Right now, the only two companies making high-end Wear OS watches are Google and Samsung. Their most recent releases, the Galaxy Watch 7 and the Pixel Watch 3 (review), both include the most recent version of Wear OS 5 out of the box in addition to a feature set that is comparable. It can be difficult to choose one, though, considering their costs. I will thus help resolve the controversy in this thorough comparison of the Pixel Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch 7 after incorporating both watches into my daily routine.
| Specifications
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Galaxy Watch 7 | ย Google Pixel Watch 3
ย ย |
| Dimensions | 44.4 x 44.4 x 9.7 mm (1.75 x 1.75 x 0.38 in) | 45 x 45 x 12.3 mm (1.77 x 1.77 x 0.48 in) |
| Dial Size | 44 mm (40 mm also available) | 41 mm (45 mm also available) |
| Weight | 33.8 g (1.16 oz) | 31 g (1.09 oz) |
| Display | 1.5 inches (480 x 480), Super AMOLED, 60 Hz refresh rate, 2,000 nits brightness, Sapphire crystal display protection. | 1.2 inches (408 x 408), LTPO AMOLED, 60 Hz refresh rate, 2000 nits brightness, Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection |
| Processor | Exynos W1000 (3nm) | Qualcomm SW5100 |
| Operating System | Wear OS 5, Up to 4 years of major updates | Wear OS 5, Up to 3 years of major updates |
| Memory | 2 GB RAM + 32 GB storage | 2 GB RAM + 32 GB EMMC storage |
| Design | Sapphire Crystal and Aluminum frame | Aluminum body |
| Sports Modes | 100+ | 40+ |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Batteryย Life | 30 Hours with Always on Display | 24 Hours with Always On Display |
| Strapย Colors | Green, Cream, Silver | Hazel, Obsidian, Porcelain, Rose Quartz |
| Price | Rs 32,999/$ 299 (Bluetooth + WiFi) | Rs 39,999/ $ 349 (Bluetooth + WiFi) |
Comparing the Pixel Watch 3 with Galaxy Watch 7: What’s Inside
The elongated rectangular box that houses the Pixel Watch 3 and the Galaxy Watch 7 just has the essentials in it. Therefore, the quick start guide, silicon bands, USB-C charging cable, and smartwatch will all be included. Still, Google included a second, longer strap in the Watch 3 package.
Galaxy Watch 7 vs. Pixel Watch 3: Construction and Design
ย Both Google and Samsung maintain the same style of design as their earlier generations. However, Google has improved the Watch 3 with 16% thinner bezels and a new 45 mm model this time. The rest is unchanged, with an all-glass top that curved outward to give the watch a fashionable and immersive appearance.
The simple silicon band that comes with the Pixel feels cheap, and it will get filthy fast if your wrist is damp or oily. Samsung includes a better ribbed silicon band in the package that is not affected by the same issue. The orange and blue accents make the watch instantly noticeable.
With its more conventional appearance, the Watch 7’s sapphire crystal shields the top glass while the aluminum body covers the watch’s sides. The Pixel Watch first captivated me, but it soon faded when I unintentionally knocked it against a wall and discovered how easily it could be knocked. Even with Gorilla Glass 5 for protection, the Galaxy Watch 7 is still something I think about
In terms of security, both timepieces have an IP68 designation that shields them from moisture and dust. So I wouldn’t hesitate to take them out in Noida’s stormy monsoon showers and wouldn’t worry about breaking them.
The Pixel Watch features excellent haptics in addition to a rotating crown. I frequently caught myself tinkering with the crown only for the pleasure of its sensation. At the top of the crown is the Recents button. The dual-button design of the Watch 7, which features white on the bottom and orange accents on top, is still present. On this one, I wish Samsung had retained the rotating bezel found on the vintage devices. Both watches have a heart rate sensor on the back.
I have no issues regarding the bulk of either watch because their weights are nearly equal. However, given its more useful design, the Galaxy Watch would be my first choice if I had to choose one.
Galaxy Watch 7 became winner.
Galaxy Watch 7 vs. Pixel Watch 3: Screen and Speaker Comparison
We currently have the Pixel Watch 3 in 41 mm and the Galaxy Watch 7 in 44 mm at the office before we discuss displays. I shall therefore base my opinions on that; however, both watches provide an additional dial option.
Thus, the Galaxy Watch 7 sports a 1.5-inch Super AMOLED screen, while the Pixel Watch 3 boasts a 1.2-inch curved LTPO AMOLED display. As previously mentioned, Google has lowered the bezels to allow the display to shine more. And shine it does, reaching almost to the edges, giving the almost entirely glass top even more attention. A part of it is also the user interface (UI), as things begin to blend together at the margins, creating the illusion that they are appearing out of thin air, which I find rather intriguing.
The Pixel Watch 3 is the only one to have an LTPO update, however both displays have a 60 Hz cap. This enables the watch to switch between battery-saving and always-on display modes by lowering the refresh rate to 1 Hz. However, I don’t think there are any significant advantages to battery lifeโI’ll talk about it later. The two watches feel rather fluid after use, with the exception of sporadic small hitches in the animation.
