Google Pixel Watch 3 vs Apple Watch Series 10: Google tries, but Apple triumphs

The Pixel Watch 3 is a bold departure from traditional smartwatch designs, with its signature pebble-shaped body and nearly bezel-less Actua display. This aesthetic feels more like a concept device than a practical wearable, giving it a unique identity in the smartwatch market. The addition of a 45mm model complements the existing 41mm size, accommodating users who prefer a larger screen.

The Pixel Watch 3's proprietary band system limits customization, as only Google-approved bands are compatible. While Google includes two band sizes for comfort, third-party options are sparse, leaving users with fewer personalization opportunities.

Unlike the Pixel Watch 3, the Series 10 is fully compatible with older Apple Watch bands, giving users a vast range of personalization options. This compatibility ensures that existing Apple Watch users won’t need to invest in new accessories, further enhancing its value.

The Pixel Watch 3 runs on Wear OS 5, blending Google’s ecosystem with Fitbit-powered fitness tracking. The dual-chip architecture, designed to improve battery efficiency, separates tasks between two processors, with the secondary chip handling background operations. However, in practice, the impact on battery life is minimal, and the system occasionally feels unpolished.

Fitness tracking is powered by Fitbit, offering detailed metrics for steps, calories, and workouts. However, accessing these insights often requires opening the Fitbit app on your phone, which disrupts the seamless smartwatch experience. Features like Google Maps on your wrist and Morning Brief show potential but suffer from inconsistent performance. For example, Google Maps occasionally misinterprets locations, and the Morning Brief lacks critical information like comprehensive sleep data.

Apple’s S10 SiP chip doesn’t bring speed improvements but supports the slimmer design without compromising performance. New features like Sleep Apnea detection leverage gyro data instead of traditional blood oxygen levels, providing unique health insights. While it takes 30 days to generate an assessment, this feature has the potential to improve health outcomes for many users.

The Series 10 also introduces water-specific tools, including a depth gauge and water temperature detection, which are ideal for snorkeling enthusiasts. As expected, Apple’s ecosystem integration is seamless, with smooth app interfaces and reliable performance across the board.

Apple Watches are famously among the best smartwatches for measuring your heart rate accurately. Apple’s heart rate monitoring remains consistent and dependable, with no significant changes from the Series 9.

While it doesn’t offer the exhaustive data provided by Fitbit on the Pixel Watch 3, the Series 10 excels in simplicity. It provides real-time tracking that’s easy to view directly on the watch, with no need for additional apps. This makes it an appealing choice for users seeking straightforward health tracking without additional complexity.

Alongside the the Apple Watch S10, the Pixel Watch 3 delivers one of the most accurate heart rate monitoring experiences available outside of medically certified devices. Google’s integration of Fitbit ensures detailed heart rate tracking during both rest and activity, making it an excellent tool for users with health concerns or those who monitor their fitness progress closely. However, accessing in-depth metrics often requires opening the Fitbit app on your smartphone, which adds unnecessary steps to the user experience.

Apple enhances its sleep tracking with the addition of Sleep Apnea detection, which relies on gyro data to identify irregular breathing patterns. While this feature sets it apart from competitors, it takes up to 30 days to generate results and serves more as a diagnostic tool than a daily tracker. Regular sleep tracking remains consistent with previous models, providing a clear overview of sleep duration and quality without Fitbit-level granularity.

The Series 10’s thinner and lighter design significantly improves overnight comfort, making it easier to wear during sleep compared to the Pixel Watch 3.

As for the Pixel Watch 3, despite software inconsistencies in other areas, sleep tracking is exceptional. Fitbit’s well-established algorithms ensure accurate detection of sleep patterns, offering insights into sleep stages, duration, and overall quality. The watch reliably distinguishes between light, deep, and REM sleep, making it a valuable tool for users seeking to improve their sleep hygiene.

However, occasional quirks, such as missing sleep scores or unexplained gaps in data, can occur with the Pixel Watch. Additionally, wearing the watch overnight may cause discomfort for some users due to its strap design, which can lead to hand cramps.

The Apple Watch Series 10, on the other hand, enhances voice calling with a new Voice Isolation feature, which minimizes background noise during calls. This ensures clearer audio for both the user and the caller, making it a standout for people who frequently take calls in noisy environments.

Furthermore, Apple’s speaker is robust enough to support not only calls but also music and podcasts, adding versatility. Call reliability is excellent, with no reported glitches or interruptions during use.

As for haptic feedback, the Series 10 is industry-leading, offering a subtle but satisfying tactile response. The vibrations feel evenly distributed across the wrist, making notifications and interactions intuitive and comfortable. Whether navigating menus or receiving alerts, the Series 10’s haptics contribute to a premium user experience.