Google Pixel Watch Vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: The Big Differences Explained

Google Wear OS (formerly Android Wear) is one of the oldest smartwatch platforms, debuting in 2014 on the LG G Watch. Despite this legacy, Google was a latecomer to the smartwatch hardware market. During the 2022 Pixel phone unveiling, Google introduced the Pixel Watch, giving Wear OS a unique identity in a market dominated by Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch and fitness trackers with custom software.

The Pixel Watch doesn't have great hardware, but it does rely on Fitbit's Smart Fitness for high-precision fitness tracking, which Google inherited from its Fitbit purchase. In addition to fitness, the Pixel Watch offers pure Wear OS software.

For several years, the Samsung Galaxy Watch has been one of the best options for Android users who want a well-designed smartwatch. In 2021, Samsung replaced its custom Tizen operating system with a combination of Wear OS and Tizen for its smartwatches. Despite the abundance of Wear OS smartwatches, none look as good as the Galaxy Watch.

Like the Pixel smartphones, the Pixel Watch will become the software development center for the Google-powered smartwatch interface. Since Google also licenses the Wear OS interface to many other watch manufacturers, the Pixel Watch is expected to improve the software experience. This makes the Pixel Watch a desirable option for anyone who wants to try out these anti-look features. If you are wondering which smartwatch to choose between Pixel Watch and Galaxy Watch 5, our comparison will help clear up your confusion.

Pixel Watch deceives with its appearance

The biggest and most obvious difference between the Pixel Watch and the Galaxy Watch 5 is their size. The Pixel Watch comes in a 41mm round face size made from 80% recycled stainless steel (via Google). The Galaxy Watch 5 is available in 40mm and 44mm variants, while the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro has a 45mm face (via Samsung). The smaller Watch 5 uses an aluminum body, while the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro uses titanium.

While the size differences between the Pixel Watch and Galaxy Watch 5 models are easy to see when placed side by side, there is a noticeable difference between the looks of these watches. The Pixel Watch uses a layer of Gorilla Glass 5 to cover the screen, the glass is curved around the perimeter and the edges blend into the body and keep it connected. On the other hand, all variants of the Galaxy Watch 5 use sapphire glass around the flat edges. While the look is subjective, the Pixel Watch's curved edges are deceiving because the curved glass only covers the underlying edges, not the active portion of the touchscreen.

The Pixel Watch has a rotating crown and a button on the right side. The Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro, meanwhile, have two buttons on the right side that can be reversed if you prefer to wear the watch on the opposite wrist.

Matching Offers

©Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 5

According to Google, the AMOLED screen of the Pixel Watch is 1.2 inches with a pixel density of 320 pixels per square inch (pixels per square inch). Google claims that the screen can light up to a high brightness of 1000 nits. Meanwhile, the 40mm Galaxy Watch 5 also has a 1.2-inch AMOLED screen, while the 44mm Galaxy Watch has a 1.4-inch AMOLED screen (from Samsung). Despite the larger watch face, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro also has a 1.4-inch AMOLED display. The pixel density of the various Galaxy Watch 5 models is comparable to that of the Pixel Watch. All watches also have always-on displays.

In terms of durability, the Pixel Watch and Galaxy Watch 5 models perform well under water. All watches can withstand a depth of up to 5 meters or a pressure of 5 atmospheres in fresh water. It should be noted that these claims may differ for other water sources, especially seawater, and the warranty does not cover any type of water-related damage. The Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro are also IP68 rated for dust protection and MIL-STD-810H certified.

The Google

As for the exchange of straps, the Pixel Watch uses a special mechanism to attach or remove the straps. While this makes the process very simple and convenient, it will be limited to groups officially sold or approved by Google, at least initially. On the other hand, the Galaxy Watch 5 uses a single-pin mechanism, making it universally compatible with any suitable watch strap.

Prohibited functions behind Paywall

©Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 5

Fitness remains central to smartwatches, and both watches perform well in this regard. The Pixel Watch has an optical heart rate sensor, which is a staple of any modern smartwatch. It also includes an SpO2 tracker which hasn't been included yet (via Google).

