If you’re a fitness fanatic, sleep studier or always on the move, buying a smartwatch is probably something you’ve considered recently. Smartwatches can be a super convenient piece of tech, especially if you don’t always have access to your smartphone and want to check notifications as and when. While Samsung has been in the smartwatch game for around 5 years, while Google debuted its entry recently.
The Pixel Watch has been available since October last year and features considerable integration with Fitbit due to its acquisition by Google. The latest model from Samsung, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, hit the scene a couple of months earlier and promises a lot of improvements over the previous Watch 4 series. But what sets these two devices apart? Read our Google Pixel Watch vs Galaxy Watch 5 Pro guide for the lowdown.
Google Pixel Watch vs Galaxy Watch 5 Pro: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Google Pixel Watch | Galaxy Watch 5 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 41 x 41 x 12.3 mm | 45.5 x 45.5 x 10.5 mm |
| Weight | 36 g | 46.5 g |
| Colors | Matte Black case / Obsidian band, Silver case / Charcoal band, Silver case / Chalk band, Champagne Gold case / Hazel band | Black Titanium, Gray Titanium |
| Display | 1.24” AMOLED | 1.4” Super AMOLED |
| RAM | 2 GB | 1.5 GB |
| Operating System | WearOS 3.5 | WearOS 3.5 |
| Processor | Exynos 9110 | Exynos W920 |
| GPU | Mali T720 | Mali-G68 |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LTE, NFC, GPS | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LTE, NFC, GPS |
| Battery | 294 mAh | 590 mAh |
| Storage | 32 GB | 16 GB |
| Compatibility | Android 8.0 or higher | Android 8.0 or higher |
| Price | From $349 (Bluetooth model) | From $399.00 (Bluetooth model) |
| Release Date | October 13, 2022 | August 10, 2022 |
- Beautiful circular, domed design with Wear OS
- Convenient activity tracking for fitness enthusiasts
- Track heart rate and learn your sleep activity
- Contactless payments, notifications and directions
- Make calls or respond to text messages
Google Pixel Watch vs Galaxy Watch 5 Pro: What’s the Difference?
Many factors differentiate the Google Pixel Watch from Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. Let’s take a look at these in closer detail.
Design
The Google Pixel Watch is quite a petite watch with a minimalistic design, circular face, and rounded edges. The rather hefty bezel is of considerable thickness, so this may potentially be an eyesore for some users. In comparison, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro gives off more of a sporty yet sturdy feel, which is also reflected in its protective properties. While the Pixel Watch incorporates Gorilla Glass and a stainless steel case, the 5 Pro is made of titanium and sapphire crystal glass. Both are fairly protective, and certainly more than aluminum or plastic, but the 5 Pro is just that bit more durable. This is also because of its raised edges, which help to further protect against scratches and falls.
Looking at aesthetics, many users prefer the modern and informative interface of the 5 Pro, which presents all your activity on an attractive tile and a ring interface. On the other hand, the Pixel Watch displays information rather unimaginatively. Those who are after a no-frills, no-fuss interface won’t mind the Pixel Watch, but the 5 Pro is the more attractive of the two.
Both devices only come in one size – 41 mm and 45 mm for the Pixel Watch and 5 Pro, respectively. The 5 Pro is also considerably bulkier than the Pixel Watch, coming in at around 10 grams heavier. User experience will largely depend on the strap used and the tightness, but those with particularly small wrists may find this cumbersome.
Pixel Watch may be the more comfortable watch, but the superior durability of the 5 Pro is not to be underestimated.
Colors
Color-wise, options are a little more extensive with the Pixel Watch. You get Matte Black, Silver and Champagne Gold options for the case. Each comes with a different band, ranging from Charcoal and Chalk for the Silver cases to Obsidian and Hazel for the Matte Black and Champagne Gold cases, respectively. In contrast, the 5 Pro is only available in Black or Gray Titanium colors. Overall, both devices offer fairly understated colors, but the Pixel Watch has a little more vibrancy.
©<a href=”https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/” title=”Public Domain Dedication (CC0)”>Some rights reserved</a> by <a href=”/photos/dennissylvesterhurd/”>Dennis S. Hurd</a> – License
Display
The display is essential when buying a smartwatch, mainly because it’s much smaller than a smartphone. Because of this, even a relatively minor difference in display size can become noticeable. The difference between screen sizes is just under a fifth of an inch, with the 5 Pro offering a larger display. This will seal the deal if the display size is a big priority for you. The 5 Pro also boasts a Super AMOLED display, as opposed to the AMOLED display of the Pixel Watch. The real-world difference isn’t huge since both have an identical 450 x 450px resolution and 1,000 nits peak brightness, but the display of the 5 Pro will be ever so slightly sharper.
