Samsung Galaxy Watch 9
A solid new option
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 is here and boasts some pretty impressive specs that makes it a great option not only for Samsung Galaxy phone owners, but any Android phone owner.
Pros
- Battery and efficiency improvements
- More robust Snapdragon processor
- Ultra-bright and high-res screen
Cons
- Not be a massive step up in specs
- Design virtually identical to the Galaxy Watch 8
- No Classic variant
- Battery life still underwhelming
Google Pixel Watch 4
Among the best
The Google Pixel Watch 4 is among the best Android smartwatches you can buy. And with the switch to the Google Health app that replaces Fitbit and enhanced AI with features like Health Coach, it adds so much more value today.
Pros
- Now works with the new Google Health app and Health Coach
- Heavy AI integration into the experience
- Recharges very quickly
- Ultra-fast processor
- Useful extra features if you have a Pixel phone
Cons
- Some features only work or work best with Pixel phones
- Battery life isn't amazing
- Side button can be annoying to press
- Screen can be prone to scratches
- Requires a subscription to get the most out of it
If you're in the market for a smartwatch to complement your Android smartphone, Samsung Galaxy Watch and Google Pixel Watch are probably two brands that are at the top of your list. Both work best with the same brand phone with special features that you can unlock. But they can also pair with any Android phone since they are Wear OS devices.
When considering the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Google Pixel Watch 4, you'll have to weigh the pros and cons. If you own a Samsung Galaxy phone, the Galaxy Watch 9 seems like the most logical option. Ditto if you own a Google Pixel device for the Pixel Watch 4. But if you aren't tied to either ecosystem or have an Android phone from another brand altogether, you might be equally open to either.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Google Pixel Watch 4: Design and durability
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 launched at Galaxy Unpacked in London, alongside the next generation watch for adventurers, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.
It retains the same squircle design the company employs for its Galaxy Watch 8. The Galaxy Watch 9 does not have a Classic variant, which was expected since Samsung usually only releases those every other year. It comes in Graphite or Silver for a 44mm size and Graphite or Cream for a smaller 40mm size, both made of Armor Aluminum with a touchscreen and digital bezel. It meets both 5ATM and IP68 ratings for water and dust resistance as well as MIL-STD-810H. You get both Bluetooth 6.0 and LTE connectivity as an option.
In terms of the battery, it has a 390mAh battery for the 40mm version and 445mAh for the 44mm, a slight increase from the previous generation Galaxy Watch 8. With a more efficient Wear OS and a better processor, it's possible the watch will last a bit longer than its predecessor, but we'll have to wait and see until we run our official review. Either way, it won't be groundbreaking: you'll still need to charge it daily or every two days. It's rated to last up to 30 hours per charge, even with the always-on display. The 44mm version recharges to full in about 90 minutes and the 40mm in about 80 minutes.
Over to the Google Pixel Watch 4, which launched in late 2025. It comes in two sizes, 41mm and 45mm. The 41mm size comes in a Polished Silver aluminum case with an Active Iris or Porcelain Active band, a Champagne Gold aluminum case with a Lemongrass Active band, or a Matte Black aluminum case with an Obsidian Active band.
The larger 45mm edition comes with a Satin Moonstone aluminum case with a Moonstone Active band, a Polished Silver aluminum case with a Porcelain Active band, or a Matte Black aluminum case with an Obsidian Active band. So, you have tons of choice in terms of both finish and band, and of course, can swap bands if desired for third-party options, too.
The Google Pixel Watch 4 has a side button and a haptic crown along with a built-in mic and speaker. In his review of the Google Pixel Watch 4, Michael L Hicks says he likes the crown but finds the side button annoying to press. The display shows a new Tile format with more information and shortcuts than in previous-generation Pixel Watches. Hicks says he actually prefers Samsung's multi-info Tiles design.
