The smartwatch market is booming, and Google and Samsung are key players. The Pixel Watch offers a sleek design and tight Google integration, while the Galaxy Watch4 boasts a more established ecosystem and robust fitness tracking. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Watch4 edges out the Pixel Watch thanks to its superior performance (courtesy of the 5nm chipset), longer battery life, and more mature Wear OS experience. However, the Pixel Watch's design and Google integration are compelling for those deeply invested in the Google ecosystem.
| 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 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 66, 71 - GWT9R | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 5, 7, 26 - GBZ4S | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 06 | 2021, August 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 13 | Available. Released 2021, August 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), stainless steel frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass DX+), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 41 x 41 x 12.3 mm (1.61 x 1.61 x 0.48 in) | 44.4 x 43.3 x 9.8 mm (1.75 x 1.70 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 36 g (1.27 oz) | 30.3 g (44mm), 25.9 g (40mm) (1.06 oz) |
| | 50m/5ATM water resistant (IP68)
ECG certified | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
50m water resistant (IP68)
Compatible with standard 20mm straps
ECG certified
Blood pressure monitor
*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) | 450 x 450 pixels (~321 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.2 inches | 1.4 inches |
| Type | AMOLED, 1000 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED |
| | Always-on display | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.15 GHz Cortex-A53 | Dual-core 1.18 GHz Cortex-A55 |
| Chipset | Exynos 9110 (10 nm) | Exynos W920 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T720 | Mali-G68 |
| OS | Android Wear OS 3.5 | Android Wear OS 4, One UI Watch 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 1.5GB 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, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, altimeter, compass, SpO2 | Accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 |
| | - | Natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless (Qi) | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 294 mAh | Li-Ion 361 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Matte Black, Polished Silver, Champagne Gold | Black, Pink Gold, Silver, Green, Thom Browne Edition, Bespoke Edition, PXG Golf Edition |
| Models | GQF4C, GBZ4S, GWT9R | SM-R860, SM-R870 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 110 EUR |
Google Pixel Watch
- Premium design and build quality
- Seamless Google Assistant integration
- Clean and intuitive Wear OS experience
- Excellent integration with Fitbit ecosystem
- Shorter battery life
- Less powerful processor
- Higher price point
- Limited third-party app support compared to Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Watch4
- Faster performance thanks to Exynos W920
- Longer battery life
- Advanced fitness tracking features (BIA, ECG)
- More robust app ecosystem
- Rotating bezel (on some models) for easy navigation
- One UI Watch can feel cluttered to some
- Samsung account required for full functionality
- Design less distinctive than Pixel Watch
Display Comparison
Both watches feature vibrant AMOLED displays, but the Galaxy Watch4's screen is slightly brighter and more visible in direct sunlight. The Pixel Watch's domed design is visually striking, but can sometimes make interacting with the edges of the screen a bit awkward.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch has a built-in camera. This is a common omission in smartwatches.
Performance
The Galaxy Watch4's Exynos W920 chipset (5nm) provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Pixel Watch's Exynos 9110 (10nm). Apps launch faster, animations are smoother, and overall responsiveness is significantly better on the Galaxy Watch4.
Battery Life
The Galaxy Watch4 consistently delivers longer battery life, typically lasting 2-3 days on a single charge, compared to the Pixel Watch's 1-1.5 days. This is largely due to the more efficient 5nm chipset in the Galaxy Watch4.
Buying Guide
Buy the Google Pixel Watch if you prioritize a premium design, seamless Google Assistant integration, and a clean Wear OS experience. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch4 if you want a faster processor, longer battery life, more advanced fitness tracking features, and broader app compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Pixel Watch work with iPhones?
Currently, the Pixel Watch has limited functionality with iPhones. It primarily works with Android phones and offers very basic notifications on iOS.
❓ Is the Galaxy Watch4 compatible with all Android phones?
The Galaxy Watch4 is best suited for Samsung phones, but it works with most Android devices running Android 8.0 or higher with at least 1.5GB of RAM. However, some features may be limited on non-Samsung devices.
