The smartwatch market is booming, and two contenders vying for your wrist are the Huawei Watch 4 and the Google Pixel Watch. Both offer a blend of fitness tracking, notifications, and smart features, but they cater to different ecosystems and priorities. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei Watch 4 boasts a significantly more powerful chipset and potentially longer battery life, appealing to fitness enthusiasts and those seeking raw performance. The Google Pixel Watch shines with its seamless integration with the Google ecosystem, Wear OS features, and stylish design, making it ideal for Android users deeply invested in Google services.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 66, 71 - GWT9R |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 5, 7, 26 - GBZ4S |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, May 10 | 2022, October 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, June 22 | Available. Released 2022, October 13 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, ceramic back, stainless steel frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 46.2 x 46.2 x 10.9 mm (1.82 x 1.82 x 0.43 in) | 41 x 41 x 12.3 mm (1.61 x 1.61 x 0.48 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 48 g (1.69 oz) | 36 g (1.27 oz) |
| | 50m water resistant
5 ATM
Compatible with standard 22mm straps | 50m/5ATM water resistant (IP68)
ECG certified |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 466 x 466 pixels (~310 ppi density) | 450 x 450 pixels (~320 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.5 inches | 1.2 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED, 1000 nits (peak) |
| | * the display resolution is unconfirmed
Always-on display | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 | Dual-core 1.15 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Exynos 9110 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 702 | Mali-T720 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 3.0 | Android Wear OS 3.5 |
| 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 | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (market/region dependent) | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, compass, SpO2, thermometer (body temperature) | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, altimeter, compass, SpO2 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless | Wireless (Qi) |
| Type | Li-Ion 530 mAh | Li-Ion 294 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Matte Black, Polished Silver, Champagne Gold |
| Models | ARC-AL00 | GQF4C, GBZ4S, GWT9R |
| Price | About 450 EUR | About 220 EUR |
Huawei Watch 4
- Superior Performance (Snapdragon W5 Gen 1)
- Potentially Longer Battery Life
- Advanced Fitness Tracking Features
- Lightweight Design
- Less Seamless Google Integration
- Limited App Ecosystem Compared to Wear OS
- Design Less Premium than Pixel Watch
Google Pixel Watch
- Seamless Google Ecosystem Integration
- Wear OS Features and Apps
- Stylish and Premium Design
- Fitbit Integration for Fitness Tracking
- Shorter Battery Life
- Less Powerful Chipset
- Higher Price Point
Display Comparison
Both watches feature AMOLED displays, offering vibrant colors and excellent visibility. The Pixel Watch generally has a slightly more refined and integrated design with its circular display seamlessly blending into the case. The Huawei Watch 4's display is bright and clear, but the design is more traditional.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch has a built-in camera. Both rely on the smartphone's camera for photo and video capture.
Performance
Here's where the Huawei Watch 4 pulls ahead. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chipset (4nm) is considerably more powerful than the Google Pixel Watch's Exynos 9110 (10nm). This translates to smoother animations, faster app loading times, and overall snappier performance. The Pixel Watch is still usable, but the Huawei Watch 4 feels noticeably quicker.
Battery Life
The Huawei Watch 4 is expected to offer significantly better battery life, potentially lasting several days on a single charge, thanks to its more efficient chipset and optimized software. The Google Pixel Watch typically lasts around 24 hours with moderate use, requiring daily charging.
Buying Guide
The Huawei Watch 4 is a great choice for users prioritizing performance, battery life, and advanced fitness tracking, especially if they're not heavily reliant on Google services. The Google Pixel Watch is perfect for Android users who want a stylish smartwatch with tight integration with Google apps, notifications, and the Wear OS experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Google Pixel Watch compatible with iPhones?
No, the Google Pixel Watch is primarily designed for Android devices and has limited functionality with iPhones.
❓ Does the Huawei Watch 4 support Google Pay?
While it supports NFC, Google Pay support may be limited or unavailable depending on the region. Check Huawei's website for specific details.
❓ Which watch has better fitness tracking?
Both offer robust fitness tracking, but the Pixel Watch benefits from Fitbit integration, providing a more comprehensive suite of health metrics and insights.
❓ How does the Huawei Watch 4 compare to other Wear OS watches?
The Huawei Watch 4 runs HarmonyOS, not Wear OS, so it lacks direct Wear OS app compatibility, but offers a unique user experience with a focus on performance and battery life.