You get a 320ppi AMOLED LTPO 1-60Hz always-on Actua 360 display with a unique domed design. With up to 3,000 nits of brightness, it's comfortably viewable in all lighting situations, including bright, sunny days outdoors. The screen is durable, made of Corning Gorilla Glass, and the watch meets both IP68 and 5ATM ratings for dust and water resistance. So yes, you can swim in freshwater with it. However, the absence of sapphire glass means it's more prone to scratches and cracks than other smartwatches that use it, notes Hicks.
The Google Pixel Watch 4 41mm has a 325mAh battery, and the 45mm has a 455mAh battery, which provides up to 30 and 40 hours of use with the always-on display, respectively. But you can extend this to up to 48 hours with Battery Saver mode on the 41mm and up to 72 hours on the 45mm. That's not amazing compared to other smartwatches that last much longer, but it does work with a quick charger dock that Hicks says is "absurdly fast" at recharging it. The Pixel Watch 4 takes about 45 minutes to fully charge the 41mm watch and an hour for the 45mm. But with both, just 15 minutes will get you back to a 50% charge. So, not only does it have a more efficient battery but it charges more quickly than the Galaxy Watch 9 as well.
With a 4G LTE option, you can get a separate add-on cellular connection for the Google Pixel Watch 4 that lets you use it without your phone. It also includes Bluetooth 6, NFC, and ultra-wideband connectivity with satellite SOS communications in case of emergency. One important thing to note is that it's also repairable, so you should be able to easily swap components yourself if necessary.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Google Pixel Watch 4: Specs
Let’s look at how these two smartwatches compare when it comes to basic specs.
Category |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 |
Google Pixel Watch 4 |
|---|---|---|
Compatibility |
Android 13.0 or higher |
Android 11.0 or higher |
OS |
Wear OS 7 + Samsung One UI Watch 9 |
Wear OS 6 |
Colors |
Graphite, Silver, (44mm), Graphite, Cream (40mm) |
Polished Silver, Champagne Gold, Satin Moonstone, Matte Black |
Swappable Band |
Yes |
Yes |
Battery |
390, 445mAh |
325mAh |
Battery Life |
Up to 30 hours |
Up to 40 hours (72 hours with Battery Saver Mode) |
App |
Samsung Health |
Google Health |
Heart Rate Tracking |
Yes |
Yes |
Stress Tracking |
Yes |
Yes |
Blood Oxygen |
Yes |
Yes |
GPS |
Yes (built-in) |
Yes (built-in) |
Sleep Monitoring |
Yes |
Yes |
Water Resistance |
5ATM, IP68 |
5ATM, IP68 |
Mobile Pay |
Samsung Wallet |
Google Wallet |
Storage |
32GB |
32GB |
Screen Size |
1.34-1.47 inches |
1.2-1.4 inches |
Screen Type |
Super AMOLED |
Super Actua AMOLED LTPO |
Screen Resolution |
480 x 480 (44mm), 438 x 438 (40mm) |
456 x 456 |
Peak Brightness |
3,000 nits |
3,000 nits |
Dimensions |
46 x 43.7 x 8.6mm (44mm), 42.7 x 40.4 x 8.6mm (40mm) |
41 x 12.3 mm, 45 x 12.3 mm |
Weight |
34 grams (44mm), 31.5 grams (40mm) |
31, 36.7 grams (without band) |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Google Pixel Watch 4: Health, wellness, and smarts
Both the Samsung Galaxy Watch and Google Pixel Watch function as great health, fitness, and wellness companions. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 runs on a Snapdragon Wear Elite 3nm, five-core processor with 2GB RAM.
The Galaxy Watch 9 continues to work with the Samsung Health app, which added tons of new features in June 2026 like vitals, daily cardio load, and fitness index. You already get tons of fantastic features through the BioActive sensor, like Running Coach, Vascular Load, and AGEs Index. Plus, there are Galaxy AI health tools.
If Samsung eventually adds a subscription tier, the company might have to offer more than simply hiding all these measurements behind a paywall. We'll have to wait and see if Samsung makes any such changes to the Health platform. One such addition could be non-invasive blood glucose monitoring, which is something Samsung has reportedly already been working on.
