Google Pixel Watch 4 vs Galaxy Watch 8: Brain versus beauty
Google ups the ante with an impressive new Pixel Watch 4. Can it beat the Galaxy Watch 8?
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These are probably the two best smartwatches if you have an Android phone. Okay, three if you're a nerd and are aware of the existence of the spectacular OnePlus Watch 3. However, implying that most people's smartwatch knowledge ends with the Apple Watch and the Galaxy Watch, such niche offerings aren't really ready for the primetime.
So, if you're team Android, then you should consider getting either the Google Pixel Watch 4 or the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, which are two of the more popular options out there.
The differences this year are palpable: one is a more traditional watch with a round shape, while Samsung shook things up with a new squircle design for the Galaxy Watch 8. The Pixel Watch 4 has also scored a pretty decent two-day battery life, whereas the Galaxy Watch doesn't really offer a similar improvement and is still largely a one-day watch.
Add the long-awaited repairability and the excellent new AI features, and the Pixel might be the better pick.
Pixel Watch 4 vs Galaxy Watch 8: expected differences and similarities
- Both are available in a small and large size
- Impressive 3,000 nits of max brightness on both
- Faster charging on the Pixel Watch 4
- Longer battery life on the Pixel Watch 4
- Dual-band GPS on both
- Galaxy has some unique features like Antioxidant Index
- Pixel has new Personal AI Coach
- Same $350 starting price on both
Table of Contents:
Design & Sizes
Compact and classy
The Pixel Watch 4 sticks with its familiar round style with a domed glass. A classy look, no doubt, while the Galaxy Watch 8 has adopted a new "squircle" shape that looks odd on pictures, but has grown on us in real use. Plus, it has the added benefit of the metal "cushion" of the watch acting as additional protection against bumps.
Both watches come in small and large sizes. For the Pixel Watch 4, the sizes are 41mm and 45mm, while the Galaxy comes in 40mm and 44mm. We definitely love the variety here.
The Galaxy has one advantage, though: it's thinner, and noticeably so. Samsung's timepiece measures 8.6 mm in thickness, compared to 12.3 mm on the Pixel Watch 4. Quite the difference, which does have real-life repercussions.
Durability-wise, the Pixel Watch 4 uses Corning Gorilla Glass 5, while the Galaxy Watch 8 features a sapphire crystal glass, which should be more resistant to scratches. We urge you not to test that, though,
Both come with an IP68/5ATM rating, which is the de facto standard for a smartwatch.
In terms of buttons, we love having a physical rotating crown on the Pixel Watch 4, while on the Galaxy Watch 8 you have to swipe on the screen with your fingers, not quite as nice.
As for colors, the Pixel Watch case comes in Satin Moonstone, Polished Silver and Matte Black. The Galaxy Watch 8, on the other hand, can be purchased in either graphite or silver.
Display-wise, both the Pixel Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 8 have OLED displays.
The maximum brightness achievable by both gravitates around 3,000 nits in bright conditions, which is plenty and definitely boosts legibility when you're out and about.
Bands
Lots of customization options
The Pixel Watch 4 arrives with the same default sporty "Active Band". Google gives you two sizes of this strap in the box: a small one for wrists between 150mm and 185mm, while the larger accommodates 165mm to 215mm wrists.
The Galaxy Watch 8, on the other hand, comes with a new proprietary quick-swap "Dynamic Lug" system that is - unfortunately - not compatible with earlier models. Still, it's more convenient than before.
Samsung pairs the Galaxy Watch 8 with a sport band, but you can also purchase the comfortable fabric strap or the athleisure hybrid strap, which mimics a leather band.
Of course, with the help of an adapter, you can easily use third-party straps with both of those watches.
Software & Features
First, the good news. Gemini is available on both the Pixel Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 8, so you will not be missing out on either one.
We've already mentioned that both these watches come with Google's latest Wear OS 6 software, but the Pixel Watch is getting actively themed with the new Material Expressive 3 UI. Part of its charm is buttons and notifications that react when they reach the display edge, and buttons that grow larger when you tap them. Dynamic theming also matches colors from the watch face across other UI elements.
Personal AI Coach
In terms of health- and activity-related features, the Pixel Watch 4 gets a new Personal AI Coach, which is definitely something that we like.
This is like having a personal trainer, but living on your wrist all the time. The experience starts with a quick chat about your health and fitness goals and the workouts you like. From there, it builds you a personalized plan with detailed workouts and weekly progress targets.
Best of all, it’s not just a one-and-done plan. The coach adjusts everything in real time based on your data. Say you wake up feeling tired after a bad night’s sleep. The watch won't push you too hard.
Plus, life happens, right? Maybe you are busy or traveling, or you pulled a muscle. You can check in with the coach and tell it how you're feeling, and it will adjust your workouts. Super impressive!
Satellite Connectivity
A new and very useful addition to the Pixel Watch 4 is satellite connectivity. This will only work in the US and ONLY with the LTE version of the Pixel Watch 4 (it needs the modem in that version). It's great having this feature when you are on a long hike or somewhere with no signal.
The Galaxy Watch does not support that.
Both watches however now support dual-frequency L1+L5 GPS. Good news for people running in a big city like NYC.
Just like previous Galaxy Watches, the Galaxy Watch 8 can take an ECG reading and also measure your blood pressure, but these two features work only when paired to a Galaxy phone.
Battery and Charging
Can we have a 2-day smartwatch? Please?
Our biggest disappointment with the Galaxy Watch 8 is just its unchanged battery life. This is still a one-day smartwatch.
That's where the Pixel Watch 4 really shines.
Pixel Watch 4 vs Galaxy Watch 8 Battery Sizes
| Pixel Watch 4 | Galaxy Watch 8 |
|---|---|
| 41mm 327 mAh | 40mm 325 mAh |
| 45mm 459 mAh | 44mm 435 mAh |
Battery life on the 41mm Pixel Watch is 30 hours with AOD and two days with Power Saver Mode, while the bigger version gets 40 hours with AOD and three days with Power Saving.
Add superfast charging on top of that, which is definitely beneficial for all users.
A new charging dock delivers 80% charge in just 30 minutes, and best of all, in just 15 minutes you can get all the charge you need for a full day. It takes about an hour to get to 80% on the Galaxy Watch 8, a massive difference.
Models and Prices
For both the Pixel Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 8 we get a small and large size, and then each of those sizes is available in either Wi-Fi only version or one with Wi-Fi and cellular LTE connectivity.
Here is a breakdown of the prices:
- Small size Pixel Watch 4 - $350 for Wi-Fi, $450 for LTE
- Small size Galaxy Watch 8 - $350 for Wi-Fi, $400 for LTE
- Large size Pixel Watch 4 - $400 for Wi-Fi, $500 for LTE
- Large size Galaxy Watch 8 - $380 for Wi-Fi, $430 for LTE
Summary
The Pixel Watch 4 is finally reaching maturity, and with faster charging and longer battery life, it improves the two areas that matter the most.
And since Samsung has not done much to improve those two things, the Pixel Watch 4 might just be the Android watch to buy in 2025.
The only bad news about Google's new timepiece is that you have to wait until October 9th to get it.
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