Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 vs Google Pixel Watch 4 — which flagship Android watch wins?

I reviewed the latest Google Pixel Watch 4 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, and can say with certainty that these are two of the best smartwatches for Android available today. But which one is best for you?

The easy answer is, if you have a Samsung phone, the Galaxy Watch 8 is the wise move, and if you have a Pixel phone, spring for the Pixel Watch 4. However, I can think of plenty of reasons for Galaxy phone owners to opt for the Pixel Watch and vice versa.

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Winner: Samsung Galaxy Watch 8

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The Pixel Watch 4 offers an overall sleeker case design compared to the Galaxy Watch 8’s cushion-style case aesthetic. That said, the smaller Galaxy Watch weighs roughly the same as the smaller Pixel Watch, and the same is true for the larger models.

Ignoring the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic for a moment, when it comes to controls, the experience is fairly similar between these two top-notch Android models, combining ultra-responsive touchscreens with a couple of physical buttons along the side of the case.

(Image credit: Dan Bracaglia/Tom’s Guide)

While the Galaxy Watch 8 sports two standard buttons, the Pixel Watch 4 provides a standard button and a digital crown that can be pressed, doubling as a button.

I personally prefer the design and controls of the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic to the standard Galaxy 8 model or the Pixel Watch 4. The rotating bezel is an awesome way to navigate the watch’s features. The Classic is also the only one of the bunch with an extra customizable button. That said, with a weight of 60g and a 46mm case diameter, it’s one hefty bit of wrist candy.

Ultimately, which design is superior is a matter of personal preference. With no glaring design issues in either camp, this one is a draw.

Winner: draw

50 meters of water resistance, making them suitable for wearing during short, surface-level swims, hand washing and showering, doing the dishes, and dancing in the rain. Both also sport an IP68 rating against dust and moisture incursions.

The Pixel Watch 4 and standard Galaxy Watch 8 models sport aluminum case designs that, in my experience, hold up well to the bumps and bruises of everyday life. That said, neither offers much by way of bezel protection for the screen.

The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, meanwhile, boasts a stainless steel case design and ample screen protection thanks to the rotating bezel.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic

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Google and Samsung each offer users a comprehensive set of wellness features, including the latest holistic and fitness-monitoring tech. You also get detailed sleep insights from either model, with deep dives into your sleep stages and overall sleep quality.

With ample tracking modes to cover even the most nuanced activities, both the latest Samsung and Pixel Watch are well-suited to accurately keep tabs on your outdoor excursions thanks to dual-band GPS antennas and onboard altimeters for elevation data.

To help you prep for the day, the Pixel Watch 4 provides a daily Readiness Score from one to one hundred, while the Galaxy Watch 8 offers a daily Energy Score on the same scale.

(Image credit: Dan Bracaglia/Tom’s Guide)

You get AI-powered workout tools on either model, too. The Galaxy Watch 8 features Samsung’s new Running Coach feature that analyzes your abilities via a trial run + user-inputted data to generate a custom-tailored multi-week training plan. For example, after my 12-minute trial run, the Galaxy Watch 8 recommended I train for a 10K. Once you start the plan, the device provides tips, insights, and encouragement along the way.

The Pixel Watch 4 also has an AI-powered personal fitness coach feature that’s quite a bit more capable, on paper at least. While Samsung’s AI coach is tied to just running, the Fitbit Coach can make recommendations about any workout type, including generating multi-exercise training plans. For example, I plan to use it to generate pre-snowboard season workouts to prep my legs.

Google’s Fitbit Coach is only available in preview form as of writing, but a full version is promised for 2026. Unfortunately, to access the majority of these new AI tools, you’ll need to pay $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year for a Fitbit Premium subscription.

Winner: draw

Loss of Pulse Detection. Similar to fall/crash detection, it can also send for help in the event of a cardiac emergency, even if you aren’t responsive.

For off-the-grid help when you’re out of cell service, the Pixel Watch 4 has another advantage over the Galaxy Watch 8: satellite-based emergency messaging.

Only available in the U.S., this feature allows you to connect to emergency services when off-the-grid or without a smartphone via, you guessed it, satellite. However, a clear view of the sky is necessary to send an SOS message, and it only works on the LTE-compatible models.

Still, as an avid outdoor adventurer, this feature alone is enough to swing me toward the Pixel Watch 4 instead of the Galaxy Watch 8.

Winner: Google Pixel Watch 4

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Google’s Gemini AI is the gold standard when it comes to on-wrist, voice-activated assistants, and both the latest Pixel Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch ship with the feature built in.

In my testing, Gemini on the Pixel Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 8 is capable of answering complex and/or overly specific questions, like ‘How many blueberries should I allow my 18-pound chihuahua-daschund mix pup to eat in one sitting?’ or ‘When’s the next time I’ll be able to see Jupiter with my naked eye from my current location?’

Gemini AI can also source relevant, context-specific bits of info from your calendar, messages, emails, and more. As someone who occasionally forgets appointments and/or social events despite writing them down on a physical calendar, I find this especially helpful.

However, one nifty Gemini AI feature that you’ll only find on the Pixel Watch 4 is a ‘Raise to talk’ gesture control that eliminates the need to say ‘Hey, Google’ when you want to ‘wake’ the AI. In practice, the gesture control works well, especially if you set it to maximum sensitivity.

Winner: Google Pixel Watch 4

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I tested real-world battery performance of the Pixel Watch 4 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and discovered that the larger, 45mm Pixel Watch 4 is the longest lasting of the bunch, averaging 60 hours or more per charge (the 41mm Pixel Watch 4 is a little less than that).

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic comes in second with roughly 50 hours of use per charge. The standard Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 lasted for closer to 30 hours per charge in our testing.

Winner: Google Pixel Watch 4

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The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 beats the Google Pixel Watch 4 when it comes to price — with the exception of the smaller, non-LTE models, which cost the same — and durability, assuming you go with the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic.

Both the Galaxy Watch 8 and Pixel Watch 4 offer similarly impressive designs (though I personally prefer the sleekness of the Pixel Watch) with bright and responsive touchscreens paired with physical controls. You also get comprehensive fitness, wellness, and sleep tracking tools on either model.

While my favorite AI voice assistant, Gemini, comes standard on each, only the Pixel Watch 4 offers a gesture control to wake it. The Google Watch also boasts a greater array of safety tools, including Loss of Pulse Detection and satellite SOS messaging, and superior battery life to the Galaxy Watch 8.

Ultimately, the Google Pixel Watch 4 is my favorite smartwatch for Android currently available. However, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is a close second.

Overall winner: Google Pixel Watch 4

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