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In today’s post, we have the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 , followed by the Pixel Watch that just came out. Both of these devices are running Google OS, and they are pretty much the best for something with wear OS built in.
Although there are a lot of similarities between these two devices, we’re going to cover the differences and similarities, and really at the end of the day, is it right for you? So let’s get right into it.
| Google Pixel Watch | Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 |
|---|---|
 |  |
| BUY NOW | BUY NOW |
| PROS | PROS |
| + Deep Fitbit integration + All-new Google Home app is available + More RAM and storage + Stainless steel casing + 5ATM water resistance | + Multiple sizes available + Rated for longer battery life + Works with Qi wireless chargers + Uses Sapphire Crystal Glass + Less expensive |
| CONS | CONS |
| – Only one size is available – Proprietary watch bands – Proprietary charging – More expensive | – Some features limited to Samsung phones – Less RAM and storage |
Google Pixel Watch vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: Specs
| Categories | Google Pixel Watch | Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 1.2-inch AMOLED (320ppi) | 1.19-inch (396×396, 330ppi), 1.36-inch (450×450, 330ppi) |
| Brightness | Up to 1,000 nits | Up to 1,000 nits |
| Bands | Active, Stretch, Woven, Two-Tone Leather | Two-tone Sport, Global Goals, Fabric, Extreme Sport, Ridge-Sport, Hybrid Fabric, Hybrid Leather, Sport |
| Navigation | Touchscreen, rotating crown, one button | Touchscreen, two buttons, digital bezel |
| Processor | Exynos 9110 SoC with Cortex M33 co-processor | Samsung Exynos W920 |
| Storage | 32GB | 16GB |
| Battery | 294 mAh; Up to 24 hours | 284mAh / 410mAh; Up to 50 hours |
| Wireless Charging | Yes (proprietary) | Yes |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, altimeter, ambient light, blood oxygen, compass, ECG, gyroscope, heart rate monitor | Acc (32g), Gyro, Barometer, Ambient Light, Compass, Optical Heart Rate Sensor (8pd), Electrical Heart Sensor (ECG), BIA, Continuous SpO2, Skin Temperature Sensor |
| Connectivity | LTE (optional), GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi, NFC | LTE (optional), GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou, QZSS, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi, NFC, Ultra wideband |
| Compatibility | Android (Google Assistant) | Android (Google Assistant) |
| Protection | 5ATM, Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass | 5ATM, IP68, MIL-STD-810H |
| Dimensions | 41 x 41 x 12.3mm | 40.4 x 39.3 x 9.8mm / 44.4 x 43.3 x 9.8mm |
| Weight (without band) | 36g | 29g / 32.8 grams |
Google Pixel Watch vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: Design
- The Galaxy Watch 5 comes in 40 and 44 millimeters.
- The Pixel Watch only comes in a 41 millimeter size.
- Both have circular 1.2-inch AMOLED displays.
First, let’s compare the designs of these two watches. The Galaxy Watch 5 comes in 40 and 44 millimeters, whereas the Pixel Watch only has a 41 millimeter size.
Since the Galaxy Watch 5 comes in two sizes, I’ll mainly discuss the smaller model. Both have circular 1.2-inch AMOLED displays, a touch screen, five atmospheres of water resistance, and an always-on setting.
In terms of glass, the Galaxy Watch 5 has sapphire glass, whereas the Pixel Watch only has Gorilla Glass 5.
Google Pixel Watch vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: Durability
- The Pixel Watch has a stainless steel frame.
- The Galaxy Watch 5 has aluminum frame.
- They both have two physical buttons.
So when we’re talking about overall durability, the Dome shape of this Pixel watch might be a little bit of a drawback, especially if you’re doing a lot of things like rock climbing or things where you might be able to Nick these edges where the durability isn’t going to be as great or you do have that Sapphire they say is 60% stronger than regular glass.
The Pixel Watch has a stainless steel frame as opposed to the Galaxy Watch 5’s aluminum frame, and I find the stainless steel to have a slightly more premium feel.
They both have two physical buttons, one of which is a rotating one on the Pixel Watch that also presses in to give you great haptic feedback as you navigate the user interface. The buttons on the Galaxy Watch 5 can be customized, so things like double presses and holds can be changed, but they cannot be changed on the Pixel Watch.
Also, the clasping mechanism for the band On the Galaxy Watch 5, you’ll have a 20-millimeter band clasping, which is pretty standard across many watches. Still, on the Pixel Watch, they’ve introduced this new clasping mechanism that they liken to putting a lens on a camera. I love it with the Pixel Watch because it’s nice and easy, but the catch is that you have to buy pixel-specific bands for it.
Since there is currently nothing like that, hopefully, they will be adding something that allows you to add something like a 20-millimetre band like a small lug here.
Google Pixel Watch vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: Fitness and Sleep Tracking
- The Galaxy Watch 5 comes with the Samsung Health app.
- Pixel Watch comes with the Fitbit app.
- Both have Google Pay and NFC payments.
Let’s discuss the need for two distinct apps for tracking your fitness and sleep. The Galaxy Watch 5 come with the Samsung Health app, while the Fitbit app, which works with all Fitbit devices, is required for the Pixel Watch. The Fitbit app has a six-month free trial period, and you must purchase a premium subscription to continue using it; however, you do not need to do this for the Galaxy Watch 5.
The Pixel Watch will provide slightly more accurate heart rate readings than the Galaxy Watch 5, which is still accurate but not quite as accurate. This heart rate sensor does sense a heart rate every second throughout the day, which is awesome but affects battery life.
According to several reviews, the GPS connectivity on both of them is fantastic. I observed that the Pixel Watch is marginally more precise. If you want to see the GPS breakdown, you should check out Rainmaker’s channel. The same goes for Quantified Scientists.
