Google Pixel Watch Vs. Apple Watch 8: Which Smartwatch Is Best?

Google Pixel Watch and Apple Watch 8 are the two latest smartwatch versions, but which one is better? Ultimately, it's a great smartwatch, but that doesn't mean it's perfect for everyone. Read on to find out which smartwatch to buy based on your preferences and needs.

The best products in this article:

Apple Watch 8 (41mm), $389

Google Pixel Watch, $350

The Google Pixel Watch was released earlier this month, just in time for the holidays. If you're on the hunt for a new smartwatch or considering buying one as a holiday gift, you might be wondering whether you should buy the new Google Pixel or the popular Apple Watch 8.

Both smartwatches offer fitness tracking and music streaming, and can be paired with your smartphone. If you're having trouble deciding which one to buy, we're here to help. Read on to find out if the Google Pixel Watch or the Apple Watch 8 is the best smartwatch for you.

Why the Apple Watch Series 8 might be the best smartwatch for you

If you belong to an Apple iOS-compatible family, the Apple Watch Series 8 is a no-brainer. You have already set up your smartwatch to integrate with Apple devices. It should track your fitness goals through your iPhone. Pairing your new Apple Watch with your iPhone is also a quick and easy process.

The Apple Watch Series 8 is available in two sizes: 41mm and 45mm. Size is generally a matter of personal preference, although it should be noted that some designer straps are only compatible with the smallest size, 41mm. (For more information on Apple Watch sizing, see our guide to choosing the right Apple Watch size for you .)

Apple Watch Series 8 (41mm)

The Apple Watch Series 8 is a durable smartwatch that resists swimming, dust and cracks. It comes with a new crash detection feature that detects if the user has been involved in a serious car crash and notifies emergency services of their location.

Apple Watch 8 has various health monitoring features, including an optical heart sensor, an electrical ECG heart sensor, a blood oxygen sensor, and a new body temperature sensor. You can also do yoga, meditation, and other exercises through Apple Fitness+. (Apple Fitness+ is a subscription service. It costs $9.99 per month; Apple Watch buyers get the first month free.)

Apple Watch 8 (41mm), $389

Apple Watch Series 8, GPS + Cellular (41mm), $490

Apple Watch Series 8 (45mm)

The 45mm version of the Apple Watch Series 8 does everything the 41mm version does, except bigger. The 41mm and 45mm versions are compatible with several Apple Watch straps, which are sold separately, and look great . (Click here for our guide to our favorite Apple Watch bands and deals .)

Apple Watch Series 8 (45mm), $419

Apple Watch Series 8, GPS + Cellular (45mm), $490 (was $529)

Apple Watch Ultra

Apple Watch Ultra (GPS + Cellular) is designed to be a more rugged and durable option for athletes and adventurers. This is an improved model, comparable to the Samsung Watch 5 Pro. Apple Watch Ultra delivers up to 36 hours of battery life on a single charge with standard use, or 60 hours of battery life with the Future-proof Battery Optimization setting. It is made of durable titanium alloy for better impact resistance. It offers a brighter screen and a second speaker for better sound and screen visibility when used outdoors.

Apple Watch Ultra offers advanced GPS capabilities to track your steps and improve navigation for outdoor adventures. There's also an action button, identifying parts of your workout to track your workouts more precisely. The new wearable is the only Apple Watch with Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity.

The Apple Watch Ultra has a large screen with a diagonal of 49 mm.

Apple Watch Ultra, GPS + Cellular (49mm), $799

Why the Google Pixel Watch might be the best smartwatch for you

If you have an Android device, the most convenient option is the Google Pixel Watch. The smartwatch can be paired with any device running Android 8.0 or later, including Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones.

Google Pixel Watch

The Google Pixel Watch has a round dial with customizable watch faces and a variety of strap options. It offers all-day battery life, up to 24 hours on a single charge. The watch includes the Google Home app to adjust the thermostat or connect to smart home devices. Users can stream music, track physical activity, and receive notifications from a connected phone.

The Google Pixel Watch is the first Android smartwatch to include Fitbit functionality. The watch's health features include heart rate tracking, exercise tracking, sleep tracking, and more. Google has hinted that fall detection will be available in 2023. The watch comes with a free six-month subscription to Fitbit Premium and a three-month subscription to YouTube Premium.

The watch is available in black, silver and gold.

Google Pixel Watch, $350

Google Pixel Watch and Apple Watch 8: which one to buy?

Are you still hesitating between the Google Pixel Watch and the Apple Watch 8? Let's take a look at these key features and differences to figure out which smartwatch is right for you.

Phone operating system and compatibility

Whether you're buying a watch for yourself or giving it as a gift, it's important to consider the recipient's preferred operating system. Apple Watch 8 syncs with iPhone 14 and other Apple products making it the best smartwatch for iPhone users. Since the Apple Watch 8 does not sync with Android phones, it is not an ideal choice for Android users. Google Pixel Watch is particularly suitable for Google Pixel phone users, but it works well with any Android device, including Samsung phones .

See options and prices

The Apple Watch 8 and the Google Pixel Watch sell for around the same price. However, Apple Watch offers three different smartwatch models in three different price ranges. Even with the standard Apple Watch 8 model, you still have two screen options (41mm and 45mm), while the Google Pixel Watch is only available in 41mm. This greater versatility offered could make the Apple Watch 8 a solid choice, especially if you're shopping for the holidays. The Apple Watch SE is a more affordable, kid-friendly option, perfect for kids and teens who need a smartwatch on vacation. At the same time, the Apple Watch Ultra is a more luxurious gift, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.

Lifespan of smart watches

The Google Pixel Watch and Apple Watch 8 are designed with scratch-resistant screens and durable cases. The Google Pixel Watch features scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass. The Apple Watch 8 has a crack-resistant glass display. Both are frost resistant and can be safely submerged in water.

Battery life

Apple says the Apple Watch 8 will deliver 18 hours of battery life with typical use. Apple Watch Ultra offers 36 hours of battery life in standard use, but can provide up to 60 hours of use in low power mode. Google reports that the Google Pixel Watch offers 24 hours of battery life with standard use.

Customer reviews

The Apple Watch 8 currently has a 4.6 star rating on Amazon with 516 customer reviews. The Google Pixel Watch is a new release and currently only has 64 reviews on Amazon, but currently has a 3.4 star rating. The Google Pixel Watch has been out for about a month now, so it's understandable that they haven't received much feedback yet. However, it should be noted that some reviewers have complained that the Google Pixel Watch's battery life is shorter than expected.

health features

Both smartwatches offer good health features. The Google Pixel Watch comes with the Fitbit Health feature, making it a great choice for health enthusiasts. Apple Watch 8 has Apple Health and various fitness features. Both watches are equipped with heart rate, sleep, exercise and ECG monitoring functions. The Apple Watch 8 currently includes fall detection, but the Google Pixel Watch plans to add the feature next year.

Google Pixel Watch Vs. Apple Watch 8: Which Smartwatch Is Best?