Google Pixel Watch 2 vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Has Google …

The Google Pixel Watch 2 has been announced, and while the design may be almost identical to the much-hyped Google Pixel Watch, Google’s new smartwatch is very different. The Pixel Watch 2 has received significant upgrades under the hood, including a powerful processor, more storage, and much faster charging. Add some impressive new features to Fitbit’s excellent fitness tracking and personal wellness, and you’ve got an impressive new smartwatch that looks set to overcome the largely negative reception of the first Pixel Watch.

Meanwhile, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch range has long been a leader in the smartwatch sector, and the new Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is one of the best smartwatches you can buy right now – and as far as Android is concerned, Is the best. So, this is clearly the biggest and worst competition for potential Pixel Watch 2 buyers.

How does Google’s latest smartwatch compare to Samsung’s latest? We compared both smartwatches to find out, so you know which one is worth your money.

Pixel Watch 2 vs Galaxy Watch 6: Specifications

Pixel Watch 2 vs Galaxy Watch 6: Design and display

Google hasn’t changed the design of the Pixel Watch 2, and since it spent years creating the Pixel Watch, you can see why it might be reluctant to change things after a generation. As a result, if you weren’t keen on the look of the first Pixel Watch, you won’t like the Pixel Watch 2. It sports a unique design, featuring a smooth glass dome that matches the gently curved aluminum body, broken only by a haptic crown and a side button. However, there is a slight difference between the new and first Pixel Watch, as the Pixel Watch 2’s dome is slightly thinner and the frame is slightly lighter. However, it is still a thick watch with a depth of 12.3mm.

By comparison, the Galaxy Watch 6 is much thinner, measuring just 9mm in depth. Although 3.3mm may not seem like a lot, a whole millimeter’s difference can matter a lot when it’s sticking out of your wrist, and the Galaxy Watch 6’s slimmer profile wins it some serious points here. The Samsung Watch also looks like a traditional wristwatch and has different sized frames for larger and smaller wrists – something the Pixel Watch 2 still doesn’t offer.

The Galaxy Watch 6 continues to win when we look at the displays on offer. The Pixel Watch 2’s 1.2-inch AMOLED display is clear and bright, and the 384 x 384 resolution comes in at a good 320 pixels per inch (ppi). However, it’s no match for the Galaxy Watch 6’s Super AMOLED display, as you’re looking at a crisp 453 ppi whether you choose the 1.2-inch display or the 1.53-inch display. The Pixel Watch 2 also inherits its predecessor’s chunky bezels, which look incredibly dated next to the thinner bezels on the Galaxy Watch 6.

Although the Pixel Watch 2 isn’t bad looking, it definitely pales in comparison to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy Watch 6

Pixel Watch 2 vs Galaxy Watch 6: Performance, battery life and charging

The Pixel Watch 2 has received a significant upgrade in processing power. The old Exynos 9110 used in the first Pixel Watch has been replaced with a Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 processor, and although we haven’t had a chance to fully test it, we expect this change to significantly improve the performance of the Pixel Watch 2. Will bounce. It’s hard to say how the performance will compare to the Galaxy Watch 6’s Exynos W930 dual-core processor, but chances are both will have smooth performance across the board.

Battery life is likely to be more decisive than performance here, so it’s unfortunate we don’t know yet how this will be affected. The Galaxy Watch 6 has a solid battery life, and we found that we were able to get about two days out of a single charge. We haven’t fully reviewed the Pixel Watch 2 yet, and although its cell is larger than the first Pixel Watch, we’ll have to wait and see if the Pixel Watch 2 can match the Samsung watch.

The Pixel Watch 2 also has dramatically improved charging speeds. Google claims it can go from zero to 100% in 75 minutes, which is more than the 2.5 hours the first Pixel Watch took to do so. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 gets fully charged in just over an hour, so both devices are likely to be similar in this regard.

That’s all here for now – but only until we get some hands-on time with the Pixel Watch 2. We suspect battery life will be a significant difference maker here, but until we’re sure, it’s a tie.