Again, both watches offer 2,000 nits of brightness, which puts them on par with one another in this regard. In terms of speaker quality, Samsung has superior audio pickup and louder speakers. The nicest feature is that Spotify music may be played straight from the Galaxy Watch speakers; Apple also included this feature for the Watch series 10 this year. Having said that, LTPO provides the Pixel a distinct advantage if I had to choose a winner.
Pixel Watch 3 became winner.
Performance and Software
The most recent Wear OS 5, which Samsung refers to as Wear OS for Samsung, is now included with both watches. The Pixel Watch 3 is powered by the Qualcomm SW5100, while the Galaxy Watch 7 is powered by Samsung’s proprietary Exynos W1000. The greatest CPUs available for Android wristwatches are these ones.
With Wear OS on the Pixel Watch, Google takes a straightforward and uncomplicated approach. Everything, including menu settings and app icons, is clear and easy to use. With the exception of the watch faces, the user interface is rather simple and uses pastel hues consistently. Conversely, the software on the Galaxy Watch appears to be a condensed form of One UI. Large, vibrant symbols and menus with fancy transitions and blur effects predominate.
I can definitely tell that the Pixel Watch is much smoother now, and I’m even questioning whether the display is 90 Hz. Not that Samsung is inherently awful. Stutters are caused by the performance’s inability to keep up with the animations and transitions. Better haptics are another feature of the Watch 3, which increases interaction engagement.
Using the touch bezels on my Samsung device to individually scroll through each notification is something I don’t particularly enjoy. However, Samsung will receive Wear OS updates for four years, one more than Pixel users would receive for three. I still like Pixel’s Snappy experience better than Samsung’s, even with these benefits.
Pixel Watch 3 became winner.
Galaxy Watch 7 vs. Pixel Watch 3: Fitness and Health Tracking
Both watches have an accelerometer, gyroscope, heart rate monitor, altimeter, compass, and SpO2 meter for health monitoring. Pixel has a thermometer built in so it can also detect the temperature of your skin. Samsung is authorized to take your blood pressure in the interim. While Samsung demands users to download their own health app, Google uses Fitbit to measure all of your health metrics.
Now that we have cleared these up, let me share my initial impressions on the two. Both watches detected my steps precisely during my 20-minute exercise. When I paused to take a rest, they also paused the workout.
The Pixel Watch now tracks your strides during wall or run runs, in addition to the previously measured distance, calories burned, and heart rate. It also gauges how hard you’re working out by tracking your rising heart rate. This teaches you how long the hard sessions last and that you should think about taking a break if you’re pushing yourself too hard.
The Galaxy Watch 7 performs better at automatically detecting workouts, in my opinion. It recognized that I had been walking for ten minutes as I made my way from the office to the Metro station, and it began tracking my steps for the next ten minutes. This was quite remarkable. When Pixel finally detects this, it takes a while to recognize it and prompts you to choose the precise exercise before beginning to record it. Furthermore, it excludes the most recent data from the previous ten minutes.
In terms of sleep tracking, I’d take the Galaxy Watch over any other device. My Pixel Watch 7 indicates that I’m awaker than I actually am for some strange reason. In order to verify my suspicion, I began wearing both watches on my hands as I went to bed. What was the outcome? While Pixel reported 47 minutes of sleep, my Galaxy Watch indicated that I had been awake for only 11 minutes. Thus, there is a need to adjust the sleep tracking.
In addition, it takes roughly a week for The Pixel to generate your readiness score, which indicates how prepared your body is for the day based on your sleep patterns and past training experiences. By comparison, Galaxy completes the same task in a single day. I will thus choose the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 over the Pixel Watch 3 based just on my data.
Winner is: Galaxy Watch 7
Life of Batteries and Charging
To tell the truth, the battery life of neither watch is going to win any prizes. They might emerge panting and sweating at the very end, in my opinion. I only used these watches with the always-on display turned on, and I found it difficult to use them throughout the day.
Beginning with the Pixel Watch 3, Google states that it has a 24-hour battery life when AOD is enabled; nevertheless, in my testing, the device only lasted 15โ16 hours, leaving over 10% of the battery remaining. My experience with the Galaxy Watch 7’s battery life was comparable before the August upgrade. It got better after a while, but not significantly. Even while it may now last nearly 24 hours, it still falls short of the brand’s promised 30 hours.
The Pixel Watch requires approximately half an hour to get 50% charge and approximately half an hour to reach 100% charge. While it supports true wireless charging, the charge speed of the Galaxy Watch is likewise comparable. In the meanwhile, the Pixel Watch still connects to the charging puck using pins.
Galaxy Watch 7 became winner.
Which Watch Should You Getโthe Pixel 3 or the Galaxy Watch 7?
I’ll give you the real answer without sugarcoating it. The Pixel Watch isn’t as good of a value as the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7. Both the design and the included strap appeal to me. Compared to the Pixel, it receives upgrades for an extra year. It is less expensive than the Watch 3, allows wireless charging, and is accurate in terms of health, sleep tracking, and exercise detection.
If the Pixel Watch 3 had cost the same or less than the Watch 7, it would have been successful. In my opinion, the additional featuresโsuch as an LTPO display and continuous heart rate monitoringโdo not make the Rs 39,990, or $349, price point justified. It all depends on your tastes, though, if you adore its curved beauty.