Google Pixel Watch 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 7: The battle for your wrist
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Intro
It's time to welcome the Pixel Watch 3, which is certainly shaping up to be the best all-around smartwatch Google has developed thus far. Now available in two sizes that greatly increases the potential user base, with more AI features, and improvements to health tracking, it's further fueling the company's struggle against its big-name competitors.
And rightly so: the Pixel Watch 3 is shaping up to be a viable alternative to all those Apple Watches and Galaxy Watches of the world.
But it's not only Google that's making moves: Samsung also has a strong presence on the smartwatch scene. Its latest Galaxy Watch 7 is compact, capable, and has a simple, timeless design that makes it suitable for just about any occasion. It's usually not advisable to bet against a Samsung product, and if we were Google, we definitely wouldn't want to cross swords with the Galaxy Watch lineup.
However, that's precisely what's happening here: we're comparing the Galaxy Watch 7 versus the Pixel Watch 3! Which one should you pick?
Pixel Watch 3 vs Galaxy Watch 7: differences
- 41mm/45mm size vs 40mm/44mm size
- 2,000 nits peak brightness on both
- 4nm Snapdragon Qualcomm W5 vs 3nm Exynos 1000 chip
- Dual-band GPS on Galaxy Watch 7
Read more: Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 review: slightly refined, but falls short on battery life promises
Table of Contents:
Also read:
- Google Pixel Watch 3 preview: third time's the charm, eh?
- Google Pixel Watch 3 vs Apple Watch Series 10: Expected differences
- Google Pixel Watch 3 vs Pixel Watch 2: What's changed?
- Pixel Watch 3 review: a severely OK upgrade
- Google Pixel Watch 3 vs Pixel Watch 2: What's changed?
Design & Sizes
Compact and classy
Classy as classy gets (Image by PhoneArena)
Both the Pixel Watch 3 and the Galaxy Watch 7 are no-frills smartwatches that don't stray away from tradition. With a classic circular shape, both are devices that are unlikely to go out of style anytime soon.
For the first time, the Pixel Watch 3 is available in two sizes this year: 45mm and 41mm. This is the first time Google is offering its flagship wearable in two size flavors, and we think that's a good move. We love options!
The 45mm version of the Pixel Watch 3 will provide "40% more display" than the 41mm Pixel Watch 2. At the same time, the 41mm version of the upcoming watch will arrive with 10% more display thanks to thinner bezels.
Well-designed from the back (Image by PhoneArena)
The Pixel Watch 3 relies on aluminum and Gorilla Glass 5, so don't expect titanium or sapphire glass on Google's new smartwatch. We have nothing against aluminum, but the lack of sapphire glass is slightly disappointing, seeing that it's getting more and more common in the smartwatch industry.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy Watch 7 is your standard aluminum Samsung smartwatch. It's got that timeless and easy-going design language, which makes it easy to wear no matter the circumstance. You can have this watch in two size versions, in 40mm and in 44mm. Both are very lightweight and comfortable to wear (unlike the massive Galaxy Watch Ultra).
Sleekness comparison (Image by PhoneArena)
One feature that lacks on the Galaxy Watch 7 is a rotating hardware bezel. Instead, we get a fully touch-based interface; we also don't get a customizable Quick Button like the one on the Galaxy Watch Ultra.
In terms of colors, the Pixel Watch 3 is available in Matte Black, Polished Silver, Matte Hazel (45mm only), and Champagne Gold (41mm). Green, Cream, and Silver are the available colors for the Galaxy Watch 7.
Display-wise, both the Pixel Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch 7 have OLED displays. The maximum brightness achievable by both gravitate around 2,000 nits in bright conditions, boosting the overall legibility of the screens. That's great, but some smartwatches can hit 3,000 nits peak brightness for an ever better legibility; case in point, all those devices are much pricier. The Pixel Watch 3, on the other hand, allows you to get down to 1 nit of brightness.
The Pixel Watch 3 is an IP68-rated smartwatch, but will also survive plunges in up to 50 meters of water, or 5ATM. With the Galaxy Watch 7, we have IP68 general dust and water-resistance on board, but Samsung has also thrown in enhanced water resistance up to 5ATM, or 50 meters. This means that you should generally be okay to swim and dive with the Galaxy Watch 7 without worrying about water damage.