Winner: Tie

Pixel Watch 2 vs Galaxy Watch 6: Fitness and health-tracking features

There’s no shortage of health and fitness tracking features on any of these watches. Google has relied on its Fitbit ownership to bring some of that brand’s excellent tracking to its smartwatches, and so the Pixel Watch 2 has some new toys. These include the Fitbit Charge 6’s new, more accurate heart rate tracker, a new electrical sensor to measure stress, and a sensor to record your body temperature.

The Galaxy Watch 6 has a heart rate tracker, regular stress tracking, and a skin temperature sensor. It also has Samsung’s own Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) sensor, which can measure your skeletal muscle, fat mass, body water, body fat, body mass index (BMI) and basal metabolic rate (BMR). It is better? Possibly, although it’s unlikely that the additional data from the BIA sensor will mean much to you unless you’re really deep into your fitness.

Those sensors power fitness tracking, and there’s a big difference here. The Pixel Watch 2 has 40 workout modes, with automatic tracking for many of them. But it pales in comparison to Samsung’s 90 Workouts and similar automatic tracking. If you are a fitness enthusiast, Samsung’s wide range of exercises will definitely appeal to you. The original Pixel Watch was missing some basic workouts, including indoor cycling, and while it’s likely Google could add these workouts with an update, it reflects an odd approach to fitness.

Despite Fitbit’s involvement, fitness tracking on the original Pixel Watch wasn’t the best, and while the Pixel Watch 2 has improved, it doesn’t seem to be on Samsung’s level yet. We’re giving it a go to the Galaxy Watch 6 until we get a chance to play with the Pixel Watch 2 some more.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy Watch 6

Pixel Watch 2 vs Galaxy Watch 6: Software and features

Both of these watches run Google Wear OS 4, but the Galaxy Watch has Samsung’s One UI interface on top, which adds more customization for users. This is not a huge difference, and choosing between them will be a matter of preference. Although the extra elements added by One UI will likely be welcomed by most people, the difference isn’t something you’ll feel like you’re missing out on.

The most important parts of Wear OS are available on both devices, including Google’s services like Google Maps, Assistant, YouTube Music, and more. Expect to see Samsung’s apps on the Galaxy Watch, and both watches also have access to a number of third-party apps like Spotify — though keep in mind that your choice of apps still isn’t the best on Wear OS.

Both watches also have some useful extra features built-in. Both have skin temperature sensors, as mentioned earlier, as well as emergency SOS services. Google has taken this a bit further with the Pixel Watch 2 by including Safety Check, which alerts people if it takes you longer than planned to reach a destination, and Safety Signal, which alerts you even without an LTE connectivity plan. Can trigger.

There aren’t so many differences in the software here to really separate the two, but we’re fond of the personal security features. Pixel Watch 2 takes it.

Winner: Google Pixel Watch 2

Pixel Watch 2 vs Galaxy Watch 6: Price and availability

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is currently available, and prices start at $300 for the 40mm frame with Wi-Fi connectivity. You’ll pay more for a larger size, add an LTE connection, or pair your purchase with some attractive watch straps.

The Google Pixel Watch 2 is now available, having launched on October 12. Prices start at $349, which is a full $49 more than the Samsung smartwatch. It comes in only one frame size. An LTE model is also available for $50 more.

Overall Winner: Samsung Galaxy Watch 6

Although there is still a lot to be determined, it seems that Google has not managed to overtake its major rival in the Android smartwatch sector. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is a gorgeous device that’s clever, useful, and almost everything you could want from a smartwatch. Although the Google Pixel Watch 2 is likely to be a vast improvement over last year’s Pixel Watch, it doesn’t have enough potential to replace Samsung at the top.

However, some of this is based on perception, and our final verdict will depend on how well the Pixel Watch 2 performs in our review. If it excels in some areas, it may take back a few points, but as of right now, we don’t see it overturning the final result here. However, it’s clear that Samsung can’t be content to rest on its laurels, as the next Pixel Watch could finally be the one to break the bank.