The smartwatch market is dominated by Apple and Google, and their latest offerings, the Pixel Watch and Apple Watch Series 8, are vying for your wrist. Both promise a seamless blend of fitness tracking, notifications, and smart features, but which one truly delivers? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 8 maintains its lead with superior performance, a more mature ecosystem, and longer battery life. However, the Pixel Watch offers a sleek design, tight Google integration, and a compelling entry point for Android users seeking a premium smartwatch experience.
| 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, China, HK |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 66, 71 - GWT9R | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 5, 7, 26 - GBZ4S | 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, October 06 | 2022, September 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 13 | Available. Released 2022, September 16 |
| 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 S8 |
| GPU | Mali-T720 | PowerVR |
| OS | Android Wear OS 3.5 | watchOS 9.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| | eMMC | eMMC 5.1 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, 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, temperature (body) |
| | - | Temperature sensing (0.01˚ accuracy)
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 308 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Matte Black, Polished Silver, Champagne Gold | Graphite, Silver, Gold |
| Models | GQF4C, GBZ4S, GWT9R | A2773, A2775, A2772, A2774, A2857, A2858, watch6,16, watch6,17 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 330 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) |
Google Pixel Watch
- Sleek, minimalist design
- Seamless Google integration (Assistant, Maps, Wallet)
- Comfortable fit
- Wear OS 3.5
- Limited battery life
- Underpowered processor
- Higher price for performance
- Relatively limited app ecosystem compared to watchOS
Apple Watch Series 8
- Superior performance and responsiveness
- Mature watchOS ecosystem with a vast app library
- Advanced health features (ECG, blood oxygen, temperature sensing)
- Longer battery life
- Faster charging
- Requires an iPhone
- Premium price
- Design is less distinctive than the Pixel Watch
Display Comparison
Both watches feature vibrant OLED displays. The Apple Watch Series 8 boasts a slightly brighter display and always-on functionality, while the Pixel Watch's domed design offers a unique aesthetic. Resolution is comparable, providing sharp visuals on both devices.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch has a dedicated camera. This is a consistent feature across both platforms.
Performance
The Apple S8 chip significantly outperforms the Exynos 9110 in the Pixel Watch. The Apple Watch Series 8 offers noticeably faster app loading times, smoother animations, and a more responsive user interface. The Pixel Watch's performance is adequate for basic tasks but can feel sluggish at times.
Battery Life
The Apple Watch Series 8 generally provides around 18 hours of battery life, while the Pixel Watch struggles to reach a full day with moderate use. The Apple Watch's faster charging (0-80% in 45 minutes) is also a significant advantage.
Buying Guide
The Google Pixel Watch is ideal for Android users deeply embedded in the Google ecosystem who prioritize design and seamless integration with Google services. The Apple Watch Series 8 is the clear choice for iPhone users seeking the best-in-class smartwatch experience with robust health features and a vast app library.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Pixel Watch compatible with iPhones?
No, the Pixel Watch is designed exclusively for Android devices.
❓ Which smartwatch has better health tracking features?
The Apple Watch Series 8 offers more advanced health tracking features, including ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, and temperature sensing.
❓ How does the Pixel Watch's battery life compare to the Apple Watch Series 8?
The Apple Watch Series 8 generally provides longer battery life than the Pixel Watch, typically lasting around 18 hours compared to the Pixel Watch's struggle to reach a full day.
❓ Which smartwatch has a better app ecosystem?
The Apple Watch Series 8 has a significantly larger and more mature app ecosystem thanks to watchOS.