Since Fitbit has always been excellent at sleep tracking and the Pixel Watch is no different, sleep tracking will undoubtedly gravitate a little more towards the Pixel Watch. The Galaxy Watch 5 and the Pixel Watch offer blood oxygen measurements, but the Galaxy Watch 5 isn’t exactly a slouch and does excellent sleep tracking. However, the Pixel Watch does excellent sleep tracking, and although it hasn’t yet received an update, we don’t know when it will arrive.
They both have Google Pay and NFC payments. Samsung does have Samsung Pay built-in as well. Still, Google Pay works excellently too. Both devices have other Google integrations, such as Google Assistant and Google Maps built-in, as well as other features like timers, watch faces, and notifications.
Additionally, Samsung allows you to use Bixby, which is great for navigating the band’s menus and asking Bixby for help if you can’t find something.
Google Pixel Watch vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: Baterry Life
- The Galaxy Watch 5 lasts up to 40 hours on the 40-millimeter band.
- The Pixel Watch lasts up to 24 hours.
- The Galaxy Watch 5 comes with a BIA sensor (Bio Impedance Analysis Sensor).
The battery life on both of these is claimed to last up to 40 hours on the 40-millimeter band for the Galaxy Watch 5, but it only lasts up to 24 hours on the Pixel Watch. Based on my testing, that’s accurate if you frequently use GPS tracking or media playback.
The Galaxy Watch 5 will have better battery life overall, but because I use music during my gym workouts, the battery gets depleted a little bit faster. I have to turn Bluetooth off manually to prevent this.
they both come with their own Wireless pucks as well the Galaxy Watch 5 Puck seems to be a little bit more magnetic as it can actually hold on to watches where the Pixel Watch isn’t as strong with it
Even though the Pixel Watch claims not to support Qi wireless charging, it can be charged using reverse charging on my Samsung phone and older Samsung pucks, giving you a battery life of roughly two or two days and a half.
If you want to ensure that the Pixel Watch lasts longer than one day, as opposed to the Galaxy Watch 5, where you only get a day of battery life, you must purchase a full charging schedule.
Additionally, the Galaxy Watch 5 comes with a BIA sensor (Bio Impedance Analysis Sensor), which I found to be reasonably accurate. I write many reviews on smart scales, and none of them could be as precise as this watch, so that’s a big plus.
Additionally, it includes ECG analysis, making the Galaxy Watch 5 more capable of detecting conditions like Afib than the Pixel Watch.
Google Pixel Watch vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: User interface
Let’s quickly review their user interfaces on a Galaxy Watch 5. When you swipe down, you can access your quick settings, and the bottom right button always returns you to your home screen. The top right button does nothing when you click it once, but it performs a customizable action when you double-click it.
Sadly, the hold-down always defaults to Samsung Pay when I use NFC payment through Google Pay. You can also hold it down while double-tapping the bottom right button, which is also customizable.
We saw from the bottom to the top that this is going to be a little app drawer and it all has icons to go through. When we swipe from right to left, this will be all of your widgets, and it has a rotating bezel that you can rotate through the user interface when you go to absence. This is probably one of my favorite parts.
The device’s magnetic band is attached to the back of the device. I’d probably advise you guys to get the sports band if you decide to purchase one. Still, it is relatively simple to remove, these lugs are simple to replace, and all of your sensors are built in, even this body temperature sensor you do not currently receive with the Pixel Watch. This sensor requires an update before it is operational.
There is no hold on this button on the Pixel Watch, but it goes into your app list when you press it. This is just a list that you can use the rotating button right here to go through, and it has a little haptic feedback. I prefer how it’s listed a little better on the Galaxy Watch 5. On the Pixel Watch, when you swipe from top to bottom, this is going to go into all of your quick settings right here.
When you press the top right button once, it will take you to your recently used apps; when you press it repeatedly, it will take you directly to your Google Assistant. When you swipe from right to left, all of your widgets will be displayed; they are all fully customizable and will take you back to your watch face. When you swipe up from the bottom, your notifications will be displayed.
To remove the band from the device, you must press this downward and rotate it a little before it comes off. It appears that there is almost a sensor that you can’t see, so maybe that will be an update. However, it’s also reasonably simple to snap it back on.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Galaxy Watch 5 offers more value for your money than the Pixel Watch. The only thing you miss out on with the Galaxy Watch 5 that you get with the Pixel Watch is the ability to use Google Assistant.
The Pixel Watch does, in my opinion, feel a little bit more premium in your hands, and I actually like the rotating button with the haptic feedback. It also seems a little bit more fluid throughout the user interface on the Pixel Watch, even though there are some aspects of the Galaxy Watch 5’s user interface that I do like a little bit better.
The Samsung help app is free; there is an advantage to that as well. You do not need to pay for a premium membership with the Samsung app. The Fitbit app is great with a lot of great analysis and you even get things like Readiness scores and sleep profiles that you do not get on the Galaxy Watch 5.
I would only really choose the Pixel Watch if it had a charging schedule built in, I could keep the puck with me, and I could charge it multiple times throughout the day so I could use its sleep tracking. If you cannot charge it during the day, you will not be able to use sleep tracking because you must charge it while you sleep to have enough battery for the following day. As a result, you won’t even be able to use that sleep tracking.
You don’t have to think about charging as much with the Samsung watch, so if you can find a good charging schedule or don’t even care about sleep tracking, maybe the Pixel Watch is a little bit better for you. It feels a bit more premium and has an excellent user interface, but I would recommend a Samsung watch for everyone else. It gives you more things built in, more customizable things, and even with the band, you can buy a replacement.
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