Everyone uses smartwatches differently. There are the people who wear them all day, those who only wear them when they’re outside, those who only use them while working out and even those who only wear them to bed. In 2025, most smartwatches can do it all and satisfy your needs regardless of how you use them. They perform a lot of basic activity and sleep tracking while serving as excellent passive data gatherers. Google’s latest, the Pixel Watch 4, stands strong against rivals like the Apple Watch Series 11 and Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8, and if you look just at those model numbers, it’s impressive how far Google has come in just four generations.
The Galaxy Watch 8 is probably the Pixel Watch 4’s closest competitor, considering they’re both compatible with Android while the Apple Watch only works with iPhones. Comparing them can feel a bit futile, since it’s most likely you’ll buy the watch that works best with your brand of phone (i.e. Pixel watch for a Pixel phone, Samsung for Samsung). But it’s still worthwhile to see how they fare against each other. If you know what a Samsung watch can do, it helps contextualize what should be considered acceptable on, say, your Pixel or Apple watch.
It bodes well that for the Pixel Watch 4, I’m no longer questioning its fundamental functionality or complaining about its battery life. Rather, I found myself pondering its adaptability and consistency, as well as its strengths over the competition. Unsurprisingly, thanks to its Google and Fitbit heritage, those strengths lie in AI and health tracking. But the Pixel Watch 4 has a surprising advantage that I never saw coming: charging speed.
Google / Engadget 86 100 Expert Score Pixel Watch 4 The Pixel Watch 4 is a solid smartwatch thanks to its well-rounded suite of features. Its repairable design and super fast charging are laudable bonuses. Pros Super fast recharging
Comprehensive health and fitness tracking
Bright, beautiful display
Repairable design Cons Gemini wake gesture is finicky
Must be connected to internet for Gemini to work $350 at Google
What’s new on the Pixel Watch 4
Before I get into that though, let’s quickly go over what’s changed on the Pixel Watch 4. It now has a curved display under its domed glass covering, which makes it look even livelier than before. It’s surrounded by bezels that Google says are 16 percent smaller than the last model’s, allowing its screen to be about 10 percent roomier. The display is also brighter by about 50 percent, now going up to 3,000 nits. That’s the same as Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8, but higher than the Apple Watch Series 11’s 2,000 nits of peak brightness.
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