Both models feature Always On Display, where the screen is dimmed but constantly displays useful information. Mostly, it comes down to the size and sharpness of the display. In this case, the 5 Pro is the clear winner.
Sensors
5 Pro is integrated with the Samsung Health platform, and the Pixel Watch is integrated with Fitbit’s platform. As such, you’ll be using these respective apps on whichever device you use. This is worth mentioning because Fitbit tends to block access to some of its features and information to free users, whereas Samsung Health is entirely free. You do receive 6 months of Fitbit Premium for free, but since most users will plan to use their smartwatch for far longer than this, this is still a drawback. This will swing the case in the 5 Pro’s favor for the budget-conscious.
While both models can measure heart rate and take an ECG to monitor heart health, the Pixel Watch cannot take blood oxygen levels. We hope the company will implement this feature soon. The 5 Pro has other features that the Pixel Watch does not. These include the ability to measure stress levels and calculate body composition using bioelectrical impedance. Fitness sensors are particularly useful for runners. The ability to download, record and share your run routes with your friends is very helpful, as well as its trackback feature. You can retrace your route if lost or disoriented, giving you that extra security and peace of mind.
Accuracy of measurements
Of course, interpreting data from sensors will only be as useful as the accuracy of the measurement itself. And this is another area where the 5 Pro pulls ahead – the curvature of the watch face means the watch can fit more snugly on your wrist. This allows for better skin contact and improved measurements. Considering the extra features with no additional cost and superior accuracy, the 5 Pro comes out on top in this category.
Battery Life
With a battery twice the size of the Pixel Watch, you’d expect the 5 Pro to outperform the competition by a significant margin. As such, the Pixel Watch has clear problems lasting for even 1 day on a full charge, whereas the 5 Pro can potentially last 3 days from full charge if continuous features such as sleep and GPS tracking are turned off. This is a massive improvement over previous models, which would only last around a day. The Pixel Watch also reaches a 50% charge after around half an hour, whereas the 5 Pro can reach the same charge in 20 minutes. Due to a significantly prolonged battery life and a pleasantly reduced charging time, the 5 Pro edges out the competition again.
Tech Specs
Aside from the battery size, the 5 Pro will enjoy a longer battery life because it uses Bluetooth 5.2. This improves audio and energy consumption compared to the Bluetooth 5.0 present in the Pixel Watch. Both models are compatible with the latest Wear OS, the 3.5 version, but functionality is still different. The Pixel Watch is pre-installed with all the Google apps you’d expect, such as Gmail, Google Assistant, Google Photos, YouTube Music, Google Maps, Google Home, Google Calendar and Wallet. The 5 Pro, on the other hand, features Samsung Pay, Samsung Gallery, and the previously mentioned Samsung Health, as well as Google Maps, Gmail and Google Assistant.
Essentially, it can perform many similar functions. But where the 5 Pro shines is in the long-term software support. Whereas Google has promised 3 years of supported updates, Samsung has promised 4. Another year means a bit of extra longevity for the 5 Pro.
Concerning performance, the Exynos W920 chipset of the 5 Pro is an excellent upgrade. This aims to deliver superior graphics performance of 10 times, up to a 20% boost in performance overall and more efficient power consumption compared to the 9110 present in the Pixel Watch. This is nice to have and especially noticeable if you compare the two watches side-by-side. You can expect faster load times, speedier transitions and smoother graphics from the 5 Pro.
Storage
One area where the Pixel Watch has an advantage is when it comes to RAM and storage. 16 GB of storage has been Samsung’s standard recently, but the Pixel Watch improves upon this with 32 GB of available storage. You also get half a GB extra RAM with the Pixel Watch, but the 5 Pro is still the faster model due to differences in processors. But having double the storage of the 5 Pro means you can store many more apps and music on the Pixel Watch. This comes down to whether speed or storage space is more important to you.
Price
If you look at launch prices for Bluetooth models, you’ll see the 5 Pro costs $100 more. Prices have dropped since launch, so you can expect the 5 Pro to be around $50 cheaper. Since the 5 Pro has more sensors of greater accuracy, a sturdier design and a larger display, this will be enough to justify the price in many cases. The Pixel Watch has only been launched recently, though. As prices come down over time, it may become more of an attractive bargain.
