Google Pixel Watch 3 vs Apple Watch Ultra 3: Our preliminary comparison

By Mariyan Slavov

Updated: Aug 15, 2024, 9:37 AM

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Google Pixel Watch 3 vs Apple Watch Ultra 3: Our preliminary comparison

Intro

The Pixel Watch 3 and the Apple Watch Ultra 3 are very different beast and one of these devices is still under wraps somewhere in some secret lab. However, we've seen a fair share of leaks and rumors going around already about the Apple Watch Ultra 3, and the Pixel Watch 3 is now official, so we can do a quick preliminary comparison.

The Pixel Watch 3 now comes in two different sizes and follows the same sleek and stylish design language of the original Pixel Watch, while the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will most likely take where the previous model left off, offering a super rugged experience for the adventurers out there.

How do these two compare? It's time to find out! As we already mentioned, at the moment this article is based on leaks and rumors, so take it with a healthy grain of salt.

Pixel Watch 3 (41mm): get at Amazon

The Pixel Watch 3 is here! You can now purchase the smaller-sized model with a 41mm case at Amazon. With its stylish design and multiple features, it's by far the most advanced Google wearable. Currently, no discounts are available on the timepiece.

Buy at Amazon

Pixel Watch 3 (45mm): get at Amazon

If you're looking for a larger screen and some additional features, consider the larger-sized Pixel Watch 3 instead. This one has a larger 45mm case and a 1.45-inch screen. It's available for purchase at Amazon, with no discounts available at the time of writing.

Buy at Amazon

Pixel Watch 3 vs Apple Watch Ultra 3: expected differences

Circular design on the Pixel vs square design on the Apple Watch Ultra 3
1.4-inch diameter and 1.2-inch on the Pixel Watch vs 1.92-inch diagonal on the Watch Ultra 3
Pixel Watch 3 is significantly cheaper starting at $349 for the Wi-Fi version
Wild rumors say the Apple Watch Ultra 3 could cost $1,500
One day battery life for the Pixel vs two-day battery life for the Apple Watch Ultra 3
WearOS 5 on the Pixel Watch 3 compatible with phones running Android, vs WatchOS on the Apple Watch Ultra 3, which is compatible only with iPhone devices

Table of Contents:

Design and Sizes
Bands
Software
Battery and Charging
Models and Prices
Voice Calls and Haptics
Specs
Summary

Design & Sizes

The old "circle vs square" battle

We don't expect major changes to the design of the Apple Watch Ultra 3, and there aren't any to the design of the Pixel Watch 3. This means that the Pixel Watch 3 retains the sleek circular design of its predecessor, going for stylish and understated looks, while the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will most likely follow the super-rugged design route.

The differences in size might not be that big, though. The Pixel Watch 3 comes in two sizes - a larger variant coming at 45mm x 45mm x 12.3mm, and a smaller version measuring 41mm x 41mm x 12.3mm, while the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will probably be close to its predecessor at 49mm x 44mm x 14.4mm.

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is expected to boast the same titanium casing as the previous model, and we already know that the Pixel Watch 3 relies on the good old aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for display protection.

Bands

Proprietary bands on both

Well, sadly these two models are expected to feature a proprietary band mechanism, meaning you will have to buy bands specifically designed for these two watches. In contrast, the most of the vanilla Galaxy watches accept regular 20mm and 22mm straps with two-pin quick release mechanism. We already know this for a fact about the Pixel Watch 3, the device features the same proprietary mechanism as its predecessor, so no standard bands here.

To make matters even worse, the larger Pixel Watch 3 is not compatible with old Pixel Watch bands due to its size. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 might be backward compatible with bands made for previous models, but we can't be sure about that either.

We believe the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will once again bet on rugged and heavy duty straps, often in bright colors, the idea being for you to be easily recognizable in emergency situations. The Pixel Watch 3 launched with the same fluoroelastomer band as its predecessor and the colors also matched the previous generation with Matte Black, Polished Silver, and Champagne Gold.

Software & Features

AI tricks?

The Pixel Watch 3 runs on Wear OS 5, which we already know from the Galaxy Watch 7 series, but Google added some Pixel-exclusive features to the watch. Some of the new features baked into Wear OS 5 include a grid-based app launcher, various new complication options for the watch face (weather conditions, goal progress), and more detailed running metrics (ground contact time, stride length, vertical oscillation). There's new Cardio Load and Readiness score metrics, as well as Auto Bedtime mode to conserve the battery.

