Goggle Pixel Watch vs Galaxy Watch 5 2026 February: Review, compare

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The Google Pixel Watch and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 are both high-end watches that try to compete with the Apple Watch for Android phones. Both have the latest version of Wear OS, a round display, and many of the same health sensors and workout tracking features. But how do these two Android watches compare when you actually use them instead of just reading about them on paper?

Price and size could be the deciding factors in your first choice. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 starts at $280 (£269, AU$499) for the 40mm version and $309 for the 44mm version, while the Pixel Watch only comes in one 41mm size and costs $350 (£339, AU$549). If you spend a little more money, either $330 for the Galaxy Watch or $400 for the Pixel Watch, you can get the LTE or cellular version so you can get calls or send messages when you’re not near your phone.

Goggle Pixel Watch vs Galaxy Watch 5 Comparison Table

	Goggle Pixel Watch	Galaxy Watch 5
Display size	1.2-inches	40mm: 1.2 in. 44mm: 1.4 in.
Dimensions	41 x 41 x 12.3 mm (1.61 x 1.61 x 0.48 in.)	40 mm: 40.4 x 39.3 x 9.8 mm (1.59 x 1.55 x 0.39 in.) 44 mm: 44.4 x 43.3 x 9.8 mm (1.75 x 1.70 x 0.39 in.)
Processor	Exynos 9110 w/ Cortex M33 co-processor	Exynos W920
RAM	2GB	1.5 GB
Battery	294mAh	40 mm: 284mAh 44 m: 410mAh
Sensors	Accelerometer Gyroscope Multipurpose electrical sensors compatible with ECG	Optical Heart Rate Sensor Electrical Heart Sensor (ECG) BIA (Body Composition Analysis)

Goggle Pixel Watch vs Galaxy Watch 5: Features

Both the Google Pixel Watch and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 are Wear OS watches, but they are very different in how they work. The Pixel Watch has almost every Google app built in, but the Galaxy Watch 5 only has Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Assistant. But because Samsung customises Android OS for its phones, Wear OS by Samsung gives users a unique experience.

It comes with a number of Samsung programmes, but the main one for fitness tracking is Samsung Health. Fitbit is used for all fitness tracking on the Google Pixel Watch. The Galaxy Watch 5 has some interesting sensors, like a system for measuring body composition called bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and a skin temperature sensor that is new this year. The Pixel Watch only has sensors for heart rate and blood oxygen level. You can get this smartwatch from its official website.

Goggle Pixel Watch vs Galaxy Watch 5: Design and Screens

The screen on the Google Pixel Watch is curved, and it looks like a sleek wristwatch with a digital crown and a side button. The screen on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is flat, and there are two buttons on the sides. Instead of a crown, the screen has a virtual touch bezel around it. To switch between menus and options, move your finger around the bezel.

When it comes to comfort, the Pixel Watch fits better on my small 152mm wrist, especially when it comes to tracking my sleep, but it might be too small for some wrists. That might make you want a bigger watch right away and sway you towards the Galaxy Watch 5 or even the bigger 45mm Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. You can get this smartwatch from its official website.

Goggle Pixel Watch vs Galaxy Watch 5: Battery life

The battery in the Galaxy Watch 5 is 15% bigger than the one in the Galaxy Watch 4. This means that it can last up to 50 hours on a single charge. That’s about 10 hours longer than before and about two days. Samsung says that the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro for outdoor sports has a battery life of 80 hours, so it can keep up with adventures that need GPS.

The Google Pixel Watch is said to have a battery life of 24 hours. But when we tested it, we could barely make it that long because GPS uses 20% of the battery per hour. Even so, the watch did last for 24 hours on days when we didn’t work out or use activity tracking.

Goggle Pixel Watch vs Galaxy Watch 5: Fitness and Features

Most of the features on the Pixel Watch and Galaxy Watch 5 are the same, but there are a few differences. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 can track your heart rate, has an ECG, measures blood oxygen, has GPS, tracks your sleep, and more.

The Google Pixel Watch can do almost everything the Galaxy Watch 5 can do, but at the time this article was written, it couldn’t track your blood oxygen. But it has the hardware to do so in theory, and this feature will probably be turned on at some point. Plus, you can use Fitbit’s apps with the Pixel Watch, which you can’t do with the Galaxy Watch 5.

Which one should you buy?

The best Samsung watches can be used with a Pixel phone, and some of the features are made for people with Samsung phones. Now, people who have Pixel phones can get a smartwatch that works with their products. So, the Pixel Watch is better if you have a Pixel phone. But if you have a Samsung phone, the Galaxy Watch 5 is the best choice.

The Galaxy Watch 5 is the better smartwatch overall because it is more mature. Still, neither of these watches is our favourite for fitness tracking. If you want a watch that can help you be more active, check out our thoughts on the Fitbit Sense 2 and our guide to the best running watches.

Galaxy Watch 5 PROS AND CONS

Goggle Pixel Watch PROS AND CONS

FAQS

Is Pixel Watch better than Samsung watch 5?

The Pixel Watch does less than the Galaxy Watch 5. It is run by a 5nm Exynos W920 chipset with two 1.18GHz Cortex-A55 cores, 1.5GB of RAM, and 16GB of built-in storage.

Is Pixel Watch worth buying?

The simple answer is that it is. As a result of Google’s integration of Fitbit’s platform and services, the Pixel Watch has quickly become one of the most highly recommended smartwatches for people who are serious about their fitness. 

Are pixels better than Galaxy?

As a result of all of these issues, we have come to the conclusion that Google Pixel smartphones are not as reliable as Samsung smartphones, at least not yet. You will get more for your money if you go with the Pixel, but going with Samsung is still the better option because it is less likely to give you difficulties in the long run.