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Google Pixel Watch vs Galaxy Watch 5 Pro: 9 Must-Know Facts
- The Pixel Watch is made of stainless steel and Gorilla Glass. The 5 Pro is made of titanium and sapphire crystal glass, which are more protective.
- Currently, the Pixel Watch is around $50 cheaper, and the price may decrease further over time.
- The battery life of the Pixel Watch is around a day. The 5 Pro can last up to 3 days.
- The watches use the same operating system, but the processor of the 5 Pro is superior.
- The Pixel Watch has double the storage of the 5 Pro
- The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro has more sensors and is more accurate
- The Pixel Watch can only use bands from Google, whereas the 5 Pro can also use third-party bands
- You’ll need Fitbit Premium to use the Pixel Watch’s fitness features fully. Samsung Health for the 5 Pro is free
- The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro has GPX functionality for tracking, recording and sharing run routes
- An advanced tracker that monitors sleep and wellness throughout the day.
- Tracks your daily workout activities from running and hiking to swimming.
- Amazing battery life for prolonged use outdoors.
- Built to last with a titanium case and Sapphire Crystal glass.
- Compatible with all Apple devices
- Easily customizable
Google Pixel Watch and the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro: What’s new?
Here are some of the updates the Google Pixel Watch and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro have received since February 2023:
Google Pixel Watch
- Security update: The security update fixed several security issues making the watch safer.
- New features: New features were added, such as high and low heart rate notifications, SpO2 monitoring, and auto-pause for runs, walks, and bike rides.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro
- Blood pressure monitoring: The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro now supports blood pressure monitoring in select markets.
- New software features: The software update added new features, such as a new workout widget, improved sleep tracking, and a new stress management app.
Google Pixel Watch and the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro: What’s next?
As technology advances, we could see more updates and improvements to both the Google Pixel Watch and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. Here are some possible updates we might see in the next six to 18 months:
- Software updates: Regular software updates means that new features and bug fixes will be released over time, keeping the watches both up-to-date and secure.
- New features: Google and Samsung are always working on new features for their smartwatches. We might see new features such as new health tracking metrics, fitness tracking features, or smart assistant capabilities.
- New colors and material: New versions of both watches might be released in different color options or with materials.
- Compatibility with new features and apps: It’s likely that both watches will be compatible with new features and apps. As the operating systems of both watches continue to develop, new features and apps will be released that are compatible with both the Google Pixel Watch and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.
Google Pixel Watch vs Galaxy Watch 5 Pro: Which One is Best?
Overall, it’s hard to dispute that the 5 Pro is the better smartwatch. It has almost 3x the battery life of Pixel Watch, a more protective design, a faster processor, and more accurate sensors. Generally, the Pixel Watch seems the much more affordable option, especially for the casual user. But this isn’t always the case, particularly if you plan on using Fitbit. If you opt for a Fitbit Premium subscription, this will set you back $10 a month. This means, at today’s prices, the cost will have equalized after 5 months of usage. Therefore, the price of the 5 Pro becomes more attractive in the long term. Hardcore Google fans will enjoy the integration with the smartwatch, especially with their Pixel phone or Pixel Buds. Samsung lovers will appreciate the enhanced experience of their wearables.
Most of the apps on the Pixel Watch are also usable with the 5 Pro. The exception to this is Google Photos. While the Pixel Watch does offer Fitbit integration, the fitness capabilities of the 5 Pro are also impressive. The hardiness of the design, coupled with the GPX and trackback functionality, appeals to those who enjoy running outside. People who don’t use Fitbit will be happy with this. If you’re looking for a long-lasting smartwatch that you don’t have to charge daily, go with the 5 Pro. If you’re a casual user not interested in fitness and want an affordable watch, the Pixel Watch is sensible.
- Beautiful circular, domed design with Wear OS
- Convenient activity tracking for fitness enthusiasts
- Track heart rate and learn your sleep activity
- Contactless payments, notifications and directions
- Make calls or respond to text messages
- An advanced tracker that monitors sleep and wellness throughout the day.
- Tracks your daily workout activities from running and hiking to swimming.
- Amazing battery life for prolonged use outdoors.
- Built to last with a titanium case and Sapphire Crystal glass.
- Compatible with all Apple devices
- Easily customizable