Bands
Lots of customization
The Pixel Watch 3 comes with a fluoro-elastomer band by default, dubbed the Active Band. Google is supplying two sizes in the box of each Pixel Watch 3: a small on suitable for people with wrists between 150 and 185mm in diameter, while the larger will accommodate 165 to 215mm wrists.
You can use most 41mm bands that fit the Pixel Watch 1 and Pixel Watch 2 with the 41mm Pixel Watch 3, but the larger 45mm version of the watch is only available with specific 45mm bands.
Not all colors of the Pixel Watch 3 will come with the same bands. Here's a handy breakdown:
41mm Pixel Watch 3
- Matte Black Aluminum case / Obsidian Active Band
- Polished Silver Aluminum case / Porcelain Active Band
- Champagne Gold Aluminum Case / Hazel Active Band
- Polished Silver Aluminum case / Rose Quartz Active Band
45mm Pixel Watch 3
- Matte Black Aluminum case / Obsidian Active Band
- Polished Silver Aluminum case / Porcelain Active Band
- Matte Hazel Aluminum case / Hazel Active Band
Thankfully, unlike the larger Galaxy Watch Ultra, the Galaxy Watch 7 relies on Samsung's One Click band attachment mechanism. This one uses standard lugs on the case of the watch, while the bands feature a button that lets you quickly and easily detach the strap. This also means that you're not limited to Samsung's bands only: you can use any similarly sized watch band that uses the standard lug system.
In terms of stock bands, we get Samsung's new and vibrant Ripple bands. Available in green and cream colors, with some colorful stitches for extra personality, these new bands go extremely well with the wearable. The bands feel durable and easy to wear.
Software & Features
Yes, AI is all the rage on phones right now, but it's also spreading to smartwatches as well.
The Pixel Watch 3 arrives with Wear OS 5 (already live on the Galaxy Watch 7 series), but Google has also included some of that AI magic. The Pixel Watch 3 will be able to control the camera on your Pixel phone and act as a Google TV remote. You will also be able to view live feed from your Nest Cam or Nest Doorbell straight on your wrist, as well as have two-way conversations with people on your porch, a very neat feature to have.
Of course, you will be able to do all other kinds of smartwatch stuff, like access Google Maps offline and use Google Wallet for payments and public transportation cards.
In terms of health and activity related features, the Pixel Watch 3 is scoring some new features. You will be able to create custom runs and race against your previous workouts to motivate yourself to beat your record.
Great software with good hardware (Image by PhoneArena)
The watch will provide you with haptic cues as to when to sprint, stop to cool down, or simply maintain pace, so a personal trainer on your wrist. In terms of insights, the Pixel Watch 3 will provide you with info about your cadence, stride, and vertical oscillation.
Another new feature is Readiness, which sounds similar to Garmin's Body Battery and Samsung's Energy Score. Readiness will tell you if you're, well, ready to tackle activities and will likely use insights from your previous sleep session. Cardio Load, on the other hand, will tell you just how ready you are for physical activity.
Finally, the Pixel Watch 3 arrives with Fitbit Premium on deck, which boasts AI-powered recommendations and advanced health information. Every morning, the Fitbit Morning brief will provide you with a summary of the most important health and fitness metrics, as well as tell you if you're ready to tackle your daily activity goals based on your sleep pattern.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy Watch 7 comes with One UI Watch on top of Wear OS 5, which Google and Samsung developed in tandem. AI is also present here, running in the background to deliver you insights about your health, daily routines, and your wellbeing.
Fixing a weakness of previous Galaxy Watches, the new one scores dual-frequency L1+L5 GPS, which promises to fix unreliable GPS accuracy in metropolitan areas with high buildings that interfere with the signal. In our experience, GPS is good, but not perfect.
Heart rate accuracy has also been improved, but we still experienced some accuracy issues and anomalies with overly high heart rate. Hopefully, a fix is coming soon.
New on the Galaxy Watch 7 is a new Energy Score metric, which takes into account how well you've slept during the night and gives you an estimation as to how ready you are to tackle your day. This works similarly to Garmin's Body Battery (for the most part), and we already mentioned that Google is likely coming with a similar feature for the Pixel Watch 3.
Another new feature is AGEs index, which takes into account your dietary habits and lifestyle in order to measure your biological aging and how at risk you are to contracting age-related diseases.