Samsung did recently announce a health assistant AI feature in beta, so there's definitely more in the works that could enhance the app experience down the line for both this smartwatch and others.
The Google Pixel Watch 4 is already a pretty solid smartwatch for health and fitness tracking with a Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 4nm processor that's wonderfully efficient. The coprocessor is efficient for running AI and background tasks, fueled as well by Wear OS 6. Hicks notices the improvement in battery life thanks to the efficient processing.
With the new Google Health app that is officially replacing the Fitbit app, you now get much more out of the Pixel Watch 4 than before. To take advantage of everything, however, you will need a Google Health Premium subscription, which is similar to the requirement for a Fitbit Premium subscription in the past anyway.
You, of course, get deep Gemini AI integration with tracking for all the typical metrics. It offers additional metrics like cardio load and recovery, and features like the ability to build your own custom runs and get real-time guidance. There's also the Morning Brief that provides key insights on data like sleep, weather, and readiness.
There are tons of upgrades with Google Health, notably Health Coach, an AI-powered trainer that can assist you through your fitness and health journey. You provide data like your goals, what equipment you have, and even provide photos, and it will help you build a proper plan.
You'll be able to pin favorite metrics to the dashboard in the app and integrate data from other third-party apps like Apple Health, Peloton, and MyFitnessPal. The base-level app will provide basics, but you need Premium for things like Ask Coach, adaptive fitness plans, more detailed sleep insights, medical record summaries, a library of workouts and mindfulness sessions, and more. However, if you already have a Google AI Pro or Ultra subscription, you'll get Google Health Premium included.
Beyond the revamped Google Health app, the Pixel Watch 4 offers some useful additional features, like loss of pulse detection, car crash detection, smart replies, the ability to see who's calling with a compatible device, a Pixel Camera app, the option to record voice notes, and even control a Google TV Streamer from the watch face. Some features only work with a Pixel phone, like the camera shutter remote and recorder app.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Google Pixel Watch 4: Which should you buy?
If you have a Samsung Galaxy smartphone and you're wondering about the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 vs. Google Pixel Watch 4, I'd suggest going for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9. It's not a huge step-up from the Galaxy Watch 8, but the more powerful processor and hopefully more efficient battery in real-world tests along with the slightly refined design, durability, and seamless connectivity with a Samsung phone, make it a solid option to consider.
If you have a Google Pixel phone, however, the Google Pixel Watch 4 is already one of the best Android smartwatches you can buy, and it's only getting better with Google Health Premium. Yes, you need the subscription to unlock everything. But you may have already been subscribed to Fitbit Premium anyway.
If you're open to either, regardless of what phone you have or if you have another branded Android phone, it comes down to the experience. While Samsung seems to be working on more AI-enhanced options for its companion app, Google is already there with Google Health. That said, you need to pay for the subscription. For basic tracking and advanced metrics and vitals, both offer comparable experiences and specs.
If you have a Galaxy Watch that is several generations old, it's a good idea to upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9. If you have a Google Pixel phone, the Pixel Watch 4 offers an incredible experience, and Google Health is one of the most comprehensive, AI-centric fitness apps around. Between the two, it really is a toss-up between ecosystems and app experiences since when it comes to hardware, they are pretty similar in specs, design, and capabilities.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9
Only if you have an older Galaxy Watch
If you have an older Galaxy Watch, upgrade to the Galaxy Watch 9; there's no need to upgrade if you have the Galaxy Watch 8. It offers improvements in the chip and processing, which facilitates better AI features as well as greater battery efficiency. But it does not best the Pixel Watch 4 in any significant way.
Google Pixel Watch 4
It won't disappoint
The Google Pixel Watch 4 won't disappoint as a companion to any Android phone, especially with the Google Health app upgrades. That is, if you're willing to pay for the premium subscription. Despite having launched back in 2025, this smartwatch is among the best you can buy and probably will be for some time to come.
