The smartwatch market is booming, and two heavyweights are battling for your wrist: the Google Pixel Watch and the Samsung Galaxy Watch5. Both 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.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 takes the crown thanks to its superior chipset, faster charging, and longer battery life. While the Pixel Watch boasts a sleek design and tight Google integration, the Galaxy Watch5 offers a more robust and feature-rich experience overall.
| 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, 28 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 5, 7, 26 - GBZ4S | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 06 | 2022, August 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 13 | Available. Released 2022, August 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), stainless steel frame | Glass front (Sapphire crystal), 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) | 33.5 g (44mm), 28.7 g (40mm) (1.02 oz) |
| | 50m/5ATM water resistant (IP68)
ECG certified | MIL-STD-810H compliant*
50m water resistant (IP68)
Compatible with standard 20mm straps
ECG certified
Blood pressure monitor
Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised)
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Sapphire crystal |
| 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 | 5.2, 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, heart rate, barometer, thermometer (skin temperature) |
| | - | Natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless (Qi) | 10W wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 294 mAh | Li-Ion 410 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Matte Black, Polished Silver, Champagne Gold | Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold, Sapphire |
| Models | GQF4C, GBZ4S, GWT9R | SM-R915F, SM-R905F |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 170 EUR |
Google Pixel Watch
- Sleek, minimalist design
- Seamless Google integration (Assistant, Maps, Wallet)
- Comfortable fit
- Wear OS experience
- Shorter battery life
- Older chipset
- Wireless charging only
- Limited third-party app support compared to Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Watch5
- Longer battery life
- Faster charging
- Powerful Exynos W920 chipset
- Advanced health tracking features (ECG, body composition)
- Rotating bezel (on some models) for easy navigation
- Design less distinctive than Pixel Watch
- Samsung ecosystem lock-in (some features require Samsung devices)
- Price can be higher
Display Comparison
Both watches feature vibrant AMOLED displays, but the Galaxy Watch5's display is slightly brighter and more visible in direct sunlight. The Pixel Watch's domed design is visually striking, while the Galaxy Watch5 offers a more traditional watch face.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch has a built-in camera, a common omission in smartwatches.
Performance
The Galaxy Watch5's Exynos W920 chipset (5nm) significantly outperforms the Pixel Watch's Exynos 9110 (10nm). This translates to smoother performance, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the Galaxy Watch5.
Battery Life
The Galaxy Watch5 offers considerably better battery life, typically lasting 2-3 days on a single charge, compared to the Pixel Watch's 18-24 hours. The Galaxy Watch5 also features faster 10W wireless charging.
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 Samsung Galaxy Watch5 is a better choice for fitness enthusiasts and those seeking longer battery life, faster charging, and broader compatibility with Android devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which watch is better for fitness tracking?
The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 offers more advanced fitness tracking features, including ECG, body composition analysis, and a wider range of workout modes.
❓ Is the Pixel Watch worth it if I'm not heavily invested in Google services?
While the Pixel Watch integrates well with Google services, it still functions as a standard smartwatch. However, you'll miss out on some of its key benefits if you don't use Google Assistant, Maps, or Wallet.
