In a head-to-head comparison, I put the Google Pixel Watch 4 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 to the test, logging 11,000 steps with each. Here's the lowdown on which watch came out on top, and why it might be the right choice for you. But first, let's dive into the details. Both the Google Pixel Watch 4 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 are contenders for the best smartwatches on the market, especially for Android users. They're designed to be worn 24/7 and track a wide range of health metrics, from your heart rate and sleep to your menstrual cycle. As a fitness editor with over a decade of experience, I was keen to see how they stacked up against each other in the real world. I strapped both watches to my wrist and manually counted my steps for a total of 11,000 steps over three separate walks around the city. The results were incredibly close, with the Google Pixel Watch 4 coming in at 11,785 steps and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 at 11,752 steps. The Pixel Watch 4 counted 46 steps too many, while the Galaxy Watch 8 was off by only 13 steps. This is a pretty minute difference, especially considering the average person takes 2,000 steps per mile. So, both watches are highly accurate when it comes to counting steps. But when it comes to deciding between the two, things get a little trickier. Both watches start at $349 and offer a range of health and fitness features. The Google Pixel Watch 4 has Fitbit on board, but you'll need a Fitbit Premium subscription to access some of its advanced health features, like its Personal AI Coach. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, on the other hand, has a host of fitness features, including advanced sleep tracking, FDA-authorized sleep apnea detection, and a daily energy score. Both watches are excellent from a health tracking perspective, and we'll be doing more comparisons soon. So, if you're looking to upgrade your smartwatch and prefer Android, both the Google Pixel Watch 4 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 are strong contenders. But if you're looking for a watch that counts your steps with near-perfect accuracy, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 might be the slight favorite.
