This summer brought two of the strongest representatives of the Android ecosystem to the wearable electronics market. Samsung recently introduced a new generation Galaxy Watch9, while Google countered with a model Pixel Watch 5. Although both watches are based on the operating system Wear OS 7, Samsung and Google's approach couldn't be more different. Which one deserves a place on your wrist?
Design and processing
At first glance, they are different from each other Galaxy Watch9 to Pixel The Watch 5 is fundamentally different. Galaxy Watch9 continue the modern, albeit somewhat controversial look in the form of a square case and a round display. Samsung has opted for a body made of improved Armor Aluminum 2 aluminum and the watch impresses with a very thin body – 8,6 mm. The display is covered by highly resistant sapphire glass. They are available in sizes 40 mm and 44 mm.
Pixel The Watch 5 retains its iconic pebble-shaped silhouette with a curved glass back. The 100% recycled aluminum construction feels like a piece of jewelry on your wrist, complete with a tactile rotating crown. The watch is a bit thicker (12,3mm thick), but Google is pleased to offer a choice of 41mm and 45mm sizes. The front, protected by 3D Gorilla Glass 5, is surrounded by a curve that smoothly transitions into the body of the device.
Both models are IP68 and 5ATM certified, so you don't have to worry about swimming with them. Samsung also adds the military standard MIL-STD-810H.
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Display
The display area is a triumph of OLED technology. Manufacturers have finally solved one of the biggest weaknesses of smartwatches – readability in direct summer sunlight.
Jak Galaxy Watch9, so Pixel Watch 5 offers max3000 nits of brightness. Whether you're running in direct sunlight or skiing, the watch face will always be perfectly legible. Here are the complete specifications of both displays:
- Galaxy Watch9: Super AMOLED, size 1,34 inches (40 mm) and 1,47 inchesů (44 mm), roundresolution 438 x 438/480 x 480 px, refresh rate 60 Hz, peak brightness 3000 nits
- Pixel Watch 5: LTPO AMOLED, 1,2 inches (41 mm) and 1,4 inches (45 mm), 408 x 408/456 x 456 px, 1–60 Hz, 3000 nits peak brightness
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Google has a slight technological advantage thanks to its LTPO panel, which can reduce the refresh rate in Always-On mode to 1 Hz, which significantly saves battery life. Samsung, on the other hand, counters with the higher scratch resistance of sapphire glass.
Performance and software
At the heart of both devices are powerful chipsets from Qualcomm. Galaxy Watch9 is specifically powered by this year's 3nm Snapdragon SW6100 chip from the new Snapdragon platform Wear Elite, while Pixel The Watch 5 is based on last year's 4nm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chipset. In the first case, the chip is supported by 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal memory, in the second case by 2 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage.
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Software-wise, Samsung's representative is built on top of One UI 9 Watch, based on the system Wear OS 7, which offers a range of useful health features such as Vitals, Daily Cardio and Fitness Index. Google's watch, using pure Wear OS 7, in turn, boast new advanced features from the series Health Guardian (including respiratory distress detection and vascular stress monitoring). Both models have a voice assistant Gemini.
Battery and charging
Battery life has long been a nightmare for smartwatches. Wear OSHow are this year's news?
Galaxy Watch9 is powered by batteries with a capacity of 390 mAh (40 mm) and 445 mAh (44 mm). In practice, this means 30 hours of operation with the Always-On display turned on. Charging is done via a standard 10W wireless pad.
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Pixel The Watch 5 benefits from a larger size in the 45mm version, which houses a 465mAh battery that can last up to 40 hours with the Always-On display on (and up to 72 hours in power saving mode). The smaller 41mm variaThe watch has a 332mAh battery with a battery life of around 30 hours. The watch can be charged from 0 to 50% in just 15 minutes using the included charging cradle. (u Galaxy Watch9 it takes about three times longer).
Price
Prices for both watches have increased slightly year-over-year, reflecting more powerful chips and premium materials:
- Samsung Galaxy Watch9 start at 9,990 CZK / 379 dollars / 389 euros (40mm Bluetooth version), with LTE surcharge of 1,300 CZK. 44mm variaIt will cost 10,790 CZK / 410 dollars / 399–419 euros, with LTE surcharge of 1,200 CZK.
- Google Pixel The Watch 5 starts at $399 for the 41mm version. 45mm variaThe price then comes to $429.
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So which one to choose?
The question of which watch to choose is very individual. After Galaxy Watch9 if you are looking for the thinnest possible watch with uncompromisingly durable sapphire glass and a number of practical health functions, and you don't mind the slightly controversial "round-edged" design. Pixel Choose the Watch 5 if you like the elegant round design, take advantage of the giant 64GB of storage, and deep assistant integration Gemini and you want longer battery life with a larger model.
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