The smartwatch market is booming, and Google and Samsung are two of the biggest players. Both the Pixel Watch and Galaxy Watch offer a compelling blend of fitness tracking, notifications, and smart features, but which one truly comes out on top? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Watch generally offers a more feature-rich experience with broader compatibility and longer battery life. However, the Pixel Watch boasts a cleaner Wear OS integration and a more refined design, appealing to those deeply invested in the Google ecosystem. It's a close call, depending on your priorities.
| 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 / 2100 - Global |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 66, 71 - GWT9R | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 5, 7, 26 - GBZ4S | 1, 3, 5, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 06 | 2018, August. Released 2018, August |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 13 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), stainless steel frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass DX+), stainless steel frame 316L |
| Dimensions | 41 x 41 x 12.3 mm (1.61 x 1.61 x 0.48 in) | 49 x 46 x 13 mm (1.93 x 1.81 x 0.51 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 36 g (1.27 oz) | 63 g (2.22 oz) |
| | 50m/5ATM water resistant (IP68)
ECG certified | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
50m water resistant (IP68)
Compatible with standard 22mm straps
Rotating bezel
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass DX+ |
| Resolution | 450 x 450 pixels (~320 ppi density) | 360 x 360 pixels (~278 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.2 inches | 1.3 inches |
| Type | AMOLED, 1000 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED |
| | Always-on display | Always-on display
Rotating bezel |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.15 GHz Cortex-A53 | Dual-core 1.15 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Exynos 9110 (10 nm) | Exynos 9110 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T720 | Mali-T720 |
| OS | Android Wear OS 3.5 | Tizen OS 5.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 4GB 768MB RAM, 4GB 1.5GB RAM |
| | eMMC | eMMC |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, altimeter, compass, SpO2 | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer |
| | - | Natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless (Qi) | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 294 mAh | Li-Ion 472 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Matte Black, Polished Silver, Champagne Gold | Silver 46mm, Midnight Black 42mm, Rose Gold 42mm |
| Models | GQF4C, GBZ4S, GWT9R | SM-805U, SM-805W, SM-815U, SM-815W, SM-R805F, SM-R805N, SM-R815F, SM-R815N, SM-R8050, SM-R800 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 220 EUR |
Google Pixel Watch
- Seamless Google/Fitbit integration
- Elegant and comfortable design
- Clean Wear OS experience
- Active Edge button for quick actions
- Shorter battery life
- Limited third-party app support compared to Samsung
- Higher price point
Samsung Galaxy Watch
- Longer battery life
- Extensive health tracking features (ECG, blood pressure)
- Wider device compatibility (Android & limited iOS)
- Customizable One UI Watch interface
- One UI Watch can feel cluttered to some
- Samsung ecosystem lock-in
- Pricey
Display Comparison
Both watches feature vibrant AMOLED displays, but the Galaxy Watch often has slightly brighter screens and more customizable watch faces. The Pixel Watch's domed design is visually striking, while the Galaxy Watch offers more traditional watch face options.
Camera Comparison
Neither the Pixel Watch nor the Galaxy Watch have a built-in camera. This is a common omission in smartwatches.
Performance
Despite sharing the same Exynos 9110 chipset, the Galaxy Watch often feels slightly snappier due to Samsung's One UI Watch interface. The Pixel Watch's Wear OS experience is generally smooth, but can occasionally exhibit minor lag.
Battery Life
The Galaxy Watch consistently outperforms the Pixel Watch in battery life, often lasting two full days on a single charge compared to the Pixel Watch's roughly 24-hour lifespan. This is a significant advantage for users who don't want to charge their watch daily.
Buying Guide
The Google Pixel Watch is ideal for Android users heavily invested in Google services like Fitbit and Google Assistant, prioritizing a seamless and minimalist experience. The Samsung Galaxy Watch is a better choice for users with a wider range of devices (Android and some iOS) and those seeking extensive health tracking features and a more customizable interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Pixel Watch compatible with iOS?
The Pixel Watch has limited iOS compatibility. You can pair it with an iPhone, but functionality is significantly restricted compared to using it with an Android phone.
❓ Which watch has better health tracking?
The Samsung Galaxy Watch generally offers more advanced health tracking features, including ECG, blood pressure monitoring (where available), and more detailed sleep analysis.
❓ Which watch is easier to use?
The Pixel Watch's Wear OS interface is generally considered more intuitive and user-friendly, especially for those familiar with Google's ecosystem. The Galaxy Watch's One UI Watch offers more customization but can feel overwhelming to some.
