The differences between the Google Pixel Watch vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 could determine what’s the best smartwatch for Android this year.
On one hand, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is among the best smartwatches overall and is the first device to run Google’s unified Wear OS software. On the other, the rumored Google Pixel Watch is poised to become the ultimate accessory for Pixel smartphone users.
Since the Pixel Watch hasn’t been announced, we can’t say whether one smartwatch is better than the other. But based on rumors and other expected features, we can speculate on how the Pixel Watch vs. Galaxy Watch 4 might compare in terms of price, appearance, battery life and more
Google Pixel Watch vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4: Price
What we know about the Pixel Watch rumored price comes from a few different points of intel. Twitter user Yogesh Brar claims the Pixel Watch will cost between $300 and $400. A previous rumor suggested a $400 Pixel Watch price tag. An alleged leak says the Google smartwatch will come in two sizes and at least four watch band options, too. Unclear if that includes LTE versions.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 starts at $249 for the 40mm Bluetooth model and $299 for the 40mm LTE model. The Galaxy Watch 4 Classic model with elevated materials starts at $349.99 for the 42mm Bluetooth model and $399 for the 42mm LTE model. That said, since the smartwatch is already several months old, you can often find it on sale.
Google Pixel Watch vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4: Design
We’ve seen Pixel Watch design renders for at least a year now, with tipster Jon Prosser releasing a collection of images last May of what he expects the smartwatch to look like. But more recently, a person claimed to have discovered a Pixel Watch prototype left at a restaurant table. The person shared images of the device from every angle with Android Central, even including one picture of Google’s ‘G’ logo illuminated on the screen.
The prototype features a round, edgeless display and two additional buttons hidden away on the metal band underneath a rotating crown. We will say it looks a bit thick, so we hope the final design sits more flush to the user’s wrist.
The Galaxy Watch 4 actually has two design options. First, the sporty-looking Galaxy Watch 4 as the company’s flagship and a follow-up to the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2. Second, the ‘Classic’ version that carries on the luxurious characteristics of last year’s Samsung Galaxy Watch 3.
As the name may suggest, the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic model looks more like a traditional watch, offering a good balance of fashion and function. It even features a physical rotating bezel you can use to navigate menus. If you’d like to read more about the differences between the two models, check out our Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 vs. Galaxy Watch 4 Classic guide.
Google Pixel Watch vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4: Features
We don’t know much about what the Pixel Watch will do, but a few Pixel Watch features Google could easily borrow from its Fitbit acquisition include workout tracking, sleep tracking and stress tracking. Adopting advanced health sensors such as ECG or EDA will make the watch more attractive too.
In a Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 workout test, we liked the watch’s activity tracking tools. But sleep tracking and stress tracking performed so-so — Samsung Health simply doesn’t have the same sophistication as Fitbit.
When it comes to similarities, both watches will surely be running Google’s Wear OS (or simply, Wear) software, the same way the best Samsung phones and Pixel phones both run Android. We’ve not seen other Wear OS eligible smartwatches upgrade to the latest version yet. Could Google be waiting until it has its own hardware?
Google Pixel Watch vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4: Battery life
According to 9to5Google, sources say the Pixel Watch’s battery capacity will be 300 mAh. It’s not clear whether this capacity will be consistent across the rumored multiple models of the Pixel Watch, but if we had to guess, the Pixel Watch battery life with regular use will max out at about two days. That’s the same as the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, which again, is presumably running the same software.
It’s also possible the battery life could rival the stamina of any of the best Fitbit watches, which typically last between 5 and 7 days. But features like an always-on display, cellular connectivity and GPS use will likely limit how long the Pixel Watch can last.
Google Pixel Watch vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4: Outlook
Until the Pixel Watch is announced and we can test it, we can’t say whether it’ll keep up with (or out-perform) the Galaxy Watch. Samsung has several years of selling smartwatches under its belt, placing high stakes on the expected Pixel Watch launch.
Still, Pixel smartphone users have been awaiting a dedicated smartwatch, or a smartwatch that’s optimized for their handset. Pixel phone users can use any of the best Samsung watches, but they leave some features to be desired.