenience of wireless charging is offset by its slower speeds.
❓ Is the Wear OS experience on the Pixel Watch 4 as polished and reliable as watchOS on the Apple Watch Series 5?
watchOS has a longer history and is generally considered more polished and reliable. Wear OS has improved significantly, but may still experience occasional bugs or inconsistencies. However, Google is actively updating Wear OS, and the Pixel Watch 4 benefits from a direct partnership with Google, ensuring timely updates and optimizations.
