The smartwatch market is heating up, with Google’s Pixel Watch 4 aiming to redefine the Wear OS experience. We’re putting it head-to-head against the OnePlus Watch to determine which wearable offers the best blend of performance, features, and value. While the OnePlus Watch lacks detailed specifications in our database, we can assess its position based on brand strategy and market segment.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and fast charging, the Google Pixel Watch 4 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chipset delivers a significantly smoother experience, and the 50% charge in 15 minutes is a game-changer. However, the OnePlus Watch may appeal to budget-conscious buyers.
| 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 | 2021, March 23 | 2025, August 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 14 | Available. Released 2025, October 09 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, stainless steel frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 46.4 x 46.4 x 10.9 mm (1.83 x 1.83 x 0.43 in) | 45 x 45 x 12.3 mm (1.77 x 1.77 x 0.48 in) |
| SIM | No | eSIM |
| Weight | 45 g (1.59 oz) | 31 g or 37 g (1.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 454 x 454 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 456 x 456 pixels (~320 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.39 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 | 4GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 6.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | 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 402 mAh | Li-Ion 455 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Moonlight Silver, Cobalt, Harry Potter Edition | Matte Black, Polished Silver, Champagne Gold, Satin Moonstone |
| Price | About 190 EUR | € 353.94 |
OnePlus Watch
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- May offer longer battery life with less demanding hardware (speculation)
- Likely slower performance
- Limited software updates and feature support
- Lack of detailed specifications hinders accurate assessment
Google Pixel Watch 4
- Powerful Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chipset
- Fast charging (50% in 15 minutes)
- Optimized Wear OS experience
- Higher price point
- Battery life may be shorter than OnePlus Watch (depending on usage)
- Potential for software bugs inherent in new Wear OS versions
Display Comparison
Information regarding the OnePlus Watch's display is unavailable. The Google Pixel Watch 4, while not detailed in terms of nits or panel type, benefits from the optimized software integration within Wear OS, potentially leading to better color accuracy and viewing angles. The absence of LTPO information for either watch makes it difficult to assess power efficiency based on refresh rate.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch is known for camera capabilities, and this comparison is largely irrelevant. Smartwatches primarily rely on smartphone integration for photography.
Performance
The Google Pixel Watch 4’s Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 (4nm) chipset is the defining performance advantage. The 4nm process node inherently offers superior power efficiency compared to older, larger node chipsets likely found in the OnePlus Watch. The quad-core Cortex-A53 configuration at 1.7 GHz suggests a focus on sustained performance rather than burst speeds, ideal for consistent smartwatch operation. Without specific CPU details for the OnePlus Watch, it's reasonable to assume a less powerful processor, resulting in slower app loading times and less fluid animations.
Battery Life
The Google Pixel Watch 4’s charging speeds are a significant advantage. The 45mm model achieves 50% charge in 15 minutes and 100% in 60 minutes, while the 41mm model is even faster at 45 minutes for a full charge. This rapid charging mitigates concerns about battery life, allowing for quick top-ups throughout the day. Without battery capacity or charging specifications for the OnePlus Watch, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison, but the Pixel Watch 4’s charging speed is a clear benefit for users who dislike overnight charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the OnePlus Watch if you need a simple, potentially more affordable smartwatch focused on basic fitness tracking and notifications, and aren't concerned with cutting-edge performance. Buy the Google Pixel Watch 4 if you prioritize a responsive Wear OS experience, advanced health tracking features, and the convenience of rapid charging – especially if you're already invested in the Google ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 in the Pixel Watch 4 address the battery life concerns of previous Pixel Watch models?
The Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 is significantly more power-efficient than the Exynos 9110 used in the original Pixel Watch. Combined with software optimizations in Wear OS, it should deliver noticeably improved battery life, though real-world usage will still vary based on features used and display brightness.
❓ Given the lack of detailed specs for the OnePlus Watch, is it a viable option for fitness tracking?
The OnePlus Watch likely offers basic fitness tracking features like step counting, heart rate monitoring, and sleep tracking, consistent with its brand positioning. However, it likely lacks the advanced sensors and algorithms found in the Pixel Watch 4, such as ECG and SpO2 monitoring, making it less suitable for serious athletes or health-conscious users.
❓ How does the charging speed of the Pixel Watch 4 compare to other Wear OS smartwatches?
The Pixel Watch 4's charging speed is among the fastest in the Wear OS space. Achieving 50% charge in 15 minutes is considerably quicker than many competitors, offering a significant convenience factor for users who frequently forget to charge their devices overnight.
