WearOS smartwatches have become essential companions for tech-savvy fitness enthusiasts and busy professionals alike. When it comes to top-tier WearOS watches, Google and Samsung are at the forefront. Their latest releases, the Pixel Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch 7, both offer the newest WearOS 5, cutting-edge technology, and sleek designs. But with their premium price tags, how do you decide which one fits your wrist best? After incorporating both into my daily routine, I’m here to break down the details and help you make the right choice.
Table of Contents
Pixel Watch 3 vs. Galaxy Watch 7: Quick Specs Comparison
| Specs | Pixel Watch 3 | Galaxy Watch 7 |
| Dimensions | 45 x 45 x 12.3 mm | 44.4 x 44.4 x 9.7 mm |
| Dial Size | 41 mm (45 mm variant) | 44 mm (40 mm variant) |
| Weight | 31 g | 33.8 g |
| Display | 1.2 in, LTPO AMOLED, 2000 nits | 1.5 in, Super AMOLED, 2000 nits |
| Processor | Qualcomm SW5100 | Exynos W1000 (3nm) |
| Operating System | WearOS 5, 3 years of updates | WearOS 5, 4 years of updates |
| Memory | 2 GB RAM + 32 GB storage | 2 GB RAM + 32 GB storage |
| Design | Aluminum body, Gorilla Glass 5 | Aluminum frame, Sapphire Crystal display |
| Sports Modes | 40+ | 100+ |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (with AOD) | 30 hours (with AOD) |
| Price | Rs 39,999 / $349 | Rs 32,999 / $299 |
What’s in the Box?
Both the Pixel Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch 7 keep it simple with their packaging. You’ll find the essentials: the smartwatch, silicon bands, a USB-C charging cable, and a quick-start guide. Google includes an extra strap length for added convenience.
Build and Design: Style Showdown
Google and Samsung have stayed true to their design philosophies but with a few upgrades. The Pixel Watch 3 now features 16% slimmer bezels, and it comes in a larger 45 mm variant for those wanting a bolder look. Its minimalist all-glass top blends seamlessly into the sides, creating an eye-catching, immersive aesthetic. But there are certain shortcomings in the design. A quick bump against a wall left me a little worried about its durability, even though it’s protected by Gorilla Glass 5.
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 7 takes a more traditional approach with an aluminum frame covering the sides and Sapphire Crystal protecting the display. The ribbed silicon band feels more premium, resisting dirt and sweat better than Google’s basic strap, which, to put it bluntly, gets gross quickly if you’re the sweaty-wrist type.
While both watches come with an IP68 rating, making them resistant to dust and water, Samsung’s practical design edges out Google’s more fragile aesthetic. If you’re prone to clumsiness like me, the Galaxy Watch 7’s rugged charm will save you a few heart-stopping moments.
Winner: Galaxy Watch 7
Display and Audio: The Bright Side
When it comes to the display, the Pixel Watch 3 boasts a smaller 1.2-inch LTPO AMOLED screen, while the Galaxy Watch 7 sports a larger 1.5-inch Super AMOLED display. Despite the size difference, both watches offer an impressive 2,000 nits of brightness—enough to read texts in broad daylight.
Google’s LTPO technology allows the Pixel Watch 3 to reduce its refresh rate to 1 Hz in certain modes, which sounds fancy, but didn’t really impact battery life in my experience. Meanwhile, Samsung’s display looks stunning, and its audio performance is an unexpected bonus. Not only are the speakers louder, but you can also blast your favorite Spotify playlist straight from the Galaxy Watch 7—a feature even Apple adopted for their latest models.
If LTPO makes your heart skip a beat, the Pixel Watch 3 takes the crown for innovation. But for sheer enjoyment and practicality, Samsung’s speaker quality and display size win me over.
Winner: Pixel Watch 3 (for LTPO), but Samsung’s display comes close.
Software and Performance: Snappy or Smooth?
Both watches come with WearOS 5, though Samsung brands it as “WearOS for Samsung.” Under the hood, the Pixel Watch 3 is powered by Qualcomm’s SW5100 processor, while the Galaxy Watch 7 runs on Samsung’s in-house Exynos W1000 chip. Performance-wise, both watches are snappy, but I found Pixel’s minimalistic approach to software makes it feel smoother. Google has designed a simple and clean UI, while Samsung’s watch interface takes after its One UI, offering bigger, bolder icons and colorful transitions.
I noticed that the Pixel Watch 3 handles animations more fluidly, with little to no stuttering, unlike Samsung’s fancy but occasionally sluggish interface. That said, the Galaxy Watch 7 does get four years of software updates compared to the Pixel’s three, giving it a slight edge for long-term value.
Overall, while the Galaxy Watch 7’s performance is solid, the Pixel Watch 3’s smoothness makes it more fun to use day-to-day.
Winner: Pixel Watch 3
Health and Fitness Tracking: Ready, Set, Sweat!
If you’re a fitness buff, both of these watches have you covered. They come equipped with health monitors like heart rate sensors, SpO2 meters, and altimeters. The Pixel Watch 3 adds skin temperature tracking, while the Galaxy Watch 7 monitors your blood pressure—a feature Google lacks.
Both watches were spot-on when tracking my steps and calories during a jog, but when it comes to automatic workout detection, the Galaxy Watch 7 wins. It started tracking my walk to the Metro station without me having to lift a finger, while the Pixel Watch 3 hesitated and required manual input.
Samsung also excels in sleep tracking, giving me more accurate data. In comparison, the Pixel Watch 3 seemed to think I was awake far more often than I actually was (wishful thinking, perhaps?).
If you need detailed health stats, the Pixel Watch syncs seamlessly with Fitbit. However, for ease of use and more precise data during workouts, the Galaxy Watch 7 takes the lead.
Winner: Galaxy Watch 7
Battery Life and Charging: Who Lasts Longer?
Here’s where things get a little dicey. Neither watch is going to blow you away with battery life, especially if you have the always-on display enabled. The Pixel Watch 3 claims to last 24 hours, but in reality, it barely made it through 16 hours before begging for a charge. The Galaxy Watch 7 didn’t fare much better before Samsung’s update, but it now scrapes by with 24 hours, though still shy of its advertised 30 hours.
Charging is fairly quick on both, taking around an hour to hit 100%. The Pixel Watch 3 relies on a magnetic pin system, while the Galaxy Watch 7 supports proper wireless charging—a feature that’s just more convenient.
Winner: Galaxy Watch 7
Which One Should You Buy?
At the end of the day, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 7 offers more bang for your buck. It’s got a sturdy design, accurate fitness tracking, reliable battery life, and costs less than the Pixel Watch 3. The extra year of software updates and wireless charging are icing on the cake.
That said, if you’re smitten with Google’s smooth interface, fancy LTPO display, or just prefer its design, the Pixel Watch 3 is still a solid choice. Just keep in mind, it’s priced higher without delivering significantly more value.
Winner: Galaxy Watch 7