The smartwatch landscape is heating up. Apple’s Series 7 remains a strong contender, but Google’s Pixel Watch 4, powered by the new Snapdragon W5 Gen 2, aims to disrupt the status quo. This comparison dissects the core differences, focusing on performance, charging, and the overall user experience to determine which wearable reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, the Series 7 offers seamless integration. However, the Google Pixel Watch 4 emerges as the winner for those prioritizing charging speed and raw processing power, thanks to its Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chipset and significantly faster charging capabilities.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 14 | 2025, August 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 15 | Available. Released 2025, October 09 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 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 | 32 g (41mm), 38.8 g (45mm) (1.13 oz) | 31 g or 37 g (1.09 oz) |
| | IP6X certified
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 | 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 456 x 456 pixels (~320 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.9 inches | 1.4 inches |
| Type | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) | LTPO AMOLED, 3000 nits (peak) |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core | Quad-core (4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Apple S7 | Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR | Adreno A702 |
| OS | watchOS 8.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 | Android Wear OS 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| 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, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, altimeter, compass, SpO2, thermometer (skin temperature), skin conductance |
| | Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode)
Ultra Wideband (UWB) support | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min | 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 309 mAh (1.19 Wh) | Li-Ion 455 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starlight, Midnight, Blue, Green, Red | Matte Black, Polished Silver, Champagne Gold, Satin Moonstone |
| Models | A2473, A2474, A2475, A2476, A2477, A2478, watch6,6, watch6,7, watch6,8, watch6,9 | - |
| Price | About 500 EUR | € 353.94 |
| SAR | 1.10 W/kg (head) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.50 W/kg (body) | - |
Apple Watch Series 7 Aluminum
- Seamless integration with Apple ecosystem
- Mature and refined watchOS platform
- Likely higher display brightness and color accuracy
- Slower charging speed compared to Pixel Watch 4
- Dual-core processor may limit multitasking
Google Pixel Watch 4
- Significantly faster charging speeds
- Quad-core Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 processor for improved performance
- More open Wear OS platform
- May not integrate as seamlessly with Apple devices
- Wear OS ecosystem is still evolving
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given Apple's history, the Series 7 likely features a higher peak brightness and potentially a more color-accurate display. The Series 7's display is known for its edge-to-edge design, minimizing bezels. The Pixel Watch 4's display quality will be crucial to its success, and will need to compete with Apple's established standards. We anticipate the Pixel Watch 4 will utilize OLED technology, common in this segment.
Camera Comparison
Neither device is known for its camera capabilities, and no camera specs were provided. Smartwatches generally prioritize functionality over photographic prowess. Any camera features on either device are likely to be limited to basic video calling or quick snapshots.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Apple Watch Series 7 utilizes a dual-core Apple S7, while the Pixel Watch 4 boasts a quad-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 processor built on Qualcomm’s efficient 4nm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2. This 4nm process node is a significant advantage for the Pixel Watch 4, offering improved thermal efficiency and potentially allowing for sustained performance under load. The quad-core configuration of the Pixel Watch 4 suggests superior multitasking capabilities compared to the Series 7’s dual-core setup. While Apple optimizes its silicon for watchOS, the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 is specifically designed for wearables, promising a responsive Wear OS experience.
Battery Life
The Pixel Watch 4 significantly outperforms the Series 7 in charging speed. The Series 7 takes 45 minutes to reach 80%, while the Pixel Watch 4 achieves 50% in just 15 minutes, 80% in 30 minutes (45mm model), and a full charge in 60 minutes (45mm model). The 41mm model charges even faster, reaching 80% in 25 minutes and 100% in 45 minutes. This faster charging is a major convenience factor for Pixel Watch 4 users. While battery capacity (mAh) isn't specified for either device, the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2’s efficiency could potentially offset any capacity differences, leading to comparable real-world battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple Watch Series 7 Aluminum if you prioritize tight integration with iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices, and value a mature, well-established smartwatch platform. Buy the Google Pixel Watch 4 if you prefer the flexibility of Wear OS, faster charging speeds, and a more powerful processor for running demanding applications, and aren't heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 in the Pixel Watch 4 generate excessive heat during prolonged use?
The Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 is built on a 4nm process, which is known for its improved thermal efficiency. This means it's less likely to overheat during demanding tasks compared to older, larger-node chipsets. While sustained heavy use will inevitably generate some heat, the W5 Gen 2 is designed to manage it effectively.
❓ How does the Wear OS experience on the Pixel Watch 4 compare to watchOS on the Apple Watch Series 7 in terms of app availability?
watchOS has a more mature app ecosystem, but Wear OS has significantly improved with Google's recent investments. While some niche apps may be exclusive to watchOS, the Pixel Watch 4 offers access to a growing library of apps through the Google Play Store, including popular services like Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Spotify.
❓ Is the faster charging of the Pixel Watch 4 a significant benefit for everyday use?
Absolutely. The Pixel Watch 4's ability to reach 50% charge in just 15 minutes is a game-changer. It minimizes downtime and ensures you're less likely to run out of battery during the day, especially if you forget to charge it overnight. This is a major convenience factor over the Series 7's slower charging.