Just like previous Galaxy Watches, the Galaxy Watch 7 can measure your ECG and blood pressure, but these two features work only when paired to a Galaxy phone. Once again, Samsung's new watch only works with Android phones and doesn't work with iPhones. The Pixel Watch 3 will surely follow suit and work best with Android devices only.
Battery and Charging
One day at best
Standard smartwatch battery life (Image by PhoneArena)
The large 45mm Pixel Watch arrives with a 420mAh battery, while the smaller one has a 306mAh battery.
Despite this seemingly major difference in size, both the large and the small Pixel Watch 3 are said to deliver the same battery life. Google says to expect 24-hour endurance on both with always-on display enabled. With the battery saver mode on, Google says to expect around 36 hours of usage, which is consistent with most smartwatches of the same size.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy Watch 7 comes with a 425mAh battery in the 44mm model and a 300mAh one in the 40mm model. Paired with the new 5nm Exynos chip on board, those should have delivered great battery life. Sadly, a persistent software bug is plaguing the Galaxy Watch 7 series presently, so battery life is far from its potential best.
Interestingly, the Pixel Watch 3 will score 20% faster charging, but only on the small model. On the 41mm Pixel Watch 3, a full charge takes an hour; the larger watch takes an hour and 20 minutes to get charged from 0 to 100%.
The Galaxy Watch 7 takes around an hour or so to get fully charged, so both wearables are mostly similar in this regard.
Models and Prices
The Pixel Watch 3 will be available in two sizes: 41mm and 45mm. Both of these are available with Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi + LTE connectivity. The Wi-Fi 41mm model starts at $349, and the 45mm model at $399. Interestingly, for $449, you can get the LTE-enabled version of either the 41mm or the 45mm Pixel Watch 3.
The Galaxy Watch 7 is available in 40mm and 44mm versions. The watch comes in Wi-Fi-only and LTE+Wi-Fi versions. Prices start at $300 for the small Wi-Fi model and $330 for the large one. For LTE connectivity, think $50 more: $350 for the small and $380 for the large watch.
Specs
Below, you will find out the essential Pixel Watch 3 vs Galaxy Watch 7 specs that we anticipate:
| Specs | Pixel Watch 3 | Galaxy Watch 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Models (Size, Weight, Prices) | 41mm, 31gr, $349 for Wi-Fi only, $449 for LTE 45mm, 37gr, $399 for Wi-Fi only, $449 for LTE | 40mm / 44mm, both in Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi + Cellular versions |
| Processor, RAM, Storage | Qualcomm SW5100 | Exynos W1000 3nm |
| Software | Wear OS 5 | Wear OS 5/One UI Watch 6 |
| Battery and Charging | 41mm:24-hour battery life with always-on display 45mm:24-hour battery life with always-on display 41mm: 0-100% in 60 min 45mm: 0-100% in 80min | 40mm: 300mAh 44mm: 425mAh |
| Sensors | Compass, Altimeter, Red and infrared sensors for oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitoring, Multipurpose electrical sensors compatible with ECG app, Multi-path optical heart rate sensor, 3-axis accelerometer, Gyroscope, Ambient light sensor, Electrical sensor to measure skin conductance (cEDA) for body response tracking, Skin temperature sensor, Barometer, Magnetometer | Samsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Bio-signal sensor+ Electrical Heart Signal + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis), Temperature Sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Light Sensor |
| New features | AI-enriched interface, IP68 5ATM | IP68 5ATM resistance |
Summary
The Pixel Watch 3 is stepping up the ante for Google.
The Pixel Watch, now in its third generation, finally delivering some substantial competition to the Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch rivals. It's a great smartwatch, still boasting that signature Pixel style, but improving the overall features and fitness-related functionalities. Definitely the best option for those deeply invested into the Pixel ecosystem, but still a worthwhile consideration for all Android users out there.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy Watch 7 suffers from some teething problems, like heart rate accuracy inconsistencies, average battery life, and some exclusive features that require a Galaxy phone. There are many great things on board as well: with tons of new health and activity features, including a new GPS and a more efficient chip, this one is a decent upgrade for those using older Galaxy smartwatches and wearables.
Which one should you get? It definitely boils down to the ecosystems: the Galaxy Watch for Samsung fans and the Pixel Watch for Pixel zealots.
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