The smartwatch market offers a wide spectrum of choices, from affordable fitness trackers to premium, feature-rich devices. This comparison pits the Honor Watch X5, a likely budget-focused offering, against the Google Pixel Watch 4, powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chipset. We'll dissect their capabilities to determine which smartwatch delivers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a seamless Wear OS experience and robust performance, the Google Pixel Watch 4 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chipset and faster charging capabilities justify the higher price tag. However, if budget is the primary concern, the Honor Watch X5 may offer a functional, albeit less refined, experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | LTE |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | No | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, November 24 | 2025, August 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, November 24 | Available. Released 2025, October 09 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum alloy frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 45.7 x 40.2 x 10 mm (1.80 x 1.58 x 0.39 in) | 45 x 45 x 12.3 mm (1.77 x 1.77 x 0.48 in) |
| SIM | No | eSIM |
| Weight | 29 g (1.02 oz) | 31 g or 37 g (1.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 390 x 450 pixels (~302 ppi density) | 456 x 456 pixels (~320 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.97 inches | 1.4 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | LTPO AMOLED, 3000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Quad-core (4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno A702 |
| OS | Proprietary OS | Android Wear OS 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | - | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, LE | 6.0, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, barometer, compass, heart rate, SpO2 | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, altimeter, compass, SpO2, thermometer (skin temperature), skin conductance |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wired, 50% in 15 min, 80% in 30 min, 100% in 60 min - 45mm model
Wired, 50% in 15 min, 80% in 25 min, 100% in 45 min - 41mm model |
| Type | Li-Ion 360 mAh | Li-Ion 455 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Matte Black, Polished Silver, Champagne Gold, Satin Moonstone |
| Models | LWS-WB10 | - |
| Price | About 60 EUR | € 353.94 |
Honor Watch X5
- Likely very affordable price point
- Potential for long battery life due to simpler features
- May offer basic fitness tracking capabilities
- Expectedly limited performance
- Unknown display quality
- Likely lacks advanced features like NFC or GPS
Google Pixel Watch 4
- Powerful Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chipset
- Fast charging capabilities
- Seamless Wear OS integration
- Higher price point
- Battery life may be shorter than some competitors
- Smaller display size compared to some traditional watches
Display Comparison
Unfortunately, specific display details for the Honor Watch X5 are unavailable. The Google Pixel Watch 4, available in 41mm and 45mm sizes, likely features an AMOLED display, common in this price range. The Pixel Watch 4’s display benefits from the efficiency of the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2, potentially allowing for an always-on display without significant battery drain. Without knowing the Honor Watch X5’s panel technology or resolution, it’s difficult to assess its color accuracy or brightness compared to the Pixel Watch 4.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch is expected to feature a camera, a trend in modern smartwatches. This section is therefore not applicable to this comparison.
Performance
The Google Pixel Watch 4’s Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 (4nm) chipset is a significant advantage. This quad-core processor, clocked at 1.7 GHz, provides a substantial performance boost over any chipset likely found in the Honor Watch X5, given its expected price point. The 4nm process node is crucial, offering improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling during demanding tasks like app loading or workout tracking. The Honor Watch X5 will likely rely on a less powerful, older chipset, resulting in slower performance and potentially laggy animations.
Battery Life
The Google Pixel Watch 4’s charging speeds are notably faster, reaching 50% charge in 15 minutes, 80% in 25-30 minutes (depending on the model), and 100% in 45-60 minutes. The Honor Watch X5’s battery life and charging speed are unknown, but given its likely lower price, it will likely have a smaller battery capacity and slower charging. The Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 in the Pixel Watch 4 is designed for power efficiency, potentially offsetting the impact of a smaller battery compared to a less efficient chipset in the Honor Watch X5.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Watch X5 if you need a basic smartwatch for essential notifications and fitness tracking, and are unwilling to spend over $100. It's ideal for users new to smartwatches or those seeking a secondary device. Buy the Google Pixel Watch 4 if you prefer a premium experience with a responsive interface, advanced health tracking features, and seamless integration with the Google ecosystem. This is the choice for users who want a fully-featured smartwatch and are willing to invest in it.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Google Pixel Watch 4’s Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chipset noticeably faster than older smartwatch processors?
Yes, the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 represents a significant leap in performance and efficiency. Its 4nm process node and quad-core architecture deliver smoother animations, faster app loading times, and improved responsiveness compared to older chipsets likely found in budget smartwatches like the Honor Watch X5.
❓ How does the Google Pixel Watch 4’s charging speed compare to other Wear OS smartwatches?
The Pixel Watch 4’s charging speed is competitive, reaching 50% in just 15 minutes. While some smartwatches offer slightly faster peak charging rates, the Pixel Watch 4’s consistent and relatively quick charging is a significant advantage over slower-charging alternatives, especially considering its battery capacity.
❓ If I primarily want a smartwatch for basic fitness tracking, is the Google Pixel Watch 4 overkill?
For basic fitness tracking, the Pixel Watch 4 might be more than you need. The Honor Watch X5, if it offers core fitness features like step counting and heart rate monitoring, could be a more cost-effective solution. However, the Pixel Watch 4 provides more advanced metrics and integration with Google Fit.
