Both the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and the Google Pixel Watch 3 are strong contenders in the smartwatch market. The Galaxy Watch 8 excels in durability, display brightness, and unique health tracking features, making it suitable for users who prioritize ruggedness and comprehensive health insights. The Pixel Watch 3, on the other hand, offers a seamless user experience, especially for those within the Google ecosystem, and provides advanced fitness tracking capabilities. The choice depends on individual priorities and ecosystem preference.
| Attribute | Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 | Google Pixel Watch 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Display Technology | Super AMOLED | AMOLED LTPO (1Hz - 60Hz variable refresh rate) |
| Display Size and Resolution | 40mm: 1.34-inch, 438 x 438 pixels; 44mm: 1.47-inch, 480 x 480 pixels | 41mm: 1.2-inch, 408 x 408 pixels, 320 ppi; 45mm: 1.4-inch, 456 x 456 pixels, 320 ppi; Peak brightness of 2,000 nits (both sizes) |
| Processor and RAM | Exynos W1000 (3nm, Penta-core), 2GB RAM | Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 5100 with Cortex M33 co-processor, 2GB RAM |
| Battery Life (typical usage) | Around 26 hours with always-on display enabled, up to 39-40 hours with it disabled | Up to 24 hours with always-on display, Up to 36 hours with Battery Saver mode, 41mm: 307 mAh battery, 45mm: 420 mAh battery |
| Operating System and Compatibility | Wear OS 6, One UI 8 Watch. Compatible with Android 12.0 or higher | Wear OS 5, Compatible with Android 10.0 or newer (not Android Go edition) |
| Health Tracking Features | Heart rate monitor, ECG, Blood Oxygen (SpO2) monitoring, sleep tracking, skin temperature, antioxidant levels, vascular load, barometer, accelerometer, gyroscope, temperature sensor | ECG, Blood oxygen (SpO2) monitoring, Heart rate tracking, Skin temperature sensor, Loss of Pulse Detection, Cardio Load and Target Load, Daily Readiness, Stress tracking |
| Fitness Tracking Capabilities | GPS, workout modes for various activities (running, swimming, hiking, etc.), Running Coach | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou (BDS), 40+ exercise modes, Workout Builder for custom runs, Advanced motion sensing (cadence, stride length, vertical oscillation) |
| Water Resistance Rating | IP68 (dust and water-resistant), 5ATM (up to 50 meters for 10 minutes), MIL-STD-810H certified | 5 ATM (50 meters), IP68 (1.5 meters for 30 minutes, dust-resistant) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 5, NFC, optional LTE | Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4GHz, 5GHz), NFC, Ultra-Wideband, Cellular (4G LTE and UMTS) available in some regions |
| Storage Capacity | 32GB (Galaxy Watch 8), 64GB (Galaxy Watch 8 Classic) | 32GB eMMC flash |
| Design and Build Quality | Aluminum frame (Galaxy Watch 8), stainless steel (Galaxy Watch 8 Classic), Sapphire crystal display, cushion shape design | Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5, Aluminum case, Available in matte black, polished silver, matte hazel, and champagne gold finishes |
| Price | Galaxy Watch 8 (40mm, Bluetooth): $349; Galaxy Watch 8 (44mm, Bluetooth): $379; Galaxy Watch 8 Classic (46mm, Bluetooth): $499; LTE versions are $50 more | 41mm (Wi-Fi): $350, 45mm (Wi-Fi): $400, LTE models are expected to be more expensive |