Key findings
- The Pixel Watch 3 comes in 41mm and 45mm sizes and a variety of finishes, while the Galaxy Watch 7 comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes. You can choose between Bluetooth and LTE models.
- Both watches have a similar round aluminum case, but the Pixel Watch 3 has a unique curved display (albeit with thicker bezels), while the Galaxy Watch 7 has a flat screen (thinner bezels).
- Pixel Watch 3 offers a seamless Wear OS 5 experience with standard health monitoring features, while the Galaxy Watch 7 runs on a custom One UI 6 skin and features the BioActive sensor.
At the Made by Google event in August, the Californian tech giant unveiled the new Pixel lineup, which includes the Pixel Watch 3. This watch is in direct competition with Samsung’s newly launched Galaxy Watch 7. If you can’t tell the difference between the two devices, here’s a detailed comparison of the two models.
Price & Availability
The Pixel Watch 3 comes in two sizes: 41mm and 45mm. As for colors, the 41mm variant comes in three finishes: matte black, polished silver, and champagne gold, while the larger variant (45mm) comes in matte black, polished silver, and matte hazelnut brown. As for pricing, you’re looking at the 41mm model for $349.99 with Bluetooth/Wi-Fi, $449.99 for LTE, or the 45mm model for $399.99 with Bluetooth/Wi-Fi, $499.99 for LTE. It will be available on September 10.
The Galaxy Watch 7 also comes in two variants: 40mm and 44mm. The smaller variant with Bluetooth connectivity costs $299.99 while the one with cellular connectivity costs $349.99. If you opt for the larger variant, you will have to spend $329.99 for the Bluetooth version and $379.99 for the cellular version. You can choose the smaller variant in green or cream case while the larger variant is available in green or silver case.
Both smartwatches have a similar form factor
On the surface, both the Pixel Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch 7 have a round aluminum case that houses the screen. However, the Pixel Watch has a specially curved glass (a version of Gorilla Glass 5) over the screen, while the Galaxy Watch has a flat sapphire crystal to protect against scratches. This results in a slightly different look, with Google’s wearable likely to appeal more to those looking for a unique design. That’s not to say that Samsung’s smartwatch doesn’t look good: the flat screen offers simplicity and elegance for those who are into that.
For anyone wondering, the Pixel Watch 3’s dimensions match their sizes: the 41mm version (31 grams) is 41mm in diameter, while the 45mm version (37 grams) is 45mm in diameter; both variants are 12.3mm thick. The Galaxy Watch 7 variants are slightly larger than their sizes: the 40mm variant (28.9 grams) is 40.4mm in diameter, while the 44mm variant (33.8 grams) measures 44.4mm in the middle. Although both watches have a similar shape and size, the Galaxy Watch 7 has a slimmer body.
In terms of durability, both watches are 5 ATM water resistant and IP68 dust resistant. However, the Galaxy Watch 7 beats its competitors by a long shot by passing the MIL-STD-810H test for optimal functioning in harsh environmental conditions. All in all, the Galaxy Watch 7 should be your choice as it has a slimmer and lighter body. On the other hand, if you are tired of using and looking at similar smartwatches, the Pixel Watch 3 offers a novel design that is different from all other options in the market.
Galaxy Watch 7 offers a larger display
The Pixel Watch 3 comes in larger sizes, so you’d expect the smartwatch to have larger displays, right? Surprisingly, that’s not the case. Due to their relatively wider bezels (4.5mm), both Pixel Watch models have smaller displays than their corresponding Galaxy Watch variants. Let me break it down for you.
- The Pixel Watch 3 (41mm) has a 1.25-inch screen, which is smaller than the 1.31-inch screen on the Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm).
- The Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) has a 1.41-inch Actua display, which is not quite as large as the 1.47-inch screen on the Galaxy Watch 7 (44mm).
Obviously, Samsung has done a better job of maintaining narrower bezels, which in turn helps pack a larger screen into a smaller body. Anyway, the Pixel Watch 3 features an Actua display (a term previously used for the Pixel 8’s screen) with a pixel density of 320ppi and a peak brightness of 2,000 nits (and a minimum brightness of one nit). The refresh rate has been increased from 30Hz on the Pixel Watch 2 to 60Hz on the Pixel Watch 3.
In comparison, the Galaxy Watch 7 features a Super AMOLED display with a pixel density of 330 ppi on the 40mm variant and 327 ppi on the 44mm variant. The peak brightness and refresh rate are similar to that of the Pixel Watch. In such a scenario, it is the difference in screen size that sets these smartwatches apart. So, if you are looking for a larger screen real estate, the Galaxy Watch 7 is a better choice.
