Google Pixel Watch 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: The key differences
The Pixel Watch 2 is finally official and goes head-to-head with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 with Wear OS 4 and powerful internals.
Both feature the latest Wear OS features but are very different smartwatches. And while Samsung and Garmin have been partners with Wear – they go head-to-head here.
If you’re looking for a top Wear OS watch, then read our guide to these two top smartwatches.
Price
The Pixel Watch 2 starts at $349/£349 for a Bluetooth model – and there’s an LTE version. You also get a 6-month Fitbit Premium membership.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 starts at $299 for the 40mm Galaxy Watch 6. There are two versions, 40mm and 44mm and each has an LTE option. Likewise, there’s the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic model, with a more watch-like design, again with LTE options.
Galaxy Watch 6 40 mm: From $299/£289
Galaxy Watch 6 44 mm: From $329/£319
Galaxy Watch 6 Classic 43 mm: From $399/£369
Galaxy Watch 6 Classic 47 mm: From $429£399
Design
Opting for sustainability and lightweight design, the Pixel Watch 2 is crafted with 100% recycled aluminum, available in a solitary 41mm size, and weighs a mere 22g.
It features a 1.2-inch AMOLED, 1,000nit display, so it’s a lot smaller and diminutive than the Galaxy Watch 6.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, on the other side, comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes with a 1.3-inch or 1.5-inch AMOLED display respectively.
It also brings back the beloved rotating bezel in its Classic model.
So while Pixel Watch 2 shines with its sustainable and minimalistic design, the Galaxy Watch 6 appeals with its varied design choices and nostalgic rotating bezel.
Health Features
Wareable
With Fitbit in the driving seat, the Pixel Watch 2 is a powerful health package. It boasts a new multi-path heart rate sensor which has been developed with with Google AI, which aims to offer heightened accuracy in heart rate tracking.
It also offers real-time stress management features through Fitbit’s cEDA and skin temperature sensor.
It retains the ECG sensor, and Fitbit heart rate tracking from the Pixel Watch.
The Galaxy Watch 6 is not far behind with its improved sleep-tracking capabilities. It also features ECG, but also adds blood pressure tracking and body composition analysis. But many of these features are only available if you use a Samsung smartphone.
Fitness Features
Wareable
The Pixel Watch 2, with its Fitbit-driven fitness tracking, is a real proposition, and a promised 40% enhanced performance at varied exertion levels is an attractive proposition. It also includes the heart rate zone training from Wear OS 4.
The Galaxy Watch 6 follows suit with a robust offering for runners in the form of running track support and a wholesome fitness approach with detailed heart rate zone analysis. It’s a tie in this domain, with the preferred choice potentially boiling down to whether the user prioritizes running-specific features or a broader palette of fitness data.
Battery life
Wareable
The Pixel Watch 2 boasts the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ platform and offers a 24-hour battery life with a fast, 75-minute full charge.
Conversely, Galaxy Watch 6 not only provides an improved Samsung Wallet but also boasts up to 40 hours of battery life (30 hours with the always-on display), backed by a next-gen Exynos W930 chipset and an upcoming One UI 5 Watch OS update.
Which is right for you?
The Pixel Watch 2 isn’t a huge update – but it’s the device the original should have been. We’re still waiting to find out from our review testing whether Google has managed to fix the battery life issues we had on the first.
But things are promising, with the new Snapdragon W5+ processor the new heart rate algorithms, and Fitbit functionality, this has the makings of a robust smartwatch experience.
The Galaxy Watch 6 got a great review in our testing, although battery life was just good enough (and it boasts more than the Pixel Watch 2).
But many of the best health features require a Samsung phone to use – so not everyone is equipped to get the most out of the Galaxy Watch 6. However, with impressive heart rate tracking and sports tracking performance, it’s an easy recommendation right now.