Inside the Google ecosystem you can see who's in front of your Nest doorbell right from the Pixel Watch 3's screen, you can also use the watch as a remote for Google TV, and use the heart-rate sensor with other gadgets such as Peloton trainers, thanks to the UWB support.

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is expected to launch with WatchOS 11, which is a big unknown at the moment, but we do have some interesting features we expect to be on the watch. Training Load exertion ranking will provide athletes with a comprehensive assessment of their workout effort. The Vitals following app will be dedicated to tracking essential health metrics, including sleep patterns and heart rate, and there will also be a new SmartStack prediction that leverages machine learning to improve app suggestions based on user behavior and preferences.

Stay tuned for a full rundown of all the new features and software tricks once we have the devices in our lab.

Battery and Charging

Advantage Apple Watch, potentially

The Pixel Watch 3 comes with 306mAh and 420mAh batteries respectively. The larger sized model can last 24 hours no problems, but the smaller model struggles to achieve that. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 and its 564mAh battery will probably offer more autonomy with at least two full days of moderate to heavy usage.

There are a lot of variables here, mostly connected to chipsets, screen brightness, the way both watches deal with sensors and tracking, and so on. But it's safe to say that, based on pure capacity numbers, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 probably has an advantage over the Pixel Watch 3.

Now, when it comes to charging, things are more similar than different. The Pixel Watch 3 gets a 50% charge in 28 and 24 minutes (for the 420mAh battery and 306mAh one respectively) and a full charge takes around 80 minutes. The Apple Watch Ultra 3, on the other hand, will take around 90 minutes for a full charge, but users can achieve an 80% charge in about an hour.

We need to test these claims in the lab, of course, so stay tuned for that!

Models and Prices

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 will probably come in just one flavor, just like its predecessor. Some rumors suggest a crazy price tag of $1,500, but the more accepted and sane prediction points toward a $799 price tag, still about twice as expensive as the Pixel Watch 3.

Here's the detailed pricing of the Google Pixel Watch 3:

Pixel Watch 3 prices:

Pixel Watch 3 41mm Wi-Fi starts at $349
Pixel Watch 3 41mm LTE starts at $449
Pixel Watch 3 45mm Wi-Fi starts at $399
Pixel Watch 3 45mm LTE starts at $499

Voice Calls and Haptics

It's too early to assess the voice calls and haptics feedback quality, as we haven't tested the devices yet, but we can assume both of these watches will have a mic and a loudspeaker, and both of them will be able to make and take calls.

The haptic feedback on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 was very solid, which can't be said about the Pixel Watch 2, so if Google doesn't up its game in that area, we expect another point to go in the Apple Watch Ultra 3's basket.

Specs

Here's a quick specs comparison for the number nerds out there:

Specs	Google Pixel Watch 3	Apple Watch Ultra 3*
Models (Size, Weight, Prices)	41mm and 45mm, both in Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi + Cellular versions	One version with Cellular support
Processor, RAM, Storage	Snapdragon W5	Apple S10 chipset
Software	Wear OS 5	WatchOS 11
Battery and Charging	24-hour battery life 36-hour battery life with Battery Saver Magnetic charger, 50% in 30 mins	24/48-hour battery life Magnetic charger, 50% in 30 mins
Sensors	HR, blood oxygen, altimeter, ECG	HR, blood oxygen, altimeter, ECG
New features	Grid-based app launcher, Weather conditions, Goal progress Ground contact time, Stride length, Vertical oscillation	Training Load exertion ranking Vitals following app New SmartStack predictions Check-in feature for friends Dynamic Watch faces

*-rumored specs

Summary

Now, even at this early stage, there are a few things that stick out. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 will, once again, cater to the adventurers out there, people who need a rugged watch with a solid battery life and are willing to pay extra for that rugged design and premium materials.

The Pixel Watch 3, on the other hand, offers a stylish and sleek approach to the smartwatch equation. This model expands the capabilities of Google's ecosystem, and polished the overall experience.

So, these two are actually designed with different target groups in mind. Of course, when we run them through our rigorous testing procedures, many other things will pop up, so stay tuned for our final verdict.

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Mariyan, a tech enthusiast with a background in Nuclear Physics and Journalism, brings a unique perspective to PhoneArena. His childhood curiosity for gadgets evolved into a professional passion for technology, leading him to the role of Editor-in-Chief at PCWorld Bulgaria before joining PhoneArena. Mariyan's interests range from mainstream Android and iPhone debates to fringe technologies like graphene batteries and nanotechnology. Off-duty, he enjoys playing his electric guitar, practicing Japanese, and revisiting his love for video games and Haruki Murakami's works.