Qualcomm SW5100 vs Exynos W1000
Like its predecessor, the Pixel Watch 3 runs on a combination of Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 5100 (4 nm) SoC and the Cortex M33 coprocessor. While the former does the heavy lifting, like running apps, the latter takes care of the lighter tasks, like maintaining the always-on display. This way, the watch doesn’t use the main processor for every single task, improving overall performance and efficiency.
Besides the chipsets, the wearable has 2GB of RAM and 32GB of eMMC flash storage. Connectivity options on Google’s smartwatch include 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11, Bluetooth v5.3, NFC, GPS, and for the first time, ultra-wideband for precise tracking via the Find My Device network. It also has sensors like a compass, altimeter, 3-axis accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light sensor, barometer, and magnetometer.
If you side with Samsung, you get the latest Samsung Exynos W1000 chipset (3 nm), which consumes significantly less power thanks to its advanced manufacturing technology. Like the Pixel Watch, the Galaxy Watch also has 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, which should be enough for most users. While most of the connectivity options remain the same, Samsung gives its latest smartwatch a dual-frequency GPS with two satellite signal bands (L1 + L5), which should result in more accurate results.
Unfortunately, the Galaxy Watch 7 (and even the Galaxy Watch Ultra) lacks the hardware to support features based on ultra-wideband technology, which is a major shortcoming for a flagship smartwatch in 2024, especially since the Pixel Watch 3 and Apple Watch Series 9 (and upcoming models) already have it.
What about health monitoring features?
Over the years, manufacturers have started equipping their smartwatches with advanced health monitoring features, and Google and Samsung are no different.
The Pixel Watch 3, for example, has an optical heart rate sensor, red and infrared sensors to monitor oxygen saturation, multipurpose electrical sensors to perform ECGs (which can detect high/low heart rates and atrial fibrillation), a sensor to measure skin conductance (cEDA), and a skin temperature sensor. While the device can do everything the Pixel Watch 2 can, it also offers some new features, including Morning Brief, Cardio Load, real-time running metrics (like ground contact time), and some classics like Fitbit’s Readiness Score, Body Response, and sleep tracking.
Yes, the Pixel Watch 3 has received some upgrades, but additions like the BioActive Sensor and sleep apnea detection (FDA-approved) give the Galaxy Watch 7 an edge. Using heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, and other electrical sensors, the watch can also record the advanced glycation end products (AGEs) index, a metabolic indicator. Apart from that, Samsung has also integrated two AI-based features into the Watch 7 lineup, including Energy Score and Wellness Tips. The former is similar to the Pixel Watch’s Readiness Score, while the latter helps users improve their weak areas.
While some features on the Pixel Watch 3 require the Fitbit app, Samsung has also limited some tools to Galaxy phones. But with the Galaxy Watch 7, you don’t need a subscription (at least for now) to use the advanced health tracking features.
You get Wear OS 5.0 with both models
Both wearables run on Wear OS 5.0, Google’s latest smartwatch platform. However, the Galaxy Watch 7 has Samsung’s custom One UI 6 skin, so you get plenty of Google apps on both, like Assistant, Wallet, YouTube Music, and Maps. In addition, Wear OS 5 is said to be 20% more battery efficient than the previous version.
The Galaxy Watch also offers a few alternatives, like Samsung Pay and Bixby, but you can choose which one you want to use. While the basic functionality of both interfaces remains the same, Google and Samsung add their own touch to the models. Although you can access the Play Store on both smartwatches, the Galaxy Watch 7 offers a few more customization options (and the digital rotating bezel).
The Pixel Watch 3 doesn’t last as long
As I mentioned earlier, the Galaxy Watch 7’s 3nm processor consumes much less power than the Pixel Watch’s 4nm chipset (and co-processor), and the difference shows in the rated battery life of both devices. Both the 41mm (306mAh) and 45mm (420mAh) variants of the Pixel Watch last up to 24 hours with Always-On Display enabled and up to 36 hours in Power Saving mode. As for charging speed, the Pixel Watch 3 can take around 80 minutes to charge to 100%. In contrast, the 40mm (300mAh) and 33mm (425mAh) variants last up to 30 hours with Always-On Display and up to 40 hours without it.
Which one is right for you?
The answer is quite simple. If you own a Pixel phone, you can enjoy the full potential of the Pixel Watch 3. Likewise, you can enjoy the Galaxy Watch 7’s exclusive features like ECG, sleep apnea detection, and Galaxy AI only with Galaxy smartphones. So, choosing a smartwatch is actually easier.
However, if you own both a Pixel and a Galaxy phone, you can choose the watch based on what you like best. Additionally, the Pixel Watch 3 has a more appealing design and using the Fitbit app is easier for those switching from an old Fitbit smartwatch. At the same time, the Galaxy Watch 7 offers more health tracking features and could be an easy recommendation for someone switching from a Galaxy Watch 3 or Watch 4.
