In August, Samsung announced the new Galaxy Watch 5 series, which includes a standard model and a more professional version called the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.
We shared our initial thoughts on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 back in August, essentially announcing that it's a minor update to the best Android smartwatch out there. That was, of course, before the Google Pixel Watch (finally) fell. After a few months we wanted to know: is the Samsung Galaxy Watch still the best?
Here's how they compare (we're not including the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro for the purposes of this exercise).
Which is better, Google Pixel Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch 5?
Google Pixel Watch vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: Specifications
Google pixel clock
- Diameter: 41mm
- Weight: 36g (without strap)
- Battery: up to 24 hours
- Compatibility: Android 8.0 or higher
- Display: 3D Corning Gorilla Glass, 320ppi AMOLED, always-on
- Colors: matte black, matte silver, champagne gold.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
- Diameter: 40mm and 44mm
- Weight: 33.5 grams (without strap)
- Battery: up to 40 hours
- Compatibility: Android 8.0 or higher
- Screen: 450 x 450 resolution, Super AMOLED, always on
Pixel Watch vs. Watch 5. The larger watch option is enough for Samsung to win here, and the Galaxy Watch 5 is the winner thanks to its impressive battery life.
Google Pixel Watch vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: Compatibility
None of the watches are compatible with operating systems other than Android. However, Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and earlier can connect to iOS.
Pixel Watch vs. Watch 5: Both got bad marks for not working with iOS.
Google Pixel Watch vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: Appearance
It appears that the Google Pixel Watch carefully poured a thick liquid onto the table, and surface tension causes the liquid to rise nicely. However, the Galaxy Watch 5 is sharper around the edges. The Samsung watch also shows more of the device's bezel. The strap color options are perfect for both watches, and there's nothing wrong with going with the aftermarket option for them.
The Google Pixel's interface is much better than Samsung's, but personally I wasn't impressed with the way Samsung presented Android.
Pixel Watch vs Watch 5: Google wins this thread with watch look and feel and UI
Google Pixel Watch vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: price
The Google Pixel Watch will set you back an MSRP of $549, while the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 (40mm) with Bluetooth in Graphite/Rose Gold is $440.
Pixel Watch vs. Watch 5: The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 wins the prize with its great features.
Google Pixel Watch VS Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: in fitness and health
The Google Pixel Watch offers a daily summary of your sleep, but Samsung also tracks sleep with the Galaxy Watch 5. The Samsung watch has a dashboard that contains all sleep statistics, such as: B. the calories burned in bed. It also had things you'd expect, like snoring detection, but introduced sleep training, a way to really help you sleep better. If you turn on sleep training and wear the Watch 5 to your sleep for seven days (and fill out two sleep surveys), you'll be assigned a sleeping pet. You will then be given a monthly sleep training program tailored to your pet's unique sleep pattern. Very cute. It even integrates into your smart home collection like a light to help you sleep. This is not the case with Google Pixel watches.
Both are uncomfortable to wear before bed, but 5 hours really took my arm away.
When it comes to fitness, things only get better for Samsung.
Combining the Fitbit era of wearables with the intelligence of Google, the Pixel Watch has impressive fitness prowess. If you subscribe to Fitbit Premium (I don't like that you have to sign up to get the most out of it, but I get 12 months free), you get features like a daily readiness assessment, advanced sleep tracking, and access to exercise programs and meditations on request. Strangely, there's no built-in way to stream Fitbit video content to the big screen.
You do get solid overall health tracking though, including steps, calories, sedentary alerts, all-day heart rate and EKG. Being able to analyze all your raw health data for 90 days is great.
Meanwhile, Samsung Health's new GPX input feature works even better with the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, as it can provide turn-by-turn directions depending on the hiking or cycling route. But everything else about Samsung Health remains just as useful as the Galaxy Watch 4. There are occasional reminders to move, as well as quick snippets when you get up from your seat and head over to get a glass of water. Workouts are still tracked automatically, and if you've ever used the Galaxy Watch you know how well it tracks fitness.
Pixel Watch vs. Watch 5: The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5's intelligent fitness and sleep tracking means it should win again.
pronunciation
The Google Pixel Watch is better than the two, but probably better. The Galaxy Watch 5's fitness and sleep features make it the ultimate Android smartwatch.
Add to that the lower price and the fact that the Google Watch's battery life is nearly doubled. The Google Pixel Watch was the company's first foray. Maybe one day Google will make Samsung the best Android smartwatch, but today isn't the day.
