![\"Apple](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/watchcomparison.jpg\")
Nina Raemont\/ZDNET<\/p>\n Nina Raemont\/ZDNET<\/p>\n
Apple’s latest lineup<\/a> of Apple Watches drummed up quite the hype when they were announced during its annual iPhone event<\/a>. Apple unveiled several new features, like emergency SOS communications via satellite connectivity and FDA-cleared hypertension detection.\u00a0<\/p>\n I was physically present in Steve Jobs Theater, and as I watched Apple unveil these features, I couldn’t help but compare the new watch to Google’s Pixel Watch 4. Apple’s new satellite SOS feature bears some striking similarities to Google’s standalone satellite connectivity, for example.\u00a0<\/p>\n Also: The Apple Watch Series 11 is one feature away from making me ditch my Oura Ring<\/a><\/p>\n It made me wonder, what other similarities (and differences) do the two competing smartwatches have? And which of the latest models should you buy?\u00a0<\/p>\n First: a bit about privacy The Apple Watch SE 3 (left), Apple Watch Ultra 3 (middle), Apple Watch Series 11 (right).<\/p>\n Nina Raemont\/ZDNET<\/p>\n Before I delve into the actual specs, I wanted to mention a big difference between the two brands: privacy. Smartwatches collect lots of health data, including heart rate data, menstrual cycle data, blood oxygen, sleep, and more. That’s some of the most valuable data you can give up.\u00a0<\/p>\n A recent report<\/a>\u00a0published by VPN Mentor<\/a> rated Apple’s data-sharing practices as “excellent” while Google’s were rated as “good.” Apple shares data only with user permission, and claims to never sell data.<\/p>\n Also: New study will track 40,000 Garmin smartwatch users to better understand pregnancy outcomes<\/a><\/p>\n Google shares your data within its ecosystem, and performs opt-in third-party sharing, but no ad targeting. Also note that a “Good” rating is better than other brands’ products, like Samsung or Meta, both of which have received “poor” ratings for their data-sharing to generate personalized ads or biometric data sharing with limited opt-outs.\u00a0<\/p>\n Still, if data privacy is of the highest importance to you, it’s essential to keep these things in mind before putting a health tracker on your wrist. Now that that’s out of the way, let’s compare.\u00a0<\/p>\n Specifications I’ve gone hands on with both the Apple Watch Series 11<\/a> and the Pixel Watch 4<\/a>. While I was excited by some of Pixel’s feature updates — like its brighter display — one hardware hurdle I couldn’t jump over was its sheer thickness.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Series 11 is thin and feels light to wear. The Pixel\u2026 does not. While I haven’t gotten to test out the Pixel Watch 4 for more than a few minutes (during demos of the product) I slept with the Pixel Watch 3, which is similar in build. The thicker case and circular build of the Watch 3 made it more challenging to sleep with compared to the Apple Watch Series 11.\u00a0<\/p>\n 2. You want advanced health capabilities\u00a0<\/p>\n Apple has made investments in its health initiatives in recent years, gathering FDA clearance for several features, including hearing loss in its AirPods Pro<\/a>, sleep apnea detection, and the recently unveiled hypertension detection.<\/p>\n As a health device, I’d recommend Apple’s Series 11, which I’d describe as a health tracker first and foremost, as opposed to the Pixel Watch 4, which I’d describe as an AI smartwatch that just so happens to have advanced health-tracking capabilities.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Apple Watch Series 11Google Pixel Watch 4Brightness2,000 nits3,000 nitsWeight42mm: 30.3g, 46mm: 37.8 grams41mm: 31g; 45mm: 36.7gProcessorS10 chip with 64\u2011bit dual-core processorSnapdragon W5 Gen 2Memory1GB memory, 64GB storage2GB memory, 32GB storageBattery24 hours with always-on enabled30 on 41mm, 40 hours on 45mm with always-on enabledSizes42mm, 46mm41mm, 45mmColorwaysRose Gold, Silver, Jet Black, Space GrayMatte Black, Polished Silver, Champagne Gold, Satin MoonstonePriceStarting at $399Starting at $350 You should buy the Apple Watch Series 11 if…
Nina Raemont\/ZDNET 1. You prefer a thinner, lighter watch\u00a0<\/p>\n