Google is using its machine learning expertise to take advantage of Fitbit's already extensive training algorithms to track activity more accurately. By default, the Pixel Watch has 40 exercise modes that you can track directly from the watch. Users will also be able to unlock 1,000 different training methods by purchasing a Fitbit subscription, the first six months of which are free. Google says that the Pixel Watch is also capable of doing an electrocardiogram (ECG).

In comparison, the Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 have a photometric sensor (PPG) to measure heart rate and SpO2. The Watch 5 variants also have a bioelectrical impedance sensor (BIA), which is used to measure body composition, as well as an EKG (via Samsung). In addition, the watch can measure blood pressure and, in theory, pulse temperature. Many of these features, including pulse temperature, blood pressure monitoring, and ECG, are limited to areas where Samsung has received approval from regulatory agencies such as the FDA.

The Galaxy Watch can track more than 90 different exercise modes (via Samsung), but you can also sign up for paid workouts and sleep advice.

Pixel Watch battery doesn't seem to remember

Leading smartwatches, including the Apple Watch, set a very low bar for battery performance, and the Pixel Watch is no surprise. It comes with a 294mAh battery with 24 hours of battery life (via Google).

On the other hand, the Galaxy Watch 5 models come with batteries of different sizes depending on the model. The 40mm Watch 5 has a 284mAh battery, while the 44mm variant comes with a much larger 410mAh battery. Samsung claims that these batteries can last around 40 hours.

Galaxy Watch 5 Pro has a larger 590mAh battery that will last more than 2 days (from Samsung).

When it comes to charging, both Google and Samsung watches have Qi-compatible wireless charging. While the Pixel Watch's charging speed is limited to 5W, the Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro can charge twice as fast at 10W. It's worth noting that while it's Qi-compatible, the Galaxy Watch 5 will not load. with a third party charger and this limitation appears to have been imposed by Samsung.

Performance and features

On the software front, there are visual differences between Wear OS and the user interface of the Samsung Galaxy Watch. While both watches run on Wear OS 3.5, Samsung uses a custom overlay on them that still resembles older Tizen OS-based smartwatches (via Samsung). You'll notice significant differences in the appearance of the app launcher, Settings app, Quick Settings switch, and app tiles. Specifically, Google is promising three years of software support for the Pixel watch, while Samsung is offering four years (via Wired).

However, under the hood and in terms of experience, things are not fundamentally different. You can download and run the same programs. On this smart watch, you can access apps like Strava, Adidas Running, Nike Run Club, My Fitness Pal, etc. As mentioned above, you can also get exclusive subscription services with both smartwatches.

In terms of performance, the Pixel Watch uses the Samsung Exynos 9110 processor and the M33 coprocessor (via Google). The 11nm chipset is now four years old and was first installed in the Galaxy Watch Active2 in 2019. Instead, the Galaxy Watch 5 uses a more advanced and powerful Exynos W920 processor, manufactured using a 5nm process.

However, the Pixel Watch makes up for its lack of processing power with 32GB of storage and 2GB of RAM compared to 16GB and 1.5GB on the Galaxy Watch 5 models.

Prices dominate your choices

Google Pixel Watch Wear operating system

The Pixel Watch is available starting at $349.99 for the Wi-Fi-only variant, while the cellular alternative will set you back $399.99 on the Google Play Store.

The 40mm Galaxy Watch 5 is priced at $279.99 for Wi-Fi and $329.99 for LTE models. On Samsung's website, the 44mm variants are priced at $309.99 and $359.99 for the cellular and cellular variants, respectively.

The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro starts at $449.99 for the regular variant, with the LTE variant also going up to $499.99 on Samsung's website. These rates do not include local taxes and cannot be converted by direct currency conversion in other countries.

The price of the Pixel Watch and Galaxy Watch 5 reduces the competition, allowing us to simplify the options. The Pixel Watch competes head-to-head with non-professional variants of the Galaxy Watch, providing a cleaner Android experience but at the expense of important features and attractive design. Depending on your priorities, you will be able to make the best decision among the available options.

Read this next: 12 gadgets you didn't know about

The Pixel Watch app is practical: time will tell...

Location:

Smart Home