The smartwatch market is booming, and two heavyweights are vying for your wrist: the Google Pixel Watch and the Apple Watch Series 7. Both offer a wealth of features, but cater to different ecosystems and user preferences. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which one is the perfect fit.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 7 maintains a lead in overall performance and app ecosystem thanks to watchOS. However, the Pixel Watch boasts a sleek design and deeper integration with Fitbit's health tracking. For iOS users, the Apple Watch is the clear winner; Android users will find the Pixel Watch a compelling option.
| 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 - International |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 66, 71 - GWT9R | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 5, 7, 26 - GBZ4S | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 06 | 2021, September 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 13 | Available. Released 2021, October 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), stainless steel frame | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 41 x 41 x 12.3 mm (1.61 x 1.61 x 0.48 in) | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 36 g (1.27 oz) | 42.3 g (41mm), 51.5 g (45mm) (1.48 oz) |
| | 50m/5ATM water resistant (IP68)
ECG certified | IP6X certified
50m water resistant
ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 450 x 450 pixels (~320 ppi density) | 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.2 inches | 1.9 inches |
| Type | AMOLED, 1000 nits (peak) | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) |
| | Always-on display | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.15 GHz Cortex-A53 | Dual-core |
| Chipset | Exynos 9110 (10 nm) | Apple S7 |
| GPU | Mali-T720 | PowerVR |
| OS | Android Wear OS 3.5 | watchOS 8.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| | eMMC | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, altimeter, compass, SpO2 | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max |
| | - | Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode)
Ultra Wideband (UWB) support |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless (Qi) | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 294 mAh | Li-Ion 309 mAh (1.19 Wh) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Matte Black, Polished Silver, Champagne Gold | Graphite, Gold, Silver |
| Models | GQF4C, GBZ4S, GWT9R | A2475, A2476, A2477, A2478, watch6,8, watch6,9 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 310 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.10 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.50 W/kg (body) |
Google Pixel Watch
- Sleek, minimalist design
- Deep Fitbit health tracking integration
- Wear OS experience
- Comfortable fit
- Less powerful processor
- Smaller display
- Battery life could be better
- Limited app ecosystem compared to watchOS
Apple Watch Series 7
- Larger, brighter display
- Faster performance
- Extensive app ecosystem (watchOS)
- Seamless iOS integration
- Faster charging
- Requires an iPhone
- Can be expensive
- Battery life still requires daily charging
Display Comparison
The Apple Watch Series 7 boasts a larger, brighter, and more vibrant display with thinner bezels, offering a more immersive viewing experience. The Pixel Watch's domed display is visually striking but smaller, potentially impacting readability for some. The Series 7's always-on display is also a significant advantage.
Camera Comparison
Neither the Pixel Watch nor the Apple Watch Series 7 have a dedicated camera. This is a common omission in smartwatches.
Performance
The Apple S7 chip in the Series 7 provides noticeably faster performance and smoother animations compared to the Exynos 9110 in the Pixel Watch. App loading times are quicker, and the overall user experience feels more responsive on the Apple Watch. The Pixel Watch's performance is adequate for most tasks, but it occasionally shows signs of lag.
Battery Life
The Apple Watch Series 7 offers roughly 18 hours of battery life with typical use, while the Pixel Watch aims for around 24 hours. However, both require daily charging. The Series 7's faster charging (0-80% in 45 minutes) is a definite plus.
Buying Guide
The Google Pixel Watch is ideal for Android users deeply invested in the Google ecosystem and prioritizing a stylish design with Fitbit's health tracking. The Apple Watch Series 7 is the go-to choice for iPhone users seeking seamless integration, a vast app library, and robust health features.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Pixel Watch compatible with iPhones?
No, the Pixel Watch is designed for Android devices and is not compatible with iPhones.
❓ Does the Apple Watch Series 7 work with Android phones?
While you can pair the Apple Watch Series 7 with an Android phone, functionality is severely limited. You'll miss out on key features like notifications, calls, and app integration.
❓ Which smartwatch has better health tracking?
The Pixel Watch leverages Fitbit's expertise, offering comprehensive health tracking features. However, the Apple Watch Series 7 also provides excellent health monitoring capabilities, including ECG and blood oxygen measurements.
❓ Which smartwatch has a better app store?
The Apple Watch Series 7 has a significantly larger and more diverse app store (watchOS) compared to the Pixel Watch (Wear OS).
