Google didn’t just announce its debut smartwatch in the form of the Pixel Watch – it also delivered the first serious challenger to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 line.
We currently rate the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro edition as the top smartwatch for Android users, but Google’s unveiling does change the Wear OS landscape considerably.
It means those hunting an Android-only smartwatch now have a tough decision to make when choosing their next device. And given that it isn’t always clear which features and specs cross over between the major devices, we’ve created this guide to help.
There’s plenty that these watches have in common, naturally, but below we’ve tried to zero in on the five key considerations and points of comparison.
Also, keep in mind that we haven’t had the chance to actually use the Pixel Watch yet, given that its release is on 13 October. We’ll update this piece with our full impressions following our full testing.
Full overview: Pixel Watch vs. Galaxy Watch 5
| Category | Google Pixel Watch | Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size
|
41mm | 40mm / 44mm | 45mm |
| Weight
|
36g | 26g / 33g | 47g |
| Battery life
|
Up to 24 hours | Up to 40 hours | Up to 80 hours |
| Base price
|
$349 | £339 | $279 / $309 | £269 / £289 | $449 | £429 |
| LTE price
|
$399 | £379 | $329 / $359 | £319 / £339 | $499 | £479 |
| Operating system |
Wear OS 3.5 | Wear OS 3.5 (based on One UI Watch 4.5) | Wear OS 3.5 (based on One UI Watch 4.5) |
| Phone compatibility |
Android | Android | Android |
| Storage | 32GB | 16GB | 16GB |
1. Price varies dramatically
As the table above shows, there are plenty of prices flying about with these three watches.
This is all based on case sizes and the presence of LTE/4G, of course, with how much you can pay ranging from $279 / £269 for the 40mm edition of the Galaxy Watch 5 all the way to $499 / £479 for the LTE version of the Pro model.
In the middle, you’ll notice, sits the Pixel Watch – and various other editions of Samsung’s devices.
Without actually testing the Google smartwatch, it’s difficult to grade the value here, but we would say that the sheer wealth of options means you’re more likely to find a Samsung option that suits you.
2. Fewer case options with the Pixel Watch
That leads us nicely to the design and case options available. The Pixel Watch is only available in a relatively small 41mm stainless steel case, which comes in gold, silver or black.
Again, it’s difficult to ascertain whether this will suit a variety of wrists without performing a proper test, but the fact remains that Samsung simply offers you more choices through its smartwatch duo.
If you opt for the regular Galaxy Watch 5, you’ll be able to choose between a 41mm and 44mm case, which is available in black, rose gold and silver.
The Pro edition has fewer options, mind, only coming in a 45mm design and in a grey or black case.
3. Battery life is better on Galaxy Watch 5
This is likely to be the area of this comparison that’s most subject to change, given that we only have the battery life estimates from both companies to go off so far.
From what we know, though, it appears the Galaxy Watch 5 battery will dwarf that of the Pixel Watch.
Samsung quotes 40 hours for the regular edition, and, from our testing, we’d say this is a claim that stacks up. It’s also a figure that’s doubled in the Pro model.
Based on our time with the Watch 5 Pro, we know it has the ability to get to that 80-hour estimation, but you will have to limit some of the exercise tracking and more advanced features to get there.
It doesn’t feel as though the Pixel Watch will be able to lay a glove on the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro in terms of battery life, but there is a chance that it can rival the standard model in certain use cases.
4. Different approaches to fitness tracking
While all three smartwatches run the latest Wear OS software, the tracking experience actually differs dramatically.
The Pixel Watch is essentially a Fitbit with actual smartwatch features, with the heart rate monitor able to take once-per-second readings in order to power more accurate insights.
You’ll be pairing the Google smartwatch with the Fitbit app, too, in order to get full access to your tracked data – and paying for a Fitbit Premium subscription, if you want advanced features like Daily Readiness.
There’s none of this Fitbit integration with the Samsung smartwatches. Instead, you’ll be diverted to Samsung Health when you come to track your fitness and health features.
We’ve not always been super impressed by sports tracking on the Galaxy Watch 5, so this is really the Pixel Watch’s space to steal. And the early signs provided by the Fitbit integration are intriguing.
5. A health focus for Galaxy Watch 5
While the tracking experience on the Pixel Watch may be powered by Fitbit, it’s actually the Galaxy Watch 5 that has a bigger array of health-focused sensors at its disposal.
Both the Pro and standard model incorporate basic heart rate monitoring, ECG readings, stress tracking, blood oxygen data, blood pressure figures, body composition analysis and body temperature information.
You’ll need a Samsung phone to use the ECG and blood pressure features, though, which is a limiting factor. Also, it’s important to know that the temperature sensor is still not live.
Either way, it’s the most complete array of health features you can find in a smartwatch, and the Pixel Watch can’t really compete.
Still, it’s not a bad array, with a blood oxygen and ECG sensor accompanying the optical heart rate monitor.
