The smartwatch market is booming, and two contenders vying for your wrist are the Google Pixel Watch and the Huawei Watch 4. Both offer a blend of fitness tracking, notifications, and smart features, but they differ significantly in their operating systems, performance, and design. Let's break down which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei Watch 4 takes the lead thanks to its significantly faster processor, more efficient chipset, and longer battery life. While the Pixel Watch boasts seamless Google integration, the Huawei Watch 4 offers a more robust and future-proofed experience for those prioritizing performance and battery.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 66, 71 - GWT9R | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | HSPA / LTE |
| | 5, 7, 26 - GBZ4S | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 06 | 2023, May 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 13 | Available. Released 2023, June 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), stainless steel frame | Glass front, ceramic back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 41 x 41 x 12.3 mm (1.61 x 1.61 x 0.48 in) | 46.2 x 46.2 x 10.9 mm (1.82 x 1.82 x 0.43 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 36 g (1.27 oz) | 48 g (1.69 oz) |
| | 50m/5ATM water resistant (IP68)
ECG certified | 50m water resistant
5 ATM
Compatible with standard 22mm straps |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 450 x 450 pixels (~320 ppi density) | 466 x 466 pixels (~310 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.2 inches | 1.5 inches |
| Type | AMOLED, 1000 nits (peak) | AMOLED |
| | Always-on display | * the display resolution is unconfirmed
Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.15 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Exynos 9110 (10 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T720 | Adreno 702 |
| OS | Android Wear OS 3.5 | HarmonyOS 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (market/region dependent) |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, altimeter, compass, SpO2 | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, compass, SpO2, thermometer (body temperature) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless (Qi) | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 294 mAh | Li-Ion 530 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Matte Black, Polished Silver, Champagne Gold | Black |
| Models | GQF4C, GBZ4S, GWT9R | ARC-AL00 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 450 EUR |
Google Pixel Watch
- Seamless Google integration
- Stylish design
- Wear OS experience
- Google Assistant support
- Good fitness tracking
- Short battery life
- Older chipset
- Limited app ecosystem compared to Wear OS on other devices
- Pricey
Huawei Watch 4
- Excellent performance with Snapdragon W5 Gen 1
- Long battery life
- Bright and vibrant display
- Comprehensive fitness tracking
- HarmonyOS offers unique features
- HarmonyOS app ecosystem still developing
- Less Google integration
- Design may not appeal to everyone
Display Comparison
Both watches feature vibrant AMOLED displays, but the Huawei Watch 4 generally offers slightly better brightness and outdoor visibility. The Pixel Watch's display is well-integrated into its circular design, while the Huawei Watch 4 has a more traditional watch face.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch has a built-in camera. Both rely on the camera of your paired smartphone for taking photos.
Performance
This is where the Huawei Watch 4 truly shines. Its Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chipset is significantly faster and more efficient than the Pixel Watch's Exynos 9110. Expect smoother animations, quicker app loading times, and a more responsive overall experience on the Huawei Watch 4.
Battery Life
The Huawei Watch 4 boasts significantly better battery life, often lasting 3-5 days on a single charge, compared to the Pixel Watch's 18-24 hours. This is largely due to the more efficient chipset in the Huawei Watch 4.
Buying Guide
The Google Pixel Watch is ideal for Android users deeply embedded in the Google ecosystem who value tight integration with apps like Gmail, Calendar, and Google Assistant. The Huawei Watch 4 is a better choice for fitness enthusiasts and those seeking longer battery life and a more versatile smartwatch experience, particularly if you're open to HarmonyOS.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What operating system does each watch use?
The Google Pixel Watch runs Wear OS, while the Huawei Watch 4 runs HarmonyOS.
❓ Is the Huawei Watch 4 compatible with iPhones?
While the Huawei Watch 4 offers some basic notification support for iPhones, its functionality is significantly limited compared to Android devices. Full feature access requires an Android phone.
❓ Which watch is better for fitness tracking?
Both offer robust fitness tracking, but the Huawei Watch 4's more powerful processor and advanced sensors give it a slight edge in accuracy and feature set.
❓ Does the Pixel Watch have cellular connectivity?
Yes, a cellular version of the Pixel Watch is available, allowing for standalone connectivity without a paired phone.
